JP6711556B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Conventionally, a game called a pachi-slot provided with a plurality of reels on each surface of which a plurality of symbols are arranged, a start switch, a stop switch, a stepping motor provided corresponding to each reel, and a control unit. The machine is known. The start switch detects that the start lever has been operated by the player (hereinafter, also referred to as "start operation") after a game medium such as a medal has been inserted into the game machine, and starts the rotation of all reels. Output the requested signal. The stop switch detects that the stop button provided corresponding to each reel is pressed by the player (hereinafter, also referred to as "stop operation"), and outputs a signal requesting stop of rotation of the corresponding reel. To do. The stepping motor transmits the driving force to the corresponding reel. In addition, the control unit controls the operation of the stepping motor based on the signals output by the start switch and the stop switch, and performs the rotation operation and the stop operation of each reel.

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

In addition, such a gaming machine is provided with a medal selector for detecting a medal inserted at the tip of the medal insertion slot. In addition, for this medal selector, a medal (illegal medal) that is not a proper medal (regular medal) is inserted into the medal insertion slot, or a device is inserted into the medal insertion slot, and the regular medal appears Measures have been taken against fraudulent activity in which a game is played by misidentifying that it has been thrown.

For example, in Patent Document 1, two medal detection proximity sensors are provided in the medal passage, and it is determined whether or not a gaming medal has passed through the medal passage based on the output of each proximity sensor. A slot machine for detecting fraudulent activity using a device such as a shape is described.

JP 2002-342814 A

However, in the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, various types of fraudulent devices other than the plate-shaped body are inserted into the medal insertion slot to illegally operate the counting function of the medal selector to insert a medal. It is not possible to detect fraudulent acts that appear to be doing and obtain a large number of credits, or fraudulent acts performed using fraudulent medals.

For example, if a medal with a unit price of 20 yen and a medal with a cost of 5 yen that are rented out in the hall where this slot machine is installed have the same diameter but differ only in color and marking (pattern), There is a person who can not discriminate and uses an illegal game such as using a medal acquired with a low bet gaming machine (so-called 5 slot) with an ordinary gaming machine (so-called 20 slot), so Damage is occurring.

In addition, in the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, a medal lent out in a hall in which a gaming machine is installed, a medal lent out in another hall, and a gaming machine purchased at a used machine store are attached. If a medal that is present or a counterfeit medal (including a device that looks like a medal) and the like has the same diameter but only the color or the marking (pattern), these cannot be distinguished. Therefore, it is difficult to detect (detect) an illegal act of playing a game using a medal (illegal medal) other than the regular medal.

Therefore, the fraud determination according to the conventional technique using a normal sensor such as the slot machine described in Patent Document 1 cannot deal with the various fraudulent acts described above, and the effect thereof is limited. There is.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to detect a fraudulent act of playing a game by misidentifying that a legitimate game medium is used in a gaming machine. Providing a gaming machine.

The invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
An insertion slot (for example, a medal insertion slot 21) for inserting a game medium (for example, a medal),
A game medium detecting means (for example, a medal selector 201 including a camera unit 209) for detecting the game medium inserted from the slot,
Start operation detecting means (for example, a start switch 79 for detecting operation of the start lever 23) for detecting a start operation by the player based on the detection of the game medium by the game medium detecting means,
Based on the detection of the start operation by the start operation detection means, an internal winning combination determination means for determining an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability (for example, a main control circuit 91 for performing an internal lottery process),
Based on the detection of the start operation by the start operation detection means, the symbols required for the game are displayed on the display means constituted by a plurality of display columns (for example, reels 3L, 3C, 3R displayed in the reel display window 4). A variable display control means (for example, a stepping motor provided corresponding to each reel) for controlling to display a variable display,
Stop operation detecting means for detecting the stop operation by the player (for example, a stop switch for detecting that each stop button 19L, 19C, 19R is pressed by the player),
Based on the determination result of the internal winning combination determination means and the detection of the stop operation by the stop operation detection means, a stop control means for stopping the variable display of the symbols (for example, a main control circuit 91 for performing reel stop control), ,
By stopping the variable display in the plurality of display columns, a predetermined privilege (for example, payout of medals) is given based on the symbol combination displayed along the winning determination line extending over the plurality of display columns. A gaming machine including a privilege granting means (for example, a main control circuit 91),
The game medium detection means,
A game medium passing portion (for example, a medal rail 210) which is a passage through which the game medium passes,
An image pickup means (for example, a means including a CMOS image sensor 232) for picking up an image of a surface of the passing object passing through the passage, the surface being irradiated with light;
Determination of whether or not the game medium is a proper one by performing image processing based on image data (for example, image data converted by the conversion unit 263) obtained via the image pickup means. And a game medium determining means (for example, control LSI 234) that executes a process ,
The game medium determination means,
Configured as an LSI dedicated to image processing control,
According to the operating status of the game medium determination means, at least a part of the determination process for a predetermined game medium is controlled not to be performed.

With such a configuration of the present invention, it is possible to execute the regular medal determination process using the image data acquired by the image pickup means. Since it is possible to determine a medal or the like by each processing of image conversion and image recognition performed based on the captured image, it is possible to determine the difference in the pattern of the medal or the like. Further, since the game medium determining means is configured as an LSI dedicated to image processing control, the manufacturing cost can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, since the game medium determination means is provided in a packaged state such as an ASIC, a fraudulent act from the outside (for example, invalidating the regular medal discrimination process or a process logic of the regular medal discrimination process is executed). or trying to steal act) it is possible to prevent, even in the security aspects that have a significant advantage.

According to the present invention, it is possible to misidentify that a legitimate game medium is used in a gaming machine and detect a fraudulent act of playing a game.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the function flow in the game machine of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing an example of appearance composition in a game machine of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, with a middle door closed. It is a perspective view showing an internal structure in the game machine of a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and showing the state where the middle door was opened. It is explanatory drawing which shows the inside of the cabinet in the game machine of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the back surface side of the front door in the game machine of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the medal selector in the game machine of a 1st embodiment of the present invention from the slanting back of the game machine. It is an exploded view of a medal selector in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the medal selector in the game machine of a 1st embodiment of the present invention from the slanting front of a game machine. It is a perspective view of a select plate of the medal selector in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the path|route of the medal when the medal selector in the game machine of 1st Embodiment of invention invention guides a medal to a hopper apparatus. It is a figure which shows the path|route of the medal when the medal selector in the game machine of 1st Embodiment of this invention guides a medal to a medal shoot. It is a block diagram showing a control system in the game machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a main control circuit in a game machine of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a sub control circuit in a game machine of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a medal selector in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of circuit composition of control LSI in a game machine of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of a camera unit in the game machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a regular medal used for a game machine of a 1st embodiment of the present invention, A shows one side of a regular medal, and B is a figure showing image data of a regular medal. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining generation (combination) of gradient average image data regarding regular medals used in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a diagram for explaining a regular medal determination process of the control LSI in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the one side of an illegal medal, and the example of the image data of an illegal medal. It is a figure which shows the one side of an illegal medal, the image data of an illegal medal, and the gradient average image data of an illegal medal. It is a functional block diagram of a camera unit in the game machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the captured image in the game machine of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of a characteristic image generation part in more detail. It is a figure which shows an example of a medal area typically. It is a figure which shows an example of a background image typically. It is a figure which shows an example of a background difference image typically. It is a figure which shows an example of an outline template typically. It is a figure for demonstrating template matching. It is a figure for explaining the extraction processing of the medal area. It is a figure which shows an example of an edge image typically. It is a figure for explaining a generating method of a rotation synthetic picture. It is a figure for demonstrating the generation method of a template characteristic image. It is a figure for explaining a generating method of a feature image. It is a figure for explaining a generating method of a feature image. It is a figure for explaining a generating method of a feature image. It is a figure for explaining a generating method of a feature image. It is a functional block diagram of a camera unit in a game machine of a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the captured image in the game machine of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a medal area typically. It is a figure which shows an example of a background image typically. It is a figure which shows an example of a background difference image typically. It is a figure which shows an example of an outline template typically. It is a figure for demonstrating template matching. It is a figure for explaining the extraction processing of the medal area. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the local area|region specified in the medal area|region. It is a figure which shows an example of an ellipse fitted with respect to a local region. It is a figure which shows an example of a spheroid. It is a flow chart which shows operation of a judgment part. It is a figure which shows a mode that a rotation ellipse and a standard ellipse are similar. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of acquiring the position of a spheroid. It is a figure which shows an example of the standard ellipse fitted to a local region. It is a figure which shows an example of the target ellipse fitted to a local region. It is a figure which shows a mode that a medal area|region is concentrically divided. It is a figure which shows a mode that a local area|region is divided|segmented into a some division area. It is a figure which shows a mode that a local area|region is divided|segmented into a some division area. It is a figure which shows a mode that a some ellipse is each fitted with respect to the some division area of a local area. It is a figure which shows a mode that a some ellipse is each fitted with respect to the some division area of a local area. It is a functional block diagram of a camera unit in a game machine of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the captured image in the game machine of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a medal area typically. It is a figure which shows an example of a background image typically. It is a figure which shows an example of a background difference image typically. It is a figure which shows an example of an outline template typically. It is a figure for demonstrating template matching. It is a figure for explaining the extraction processing of the medal area. It is a flowchart which shows operation|movement of a area|region division part. It is a figure which shows an example which calculates|requires an example of the brightness|luminance histogram in a medal area, and the entropy of a brightness|luminance histogram. It is a figure which shows a mode that a medal area|region is divided. It is a figure which shows a mode that a division area is further divided, and a formula which calculates entropy of a brightness histogram. It is a figure which shows an example of the some uniform division area produced|generated by the area division part. It is a figure which shows an example of the two-dimensional histogram of size information and distance information. It is a figure which shows an example of the one-dimensional histogram of size information. It is a figure which shows the some medal area|region from which the rotation angle of a medal differs mutually. It is a figure which shows a mode that the center of the medal area and the center of the medal reflected in the medal area have shifted. It is a figure which shows the medal area|region where a standard feature-value is acquired. It is a figure which shows the relationship of a 1st judgment evaluation value and a 2nd judgment evaluation value.

<<First Embodiment>>
Hereinafter, the pachi-slot which is the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 23.

<Function flow>
First, the functional flow of the pachi-slot will be described with reference to FIG. In the pachi-slot of the present embodiment, medals are used as a game medium for playing a game. It should be noted that all the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to pachi-slot machines, but can be applied to other gaming machines other than pachi-slot machines (for example, pachinko machines). In addition to medals, coins, game balls, game point data, tokens, etc. can be used as the game medium.

At the start of the game, when the player inserts a medal and operates the start lever, one value (hereinafter, a random number value) is extracted from a random number in a predetermined numerical value range (for example, 0 to 65535). To be done.

The internal lottery means performs lottery based on the extracted random number value and determines an internal winning combination. This internal lottery means is carried out by the main control circuit described later. By the determination of the internal winning combination, the combination of symbols that is allowed to be displayed along the winning determination line described below is determined. The types of symbol combinations include those related to "winning", in which benefits such as payout of medals, operation of re-game, operation of bonus, etc. are given to the player, and those related to other so-called "miss". Is provided.

Further, when the start lever is operated, the plurality of reels are rotated. After that, when the player presses the stop button corresponding to the predetermined reel, the reel stop control means controls the rotation of the corresponding reel based on the internal winning combination and the timing at which the stop button is pressed. To do. The reel stop control means is carried out by a main control circuit described later.

In the pachi-slot, basically, control is performed to stop the rotation of the corresponding reel within a specified time (190 msec or 75 msec) from when the stop button is pressed. In the present embodiment, the number of symbols that move with the rotation of the reel within this specified time is referred to as the “number of sliding pieces”. When the specified period is 190 msec, the maximum number of sliding pieces is set to 4 symbols, and when the specified period is 75 msec, the maximum number of sliding pieces is set to 1 symbol.

The reel stop control means, when the internal winning combination permitting the combination display of the symbols relating to the winning is determined, the combination of the symbols is usually within the prescribed time of 190 msec (4 symbols), and the winning combination is the winning determination line. Stop the rotation of the reel so that it is displayed along with as much as possible. Further, the reel stop control means defines, for example, one or more reels at the time of the operation of the challenge bonus (CB) and the middle bonus (MB) of continuously operating the second type special accessory. Within 75 msec (one frame of the symbol), the rotation of the reel is stopped so that the symbol combination is displayed as much as possible along the winning determination line. Furthermore, the reel stop control means uses various prescribed times corresponding to the gaming state to rotate the reels so that a combination of symbols not allowed to be displayed by the internal winning combination is not displayed along the winning determination line. Stop.

In this way, when the rotation of the plurality of reels is all stopped, the winning determination means determines whether or not the symbol combination displayed along the winning determination line is related to winning. This winning determination means is carried out by the main control circuit described later. When it is determined by the prize determination means that the game is related to a prize, a bonus such as payout of medals is given to the player. In the pachi-slot, the above-described series of flows is performed as one game.

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

When the start lever is operated, a random number value for rendering (hereinafter, a random number value for rendering) is extracted in addition to the random number value used for determining the internal winning combination described above. When the random number value for effect is extracted, the effect content determination means randomly determines the effect content to be executed this time from the plurality of types of effect content associated with the internal winning combination. The sub-control circuit described later plays a role of this effect content determination means.

When the content of the effect is determined, the effect executing means executes the corresponding effect in association with each trigger such as the start of the rotation of the reel, the stop of the rotation of each reel, the determination of the presence or absence of the winning. In this way, in the pachi-slot, the player has the opportunity to know or predict the determined internal winning combination (in other words, the combination of the symbols to be aimed) by executing the effect contents associated with the internal winning combination. It is provided, and the interest of the player can be improved.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the pachi-slot 1 includes an exterior body 2. The exterior body 2 has a cabinet 2a that houses a hopper device 51, a medal auxiliary storage 52, and the like (see FIG. 5) described later, and a front door 2b that is openably and closably attached to the cabinet 2a. Handles 7 are provided on both sides of the cabinet 2a (only one handle 7 is shown in FIG. 2). The handle 7 is a recess for holding the pachi-slot 1 when carrying it.

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

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

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

The front panel 10 is arranged so as to overlap the display portion 11a side of the liquid crystal display device 11, and is formed in a frame shape having a panel opening 10a that exposes the display portion 11a of the liquid crystal display device 11. A lamp group 18 is provided on the front panel 10. The lamp group 18 includes LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and the like, and turns on and off the light in a pattern corresponding to the effect contents.

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

The symbol display area 4 is arranged on the front side overlapping with the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R when viewed from the front, and is provided corresponding to the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The symbol display area 4 functions as a display window and is configured to allow the reels 3L, 3C, 3R provided behind it to pass through. Hereinafter, the symbol display area 4 is referred to as a reel display window 4.

The reel display window 4, when the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R provided behind it is stopped, among the plurality of types of symbols of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R, the upper, middle and lower stages in the frame One symbol is displayed in each area (3 in total). In the present embodiment, a pseudo line formed by combining any one of the three areas, which are the upper, middle, and lower rows of the reel display window 4, is a target for determining whether or not to win. Is defined as a line (winning determination line).

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

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

The window cover 16 is arranged on the inner surface side of the frame member 13 and cannot be removed from the front surface side of the front door 2b. Further, the frame member 13 has a sheet placing portion 17 that faces the opening of the information display window 14 with the window cover 16 interposed therebetween. Then, a sheet member (information sheet) in which information regarding a game is written is arranged between the sheet placing portion 17 and the window cover 16. Therefore, the information sheet is covered with the window cover 16 having a smooth surface without irregularities or gaps.

Since the window cover 16 constituting the mounting portion of the information sheet cannot be removed from the front side of the front door 2b and has a smooth surface without irregularities or gaps, the pachi-slot 1 can be used by using the mounting portion of the information sheet. You can prevent fraudulent activities that access the inside of the.

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

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

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

The BET button 22 is provided to determine the number of medals deposited in the pachi-slot 1 for one game. The start lever 23 is provided to start rotation of all reels (3L, 3C, 3R).

A 7-segment display 24 including a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode) is provided on the left side of the reel display window 4 when the front door 2b is viewed from the front. The 7-segment display 24 digitally displays information such as the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a privilege (hereinafter, the number of payouts) and the number of medals stored in the pachi-slot (hereinafter, the number of credits). ..

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

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

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

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

A cabinet-side relay board 44 is arranged on the left side of the cabinet-side speaker 42 when the inside of the cabinet 2a is viewed from the front. The cabinet-side relay board 44 is attached to the left side plate 20c of the cabinet 2a. The cabinet side relay board 44 includes a main control board 71 (see FIG. 13), which will be described later, attached to the middle door 41 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), a hopper device 51, a medal auxiliary storage switch (not shown), and a medal payout. The wiring for connecting with a count switch (not shown) is relayed.

An amplifier board 45 that controls the output of sound from the cabinet-side speaker 42 is arranged in the center of the cabinet 2a. The amplifier board 45 is attached to a mounting shelf 46 fixed to the left and right side plates 20c and 20d.

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

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

A medal payout device (hereinafter referred to as a hopper device) 51, a medal auxiliary storage 52, and a power supply device 53 are arranged below the inside of the cabinet 2a.

The hopper device 51 is attached to the central portion of the bottom plate 20b of the cabinet 2a. The hopper device 51 has a structure capable of accommodating a large amount of medals and discharging them one by one. For example, when the settlement button 27 (see FIG. 2) is pressed and the medals stored in the pachi-slot are settled, the hopper device 51 discharges the stored medals by the number of credits. The medals paid out by the hopper device 51 are discharged from the medal payout opening 32 (see FIG. 2).

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

The power supply device 53 is arranged on the left side of the hopper device 51 when the inside of the cabinet 2a is viewed from the front, and is attached to the left side face plate 20c. The power supply device 53 has a power switch 53a and a power board 53b (see FIG. 13). The power supply device 53 converts the power of the AC voltage 100V supplied from the sub power supply device 48 into the power of the DC voltage required by each unit, and supplies the converted power to each unit.

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

A main control board case 55 accommodating a main control board 71 (see FIG. 13) and three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are attached to the middle door 41. A stepping motor is connected to the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R via a gear having a predetermined reduction ratio.

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

The main control board 71 housed in the main control board case 55 constitutes a main control circuit 91 (see FIG. 14) described later. The main control circuit 91 is a circuit that controls the main flow of the game in the pachi-slot 1, such as determination of an internal winning combination, rotation and stop of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, and determination of presence or absence of a prize. The specific configuration of the main control circuit 91 will be described later.

A sub control board case 57 that accommodates the sub control board 72 (see FIG. 13) is provided above the middle door 41, and a center speaker 58 is provided above the sub control board case 57. The sub-control board 72 housed in the sub-control board case 57 constitutes a sub-control circuit 101 (see FIG. 15). The sub-control circuit 101 is a circuit that controls execution of effects such as video display. The specific configuration of the sub control circuit 101 will be described later.

A sub relay board 61 is disposed on the right side of the sub control board case 57 when the front door 2b is viewed from the back side. The sub relay board 61 relays the wiring connecting the sub control board 72 and the main control board 71. The sub-control board 72 is a board that relays the wiring that connects the sub-control board 72 and the board arranged around the sub-control board 72. It should be noted that LED boards 62A, 62B, and 62C, which will be described later, can be given as the boards arranged around the sub-control board 72.

The LED boards 62A, 62B, and 62C are arranged on both sides of the sub control board case 57 when viewed from the back surface side of the front door 2b. These LED boards 62A, 62B, and 62C have a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 85 (see FIG. 13) showing a specific example of a light source according to the effect executed by the control of the sub control circuit 101 (see FIG. 15). ) Is lit to display the blinking pattern. The pachi-slot 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of LED boards in addition to the LED boards 62A, 62B, and 62C.

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

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

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

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

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

Further, a door relay terminal plate 68 is arranged in a region below the reel display window 4 and opened/closed by the middle door 41 (see FIG. 4). The door relay terminal board 68 includes a main control board 71 (see FIG. 13) in the main control board case 55, various buttons and switches, a sub-control board 72 (see FIG. 13), a medal selector 201, and a game operation display board. 81 is a substrate that relays the wiring with 81 (see FIG. 13). The various buttons and switches include, for example, the BET button 22, the settlement button 27, the door opening/closing monitoring switch 67, the BET switch 77 and the start switch 79, which will be described later.

<Medal selector configuration>
Next, a specific configuration of the medal selector 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the medal selector 201 seen from diagonally behind the pachi-slot 1. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the medal selector 201. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the medal selector 201 as seen obliquely from the front of the pachi-slot 1. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a later-described select plate 207 of the medal selector 201. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a route of medals when the medal selector 201 guides the medals to the hopper device 51. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a route of medals when the medal selector 201 guides the medals to the medal shoot 202. In addition, arrow X shown in FIGS. 7-12 shows the left-right direction of the pachi-slot 1, arrow Y shows the front-back direction of the pachi-slot 1, and arrow Z shows the up-down direction.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the medal selector 201 includes a base plate portion 204, a sub plate 205, a cancel shooter 206, a select plate 207, a medal solenoid 208 (see FIG. 9 ), a camera unit 209, Is equipped with.

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

A medal entrance 211 for receiving medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 21 (see FIG. 2) is provided at the upper end of the base plate portion 204. The medals inserted into the medal selector 201 from the medal entrance portion 211 move from the upper side to the lower side along the medal rail 210. A medal exit portion 204c (see FIG. 8) is provided below the base plate portion 204. The medals that have moved inside the medal selector 201 are discharged from the medal exit portion 204c and are housed in the hopper device 51 via the slope 203 (see FIG. 4).

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 9, the after medal pressure 218 is rotatably supported by the front surface 204 a of the base plate portion 204. When the front end of the after medal pressure 218 is pressed to the rear of the pachi-slot 1 by the medal solenoid 208, the after medal pressure 218 rotates, and the rear end of the after medal pressure 218 comes out from the upper exposure hole 219 (see FIG. 8). Exposed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cancel shooter 206 is a substantially plate-shaped member, and is formed such that the left and right ends of the pachi-slot 1 are bent forward of the pachi-slot 1. The cancel shooter 206 is detachably fixed to the base plate portion 204 and covers the lower portion of the base plate portion 204 from the rear side. The cancel shooter 206 guides the medals discharged without passing through the medal exit portion 204c to the medal chute 202 (see FIG. 4). A notch portion 206a, which is cut out in a substantially rectangular shape downward, is formed at an upper portion of a substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the cancel shooter 206.

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

The shaft portion 222 is supported by the base plate portion 204, and the sub-plate 205 is attached to the base plate portion 204 so as to be rotatable around the shaft portion 222. A coil spring 223 is attached to the shaft portion 222. Normally, the sub-plate 205 is pressed against the base plate portion 204 side by the biasing force of the coil spring 223. At this time, a space through which medals can pass is formed between the sub plate 205 and the upper portion of the medal rail 210 covered by the sub plate 205. That is, the sub plate 205 functions as a guide plate that allows medals to pass through.

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

As shown in FIG. 8, the select plate 207 is a member that guides medals that move in a substantially central portion of the medal rail 210 that is not covered by the sub-plate 205. As shown in FIG. 10, the select plate 207 includes a plate body 224 having a substantially trapezoidal plate shape, and a pair of bearing portions formed by bending the left and right ends of the plate body 224 toward the front of the pachi-slot 1. 225 and. Further, a flange portion 226 formed by bending the pachi-slot 1 forward and bending the rear end portion upward is formed on the upper portion of the plate body 224. Further, a medal stopper portion 227 extending downward is formed on one bearing portion 225.

As shown in FIG. 8, the plate body 224 faces the substantially central portion of the medal rail 210 not covered by the sub-plate 205 in the front-back direction of the pachi-slot 1.

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 11, when the medal moving on the medal rail 210 meets the standard size, the select plate 207 in the guide position contacts the upper part of the moving medal and moves the medal to the medal exit portion 204c (see FIG. 8). ) To. The medal pushes the medal pressure 213 toward the front of the pachi-slot 1 when being guided by the select plate 207. In FIG. 11, the sub-plate 205 of the medal selector 201 and the cancel shooter 206 are not shown.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, even if the medals moving on the medal rails 210 satisfy the standard size, the select plate 207 in the ejection position has a large distance between the plate body 224 and the medal rails 210. Therefore, the medal cannot be guided to the medal exit portion 204c (see FIG. 8). Further, the medal is pushed out to the medal pressure 213, the after medal pressure 218 protruding from the upper exposure hole 219, or the medal stopper portion 227 protruding from the lower exposure hole 220, and is ejected toward the cancel shooter 206. 12, the sub-plate 205 and the cancel shooter 206 of the medal selector 201 are omitted as in FIG.

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

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

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the camera unit 209 includes a first substrate 230 and a second substrate 231, and is a unit that determines whether an object moving on the medal rail 210 is a regular medal. Is. A CMOS image sensor 232 (see FIG. 16) and an LED 233 (see FIG. 16) are provided on the first substrate 230. The second substrate 231 is provided with a control LSI 234 (see FIG. 16) communicatively and controllably connected to the CMOS image sensor 232 and the LED 233. The first substrate 230 and the second substrate 231 are connected by a BtoB (Board-to-Board) type connector (not shown), and the leg portions 235 provided at the corners of the respective substrates 230 and 231 are used. It is fixed. The specific configuration of the circuit of the camera unit 209 will be described later. Further, in the present embodiment, the mode in which the camera unit 209 is configured with the two substrates 230 and 231 has been described, but instead of this, one substrate provided with the CMOS image sensor 232, the LED 233, and the control LSI 234 may be used. May be configured.

The camera unit 209 is fixed by screwing the first substrate 230 into a screw hole 206b provided around the notch 206a in the upper portion of the cancel shooter 206. The CMOS image sensor 232 (see FIG. 16) is provided in a substantially central portion of the first substrate 230. The CMOS image sensor 232 images a medal moving on the medal rail 210, and outputs image data of the imaged medal to the control LSI 234 (see FIG. 16). The LED 233 (see FIG. 16) emits surface light around the CMOS image sensor 232, and illuminates the medal moving on the medal rail 210. The control LSI 234 (see FIG. 16) determines whether the object moving on the medal rail 210 is a regular medal based on the image data output from the CMOS image sensor 232, and outputs the determination result. In the present embodiment, the mode in which the camera unit 209 is fixed to the cancel shooter 206 by screwing in the screw hole 206b formed around the notch 206a has been described, but the mode in which the camera unit is fixed is not limited to this. Not done. For example, a mounting rail is provided between the first substrate 230 and the second substrate 231, a recess is provided in the upper portion of the cancel shooter 206, and the mounting rail is fitted into this recess, and then the mounting rail and the cancel shooter 206 are provided. May be fixed with screws or an adhesive.

<Pachislot circuit configuration>
Next, the configuration of the circuit included in the pachi-slot 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an overview of the entire circuit of the pachi-slot 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a block configuration diagram of the entire circuit included in the pachi-slot 1.

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

The reel relay terminal plate 74 is arranged inside the reel bodies of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. The reel relay terminal plate 74 is electrically connected to a stepping motor (not shown) of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R and relays a signal output from the main control board 71 to the stepping motor.

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

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

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

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

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

The game operation display board 81 displays the number of inserted medals on the 7-segment display 24 when receiving the insertion of medals, when the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotatable and when replaying. It is a substrate for making. The 7-segment display 24 and the LED 82 are connected to the game operation display board 81. The LED 82 lights, for example, a mark indicating the start of a game or a mark for performing a re-game.

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

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

A ROM cartridge substrate 86 and a liquid crystal relay substrate 87 are connected to the sub control substrate 72. The ROM cartridge board 86 and the liquid crystal relay board 87 are housed in the sub control board case 57 together with the sub control board 72. The ROM cartridge board 86 is a board for managing images for production (video), sound, LED boards 62A and 62B, other LED boards (not shown), and communication data. The liquid crystal relay board 87 is a board that relays the wiring that connects the sub-control board 72 and the liquid crystal display device 11.

[Main control circuit]
Next, the main control circuit 91 configured by the main control board 71 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the main control circuit 91 of the pachi-slot 1.

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

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

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

After detecting the reel index, the main CPU 93 counts the number of times pulses are output to the stepping motors of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. Thereby, the main CPU 93 manages the rotation angle of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R (mainly, how many symbols the reel has rotated). The reel index is information indicating that the reel has rotated once. The reel index is provided, for example, at a predetermined position of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R with an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and the rotation of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R makes the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. It is detected by a reel position detection unit (not shown) having a detection piece interposed therebetween.

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

That is, in the present embodiment, by managing the symbol counter, the number of symbols rotated after the reel index is detected is managed. Therefore, the position of each symbol on each reel 3L, 3C, 3R is detected with reference to the position at which the reel index is detected.

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

[Sub control circuit]
Next, the sub control circuit 101 configured by the sub control board 72 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sub control circuit 101 of the pachi-slot 1.

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

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

A control program executed by the sub CPU 102 is stored in the program storage area. For example, in the control program, a main board communication task for controlling communication with the main control circuit 91, and a performance registration task for extracting a random number value for performance and determining and registering the performance content (performance data). Is included. In addition, a drawing control task that controls the display of an image by the liquid crystal display device 11 (see FIG. 2) based on the determined effect contents, a lamp control task that controls the output of light by a light source such as the LED 85, and speakers 58, 64, 65L. , 65R, and the like, including a voice control task for controlling the output of sound by a speaker.

The data storage area includes a storage area for storing various data tables, a storage area for storing effect data constituting each effect content, and a storage area for storing animation data related to image creation. In addition, a storage area for storing sound data regarding BGM and sound effects, a storage area for storing lamp data regarding a pattern of turning on/off light, and the like are included.

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

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

Further, the sub CPU 102 causes the speakers 58, 64, 65L, 65R and the like to output sounds such as BGM according to the sound data specified by the effect contents. Further, the sub CPU 102 controls turning on and off of the light source such as the LED 85 according to the lamp data designated by the contents of the effect.

<Circuit configuration of medal selector>
Next, the circuit configuration of the medal selector 201 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the medal selector 201.

As shown in FIG. 16, the medal selector 201 includes a camera unit 209 and a medal solenoid 208. Further, the medal selector 201 is connected to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal plate 68. That is, the medal selector 201 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 91. Therefore, the main control circuit 91 can set the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 201 to the ON state or the OFF state.

The camera unit 209 includes a control LSI 234, a CMOS image sensor 232, and an LED 233. The control LSI 234 of the camera unit 209 is configured as an LSI dedicated to image processing control, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-programmable Gate Array), and is electrically connected to the CMOS image sensor 232 and the LED 233. Has been done. The control LSI 234 controls the light emission of the LED 233. Further, the control LSI 234 determines whether or not the insertion is a regular medal based on the image data output from the CMOS image sensor 232, and outputs the determination result to the main control board 71 via the door relay terminal board 68. .. The CMOS image sensor 232 used in the present embodiment is a CMOS image sensor having a resolution of 648×488 pixels and a frame rate of 240 fps (Frames Per Second), but is not limited to such an image sensor. It need not be done (an imager other than CMOS could also be used). A light emitting device other than the LED can also be used.

[Circuit configuration of control LSI]
Next, the circuit configuration of the control LSI 234 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the control LSI 234. FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of the camera unit 209 including the control LSI 234, FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a regular medal, FIG. 19A shows one side of the regular medal, and FIG. 19B is an image of the regular medal. Shows the data. In addition, FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining generation (combination) of gradient average image data for regular medals. Note that the camera unit 209 includes a light emitting unit including an LED or the like, but the illustration thereof is omitted in FIG. 18.

The control LSI 234 includes a host controller 241, an image recognition DSP (digital signal processor) circuit 242, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 243, a flash memory 244, an ISP (Image Signal Processing) circuit 245, and a medal count circuit 246. The control LSI 234 also includes a color recognition circuit 247, a fisheye correction scaler circuit 248, an image recognition accelerator circuit 249, and a GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) 250. The devices forming the control LSI 234 are connected to each other via a bus, and the control LSI 234 of the present embodiment employs AXI (Advanced eXtensible Interface) as a bus protocol.

Further, the control LSI 234 includes an ISI (Image Sensor Interface) circuit 251. The ISI circuit 251 is electrically connected to the CMOS image sensor 232 and the ISP circuit. The ISI circuit 251 converts the image data output from the CMOS image sensor 232 by the LVDS (Low voltage differential signaling) method into an RGB Bayer image and outputs the RGB Bayer image to the ISP circuit 245.

Here, the CMOS image sensor 232 and the ISI circuit 251 (and the host controller 241 that controls the ISI circuit 251) correspond to the imaging unit 261 shown in FIG. A captured image 262 is sent from the image capturing unit 261 to a conversion unit 263 described later (the captured image 262 is an RGB Bayer image output from the ISI circuit 251 in this example).

Upon receiving the RGB Bayer image from the ISI circuit 251, the ISP circuit 245 outputs a VSYNC (Vertical Synchronization) interrupt signal to the host controller 241. The ISP circuit 245 also performs conversion processing for converting the RGB Bayer image output from the ISI circuit 251 into various formats. In the conversion process, the ISP circuit 245 converts the RGB Bayer image into Y (luminance of each pixel), and stores the converted image data in the SRAM 243. Further, the ISP circuit 245 converts the RGB Bayer image into image data (YUV image data) corresponding to the YUV color space, and outputs the data relating to the luminance in this YUV image data to the medal count circuit 246. Further, the ISP circuit 245 converts the RGB Bayer image into image data (HSV image data) corresponding to the HSV color space, and outputs the data relating to the hue and the saturation in this HSV image data to the color recognition circuit 247.

Here, a part of the ISP circuit 245 (at least a processing function unit that converts an RGB Bayer image into image data (YUV image data) corresponding to the YUV color space) and the host controller 241 that controls the image data are shown in FIG. Of the conversion unit 263.

The medal counting circuit 246 performs a counting process based on the brightness-related data output from the ISP circuit 245. In the counting process, the medal counting circuit 246 compares the data relating to the luminance of the count area, which is a predetermined area in the image, with the count threshold value, and determines whether or not the medal has passed by the background difference method. The count threshold value is a threshold value that is predetermined based on the data relating to the brightness of the count area in the image of the regular medal. The medal counting circuit 246 determines that the medal has passed if the difference is small, and determines that the medal has not passed (if something other than the medal has passed) if the difference is large. Then, the medal counting circuit 246 stores the determination result in the SRAM 243. The count area can be arbitrarily set according to the medals used by the pachi-slot 1 as a regular medal, but it is preferable to set the count area so that the rotation angle of the medals does not significantly affect the brightness difference. For example, when a regular medal 280 having the same markings (patterns) on both sides as shown in FIG. 19A is used, one of the regular medals in the area is shown in the image data 282 of the regular medal 280 (see FIG. 19B). The place (area 283 in FIG. 19B) is set as the count area so that the markings (patterns) on the surface do not change depending on the rotation angle of the medal, that is, the rotation angle of the medal does not significantly affect the difference in brightness. Is preferred. Also, the narrower the range of the count area, the faster the counting process can be.

The color recognition circuit 247 performs color determination processing based on the hue and saturation data output from the ISP circuit 245. In the color determination process, the color recognition circuit 247 first expresses the integrated value of the data relating to the hue and saturation near the center of the image data as a vector (vector conversion) and calculates the angle of the vector in the three-dimensional space. To do. Next, the color recognition circuit 247 compares the calculated angle of the vector with a predetermined color threshold value and determines whether or not the color matches the color of the regular medal. The predetermined threshold value is a predetermined threshold value based on the angle of the vector calculated by the same method as the above-described process for the image data of the regular medals (for example, 3 for the regular medals to be compared). It is within ±10 degrees of the angle on each coordinate (XYZ) of the vector in the dimensional space). Then, the color recognition circuit 247 stores the determination result in the SRAM 243.

The fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 acquires image data obtained by Y (luminance of each pixel) conversion of the RGB Bayer image from the SRAM 243 and performs fisheye correction processing. In the fisheye correction process, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 performs fisheye correction on the acquired image data and creates reduced image data reduced to 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8. Then, the fish-eye correction scaler circuit 248 stores the created reduced image data in the SRAM 243.

The fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 and the host controller 241 that controls the scaler circuit 248 are included in the conversion unit 263 in FIG. 18.

The image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires reduced image data (in the present embodiment, reduced image data reduced to 1/4) from the SRAM 243 and performs preprocessing. In the pre-processing, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 converts the acquired reduced image data into edge image data through a non-linear diffusion filter and stores the edge image data in the SRAM 243.

Here, a part of the image recognition DSP circuit 242 (the above-mentioned processing function unit for converting the acquired reduced image data into edge image data through a non-linear diffusion filter) and the host controller 241 for controlling the same are shown in FIG. It is included in the conversion unit 263.

The image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs rotation integration processing to create gradient average image data. In the rotation integration processing, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 acquires the edge image data from the SRAM 243, and generates the acquired edge image data (for example, the image data 282 shown in FIG. 19B) by rotating it once, for example. Image data for 360 degrees is integrated (superposed) to generate gradient average image data. The gradient average image data generated by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 is stored in the SRAM 243. As an example of generating (combining) the gradient average image data, FIG. 20 shows the gradient average image data 285 of the regular medal 280 shown in FIG. 19A. The gradient average image data 285 is image data in which the edge image data in the shape of “A” is integrated while rotating, for example, 360 degrees (that is, integrated 360 times). Here, this is simplified. Shall be shown. The processing function unit of the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 that generates the gradient average image data and the host controller 241 that controls the processing function unit correspond to the characteristic image generation unit 264 of FIG. 18.

Further, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs marking determination processing for determining whether the marking (pattern) of the medal matches the marking of the regular medal. In the marking determination process, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires from the SRAM 243 the gradient average image data created by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 in the rotation integration process. Next, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 stores the acquired gradient average image data and the template data for the marking determination process (for example, the gradient average image data of regular medals stored in the SRAM 243 or the flash memory 244 prepared in advance). To calculate the difference. Then, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 determines whether the marking of the medal matches the marking of the regular medal based on the calculated difference value and the threshold value for marking determination, and stores the determination result in the SRAM 243. .. For example, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 compares the brightness of each pixel of the acquired gradient average image data and the template data, and determines whether they match (in the case of multi-tone, the difference is within a predetermined range). , If the number of matching pixels (the difference is within a predetermined range) is a certain number or more, it is determined that the marking (pattern) of the medal matches the marking of the regular medal, and if the number of matching pixels is less than the certain number, the marking of the medal is performed. It is determined that the (pattern) does not match the marking of the regular medal. Note that the processing function unit related to the marking determination process of the image recognition DSP circuit 242 and the host controller 241 that controls the processing function unit correspond to the determination unit 265 shown in FIG. 18, and the template data is the template data 267. Corresponding to.

The image recognition DSP circuit 242 and the host controller 241 that perform the above-described marking determination processing operate by programs (sequence programs), and these programs are stored in, for example, the SRAM 243 or the flash memory 244. The template data is stored in the SRAM 243, for example.

The host controller 241 controls each device, that is, the medal count circuit 246, the color recognition circuit 247, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248, the image recognition DSP circuit 242, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249, and the GPIO 250. Further, the host controller 241 outputs a signal related to a lighting instruction or a light extinguishing instruction to the LED 233 via the GPIO 250. Further, the host controller 241 outputs the determination result regarding the count process, the determination result regarding the color determination process, and the determination result regarding the marking determination process stored in the SRAM 243 via the GPIO 250. The GPIO 250 that outputs the determination result of the color determination process or the marking determination process and the host controller 241 that controls the GPIO 250 described above correspond to the input/output unit 266 illustrated in FIG. 18, and the determination result is the determination of FIG. Corresponds to result 268.

The flash memory 244 stores parameters and data (including the above template data) used by the host controller 241, the image recognition DSP circuit 242, the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248, and the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 for various processes.

Next, with reference to FIG. 21, a process performed by the control LSI 234 to determine whether or not the object moving on the medal rail 210 is a regular medal (hereinafter, may be referred to as “regular medal determination process”). Will be described.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the regular medal determination process of the control LSI 234. FIG. 21 shows a time-series relationship of processing in each device that constitutes the control LSI 234. The comparatively thick line portion of the vertical line extending below each device name indicates the various processing described by the device. It shows that it is performing the. Further, a dashed arrow extending from a line corresponding to each device to a vertical line extending below “IN” in the host controller indicates an interrupt signal output from each device to the host controller 241. In addition, a dashed arrow extending from a vertical line extending below “OUT” in the host controller toward a line corresponding to each device indicates a signal output from the host controller 241 to each device. In addition, a solid line arrow between a vertical line extending below “IN” and a vertical line extending below “OUT” in the host controller indicates from the interrupt signal detected by the host controller 241 and the host controller 241. The correspondence with the output signal is shown. Note that FIG. 21 shows a regular medal determination process when six medals are continuously inserted into the medal insertion slot 21 (see FIG. 2). In addition, in order to clarify what number of medals is related to the signal, a number indicating the order of inserting the medals is added to the head of the code attached to each signal. For example, a VSYNC interrupt signal output to the host controller 241 from the ISP circuit 245, which will be described later, for the first medal is denoted by "1IH", and the same VSYNC interrupt for the second medal is added. The signal is labeled with "2IH".

First, when the CMOS image sensor 232 (see FIG. 17) images an object (the first medal in this example) moving on the medal rail 210 and outputs the image data to the control LSI 234, the ISP circuit 245 causes the ISI circuit to operate. Image data is acquired (received) via 251 and a VSYNC (Vertical Synchronization) interrupt signal is output to the host controller 241 (1IH). The ISP circuit 245 also performs conversion processing for converting the RGB Bayer image into various formats. Then, the converted image data and the hue, saturation, and luminance data related to the image data are output to the SRAM 243, the medal count circuit 246, and the color recognition circuit 247. The detailed description of the conversion process has been described above, and will be omitted.

Upon receiving data from the ISP circuit 245, the color recognition circuit 247 performs color determination processing, stores the determination result in the SRAM 243, and outputs a color determination interrupt signal to the host controller 241 (1CH). The detailed description of the color determination process has been described above, and will be omitted.

Upon receiving the data from the ISP circuit 245, the medal count circuit 246 performs a count process, stores the determination result in the SRAM 243, and outputs a medal count interrupt signal to the host controller 241 (1 MH). The detailed description of the counting process is omitted because it has been described above.

When detecting the color determination interrupt signal, the host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the color determination processing from the SRAM 243 and outputs it to the allocation PORT of the GPIO 250 (1HG1). That is, the host controller 241 outputs the determination result of the color determination process to the main control board 71 (main control circuit 91) via the GPIO 250.

When detecting the count interrupt signal, the host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the count processing from the SRAM 243 and outputs it to the allocation PORT of the GPIO 250 (1HG2). That is, the host controller 241 outputs the determination result of the count process to the main control board 71 (main control circuit 91) via the GPIO 250. When the determination result of the counting process is “a medal has passed”, the main control circuit 91 sets the value of the inserted number counter, which is a counter provided for the main CPU 93 to count the number of inserted medals. Add one. When the value of the inserted number counter is the maximum value (for example, 3), 1 is added to the value of the credit counter which is a counter provided for the main CPU 93 to count the number of credited medals. When the credit counter has the maximum value (for example, 50), the main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 201 to the OFF state. As a result, the select plate 207 is positioned at the “discharging position” and the medals inserted after the credit counter reaches the maximum value are guided to the medal chute 202 and ejected from the medal payout opening 32 to the medal tray unit 34. In the present embodiment, when the start lever is operated when the value of the thrown-in number counter is a prescribed value (for example, 2 or 3), the main CPU 93 performs the above-mentioned internal lottery process.

The fish-eye correction scaler circuit 248 performs fish-eye correction processing when the image data converted by the ISP circuit 245 is stored in the SRAM 243, stores the reduced image data created in the SRAM 243, and also causes the host controller 241 to perform the reduction end allocation. Sending an embedded signal (1SH). The detailed description of the fish-eye correction process is omitted because it has been described above.

Between the output of the determination result of the count processing by the host controller 241 to the GPIO 250 (1HG2) and the transmission of the reduction end interrupt signal by the fisheye correction scaler circuit 248 (1SH), the second image by the ISP circuit 245 is output. The VSYNC interrupt signal output (2IH) related to the medal is generated. However, since the storage area of the SRAM 243 is set individually for storing the determination results of various processes (count process, color determination process, marking determination process, etc.) related to each medal, data overwriting does not occur.

Upon detecting the reduction end signal, the host controller 241 refers to the SRAM 243, the determination result of the count processing is “a medal has passed”, and the determination result of the color determination processing is “matches with the color of the regular medal”. On condition that the above condition is satisfied, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 is instructed to start the preprocessing (1HD).

The image recognition DSP circuit 242 performs preprocessing according to an instruction from the host controller 241, stores the edge image data in the SRAM 243, and outputs a preprocessing end interrupt signal to the host controller 241 (1DH1). The detailed description of the preprocessing is omitted because it has been described above.

Upon detecting the preprocessing completion interrupt signal, the host controller 241 instructs the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 to start the rotation integration processing (1HA).

The image recognition accelerator circuit 249 performs rotation integration processing according to an instruction from the host controller 241, stores the gradient average image data in the SRAM 243, and outputs an integration end interrupt signal to the image recognition DSP circuit 242 (1AD). The detailed description of the rotation integration processing is omitted because it has been described above.

When the image recognition DSP circuit 242 detects the integration end interrupt signal, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 acquires the gradient average image data stored in the SRAM 243, performs marking determination processing, and stores the determination result in the SRAM 243. Then, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 outputs a marking determination end interrupt signal to the host controller 241 (1DH2).

When the host controller 241 detects the marking determination end interrupt signal, the host controller 241 acquires the determination result of the marking determination processing stored in the SRAM 243 and outputs it to the GPIO allocation PORT (1HG3). That is, the host controller 241 outputs the determination result of the marking determination process to the main control board 71 (main control circuit 91) via the GPIO 250.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the present embodiment, the preprocessing and marking determination processing by the image recognition DSP circuit 242 and the rotation integration processing by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 take a relatively long time. Therefore, when medals are continuously inserted, the host controller 241 confirms whether the image recognition DSP circuit 242 or the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 is in processing (busy state) when detecting the reduction end signal, If neither is being processed, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 gives an instruction to start preprocessing and marking determination processing, and the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 to start rotation integration processing.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, when the host controller 241 detects the reduction end signals (2SH and 3SH) for the second and third medals, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 or the image recognition Since the accelerator circuit 249 is in process (busy state), the host controller 241 does not give the start instruction. Therefore, for the second and third medals, the count processing and the color determination processing are performed, but the marking determination processing is not performed. On the other hand, when the host controller 241 detects the reduced signal (4SH) for the fourth medal, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 and the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 are not in process (busy state). Therefore, the count process, the color determination process, and the marking determination process are performed on the fourth medal.

It should be noted that by speeding up the preprocessing and the marking determination processing by the image recognition DSP circuit 242 and the rotation integration processing by the image recognition accelerator circuit 249, the counting processing, the color determination processing, and the marking determination processing can be performed for all the inserted medals. It may be performed.

Various signals relating to the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth medals shown in FIG. 21 (the reference numerals are "2", "3", "4", "5", The respective signals "6") are the same as the above-mentioned various signals (the reference numeral is "1") related to the first medal, which differ only in the numbers at the beginning, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that the processing timing of each device in the regular medal discrimination processing of the control LSI 234 shown in FIG. 21 is merely an example. The regular medal determination process may be performed at various processing timings depending on the processing capability of each device, the processing content, and the processing procedure.

<Action>
In the pachi-slot 1 of the present embodiment, the control LSI 234 of the medal selector 201 performs the regular medal determination process including the color determination process, the count process, and the marking determination process. When an unauthorized device that is not a medal moves on the medal rail 210, it is determined that the color does not match the color of the regular medal in the color determination process, and that the medal has not passed in the counting process. Therefore, it is possible to misidentify that a regular medal is used for the pachi-slot 1 and detect an illegal act of playing a game.

In addition, an illegal medal 290 shown in FIG. 22A (a medal having the same diameter and the same color as the regular medal 280 (see FIG. 19A) but having a different engraved mark (pattern) on the surface of the medal) moved on the medal rail 210. In this case, in the color determination process, it is determined that the color matches the color of the regular medal. However, in the counting process, the stamp (pattern) in the count area (the area 293 surrounded by the dotted line) of the image data 292 of the illegal medal shown in FIG. 22B and the count area of the image data of the regular medal (the dotted line in FIG. 19B). Since the engraved mark (pattern) in the enclosed area 283 is significantly different, it is determined that "the medal has not passed". Therefore, it is possible to misidentify that a regular medal is used for the pachi-slot 1 and detect an illegal act of playing a game.

Further, on the medal rail 210, an illegal medal 295 shown in FIG. 23A (another medal having the same diameter and the same color as the regular medal 280 (see FIG. 19A), but different only in the marking (pattern) on the surface of the medal) is displayed. When moved, it is determined in the color determination process that the color matches the color of the regular medal. Further, in the counting process, the marking (pattern) in the count area (area 298 surrounded by the dotted line) of the illegal medal image data 297 shown in FIG. 23B and the count area of the regular medal image data (the dotted line in FIG. 19B). Since the difference between the engraved mark (pattern) in the enclosed area 283) is small, it is determined that the medal has passed. However, in the marking determination process, since the gradient average image data 299 of the illegal medals shown in FIG. 23C and the gradient average image data 285 of the regular medals 280 (see FIG. 20) are significantly different, “the stamp (pattern) of the medals is regular. It does not match the stamp of the medal”. Therefore, it is possible to misidentify that a regular medal is used for the pachi-slot 1 and detect an illegal act of playing a game.

Further, on the medal rail 210, a regular medal 280 (see FIG. 19A), a different diameter (a diameter slightly smaller or larger than the regular medal diameter, and a diameter that can be guided by the select plate 207) and a medal of the same color have moved. In this case, in the color determination process, it is determined that the color matches the color of the regular medal. However, in the image data of this medal, if this medal is slightly smaller than the diameter of the regular medal and there is a boundary between the outer edge of the medal and the background in the count area, "the medal has not passed" in the counting process. Is determined. Even if it is determined in the counting process that the medal has passed, the gradient average image data of this medal and the gradient average image data 285 of the regular medal 280 (Fig. 20)). Therefore, in the marking determination process, it is determined that "the marking (pattern) of the medal does not match the marking of the regular medal". Therefore, it is possible to misidentify that a regular medal is used for the pachi-slot 1 and detect an illegal act of playing a game.

Further, when a medal having the same diameter and different color as the regular medal 280 (see FIG. 19A) moves on the medal rail 210, it is determined in the color determination process that the color does not match the regular medal. Therefore, it is possible to misidentify that a regular medal is used for the pachi-slot 1 and detect an illegal act of playing a game.

Further, the control LSI 234 outputs the determination results of the color determination processing, the count processing, and the marking determination processing to the main control circuit 91 composed of the main control board 71 via GPIO. Therefore, it is possible to cause the main control circuit 91 to perform various kinds of processing when there is an illegal act. Here, the various processes in the case of the illegal activity include, for example, forcibly interrupting the game by the main control circuit 91 and notifying that the illegal activity has been performed via the sub control circuit 101 (for example, , Processing for displaying that the fraudulent activity has occurred on the liquid crystal display device 11).

Further, when the misconduct is detected by the determination result of the color determination process and the count process, the main control circuit 91 may set the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 201 to the OFF state. As a result, the select plate 207 is positioned at the "discharging position", so that the illegal medal can be guided to the medal chute 202 and ejected from the medal payout opening 32. Note that the main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208, which has been set to the OFF state by detecting the fraudulent activity by the color determination processing and the count processing, to the ON state after guiding the fraudulent medal related to this fraudulent activity to the medal chute 202. May be.

Further, even when an improper act is detected by the marking determination process, the main control circuit 91 may set the medal solenoid 208 of the medal selector 201 to the OFF state. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, after the VSYNC interrupt signal (4IH) for the fourth medal is output from the ISP circuit 245 to the main control circuit 91, the VSYNC interrupt for the fifth medal is output. The determination result of the marking determination process for the first medal is output to the main control circuit until the signal (5IH) is output (1HG3). Therefore, when illegal medals are continuously inserted, the illegal medals inserted after the fifth coin can be guided to the medal chute 202 and ejected from the medal payout opening 32. As a result, it is possible to suppress the spread of damage caused by fraudulent acts. By increasing the speed of the marking determination processing, if the fraudulent activity can be detected by the marking determination processing before the medal imaged by the camera unit 209 passes over the after-medal pressure 218 or the medal stopper 227, The main control circuit 91 immediately sets the medal solenoid 208 to the OFF state, so that it is possible to prevent the damage caused by the fraudulent act. Further, the main control circuit 91 sets the medal solenoid 208, which has been set to the OFF state by detecting fraudulent activity by the marking determination processing, to the following determination result of the marking determination processing, "the marking of the medal (pattern) matches the marking of the regular medal." If “Yes”, it may be set to the ON state. As a result, since the illegal medals were accidentally mixed in, when the player unintentionally inserts the illegal medals and the medal solenoid 208 is set to the OFF state and becomes unplayable, the player is authorized. If you insert a medal, you can restart the game.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
Heretofore, the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described, including its effects. However, the game machine of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

For example, in the above description, an example in which medals having the same marking (pattern) on both sides are used as the game medium has been described, but instead of this, different markings may be provided on one side and the other side of the medal. A given medal may be used. In this case, data relating to each side of the medal may be prepared in advance as data relating to the threshold value in the counting process, the color determining process, and the marking determining process.

Further, as a method of setting the data related to the threshold value, a fixed unit game period (for example, 100 games) is set as a collection period of the data related to the threshold value, and an image is taken by the camera unit 209 during this unit game period. It is also possible to adopt a method of setting based on the image data of the medals.

The gaming machine according to the first embodiment described above can determine a medal or the like by performing image conversion or image recognition processing performed based on a captured image acquired by the imaging unit 261 including the CMOS image sensor 232. Therefore, it is possible to determine the difference in patterns of medals and the like. Moreover, since the control LSI 234 of the camera unit 209 is configured as an ASIC or the like, the manufacturing cost can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, since the control LSI 234 is provided in a packaged state such as an ASIC, an illegal act from the outside (for example, invalidate the regular medal discrimination process or steal the processing logic of the regular medal discrimination process). It has a significant advantage in terms of security.

<<Second Embodiment>>
Hereinafter, a pachi-slot which is a gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 39. The pachi-slot 300, which is the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, has a functional flow, a pachi-slot structure, a medal selector configuration, a pachi-slot circuit configuration, and a medal selector circuit configuration described above in the first embodiment. It is the same as the pachi-slot 1 which is the gaming machine according to. In the following, the regular medal determination process executed by the pachi-slot 1 which is the gaming machine according to the first embodiment will be described more specifically, and a new regular medal determination process method will be described.

As described above, the pachi-slot 300 that is the gaming machine according to the second embodiment includes the control LSI 334 (corresponding to the control LSI 234 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment), like the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. A camera unit 309 (corresponding to the camera unit 209 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) is provided, and further a medal selector 301 (corresponding to the medal selector 201 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) including the camera unit 309 is provided. .. FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of such a camera unit 309, and has substantially the same configuration as that shown in the functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 24, the camera unit 309 according to this embodiment includes an imaging unit 361, a conversion unit 363, a characteristic image generation unit 364, a determination unit 365, and an input/output unit 366. Although the camera unit 309 includes a light emitting unit including an LED and the like, the illustration thereof is omitted in FIG.

The imaging unit 361 includes a CMOS image sensor 332 (for example, corresponding to the CMOS image sensor 232 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment), and the image data imaged by the CMOS image sensor 332 (predetermined as necessary). (Converted) and output as a captured image 362A.

The conversion unit 363 (for example, corresponding to the ISP circuit 245 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) converts the captured image 362A input from the imaging unit 361 from a color image to a grayscale image, and converts the captured image after conversion. The captured image 362B is output.

The characteristic image generation unit 364 (for example, corresponding to the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) is a characteristic image indicating the characteristics of the medal 310 based on the captured image 362B in which the medal 310 is captured. 362C is generated. The determination unit 365 determines that the medal 310 (that is, the medal 310 corresponding to the image of the medal 310 included in the captured image 362C) in the captured image 362B is valid based on the characteristic image 362C generated by the characteristic image generation unit 364. It is determined whether or not it is one, and the determination result 368 is output via the input/output unit 366 (for example, corresponding to the GPIO 250 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment).

The determination unit 365 (for example, corresponding to the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) has a characteristic image 362C generated by the characteristic image generation unit 364 from the captured image 362B and a template indicating the characteristics of the regular medal. The data (template characteristic image) 367 is compared, and based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the medal 310 related to the captured image 362B is authentic.

FIG. 25 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a captured image 362A obtained by the image capturing section 361. The captured image 362A shown in FIG. 25 includes an image of the captured medal 310. Further, the medal rail 311 that is the background is captured, and the image is included in the captured image 362A. Note that the medal rail 311 corresponds to the medal rail 210 of the above-described first embodiment, but here, the shape of the rail is simplified and shown.

On one main surface 310a of the medal 310, for example, a pattern of the alphabet "A" is shown. This shows the pattern of the regular medal, but other patterns may be used. Further, patterns may be provided on both main surfaces of the regular medal.

In the present embodiment, the medal 310 moves on the medal rail 311 while rotating around a rotation axis passing through the centers of both main surfaces thereof and extending in the thickness direction. Then, the imaging unit 361 images the medal 310 from the one main surface 310a side of the medal 310. Therefore, the captured image 362A includes the image of the one main surface 310a of the medal 310. Further, in the present embodiment, the captured image 362A generated by the image capturing unit 361 is a color image, but it may be a grayscale image.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the configuration of the characteristic image generation unit 364. As shown in FIG. 26, the characteristic image generation unit 364 includes a first image generation unit 370 and a second image generation unit 380. The first image generation unit 370 generates a first image 374 showing the medal 310 based on the captured image 362B. The second image generation unit 380 uses at least a part of the rotation combined image obtained by combining the plurality of rotation images obtained by rotating the first image 374 generated by the first image generation unit 370 as the characteristic image 362C (second image). ).

The first image generation unit 370 includes an extraction unit 371 and an edge image generation unit 372. The extraction unit 371 extracts the medal area 373 in which the medal 310 is shown from the captured image 362B. The edge image generation unit 372 performs edge detection on the medal area 373 extracted by the extraction unit 371 to generate an edge image (first image 374).

<Regular medal discrimination process flow>
Next, a series of operations of the regular medal determination process performed by the camera unit 309 in the present embodiment will be described.

First, when the captured image 362A is input from the image capturing unit 361, the conversion unit 363 converts the captured image 362A from a color image into a grayscale image, and the captured image 362B thus obtained is processed.

Next, the extraction unit 371 extracts the medal area 373 in which the medal 310 appears from the captured image 362B that is the processing target. After that, the edge image generation unit 372 performs edge detection on the medal area 373 extracted by the extraction unit 371 to generate an edge image as the first image 374 showing the medal 310. Next, the second image generation unit 380 features at least a part of a rotation combined image obtained by combining a plurality of rotation images obtained by rotating the edge image (first image 374) generated by the edge image generation unit 372. Generate as an image 362C.

Next, the determination unit 365 compares the characteristic image 362C generated by the second image generation unit 380 with the characteristic image included in the template data 367, and based on the comparison result, the captured image 362B to be processed is selected. It is determined whether or not the indicated medal 310 is a legitimate one. In other words, based on the comparison result between the characteristic image 362C and the characteristic image included in the template data 367, the determination unit 365 determines whether the medal 310 shown in the captured image 362A generated by the image pickup unit 261 is a regular medal. Determine whether or not. Then, the determination unit 365 sends the determination result 368 to the main control circuit (corresponding to the main control circuit 91 in the gaming machine of the first embodiment) via the input/output unit 366 (corresponding to the GPIO 250 of the first embodiment). Output. In this way, when the medal 310 shown in the captured image 362A is not a proper one, the main control circuit forcibly interrupts the game, similarly to the gaming machine of the first embodiment, and the sub control circuit (first Through the sub-control circuit 101 in the gaming machine according to the embodiment), it is possible to notify that there has been an illegal act. For example, it is possible to output a warning to the outside by outputting a warning sound from a speaker or displaying warning information on a display which is a liquid crystal display device.

After that, when a new captured image 362A is input, the determination unit 365 executes the above-described regular medal determination process with the captured image 362B obtained from the captured image 362A as a new processing target. After that, the determination unit 365 performs the same operation each time the captured image 362A is input.

<Detailed description of each component>
Next, operations of the extraction unit 371, the edge image generation unit 372, the second image generation unit 380, and the determination unit 365 of the first image generation unit 370 will be described in more detail.

[Extractor]
FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the medal area 373 extracted by the extraction unit 371 from the captured image 362B. There are various methods for extracting the medal area 373 from the captured image 362B.

For example, there is a first extraction method that utilizes the outer shape of the medal 310. In the first extraction method, first, edge detection is performed on the captured image 362B to generate an edge image. As a method of generating an edge image, for example, the Sobel method, Laplacian method, Canny method or the like is used. Next, a circular area is extracted from the generated edge image. As a method of extracting the circular area, for example, Hough transform is used. Then, the circular area in the captured image 362B existing at the same position as the position of the circular area in the edge image is set as the medal area 373.

As another method, there is a second extraction method for extracting the medal area 373 from the captured image 362B using the background subtraction method and labeling. In the second extraction method, first, a background difference image indicating a difference between the captured image 362B and a background image (an image showing only the background of the captured image 362B) is generated, and the generated background difference image is binarized. It Then, labeling such as 4-connection is performed on the binary background difference image. The partial area in the captured image 362B existing at the same position as the position of the connected area (independent area) obtained as a result of labeling in the binary background difference image is set as the medal area 373.

In the present embodiment, the extraction unit 371 extracts the medal area 373 from the captured image 362B by a method different from the above two methods. The operation of the extraction unit 371 according to this embodiment will be described below. The extraction unit 371 may extract the medal area 373 from the captured image 362B using either one of the above two methods.

First, the extraction unit 371 generates a background difference image indicating a difference between the captured image 362B and the background image 375 (an image in which only the background of the captured image 362B appears), and binarizes the generated background difference image. 28 is a diagram schematically showing the background image 375, and FIG. 29 is a diagram schematically showing a binary background difference image 376. Note that in the binary image schematically shown in FIG. 29 and the later-described drawings of this embodiment, a region (high-luminance region) having a pixel value of “1” is shown in black, and a pixel value of “0”. The area (low brightness area) is shown in white. The background image 375 can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

Next, the extraction unit 371 performs template matching on the binary background difference image 376 using the binary outline template 377 indicating the outline of the medal 310. That is, the extraction unit 371 specifies where in the background difference image 376, a region similar to the outer shape template 377 exists. In other words, the extraction unit 371 identifies where, in the background difference image 376, a region that matches the outer shape of the medal 310 indicated by the outer shape template 377 exists. FIG. 30 is a diagram schematically showing the outline template 377. The outer shape template 377 can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

In template matching, the extraction unit 371 moves the outline template 377 little by little (for example, by one pixel (pixel)) in the raster scan direction on the background difference image 376 as shown in FIG. In other words, the extraction unit 371 raster-scans the outer shape template 377 on the background difference image 376. At this time, the extraction unit 371 generates an AND image of the outer shape template 377 and the partial area of the background difference image 376 that overlaps with the outer shape template 377 at each position of the outer shape template 377. As a result, a plurality of binary AND images are generated. Then, the extraction unit 371 causes the background difference image 376 of the outer shape template 377 used in the generation of the AND image having the largest number of pixels (high-luminance pixels) having the pixel value “1” among the generated AND images. Identify the top position. This position is a position where a region similar to the outer shape template 377 exists in the background difference image 376.

Then, as shown in FIG. 32, the extraction unit 371 extracts, as the medal area 373, the partial area 378 in the captured image 362B existing at the same position as the specified position. In other words, the extraction unit 371 extracts, as the medal area 373, the partial area 378 in the captured image 362B that overlaps with the outline template 377 when the outline template 377 is arranged in the captured image 362B at the same position as the specified position. .. At this time, in the partial area 378, a medal area 373 may be one in which the pixel value of each pixel outside the circle indicated by the outer shape template 377 above it is zero. The medal area 373 extracted by the extraction unit 371 is a grayscale image. In the present embodiment, the outer shape of the medal area 373 is a quadrangle, but it may be another shape such as a circle.

[Edge image generator]
The edge image generation unit 372 performs edge detection on the medal area 373 extracted by the extraction unit 371 by using, for example, the Sobel method, the Laplacian method, the Canny method, etc., and outputs the edge image (first image 374). To generate. In the present embodiment, the edge image generation unit 372 uses, for example, the Sobel method which is light in processing. The edge image is a binary image. FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically showing an edge image.

[Second image generator]
The second image generation unit 380 uses, as the characteristic image 362C, at least a part of the rotation combined image obtained by combining the plurality of rotation images obtained by rotating the first image (edge image) 374 generated by the edge image generation unit 372. To generate. In the present embodiment, for example, the second image generation unit 380 generates, as the characteristic image 362C, a rotation combined image obtained by combining a plurality of rotation images obtained by rotating the first image (edge image) 374. Here, the rotation of the first image (edge image) 374 includes the case where the rotation angle is 0°. The method of generating the rotation composite image will be described below.

FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining a method in which the second image generation unit 380 generates the rotation composite image 379. The second image generation unit 380 rotates the first image (edge image) 374 by a predetermined angle α to generate a plurality of rotated images 374a as shown in FIG. Here, the second image generation unit 380 rotates the first image (edge image) 374 by a predetermined angle α until the total rotation angle becomes (360°−α). In the present embodiment, the second image generation unit 380 rotates the first image (edge image) 374 by 2° (α=2°), for example, and generates 180 rotated images 374a. The above-mentioned angle α can be adjusted to various angles such as 1° and 4°.

Then, the second image generation unit 380 generates a rotation combined image 381 by combining the generated plurality of rotated images 374a. Specifically, the second image generation unit 380 averages a plurality of rotated images 374a with their centers coincident with each other, and adds and averages the resulting rotated average image 381. The second image generation unit 380 uses the generated rotation composite image 381 as a characteristic image 362C showing the characteristic of the medal 310 shown in the captured image 362B.

When the plurality of rotated images 374a are combined, the second image generation unit 380 rotates the rotated images 374a having a total rotation angle of 0° in each of the rotated images 374a (that is, the first image that is not rotated ( The area protruding from the outer shape of the edge image) 374) is not used. Therefore, the rotated composite image 381 is a grayscale image having the same size as the first image (edge image) 374.

As described above, the imaging unit 361 images the rotating medal 310 and generates a captured image 362A in which the medal 310 is reflected. Therefore, the rotation angle (the rotation angle of the pattern attached to the medal 310) of the medal 310 of the captured image 362B generated by the conversion unit 363 is not always the same. On the other hand, since the rotation composite image 381 is a combination of a plurality of rotation images 374a obtained by rotating the first image (edge image) 374 showing the medal 310 of the captured image 362B, the medal of the captured image 362B is combined. Even if there are variations in the rotation angle of 310, if the medal 310 is legitimate, the rotation composite image 381 obtained from the captured image 362B hardly changes. Therefore, it can be said that the rotation composite image 381 is the characteristic image 362C showing the characteristics of the medal 310, which is hardly influenced by the rotation angle of the medal 310 of the captured image 362B.

[Judgment part]
The determination unit 365 compares the rotation composite image 381 (feature image 362C) generated by the second image generation unit 380 with the feature image of the template data 267 indicating the feature of the regular medal 310, and based on the comparison result. Then, it is determined whether or not the medal 310 included in the captured image 362B is authentic. As the characteristic image of the template data 267, the characteristic image 362C (rotation image) showing the characteristic of the regular medal 310 generated by the characteristic image generation unit 364 from the captured image 362B including the image of the regular medal 310 in the same manner as described above. The composite image 381) is used.

It is possible to insert the medal 310 into the gaming machine and obtain the characteristic image of the template data 367. For example, a captured image 362B in which the inserted regular medal 310 is captured is generated, and this captured image 362B is referred to as a "standard image 391". Next, the characteristic image generation unit 364 generates, based on the standard image 391, a characteristic image 362C (rotational combined image 381) indicating the characteristics of the regular medal 310 included in the standard image 391. This characteristic image 362C is called a "standard characteristic image 392". In this embodiment, the standard feature image 392 is the feature image of the template data 367. Such template data 367 is stored in the SRAM or the like of the camera unit 309 as described above. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish the characteristic image 362C (the characteristic image 362C generated for discriminating the regular medal) from the standard characteristic image 392, which the characteristic image 362C is generated during the actual operation of the gaming machine, it will be referred to as a "target characteristic image 362C". There is.

The determination unit 365 compares the rotation combined image 381 (target feature image 362C) and the feature image of the template data 367 by calculating the degree of similarity (difference) between them, for example. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 365 uses, for example, SAD (Sum of Absolute Difference) as a value indicating the degree of similarity. A large SAD means a low degree of similarity, and a small SAD means a high degree of similarity. Other values such as SSD (Sum of Squared Difference) or NCC (Normalized Correlation Coffiecient) may be used as the value indicating the degree of similarity.

When the degree of similarity between the rotated combined image 381 and the characteristic image of the template data 367 is high, the determination unit 365 determines that the medal 310 included in the captured image 362B is a valid one, and the degree of similarity is If it is low, it is determined that the medal 310 included in the captured image 362B is not a legitimate one. Specifically, the determination unit 365 determines that the medal 310 of the captured image 362B is a regular one when the SAD between the rotation combined image 381 and the characteristic image of the template data 367 is less than or equal to the threshold value. However, if the SAD is larger than the threshold, it is determined that the medal 310 of the captured image 362B is not an authorized one. Then, the determination unit 365 outputs the determination result 368.

The threshold value used in the determination unit 365 is determined, for example, by using a plurality of medals 310. Specifically, when the gaming machine is not in actual operation, a plurality of regular medals are sequentially inserted into the gaming machine. Then, a plurality of captured images 362B in which the plurality of inserted regular medals are captured are generated. For each of the plurality of generated captured images 362B, the determination unit 365 obtains the SAD between the rotation combined image 381 generated by the characteristic image generation unit 364 from the captured image 362B and the characteristic image of the template data 367. Then, the maximum value of the plurality of SADs determined by the determination unit 365 is determined as the threshold value. The determined threshold value is stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

Note that such determination of the threshold value by the gaming machine can be performed when a predetermined mode is selected in the gaming machine. Further, the threshold value may be determined in advance by the gaming machine or another device and stored in the SRAM or the like of each gaming machine.

When the type of the regular medal 310 is changed by determining the threshold value used in the determination unit 365 in this way, the changed medal 310 is inserted into the gaming machine that is not in actual operation. By doing so, the threshold value corresponding to the changed medal 310 is determined. Therefore, even when the type of the medal 310 is changed, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the medal 310 inserted in the gaming machine is a valid one.

In the above example, the binary first image (edge image) 374 is input to the second image generation unit 380 as the first image 374 showing the medal 310 of the captured image 362B. The image showing the region 373 may be input to the second image generation unit 380 as the first image. In this case, a rotation combined image obtained by combining a plurality of rotated images obtained by rotating the medal area 373 is the characteristic image 362C.

As described above, in the pachi-slot 300, which is the gaming machine according to the second embodiment, at least the rotated combined image 381 obtained by combining a plurality of rotated images obtained by rotating the first image (edge image) 374 showing the medal 310. A part is generated as the second image (feature image 362C). The characteristic image 362C is not easily influenced by the rotation angle of the medal 310 included in the captured image 362B. Therefore, even when the rotation angle (rotational posture) of the medal 310 included in the captured image 362B varies, the medal 310 included in the captured image 362B using the characteristic image 362C (target characteristic image 362C, standard characteristic image 392). Can be more accurately determined, and the determination accuracy is improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the binary edge image is the first image 374, the brightness of the image pickup area in the image pickup unit 361 is higher than that in the case where the medal area 373 of the grayscale image is the first image 374. It is possible to prevent the first image 374 from being affected by the change in the height. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the characteristic image 362C from being affected by the change in the brightness of the imaging region where the medal 310 is imaged, and as a result, the accuracy of discriminating the regular medal is improved.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the extraction unit 371 extracts the medal region 373 from the captured image 362B by using template matching, so that the above-described first extraction method using Hough conversion and labeling are used. The extraction process is simplified as compared with the second extraction method that is performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the determination unit 365 compares the characteristic image 362C generated from the captured image 362B with the characteristic image of the template data 367 using SAD or the like, and based on the comparison result, the captured image 362B. Since it is determined whether or not the medal 310 according to is valid, the determination process is simplified.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
Various modifications will be described below.

[Modification 1]
In the above example, the standard feature image 392 is adopted as the feature image of the template data 367 to be compared with the target feature image 362C, but from the plurality of captured images 362A in which the different regular medals 310 are respectively captured. A composite image obtained by combining a plurality of standard feature images 392 generated respectively may be used as the feature image of the template data 367.

FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating a characteristic image of template data 367 according to this modification. In the example of FIG. 35, the four standard feature images 392 generated from the captured images 362B in which four different regular medals 310 are captured are used to generate the template data 367. Here, when both main surfaces of one medal 310 have different patterns, these can be individually used as the standard feature image 392 to generate the template data 367.

In this modification, when the template data 367 is generated, a plurality of regular medals 310 are sequentially inserted into the gaming machine when the gaming machine is not in actual operation. Then, a plurality of captured images 362A in which the plurality of regular medals 310 inserted into the gaming machine are captured are generated. The characteristic image generation unit 364 generates a standard characteristic image 392 based on the captured image 362A for each of the generated plurality of captured images 362A. Next, the characteristic image generating unit 364 synthesizes the plurality of generated standard characteristic images 392, and sets the synthesized image 382 (see FIG. 35) thus obtained as the characteristic image of the template data 367. For example, the characteristic image generation unit 364 adds and averages a plurality of standard characteristic images 392, and sets the added and averaged image (composite image 382) thus obtained as the characteristic image of the template data 367.

The generation of the template data 367 by such a gaming machine can be performed when a predetermined mode is selected in the gaming machine. Further, the template data 367 may be generated in advance by a gaming machine or another device and stored in the SRAM or the like of each gaming machine.

In this way, the standard feature image 392 is directly used as the template data 367 by using the composite image 382 obtained by synthesizing the plurality of standard feature images 392 respectively showing the features of the different regular medals 310 as the feature image of the template data 367. Compared to the case, it is possible to suppress the influence of the individual difference of the regular medals 310 on the regular medal determination processing. Further, when the image capturing unit 361 captures an image of the medal 310, even if the distance between the medal 310 and the image capturing device (for example, CMOS image sensor) of the image capturing unit 361 varies, this has an influence on the regular medal determination process. It can be suppressed, and the accuracy of the regular medal discrimination process is improved.

Further, unlike the present example, when the first image 374 showing the regular medal 310 is used as it is as the standard feature image 392, when the plurality of standard feature images 392 are combined, the plurality of standard feature images 392 are combined. It is necessary to match the orientations of the standard feature images 392 so that the rotation angles (rotational postures) of the regular medals 310 included in each of the above-mentioned regular coins match.

On the other hand, in this modified example, since the standard feature image 392 uses the rotation composite image 381 that is a combination of a plurality of rotation images obtained by rotating the first image 374 showing the regular medal 310, When synthesizing the plurality of standard feature images 392, it is not necessary to match the orientations of the plurality of standard feature images 392. Therefore, the generation process of the characteristic image of the template data 367 is simplified.

When the regular medal 310 used for generating the characteristic image of the template data 367 has a large scratch, even if the template data 367 is generated by combining a plurality of standard characteristic images 392, the influence of the scratch. Appears in the template data 367, and the accuracy of the regular medal determination process may deteriorate.

Therefore, when the pixel values of the plurality of pixels at the same position included in the plurality of standard characteristic images 392 respectively showing the characteristics of the plurality of regular medals 310 have extremely different pixel values from other pixel values. In addition, the characteristic image of the template data 367 may be generated without using the standard characteristic image 392 including pixels having extremely different pixel values. As a result, it is possible to prevent the standard feature image 392 showing the feature relating to the regular medal 310 having a large scratch from being used for generating the feature image of the template data 367. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the accuracy of the regular medal determination process from deteriorating.

[Modification 2]
In the above example, the second image generation unit 380 uses, as the characteristic image 362C, the rotation combined image 381 obtained by combining a plurality of rotation images obtained by rotating the first image 374 showing the medal 310, but the rotation combined image 381. May be part of the feature image 362C. Hereinafter, a part of the rotation composite image 381 that becomes the characteristic image 362C will be referred to as a "characteristic region 383".

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example in which the characteristic part region 383 which is a part of the rotation composite image 381 is used as the characteristic image 362C. In the example shown in FIG. 36, a rectangular partial area extending from the center 381c to one side 381B on the upper side in the quadrangular rotated composite image 381 is set as a characteristic partial area 383. In the example of the characteristic portion region 383 shown in FIG. 36, a plurality of pixels are included in each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The shape of the characteristic portion region 383 may be other than a rectangle.

For example, the second image generation unit 380 generates the rotation combined image 381 based on the first image 374 showing the medal 310, and then extracts the characteristic portion area 383 from the rotation combined image 381 to thereby extract the characteristic image 362C. To generate.

In addition, the second image generation unit 380 can also generate the characteristic image 362C without generating the rotation combined image 381. FIG. 37 is a diagram for explaining the method. As shown in FIG. 37, the second image generation unit 380 sets the extraction window 384 for the first image 374 generated by the first image generation unit 370, and the partial area 385 (the first A partial area of one image 374) is extracted. The extraction window 384 has, for example, the same size as the characteristic portion area 383 shown in FIG. Further, the extraction window 384 is set at the same position as the position (see FIG. 36) in the rotation combined image 381 of the generated characteristic portion region 383 in the first image 374. The partial area 385 extracted here is referred to as a “reference partial area 385A”.

Next, the second image generation unit 380 rotates the extraction window 384 by a predetermined angle β around the center 374c of the first image 374, and extracts the partial region 385 inside the extraction window 384 at each rotation angle. Here, the second image generation unit 380 rotates the extraction window 384 by a predetermined angle β around the center 374c of the first image 374 until the total rotation angle becomes (360°-β). β can be set to various angles, but in this example is 2°. Then, the second image generation unit 380 generates a combined image by combining the obtained plurality of partial areas 385. At this time, the second image generation unit 380 rotates the partial areas 385 other than the reference partial area 385A in the obtained plurality of partial areas 385 so as to match the outer shape of the reference partial area 385A, and then, A plurality of partial areas 385 are combined. The second image generation unit 380 generates a composite image of the plurality of partial regions 385 by, for example, performing arithmetic mean of the obtained plurality of partial regions 385 to generate an arithmetic mean image. This arithmetic mean image (composite image) corresponds to the characteristic portion area 383 shown in FIG.

In this way, the number of pixels of the characteristic image 362C is reduced by using a part of the rotation combined image 381 as the characteristic image 362C. Therefore, the processing in the determination unit 365 that uses the characteristic image 362C is simplified.

In addition, the second image generation unit 380 rotates the extraction window 384 by a predetermined angle, extracts the partial region 385 in the extraction window 384 at each rotation angle, and synthesizes the obtained plurality of partial regions 385. When the characteristic image 362C is generated, the number of pixels of the image handled when generating the characteristic image 362C is reduced, so that the generation process of the characteristic image 362C is simplified.

It should be noted that which part of the rotation composite image 381 is to be the characteristic part region 383 is determined based on the position of the pattern shown on the regular medal 310 and the like. That is, it is preferable to set a part of the rotation composite image 381 in the characteristic portion area 383 so that the characteristic of the medal 310 can be sufficiently expressed in the characteristic portion area 383.

For example, as shown in FIG. 25, when the pattern of the regular medal 310 exists over substantially the entire one main surface 310a of the medal 310, the center 381c of the rotation composite image 381 is displayed as in this example. It is desirable that the characteristic portion area 383 is set so as to reach the side 381B (see FIG. 36).

Further, when the pattern of the medal 310 exists only on the peripheral end portion of the one main surface 310a of the medal 310, as shown in FIG. 38, only the end portion of the rotation composite image 381 may be set as the characteristic portion region 383. Good.

Further, when the pattern of the medal 310 exists over almost the entire one main surface 310a of the medal 310, the linear characteristic portion area 383 may be formed as shown in FIG. In the characteristic portion region 383 shown in FIG. 39, a plurality of pixels are included in the vertical direction, but only one pixel is included in the horizontal direction.

<<Third Embodiment>>
Hereinafter, a pachi-slot which is a gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 to 60. The pachi-slot 400, which is the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention, has the functional flow, the structure of the pachi-slot, the medal selector configuration, the pachi-slot circuit configuration, and the medal selector circuit configuration described above in the first embodiment. It is the same as the pachi-slot 1 which is the gaming machine according to. Hereinafter, the regular medal determination process executed by the pachi-slot 400, which is the gaming machine according to the third embodiment, will be described.

As described above, the pachi-slot 400 that is the gaming machine according to the third embodiment includes the control LSI 434 (corresponding to the control LSI 234 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment), like the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. A camera unit 409 (corresponding to the camera unit 209 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) is provided, and further a medal selector 401 (corresponding to the medal selector 201 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) including the camera unit 409 is provided. .. FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram of such a camera unit 409.

As shown in FIG. 40, the camera unit 409 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit 461, a conversion unit 463, an extraction unit 464, a specification unit 465, a fitting unit 466, a determination unit 467, and an input/output unit 468. There is. Note that the camera unit 409 includes a light emitting unit such as an LED, but the illustration thereof is omitted in FIG. 40.

The image capturing unit 461 includes a CMOS image sensor 432 (for example, corresponding to the CMOS image sensor 232 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment), and the image data captured by the CMOS image sensor 432 (predetermined as necessary). (Converted) and output as a captured image 462A.

The conversion unit 463 (for example, corresponding to the ISP circuit 245 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) converts the captured image 462A input from the imaging unit 461 from a color image to a grayscale image, and converts the captured image after conversion. The captured image 462B is output.

The extraction unit 464 (for example, corresponding to the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) extracts the medal area (target area) 473 in which the medal 410 is imaged from the captured image 462B.

The specifying unit 465 (for example, corresponding to the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) specifies a characteristic local area (partial area) in the medal area 473. In other words, the identifying unit 465 identifies a meaningful local area in the medal area 473. The process performed by the identifying unit 465 is called “segmentation”. Hereinafter, the term “local area” simply means a characteristic local area specified by the specifying unit 465 in the medal area 473.

The fitting unit 466 (for example, corresponding to the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) fits an ellipse to the local region specified by the specifying unit 465. In addition, in this specification, an “oval” is a concept including a circle (a perfect circle).

The determination unit 467 (for example, corresponding to the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) uses the ellipse information regarding the ellipse obtained by the fitting unit 466 as the characteristics of the medal 410 included in the captured image 462B. Let it be the feature quantity shown. In the present embodiment, for example, position information and shape information of the ellipse are used as the ellipse information regarding the ellipse. However, such ellipse information is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to such information. Then, the determination unit 467 determines whether or not the medal 410 included in the captured image 462B is a legitimate one based on such a feature amount, and outputs the determination result 469 to the input/output unit 468 (for example, (Corresponding to GPIO250 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment). In the present embodiment, the determination unit 467 compares the feature amount obtained from the captured image 462B with the standard feature amount (reference feature amount) 467A indicating the feature of the regular medal 410, and based on the comparison result, It is determined whether or not the medal 410 related to the captured image 462B is a legitimate one. The standard feature amount 467A can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

FIG. 41 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a captured image 462A obtained by the image capturing section 461. The captured image 462A shown in FIG. 41 includes an image of the captured medal 410. In addition, the medal rail 411 that is the background is captured in the captured image 462A. The medal rail 411 corresponds to the medal rail 210 of the first embodiment described above, but the shape of the rail is shown in a simplified form here.

On one main surface 410a of the medal 410, for example, a pattern of the alphabet "A" and a pattern of the alphabet "B" are shown. This shows the pattern of the regular medal, but other patterns may be used. Further, patterns may be provided on both main surfaces of the regular medal.

In this embodiment, the medal 410 moves on the medal rail 411 while rotating around a rotation axis along the thickness direction passing through the centers of both main surfaces thereof. Then, the imaging unit 461 images the medal 410 from the one main surface 410a side of the medal 410. Therefore, the captured image 462A includes the image of the one main surface 410a of the medal 410. Further, in the present embodiment, the captured image 462A generated by the image capturing unit 461 is a color image, but it may be a grayscale image.

<Regular medal discrimination process flow>
Next, a series of operations of the regular medal determination process performed by the camera unit 409 in the present embodiment will be described.

First, when the captured image 462A is input from the image capturing unit 461, the conversion unit 463 converts the captured image 462A from a color image into a grayscale image, and the captured image 462B thus obtained is processed.

Next, the extraction unit 471 extracts the medal area 473 in which the medal 410 is shown from the captured image 462B that is the processing target. After that, the identifying unit 465 identifies the local region in the medal region 473 extracted by the extracting unit 471. Next, the fitting unit 466 fits an ellipse to the local area identified by the identifying unit 465.

Next, the determination unit 467 uses the ellipse information regarding the ellipse obtained by the fitting unit 466 as the feature amount. Then, the determination unit 467 compares the feature amount with the standard feature amount 467A, and based on the comparison result, determines whether or not the medal 410 of the captured image 462B is a valid one. Then, the determination unit 467 sends the determination result 469 to the main control circuit (corresponding to the main control circuit 91 in the gaming machine of the first embodiment) via the input/output unit 468 (corresponding to the GPIO 250 of the first embodiment). Output. In this way, when the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462A is not a proper one, the main control circuit forcibly interrupts the game, similarly to the gaming machine of the first embodiment, and the sub control circuit (first control circuit). Through the sub-control circuit 101 in the gaming machine according to the embodiment), it is possible to notify that there has been an illegal act. For example, it is possible to output a warning to the outside by outputting a warning sound from a speaker or displaying warning information on a display which is a liquid crystal display device.

After that, when the new captured image 462A is input, the determination unit 467 executes the above-described regular medal determination process with the captured image 462B obtained from the captured image 462A as a new processing target. After that, the determination unit 467 performs the same operation each time the captured image 462A is input.

<Detailed description of each component>
The operations of the extraction unit 464, the identification unit 465, the fitting unit 466, and the determination unit 467 will be described in more detail below.

[Extractor]
FIG. 42 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the medal area 473 extracted by the extraction unit 464 from the captured image 462B. There are various methods for extracting the medal area 473 from the captured image 462B.

For example, there is a first extraction method that utilizes the outer shape of the medal 410. In the first extraction method, first, edge detection is performed on the captured image 462B to generate an edge image. As a method of generating an edge image, for example, the Sobel method, Laplacian method, Canny method or the like is used. Next, a circular area is extracted from the generated edge image. As a method of extracting the circular area, for example, Hough transform is used. Then, the circular area in the captured image 462B existing at the same position as the circular area in the edge image is set as the medal area 473.

As another method, there is a second extraction method that extracts the medal area 473 from the captured image 462B using the background subtraction method and labeling. In the second extraction method, first, a background difference image indicating a difference between the captured image 462B and the background image (an image showing only the background of the captured image 462B) is generated, and the generated background difference image is binarized. It Then, labeling such as 4-connection is performed on the binary background difference image. Then, the partial area in the captured image 462B existing at the same position as the position of the connected area (independent area) obtained as a result of labeling in the binary background difference image is set as the medal area 473.

In the present embodiment, the extraction unit 464 extracts the medal area 473 from the captured image 462B by a method different from the above two methods. The operation of the extraction unit 464 according to this embodiment will be described below. The extraction unit 464 may extract the medal area 473 from the captured image 462B using either one of the above two methods.

First, the extraction unit 464 generates a background difference image indicating a difference between the captured image 462B and the background image 475 (an image in which only the background of the captured image 462B appears), and binarizes the generated background difference image. 43 is a diagram schematically showing the background image 475, and FIG. 44 is a diagram schematically showing a binary background difference image 476. In the binary image schematically shown in FIG. 44 and the drawings described later in this embodiment, a region (high-luminance region) having a pixel value “1” is shown in black, and a pixel value “0”. The area (low brightness area) is shown in white. The background image 475 can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

Next, the extraction unit 464 performs template matching on the binary background difference image 476 using the binary outline template 477 indicating the outline of the medal 410. That is, the extraction unit 464 specifies where in the background difference image 476, a region similar to the outer shape template 477 exists. In other words, the extraction unit 464 specifies where, in the background difference image 476, there is a region that matches the outer shape of the medal 410 indicated by the outer shape template 477. FIG. 45 is a diagram schematically showing the outer shape template 477. The outer shape template 477 can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

In template matching, as shown in FIG. 46, the extraction unit 464 moves the outline template 477 on the background difference image 476 little by little (for example, by one pixel (pixel)) in the raster scan direction. In other words, the extraction unit 464 raster-scans the outer shape template 477 on the background difference image 476. At this time, the extraction unit 464 generates an AND image of the outer shape template 477 and the partial area of the background difference image 476 overlapping with the outer shape template 477 at each position of the outer shape template 477. As a result, a plurality of binary AND images are generated. Then, the extraction unit 464, among the generated AND images, the background difference image 476 of the outer shape template 477 used in the generation of the AND image having the largest number of pixels (pixels with high brightness) having the pixel value “1”. Identify the top position. This position is a position where a region similar to the outer shape template 477 exists in the background difference image 476.

Then, as shown in FIG. 47, the extraction unit 464 extracts, as the medal area 473, the partial area 478 in the captured image 462B existing at the same position as the specified position. In other words, the extraction unit 464 extracts, as the medal area 473, the partial area 478 in the captured image 462B that overlaps with the outer shape template 477 when the outer shape template 477 is arranged in the captured image 462B at the same position as the specified position. .. At this time, in the partial area 478, the one in which the pixel value of each pixel outside the circle indicated by the outer shape template 477 on the partial area 478 is zero may be set as the medal area 473. The medal area 473 extracted by the extraction unit 464 is a grayscale image. In the present embodiment, the outer shape of the medal area 473 is a quadrangle, but it may be another shape such as a circle.

[Specification part]
The specifying unit 465 specifies a local region in the medal region 473 extracted by the extracting unit 464, for example, using MSER (Maximally Stable Extremal Regions). The identifying unit 465 may identify the local region by a method other than MSER.

When identifying the local area using MSER, the identifying unit 465 first binarizes the medal area 473. At this time, the identifying unit 465 binarizes the medal area 473 while changing the threshold value used for binarization. As a result, a plurality of binarized images binarized by using different threshold values are obtained. Next, the identifying unit 465 identifies, in the obtained plurality of binarized images, a partial area (a group of a plurality of pixels) in which the pixel value does not change between the plurality of binarized images. In other words, the identifying unit 465 identifies, in the obtained plurality of binarized images, a partial region in which the pixel value is stable among the plurality of binarized images. Then, the specifying unit 465 sets the partial area in the medal area 473 existing at the same position in the binarized image of the specified partial area as the local area. As a result, the specifying unit 465 specifies a partial area in the medal area 473 having a uniform pixel value as a meaningful area.

In the present embodiment, in the medal area 473 including the medal 410, the area in which the pattern attached to the medal 410 appears is specified as the local area. FIG. 48 is a diagram schematically showing local areas 473a and 473b specified in the medal area 473 including the medal 410. The local area 473a is an area in the medal area 473 in which the pattern of “A” attached to the regular medal 410 appears. The local area 473b is an area in the medal area 473 in which the pattern of "B" attached to the regular medal 410 is reflected. In the medal area 473 in which the regular medal 410 appears, the area in which the pattern of “A” attached to the regular medal 410 appears and the area in which the pattern of “B” attached to the regular medal 410 appears separately. Identified as a local area.

In this way, in the medal area 473, when a plurality of characteristic portions independent of each other are present, the plurality of characteristic portions are specified as different local areas.

[Fitting part]
The fitting unit 466 fits an ellipse to the local area specified by the specifying unit 465. When the specifying unit 465 specifies a plurality of local regions, the fitting unit 466 fits a plurality of ellipses to the plurality of local regions. FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a state in which ellipses 481a and 481b are fitted to the local regions 473a and 473b shown in FIG. 48, respectively. An example of a method of fitting an ellipse to a local area will be described below.

The fitting unit 466 generates position information and shape information of an ellipse fitting to the local area based on the positions of a plurality of pixels that form the local area included in the medal area 473. In the present embodiment, the fitting unit 466 obtains the center position of the ellipse fitting the local area as the position information of the ellipse. In addition, the fitting unit 466 obtains the lengths of the major axis and the minor axis of the ellipse as shape information of the ellipse.

The fitting unit 466 calculates an average value of the positions of a plurality of pixels forming the local area, and sets the average value as the center position of the ellipse fitting to the local area. That is, the fitting unit 466 calculates the average value of the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of a plurality of pixels forming the local area, and the average value is the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate of the center of the ellipse fitting the local area. And Further, the fitting unit 466 uses the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of a plurality of pixels forming the local area to obtain the covariance matrix for the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the pixels in the local area. Then, the fitting unit 466 obtains two eigenvalues of the obtained covariance matrix. The fitting unit 466 obtains the lengths of the major axis and the minor axis of the ellipse fitting to the local area from these two eigenvalues. As a result, the position and shape of the ellipse to be fitted to the local area are determined, and the ellipse is fitted to the local area. When the two eigenvalues obtained by the fitting unit 466 have the same value, the ellipse fitted to the local area is a perfect circle.

[Judgment part]
The determination unit 467 uses the position information and shape information of the ellipse obtained by the fitting unit 466 as a feature amount and compares the feature amount with the standard feature amount 567A. Specifically, the determination unit 467 uses the center position of the ellipse, the length of the long axis, and the length of the short axis obtained by the fitting unit 466 as the feature amount, and compares the feature amount with the standard feature amount 467A. .. Then, the determination unit 467 determines whether or not the medal 410 included in the captured image 462B is a legitimate one based on the comparison result.

The standard feature amount 467A includes standard ellipse information. The captured image 462B in which the regular medal 410 is captured is used to generate the standard feature amount 467A. The method of generating the standard feature amount 467A will be described below.

When the gaming machine (pachi-slot 400) is not in actual operation, a regular medal 410 is inserted into the gaming machine in order to obtain the standard feature amount 467A. The image capturing unit 461 and the converting unit 463 in the camera unit 409 of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment generate a captured image 462B in which the inserted regular medal 410 is captured. Then, the extracting unit 464 extracts the medal area 473 from the captured image 462B in the same manner as described above, and the specifying unit 465 specifies the local area in the medal area 473. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49 described above, two local areas 473a and 473b are specified in the medal area 473 in which the regular medal 410 is shown. The fitting unit 466 fits a plurality of ellipses to the plurality of local regions 473a and 473b identified by the identifying unit 465, respectively. The ellipse obtained from the captured image 462B showing the regular medal 410 in this manner is called a "standard ellipse". In this embodiment, the ellipse information about the standard ellipse is the standard ellipse information. The standard ellipse information includes position information and shape information of the standard ellipse. Specifically, the standard ellipse information includes the center position of the standard ellipse, the major axis length, and the minor axis length. In the present embodiment, since a plurality of standard ellipses are obtained from the captured image 462B including the captured image of the regular medal 410, the standard feature quantity 467A includes a plurality of standard ellipse information corresponding to the plurality of standard ellipses. Is included. The standard feature amount 467A generated when the gaming machine is not actually operating can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

Note that such acquisition of the standard feature amount 467A by the gaming machine can be performed when a predetermined mode is selected in the gaming machine. Further, the standard feature amount 467A may be acquired in advance by a gaming machine or another device and stored in the SRAM or the like of each gaming machine.

After that, in order to distinguish the ellipse obtained by the fitting unit 466 (the ellipse obtained from the captured image 462B in which the medal 410 to be subjected to the discrimination process is captured) from the standard ellipse when the gaming machine is actually operating. Sometimes referred to as the "target ellipse".

Here, when the feature amount including the ellipse information regarding the target ellipse and the standard feature amount 467A are similar, it can be considered that the feature of the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B and the feature of the regular medal 410 are similar. .. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to determine that the medal 410 related to the captured image 462B is a genuine medal.

On the other hand, when the feature amount including the ellipse information about the target ellipse and the standard feature amount 467A are not similar, it may be considered that the feature of the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is not similar to the feature of the regular medal 410. Therefore, in this case, it seems that there is no problem even if it is determined that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is not a legitimate one. However, when the feature amount including the ellipse information about the target ellipse and the standard feature amount 467A are not similar to each other, if it is determined that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is not a proper one based on this condition, the captured image The regular medal 410 shown in 462B may be erroneously determined not to be a regular one. This point will be described below.

In the present embodiment, the image capturing unit 461 captures an image of the rotating medal 410 and generates a captured image 462A showing the medal 410. Therefore, the rotation angle of the medal 410 (the rotation angle of the pattern attached to the medal 410) shown in the captured image 462B generated by the conversion unit 463 is not always the same. Therefore, the ellipse information regarding the target ellipse obtained from the captured image 462B showing the regular medal 410 is not always the same. As a result, even if the regular medal 410 appears in the captured image 462B, the feature amount including the ellipse information about the target ellipse obtained from the captured image 462B may not be similar to the standard feature amount 467A. Therefore, when the feature amount including the ellipse information about the target ellipse and the standard feature amount 467A are not similar, and it is determined that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is not a regular one, the regular image shown in the captured image 462B is obtained. There is a possibility that the medal 410 is erroneously determined not to be an authentic one.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the determination unit 467 determines a plurality of rotation ellipses obtained by rotating the target ellipse fitted to the local area included in the medal area 473 around the center of the medal area 473. Get the spheroid information of. Then, the determination unit 467 sets the acquired plurality of pieces of spheroidal information as the feature amount and compares the feature amount with the standard feature amount. When a plurality of local areas are specified in the medal area 473, a plurality of pieces of spheroidal information are generated for each of the plurality of local areas, and each piece of spheroidal information is used as a feature amount.

Here, it is assumed that the plurality of spheroids include a target ellipse having a rotation angle of 0°. That is, it is assumed that the plurality of spheroids include the ellipse itself fitted to the local area. Therefore, the plurality of pieces of rotation ellipse information include ellipse information about the target ellipse. It can be said that the target ellipse whose rotation angle is 0° is the target ellipse whose rotation angle is 360°.

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating a part of a plurality of rotation ellipses 483 obtained by rotating the target ellipse 482 around the center 473c of the medal area 473. FIG. 50 shows three spheroids 483 including the target ellipse 482 (in this example, the target ellipse 482 is also shown as one of the spheroids 483). FIG. 50 shows the center 482c of the target ellipse 482 and the center 483c of each rotation ellipse 483.

In this way, by rotating the target ellipse around the center 473c of the medal area 473, the plurality of spheroidal information regarding the plurality of spheroids including the target ellipse is used as the feature amount, and thus the rotating medals. Even when 410 is captured, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is legitimate. The operation of the determination unit 467 will be described in detail below. Hereinafter, the feature amount used by the determination unit 467 when the gaming machine is actually operating may be referred to as a “target feature amount” to distinguish it from the standard feature amount.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the operation of the determination unit 467. When the fitting unit 466 fits an ellipse to the local area included in the medal area 473, the determination unit 467 acquires the rotation ellipse information in step S21, as shown in FIG. The rotation ellipse information acquired here is ellipse information regarding the target ellipse whose rotation angle is 0°, that is, the ellipse information of the ellipse itself acquired by the fitting unit 466. When the fitting unit 466 obtains a plurality of target ellipses, a plurality of pieces of spheroidal information respectively corresponding to the plurality of target ellipses are acquired. In step S21, at least one spheroidal piece of information is acquired. In this example, since two ellipses are obtained from the captured image 462B showing the regular medal 410, two rotation ellipse information is obtained in step S21.

Next, in step S22, the determination unit 467 sets the at least one spheroidal information acquired in step S21 as the target feature amount, and obtains an evaluation value indicating the degree of similarity between the target feature amount and the standard feature amount. Specifically, the determination unit 467 determines whether or not the standard feature amount includes standard ellipse information similar to at least one spheroidal ellipse information forming the target feature amount. Then, the determination unit 467 obtains an evaluation value according to the number of pieces of spheroidal information determined to have similar information included in the standard feature amount. Specifically, the determination unit 467 obtains the evaluation value α using the following Expression 1.

α=N1/N2 (Equation 1)
Here, N1 indicates the number of pieces of spheroidal information included in the target feature amount for which it is determined that similar information is included in the standard feature amount. N2 indicates the total number of standard ellipse information included in the standard feature amount. In this embodiment, N2=2.

In the present embodiment, the spheroidal information included in the target feature amount includes the center position of the spheroid, the length of the major axis, and the length of the minor axis. The determining unit 467, for example, the distance between the center position of the spheroid included in the spheroidal information and the center position of the standard ellipse included in the standard ellipse information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and the length of the long axis of the spheroid. And the absolute value of the difference between the length of the long axis of the standard ellipse is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and the absolute value of the difference between the length of the short axis of the spheroid and the length of the short axis of the standard ellipse is predetermined. When the value is less than or equal to the value, it is determined that the rotation ellipse information and the standard ellipse information are similar. When the spheroidal information and the standard ellipse information are similar to each other, as shown in FIG. 52, the spheroid 483 corresponding to the spheroidal information and the standard ellipse 484 corresponding to the standard ellipse information are positioned and shaped. Are similar in.

When the determination unit 467 obtains the evaluation value α using Expression 1, in step S23, the rotation ellipse in the latest step S21 (the rotation ellipse corresponding to the rotation ellipse information acquired in step S21) is (360°− β) Determine whether or not the target ellipse has been rotated. When the determining unit 467 determines that the spheroid in step S21 is not the target ellipse rotated by (360°-β), the determining unit 467 executes step S21 again to acquire spheroid information. Here, the determination unit 467 rotates the rotation ellipse corresponding to the rotation ellipse information acquired in the previous step S21 about the rotation ellipse obtained by rotating the rotation ellipse about the center 473c of the medal area 473 by a predetermined angle β. Get ellipse information. If the rotation ellipse in the previous step S21 is, for example, the target ellipse rotated by β, the current ellipse is obtained by rotating the target ellipse by 2β around the center 473c of the medal area 473. Spherical ellipse information about the spheroid that is to be obtained is obtained. β is, for example, 1° or 2°.

In addition, when a plurality of spheroidal information is acquired in the previous step S21, the determination unit 467 determines that a plurality of spheroids respectively corresponding to the plurality of spheroidal information is around the center 473c of the medal area 473. A plurality of pieces of spheroidal information regarding a plurality of spheroids obtained by rotating the spheroid by a predetermined angle β are acquired.

When at least one spheroidal information is acquired in step S22, the determination unit 467 executes step S23 again to determine the degree of similarity between the target feature quantity including the at least one spheroidal information and the standard feature quantity. The evaluation value α shown is obtained by using Expression 1. Then, step S23 is executed again.

When the determining unit 467 determines in step S23 that the rotation ellipse in the latest step S21 is the target ellipse rotated by (360°−β), it executes step S24. In step S24, the determination unit 467 determines whether or not the maximum value of the obtained plurality of evaluation values α is greater than or equal to the threshold value. When the maximum value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, that is, when the target feature amount and the standard feature amount used when obtaining the maximum value are similar to each other, the determination unit 467 appears in the captured image 462B. It is determined that the medal 410 is a valid one. On the other hand, when the maximum value is less than the threshold value, that is, all of the plurality of target feature amounts used when obtaining the plurality of evaluation values α are not similar to the standard feature amount. In this case, it is determined that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is not an authorized one. The threshold value used in step S24 is set to "1", for example.

In the above example, the determination unit 467 determines that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is a valid one if the maximum value of the obtained plurality of evaluation values α is equal to or more than the threshold value. However, if there are a predetermined number or more of evaluation values α equal to or larger than the threshold value, it may be determined that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is a valid one. When there are not a predetermined number or more of evaluation values α equal to or more than the threshold value, it is determined that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is not a genuine medal.

Alternatively, the evaluation value α may be N1. In this case, the threshold value used in step S24 is set to, for example, "2".

<How to obtain spheroidal information>
There are two possible methods for obtaining the spheroidal information in step S21. In the first method, the determining unit 467 actually rotates the target ellipse 482 around the center 473c of the medal region 473 by a predetermined angle in the medal region 473 as shown in FIG. 483 is generated. Then, the determination unit 467 obtains the position of the center 483c of the generated rotation ellipse 483, the length of the long axis, and the length of the short axis, and sets them as rotation ellipse information regarding the rotation ellipse 483. The determination unit 467 generates a plurality of pieces of spheroidal information by changing the predetermined angle.

In the second method, the determination unit 467 acquires the rotation ellipse information without actually rotating the target ellipse. Specifically, the determination unit 467 obtains rotation ellipse information of the rotation ellipse obtained by rotating the target ellipse 482 around the center 473c of the medal area 473 by a predetermined angle (β, 2β, 3β, etc.). At this time, as shown in FIG. 53, the virtual point P existing at the position of the center 482c of the target ellipse 482, which is included in the ellipse information about the target ellipse 482, is set around the center 473c of the medal area 473. Rotate by an angle. Then, the determination unit 467 sets the position of the virtual point P′ after rotation as the position of the center of the rotation ellipse included in the rotation ellipse information. The determination unit 467 obtains the positions of the centers of the plurality of rotation ellipses obtained by rotating the target ellipse around the center 473c of the medal area 473 by changing the predetermined angle.

Further, in the second method, the determination unit 467 allows the length of the major axis and the minor axis of the target ellipse included in the ellipse information about the target ellipse to be rotated around the center 473c of the medal area 473. The major axis and the minor axis of each of the plurality of spheroids obtained by

As described above, in the second method, the virtual point P existing at the position indicated by the position information of the target ellipse 482 is rotated around the center 473c of the medal area 473. Then, the plurality of positions of the virtual point P′ after the rotation obtained thereby are respectively set to the positions of the plurality of spheroids, and thus the position information of the plurality of spheroids is acquired. Also, the lengths of the major axis and the minor axis of the target ellipse are set as the lengths of the major axis and the minor axis of the plurality of spheroids, respectively, so that the shape information of the plurality of spheroids is acquired. Therefore, as compared with the first method in which the target ellipse is actually rotated to acquire a plurality of pieces of spheroidal information, the second method can easily acquire a plurality of pieces of spheroidal information.

Note that, in the above example, the length of the major axis and the length of the minor axis of the ellipse are adopted as the shape information of the ellipse included in the ellipse information that is the feature amount. The long/short axis ratio of may be adopted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ellipse information about the ellipse fitted to the characteristic local area in the medal area 473 is used as the characteristic amount indicating the characteristic of the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B. Therefore, the feature amount is easily obtained compared with the case where the feature amount such as SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transformation) and SURF (Speeded Up Robust Features) is obtained from the partial image in the ellipse in the medal area 473. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is a legitimate one.

Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of spheroidal pieces of information about a plurality of spheroids including the target ellipse, which are obtained by rotating the target ellipse 482 around the center 473c of the medal area 473, are used as the feature amount. Therefore, even when the rotating medal 410 is imaged, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is a legitimate one.

<Modification of Third Embodiment>
Various modifications of the present embodiment will be described below.

[Modification 1]
When only one large continuous pattern is attached to each of the regular medal 410 and the non-regular medal 410, it cannot be correctly determined whether the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is a regular medal. there is a possibility. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing an example of the standard ellipse 482A set for the local area 491A specified in the medal area 473A obtained from the captured image 462B showing the regular medal 410. FIG. 55 is a diagram showing an example of the target ellipse 482B set for the local area 491B specified in the medal area 473B obtained from the captured image 462B in which the non-genuine medal 410 is shown.

In the example of FIGS. 54 and 55, only one large continuous pattern is attached to each of the regular medal 410 and the non-regular medal 410. Specifically, the regular medal 410 is marked with a large-sized alphabet "A", and the non-genuine medal 410 is marked with a large-sized alphabet "S".

As shown in FIG. 54, one standard ellipse 482A is obtained from the captured image 462B in which the correct medal 410 with only one large continuous pattern is shown. Further, as shown in FIG. 55, one target ellipse 482B is obtained from the captured image 462B in which only one large continuous pattern is attached and which shows the non-regular medal 410.

As shown in FIG. 54, when only one large continuous pattern is attached to the regular medal 410, the center position of the standard ellipse 482A is close to the center position of the medal area 473A. The shape of the standard ellipse 482A is close to a perfect circle. Further, as shown in FIG. 55, the center position of the target ellipse 482B obtained from the captured image 462B showing the non-regular medal 410 with only one large continuous pattern is the center of the medal area 473A. It is closer to the position and its shape is closer to a perfect circle. Therefore, a plurality of rotation ellipses related to a plurality of rotation ellipses including the target ellipse 482B obtained by rotating the target ellipse 482B acquired from the captured image 462B showing the non-genuine medal 410 around the center of the medal area 473B. The information is likely to include information similar to the standard ellipse information regarding the standard ellipse 482A. Therefore, it is highly possible that the determination unit 467 cannot correctly determine whether or not the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is a legitimate one.

Therefore, in the present modification, even if only one large continuous pattern is attached to each of the regular medal 410 and the non-regular medal 410, the accuracy of the authenticity determination of the medal 410 is improved. It is possible to improve.

The fitting unit 466 according to the present modification divides the medal area 473 into concentric circles, thereby dividing the local area included in the medal area 473 into a plurality of divided areas independent of each other. Then, the fitting unit 466 fits a plurality of ellipses to each of the obtained divided areas. When a plurality of local areas are specified in the medal area 473, each of the plurality of local areas is divided into a plurality of divided areas, and an ellipse is fitted to each divided area.

FIG. 56 is a diagram showing how the medal area 473 is concentrically divided by the fitting portion 466. In the medal area 473 shown in FIG. 56, only the outer shape of the medal 410 is shown for convenience of explanation.

In the example shown in FIG. 56, the medal area 473 is concentrically divided by two circles 492a and 492b that form a concentric circle 492 and have different radii. As a result, the medal area 473 is divided into three partial areas 493a to 493c. The partial area 493a is an area inside the circle 492a in the medal area 473. The partial area 493b is an area outside the circle 492a and inside the circle 492b in the medal area 473. The partial area 493c is an area in the medal area 473 outside the circle 492b and inside the circle 492c.

Here, when the outer shape of the medal 410 shown in the medal area 473 is a circle 492c, the radii of the circles 492a, 492b, 492c increase in this order. The ratio of the radii of the circles 492a, 492b, 492c is 1:2:3. In the present embodiment, the fitting portion 466 divides the medal area 473 into concentric circles so that the ratio of the radii of the plurality of circles 492a, 492b, 492c is always 1:2:3. That is, in the present embodiment, the fitting unit 466 includes a plurality of circles 492a including the outer shape of the medal 410 shown in the medal region 473 among the plurality of medal regions 473 extracted by the extraction unit 464 from the plurality of captured images 462B, Each of the plurality of medal areas 473 is concentrically divided so that the ratio of the radii of 492b and 492c is constant (1:2:3). The ratio of the radii of the plurality of circles 492a, 492b, 492c may be other than 1:2:3. Further, when the medal area 473 is extracted by the above-mentioned first extraction method or second extraction method, the outer shape of the medal area 473 becomes the outer shape of the medal 410 shown in the medal area 473.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing how the medal area 473A shown in FIG. 54 is divided into concentric circles. FIG. 58 is a diagram showing how the medal area 473B shown in FIG. 55 is divided into concentric circles. As shown in FIG. 57, the medal area 473A is concentrically divided, so that the local area 491A included in the medal area 473A is divided into a plurality of divided areas 491A1, 491A2, 491A3, and 491A4 that are independent of each other. .. Further, as shown in FIG. 58, the medal area 473B is concentrically divided, so that the local area 491B included in the medal area 473B is divided into a plurality of divided areas 491B1, 491B2, 491B3 which are independent of each other. ..

Note that, in FIG. 57, in order to facilitate understanding of how the local region 491A is divided into a plurality of divided regions 491A1, 491A2, 491A3, 491A4, hatched hatching is provided in the divided regions 491A1, 491A2, 491A3, 491A4 for convenience. It is shown. Similarly, in FIG. 58, hatched hatching is shown in the divided regions 491B1, 491B2, and 491B3 for convenience, so that it is easy to understand how the local region 491B is divided into a plurality of divided regions 491B1, 491B2, and 491B3. There is.

When the fitting area 466 divides the local area included in the medal area 473 into a plurality of divided areas, each of the plurality of divided areas is fitted with a plurality of ellipses. FIG. 59 is a diagram showing how a plurality of ellipses 494A1, 494A2, 494A3, 494A4 are fitted to the plurality of divided areas 491A1, 491A2, 491A3, 491A4 shown in FIG. 57, respectively. FIG. 60 is a diagram showing how a plurality of ellipses 494B1, 494B2, 494B3 are fitted to the plurality of divided areas 491B1, 491B2, 491B3 shown in FIG. Each of the plurality of ellipses 494A1, 494A2, 494A3, 494A4 is a standard ellipse.

As shown in FIGS. 59 and 60, a plurality of ellipses 494A1 to 494A4 obtained from a medal region 473A in which a regular medal 410 is reflected and a plurality of ellipses obtained from a medal region 473B in which an unauthorized medal 410 is reflected. It differs greatly from the group of ellipses 494B1 to 494B3 in the number, position, and shape of ellipses. Therefore, from the medal area 473 extracted from the captured image 462B, by using a plurality of pieces of ellipse information regarding a plurality of target ellipses obtained as in the present modification as the feature amount, the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is obtained. It is possible to more accurately determine whether it is a legitimate one.

When a plurality of local areas are specified in the medal area 473, each of the plurality of local areas is divided into a plurality of divided areas. Therefore, a plurality of ellipses are obtained for each of the plurality of local regions. In this modification, the fitting unit 466 obtains a plurality of ellipses regardless of the number of local regions specified in the medal region 473.

The determination unit 467 according to the present modification determines whether or not the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is a regular one in the same manner as described above. The operation of the determination unit 467 according to this modification will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 51 again.

When a plurality of target ellipses are obtained by the fitting unit 466, as illustrated in FIG. 51, the determination unit 467 acquires a plurality of spheroidal information pieces corresponding to the plurality of target ellipses in step S21. The plurality of spheroidal pieces of information acquired here are a plurality of pieces of ellipse information about a plurality of target ellipses with a rotation angle of 0°, that is, a plurality of pieces of ellipse information about the plurality of target ellipses themselves acquired by the fitting unit 466. As shown in FIG. 59, four ellipses are obtained from the medal area 473 (the medal area 473A shown in FIG. 59) in which the regular medal 410 is shown. In this case, therefore, four rotations are performed in step S21. Ellipse information is obtained.

Next, in step S22, the determination unit 467 sets the plurality of spheroidal information pieces acquired in step S21 as the target feature amount, and sets the evaluation value α indicating the degree of similarity between the target feature amount and the standard feature amount to the above-described expression 1 Ask using. In this modification, N2 in Expression 1 is “4”.

When the determination unit 467 obtains the evaluation value α using Expression 1, in step S23, it is determined whether or not the plurality of rotation ellipses in the latest step S21 are each (360°−β) rotated target ellipses. To judge. If the determination in step S23 is No, the determination unit 467 executes step S21 again and acquires a plurality of pieces of spheroidal information. Here, the determination unit 467 is obtained by rotating the plurality of spheroids corresponding to the plurality of spheroidal information pieces acquired in the previous step S21 by the predetermined angle β around the center 473c of the medal area 473. Obtain a plurality of spheroidal information about a plurality of spheroids. If the plurality of spheroids in the previous step S21 are, for example, a plurality of target ellipses rotated by β, in the present step S21, the plurality of target ellipses are 2β around the center 473c of the medal area 473. A plurality of spheroidal information items regarding a plurality of spheroids obtained by being rotated are acquired.

When a plurality of pieces of spheroidal information are acquired in step S22, the determination unit 467 executes step S23 again to evaluate the degree of similarity between the target feature amount including the plurality of pieces of spheroidal information and the standard feature amount. The value α is obtained by using the equation 1. Then, step S23 is executed again.

If the determination in step S23 is Yes, the determination unit 467 determines in step S24 whether or not the maximum value of the obtained plurality of evaluation values is greater than or equal to the threshold value. When the maximum value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, that is, when the target feature amount and the standard feature amount used when obtaining the maximum value are similar to each other, the determination unit 467 appears in the captured image 462B. It is determined that the medal 410 is a valid one. On the other hand, when the maximum value is less than the threshold value, that is, all of the plurality of target feature amounts used when obtaining the plurality of evaluation values α are not similar to the standard feature amount. In this case, it is determined that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is not correct. In this modification, the threshold value used in step S24 is set to, for example, "0.75" or "1".

As described above, in the present modification, the medal area 473 is concentrically divided, whereby the local area included in the medal area 473 is divided into a plurality of divided areas, and a plurality of divided areas are divided into a plurality of divided areas. Each ellipse is fitted. Then, a plurality of pieces of ellipse information regarding the plurality of ellipses are set as feature amounts. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 54, FIG. 55, etc., even if only one large continuous pattern is attached to each of the regular medal 410 and the non-regular medal 410, It is possible to prevent the feature amount acquired from the captured image 462B showing the non-medal 410 from being similar to the standard feature amount. Therefore, the accuracy of the authenticity determination of the medal 410 can be improved.

Further, when the image capturing unit 461 captures an image of the medal 410, if the distance between the medal 410 and the CMOS image sensor (corresponding to the CMOS image sensor 232 of the camera unit 209 of the first embodiment) varies, the captured image The medal 410 appears large or small in 462B, and the size of the medal 410 in the captured image 462B varies. As a result, the size of the local area in the medal area 473 in which the regular medal 410 is reflected varies. In such a case, if the radii of the circles 492a and 492b (see FIG. 56) set in the medal area 473 are constant regardless of the size of the outer shape of the medal 410 reflected in the medal area 473, the medal area 473 is formed. The division mode of the local area included in the medal area 473 varies according to the size of the outer shape of the regular medal 410 shown in (in accordance with the size of the local area in the medal area 473 in which the regular medal 410 appears). Therefore, the positions and shapes of the plurality of ellipses acquired from the medal area 473 in which the regular medal 410 is reflected vary, and as a result, the feature amounts acquired from the medal area 473 in which the regular medal 410 is reflected vary, and the captured image 462B is displayed. The authenticity of the displayed medal 410 may not be correctly determined.

On the other hand, in the present modification, the extraction unit 464 has a plurality of circles 492a and 492b including the outer shape of the medal 410 indicated by the medal area 473 among the plurality of medal areas 473 extracted from the plurality of captured images 462B. , 492c have a constant radius ratio, each of the plurality of medal areas 473 is concentrically divided. Therefore, even when the outer size of the medal 410 included in the captured image 462B varies (even when the local area in the medal area 473 in which the medal 410 appears varies), the medal 410 appears. It is possible to suppress variations in the division mode of the local area included in the medal area 473. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the positions and shapes of the plurality of ellipses acquired from the medal area 473 in which the medal 410 is reflected from varying. As a result, it is possible to prevent the characteristic amount acquired from the medal area 473 in which the medal 410 is reflected from varying, and further improve the accuracy of the authenticity determination of the medal 410 in the captured image 462B.

[Modification 2]
This modified example is different from the modified example 1 described above in how to obtain the evaluation value α. That is, in this modification, the operation in step S22 described above is different from that in modification 1. When determining the evaluation value α, the determination unit 467 in the present modified example determines that similar standard ellipse information is included in the standard feature amount (position of the rotation ellipse corresponding to the rotation ellipse information (included in the target feature amount)). Weighting according to This modification will be described below in detail.

In this modified example, the determination unit 467, in the same manner as in the modified example 1, in step S22 described above, for each of the plurality of spheroidal pieces of information forming the target feature amount, the standard ellipse information similar to the spheroidal piece of information is: It is determined whether or not it is included in the standard feature amount. Then, the determination unit 467 gives a partial evaluation value to the spheroidal information (hereinafter, also referred to as “similar spheroidal information”) that is determined to include similar standard ellipse information in the standard feature amount. Here, the determination unit 467 weights the partial evaluation value given to the similar spheroidal information in accordance with the position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information.

How to specifically weight the partial evaluation value according to the position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is determined according to the position of the characteristic part of the pattern on the regular medal 410. As shown in FIG. 54, the pattern of the alphabet “A” is attached to the one main surface 410a so that the center of the pattern is located near the center of the one main surface 410a of the regular medal 410. When it exists, the characteristic portion of the pattern is located near the center of the one main surface 410a. In such a case, the determination unit 467 increases the partial evaluation value given to the similar spheroidal information as the position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is closer to the center 473c of the medal area 473. For example, when the center position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is located in the innermost partial area 493a (see FIG. 56) of the medal area 473, the determination unit 467 indicates that the similar spheroidal information includes partial information. The evaluation value "1.5" is given. Further, when the center position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is present in the partial area 493b of the medal area 473, the determination unit 467 gives a partial evaluation value “1” to the similar spheroidal information. .. Then, when the center position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information exists in the outermost partial area 493c of the medal area 473, the determination unit 467 determines that the partial evaluation value “0. 5” is given.

When the determination unit 467 gives a partial evaluation value to each piece of similar spheroidal information included in the target feature amount, the determination unit 467 obtains the total sum N11 of the given partial evaluation values. Then, the determination unit 467 obtains the evaluation value α using the following Expression 2.

α=N11/N12 (Equation 2)
Here, N12 indicates the sum of partial evaluation values when a partial evaluation value is given to each of the plurality of pieces of standard ellipse information forming the standard feature amount in the same manner as described above. For example, in the example of FIG. 59, N12=1.5+3×1=4.5.

When the characteristic portion of the pattern attached to the one main surface 410a is located at the peripheral end portion of the one main surface 410a of the regular medal 410, the determination unit 467 corresponds to the similar rotation ellipse information. As the position of the spheroid is farther from the center 473c of the medal area 473, the partial evaluation value given to the similar spheroidal information may be increased. For example, when the center position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information exists in the outermost partial area 493c of the medal area 473, the determination unit 467 determines that the partial evaluation value “1. 5” is given. Further, when the center position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is present in the partial area 493b of the medal area 473, the determination unit 467 gives a partial evaluation value “1” to the similar spheroidal information. . Then, when the center position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information exists in the innermost partial area 493a of the medal area 473, the determination unit 467 determines that the similar spheroidal information includes the partial evaluation value “0. 5” is given. The weighting method of the partial evaluation value is not limited to this.

As described above, when the determination unit 467 obtains the evaluation value α, by weighting according to the position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information, the accuracy of the authenticity determination of the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B. Is further improved. For example, as described above, when performing weighting according to the position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information based on the position of the characteristic portion of the pattern on the regular medal 410, in the medal area 473, The evaluation value α can be increased when the spheroidal information about the spheroid existing at the position corresponding to the characteristic portion of the pattern on the regular medal 410 is similar to the standard ellipse information. That is, when the local area of the medal area 473 includes a portion similar to the characteristic portion of the pattern of the regular medal 410, the evaluation value α can be increased. When the local area of the medal area 473 includes a portion similar to the characteristic portion of the pattern of the regular medal 410, the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is highly likely to be the regular one. Therefore, in this case, by increasing the evaluation value α, it is possible to more accurately determine that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is correct. Therefore, the accuracy of the authenticity determination of the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is further improved.

When determining the evaluation value α, the determination unit 467 may perform weighting according to the size of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroid information. For example, as shown in FIG. 59, among the plurality of standard ellipses 494A1 to 494A4 set in the local area 491A of the medal area 473A in which the regular medal 410 is shown, the position of the characteristic portion of the pattern on the regular medal 410 is located. When the standard ellipse 494A1 existing at the position corresponding to is larger than the other standard ellipses 494A2-494A4, the determination unit 467 gives the similar rotation ellipse information as the rotation ellipse corresponding to the similar rotation ellipse information is larger. Increase the partial evaluation value. As an example, if the size of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is larger than the reference size, the determination unit 467 gives a partial evaluation value “1.5” to the similar spheroidal information. Then, if the size of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is equal to or smaller than the reference size, the determination unit 467 assigns the partial evaluation value “0.5” to the similar spheroidal information.

Whether or not the size of the spheroid is larger than the reference size can be determined based on the lengths of the major axis and the minor axis of the spheroid. For example, if the value obtained by multiplying the lengths of the long axis and the short axis of the spheroid is larger than the reference value, it is determined that the size of the spheroid is larger than the reference size. On the other hand, if the value obtained by multiplying the major axis and the minor axis of the spheroid is equal to or smaller than the reference value, it is determined that the size of the spheroid is equal to or smaller than the reference size.

As described above, even when the determination unit 467 performs weighting according to the size of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information when obtaining the evaluation value α, the authenticity determination of the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is performed. The accuracy of is further improved. For example, as described above, among the plurality of standard ellipses obtained from the medal area 473 in which the regular medal 410 is reflected, the standard ellipse existing at the position corresponding to the position of the characteristic portion of the pattern on the regular medal 410 is displayed. When weighting is performed based on the size according to the size of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information, the local region of the medal region 473 is similar to the characteristic portion of the pattern of the regular medal 410. When the part is included, the evaluation value α can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine that the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is a legitimate one. Therefore, the accuracy of the authenticity determination of the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is further improved.

Further, how to specifically weight the partial evaluation value may be determined by learning. That is, the result of elliptic fitting with respect to a plurality of divided areas forming the local area of the medal area 473 in which the regular medal 410 is displayed (ellipse fitting result for the regular medal 410) and the medal area 473 in which the non-regular medal 410 is reflected. The weighting method may be determined based on the result of elliptic fitting with respect to the plurality of divided areas forming the local area (result of elliptic fitting with respect to the non-regular medal 410).

For example, although the elliptic fitting result for the non-genuine medal 410 yields an ellipse located at the peripheral edge of the medal area 473, the elliptic fitting result for the regular medal 410 results in the elliptical position located at the peripheral edge of the medal area 473. Consider the case where an ellipse that does is not obtained. In this case, when the position of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is present at the peripheral edge of the medal area 473, the determination unit 467 compares the position of the spheroid with the similar spheroidal information in other parts. The partial evaluation value given to the spheroidal information is reduced.

Further, for example, consider a case where a large ellipse is obtained in the elliptic fitting result for the non-regular medal 410, but a large ellipse is not obtained in the elliptic fitting result for the regular medal 410. In this case, when the size of the spheroid corresponding to the similar spheroidal information is larger than the reference size, the determination unit 467 compares the spheroidal size with the reference size or less to give the similar spheroidal information. Decrease the evaluation value.

By thus determining the weighting method by learning, the accuracy of the authenticity determination of the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462B is further improved.

[Modification 3]
In the above example, the ellipse information (spheroidal information) used by the determination unit 467 includes position information and shape information of the ellipse (spheroid), but either one of the position information and the shape information of the ellipse is included. Only may be included. The ellipse information may include ellipse tilt information. That is, the ellipse information used by the determination unit 467 may include at least one of ellipse position information, shape information, and inclination information.

The fitting unit 466 can generate, based on the positions of a plurality of pixels included in the local area included in the medal area 473, inclination information of an ellipse fitted to the local area. Specifically, the fitting unit 466 uses the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of a plurality of pixels forming the local area to obtain the covariance matrix for the x-coordinates and the y-coordinates of the pixels in the local area. .. Then, the fitting unit 466 obtains two eigenvectors of the obtained covariance matrix. One of the two eigenvectors indicates the direction in which the major axis of the ellipse extends, and the other of the two eigenvectors indicates the direction in which the minor axis of the ellipse extends. Therefore, it can be said that each of the two eigenvectors indicates the inclination of the ellipse. The fitting unit 466 sets one of the two eigenvectors of the covariance matrix as the inclination information of the ellipse that is fitted to the local region.

When only the center position of the rotation ellipse is included in the rotation ellipse information, the determination unit 467 determines the center position of the rotation ellipse included in the rotation ellipse information and the standard included in the standard ellipse information in step S22 described above. When the distance from the center position of the ellipse is equal to or less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the rotation ellipse information and the standard ellipse information are similar.

When the spheroidal information includes only the length of the major axis and the length of the minor axis of the spheroid, the determining unit 467 determines the major axis of the spheroid included in the spheroidal information in step S22 described above. And the absolute value of the difference between the length of the major axis of the standard ellipse included in the standard ellipse is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and the length of the minor axis of the spheroid, and the length of the minor axis of the standard ellipse. When the absolute value of the difference is less than or equal to the predetermined value, it is determined that the spheroidal information and the standard ellipse information are similar.

When the spheroid information includes only the center position of the spheroid and the eigenvector, the determination unit 467 includes the center position of the spheroid included in the spheroid information and the standard ellipse information in step S22 described above. If the distance from the center position of the standard ellipse is less than or equal to a predetermined value and the angle formed by the eigenvector included in the rotation ellipse information and the eigenvector included in the standard ellipse information is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the rotation It is determined that the ellipse information and the standard ellipse information are similar.

When the spheroid information includes only the major axis length, the minor axis length, and the eigenvector of the spheroid, the determination unit 467 determines in step S22 described above the spheroid information included in the spheroid information. The absolute value of the difference between the length of the long axis and the length of the long axis of the standard ellipse included in the standard ellipse information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and the length of the short axis of the rotating ellipse and the short axis of the standard ellipse. If the absolute value of the difference with the length is less than or equal to a predetermined value and the angle formed by the eigenvector included in the spheroidal information and the eigenvector included in the standard ellipse information is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the spheroidal information And the standard ellipse information are similar.

Then, when the spheroidal information includes the center position of the spheroid, the length of the major axis, the length of the minor axis, and the eigenvector, the determination unit 467 includes the spheroidal information in step S22 described above. The distance between the center position of the rotation ellipse and the center position of the standard ellipse included in the standard ellipse information is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and the length of the long axis of the rotation ellipse and the length of the long axis of the standard ellipse. The absolute value of the difference is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and the absolute value of the difference between the length of the minor axis of the spheroid and the length of the minor axis of the standard ellipse is less than or equal to the predetermined value, and included in the spheroid information. When the angle formed by the eigenvector and the eigenvector included in the standard ellipse information is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined that the rotation ellipse information and the standard ellipse information are similar.

<<Fourth Embodiment>>
Hereinafter, a pachi-slot which is a gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 61 to 79. The pachi-slot 500, which is the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, has a functional flow, a pachi-slot structure, a medal selector configuration, a pachi-slot circuit configuration, and a medal selector circuit configuration described above in the first embodiment. It is the same as the pachi-slot 1 which is the gaming machine according to. Hereinafter, the regular medal determination process executed by the pachi-slot 500, which is the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment, will be described.

As described above, the pachi-slot 500, which is the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment, includes the control LSI 534 (corresponding to the control LSI 234 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment), like the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. A camera unit 509 (corresponding to the camera unit 209 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) is provided, and further a medal selector 501 (corresponding to the medal selector 201 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) including the camera unit 509 is provided. .. FIG. 61 is a functional block diagram of such a camera unit 509.

As shown in FIG. 61, the camera unit 509 according to the present embodiment has an imaging unit 561, a conversion unit 563, an extraction unit 564, a region division unit 565, a feature amount acquisition unit 566, a determination unit 567, and an input/output unit 568. Is equipped with. Although the camera unit 509 includes a light emitting unit including an LED and the like, the illustration thereof is omitted in FIG. 61.

The imaging unit 561 includes a CMOS image sensor 532 (corresponding to, for example, the CMOS image sensor 232 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment), and the image data imaged by the CMOS image sensor 532 (predetermined as necessary). (Converted) and output as a captured image 562A.

The conversion unit 563 (for example, corresponding to the ISP circuit 245 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) converts the captured image 562A input from the imaging unit 561 from a color image to a grayscale image, and converts the captured image after conversion. The captured image 562B is output.

The extraction unit 564 (corresponding to, for example, the image recognition accelerator circuit 249 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) extracts the medal area (target area) 573 in which the medal 510 is imaged from the captured image 562B.

The area division unit 565 (for example, corresponding to the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) performs area division on the medal area 573 extracted by the extraction unit 564. Here, the area division is a process of dividing the medal area 573 into a plurality of divided areas having uniform brightness. In other words, the region division is a process of dividing the medal region 573 into a plurality of divided regions each having a uniform feature.

The feature amount acquisition unit 566 (corresponding to, for example, the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) is included in the captured image 562B based on the plurality of divided areas generated by the area dividing unit 565. A feature amount indicating the feature of the image of the medal 510 is acquired.

The determination unit 567 (for example, corresponding to the image recognition DSP circuit 242 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment) is based on the feature amount acquired by the feature amount acquisition unit 566, and the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is authorized. It is determined whether or not it is, and the determination result 569 is output via the input/output unit 568 (for example, corresponding to the GPIO 250 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment). In other words, the determination unit 567 determines whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562A is authentic based on the characteristic amount acquired by the characteristic amount acquisition unit 566, and outputs the determination result 569. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 567 compares the characteristic amount obtained from the captured image 562B with the standard characteristic amount (reference characteristic amount) 567A indicating the characteristic of the regular medal 510, and based on the comparison result, It is determined whether the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a genuine medal. The standard feature amount 567A can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

FIG. 62 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a captured image 562A obtained by the image capturing section 561. The captured image 562A shown in FIG. 62 includes an image of the captured medal 510. Further, in the captured image 562A, the medal rail 511 which is the background is captured. The medal rail 511 corresponds to the medal rail 210 of the above-described first embodiment, but here, the shape of the rail is simplified and shown.

On one main surface 510a of the medal 510, for example, a pattern of the alphabet "A" is shown. This shows the pattern of the regular medal, but other patterns may be used. Further, patterns may be provided on both main surfaces of the regular medal.

In the present embodiment, the medal 510 moves on the medal rail 511 while rotating around a rotation axis along the thickness direction passing through the centers of both main surfaces thereof. Then, the image capturing section 561 captures an image of the medal 510 from the one main surface 510a side of the medal 510. Therefore, the captured image 562A includes the image of the one main surface 510a of the medal 510. Further, in the present embodiment, the captured image 562A generated by the image capturing unit 561 is a color image, but may be a grayscale image.

<Regular medal discrimination process flow>
Next, a series of operations of the regular medal determination process performed by the camera unit 509 in the present embodiment will be described.

First, when the captured image 562A is input from the imaging unit 561, the conversion unit 563 converts the captured image 562A from a color image to a grayscale image, and the captured image 562B obtained thereby is processed.

Next, the extraction unit 564 extracts the medal area 573 in which the medal 510 appears from the captured image 562B that is the processing target. After that, the area division unit 565 performs area division on the medal area 573 extracted by the extraction unit 564. Next, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 acquires the feature amount indicating the feature of the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B based on the plurality of divided areas generated by the area dividing unit 565.

Next, the determination unit 567 determines whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a regular one, based on the characteristic amount acquired by the characteristic amount acquisition unit 566. Then, the determination unit 567 sends the determination result 569 to the main control circuit (corresponding to the main control circuit 91 in the gaming machine of the first embodiment) via the input/output unit 568 (corresponding to the GPIO 250 of the first embodiment). Output. In this way, when the medal 410 shown in the captured image 462A is not a proper one, the main control circuit forcibly interrupts the game, similarly to the gaming machine of the first embodiment, and the sub control circuit (first control circuit). Through the sub-control circuit 101 in the gaming machine according to the embodiment), it is possible to notify that there has been an illegal act. For example, it is possible to output a warning to the outside by outputting a warning sound from a speaker or displaying warning information on a display which is a liquid crystal display device.

After that, when a new captured image 562A is input, the determination unit 567 executes the above-mentioned regular medal clan process with the captured image 562B obtained from the captured image 562A as a new processing target. After that, the determination unit 567 performs the same operation each time the captured image 562A is input.

<Detailed description of each component>
The operations of the extraction unit 564, the region division unit 565, the feature amount acquisition unit 566, and the determination unit 567 will be described in more detail below.

[Extractor]
FIG. 63 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the medal area 573 extracted by the extraction unit 564 from the captured image 562B. There are various methods for extracting the medal area 573 from the captured image 562B.

For example, there is a first extraction method that utilizes the outer shape of the medal 510. In the first extraction method, first, edge detection is performed on the captured image 562B to generate an edge image. As a method of generating an edge image, for example, the Sobel method, Laplacian method, Canny method or the like is used. Next, a circular area is extracted from the generated edge image. As a method of extracting the circular area, for example, Hough transform is used. Then, the circular area in the captured image 562B existing at the same position as the position of the circular area in the edge image is set as the medal area 573.

As another method, there is a second extraction method for extracting the medal area 573 from the captured image 562B using the background subtraction method and labeling. In the second extraction method, first, a background difference image indicating a difference between the captured image 562B and the background image (an image showing only the background of the captured image 562B) is generated, and the generated background difference image is binarized. It Then, labeling such as 4-connection is performed on the binary background difference image. Then, a partial region in the captured image 562B existing at the same position as the position of the connected region (independent region) obtained as a result of labeling in the binary background difference image is set as the medal region 573.

In the present embodiment, the extraction unit 564 extracts the medal area 573 from the captured image 562B by a method different from the above two methods. The operation of the extraction unit 564 according to this embodiment will be described below. The extraction unit 564 may extract the medal area 573 from the captured image 562B by using one of the above two methods.

First, the extraction unit 564 generates a background difference image indicating a difference between the captured image 562B and the background image 575 (an image in which only the background of the captured image 562B appears), and binarizes the generated background difference image. FIG. 64 is a diagram schematically showing the background image 575, and FIG. 65 is a diagram schematically showing a binary background difference image 576. In the binary image schematically shown in FIG. 65 and the later-described drawings of the present embodiment, a region having a pixel value of “1” (high brightness region) is shown in black, and a pixel value of “0”. The area (low brightness area) is shown in white. The background image 575 can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

Next, the extraction unit 564 performs template matching on the binary background difference image 576 using the binary outline template 577 indicating the outline of the medal 510. That is, the extraction unit 564 specifies where in the background difference image 576, a region similar to the outer shape template 577 exists. In other words, the extraction unit 564 specifies where, in the background difference image 576, a region that matches the outer shape of the medal 510 indicated by the outer shape template 577 exists. FIG. 66 is a diagram schematically showing the outer shape template 577. The outer shape template 577 can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like. The outer shape of the outer shape template 577 is, for example, a square.

In the template matching, as shown in FIG. 67, the extraction unit 564 moves the outline template 577 on the background difference image 576 little by little (for example, by one pixel (pixel)) in the raster scan direction. In other words, the extraction unit 564 raster-scans the outer shape template 577 on the background difference image 576. At this time, the extraction unit 564 generates an AND image of the outer shape template 577 and the partial area of the background difference image 576 that overlaps with the outer shape template 577 at each position of the outer shape template 577. As a result, a plurality of binary AND images are generated. Then, the extraction unit 564 selects the background difference image 576 of the outer shape template 577 used in the generation of the AND image having the largest number of pixels (high-luminance pixels) having the pixel value “1” among the generated AND images. Identify the top position. This position is a position where a region similar to the outer shape template 577 exists in the background difference image 576.

Then, as shown in FIG. 68, the extraction unit 564 extracts, as the medal area 573, the partial area 578 in the captured image 562B existing at the same position as the specified position. In other words, the extraction unit 564 extracts, as the medal area 573, the partial area 578 in the captured image 562B that overlaps the external shape template 577 when the external shape template 577 is arranged in the captured image 562B at the same position as the specified position. .. At this time, in the partial area 578, the medal area 573 may be one in which the pixel value of each pixel outside the circle indicated by the outer shape template 577 above it is zero. The medal area 573 extracted by the extraction unit 564 is a grayscale image. In the present embodiment, the medal area 573 has a quadrangular outer shape, but may have another shape such as a circular shape.

[Area division part]
In the present embodiment, the area dividing unit 565 performs area division on the medal area 573 using the entropy of the brightness histogram. When the entropy of the luminance histogram in the divided area of the medal area 573 is equal to or more than the threshold value, the area dividing unit 565 repeatedly performs the process of further dividing the divided area into a plurality of divided areas.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing the operation of the area dividing unit 565. As shown in FIG. 69, in step S31, the area dividing unit 565 determines a threshold value used for area division. Specifically, the area dividing unit 565 obtains a luminance histogram for the entire medal area 573. Then, the area dividing unit 565 finds the entropy of the obtained luminance histogram. Then, the area dividing unit 565 determines the threshold value based on the obtained entropy.

FIG. 70A is a diagram showing an example of a luminance histogram 590 for the entire medal area 573. The brightness histogram 590 shows the distribution of brightness of a plurality of pixels forming the medal area 573. The horizontal axis of FIG. 70A represents luminance. The vertical axis of FIG. 70A indicates the number of pixels having the brightness shown on the horizontal axis, that is, the frequency, in the medal area 573. In the present embodiment, the brightness of a pixel is represented by, for example, 8 bits, and takes a value from “0” to “255” in decimal notation.

The area dividing unit 565 obtains the entropy EA of the luminance histogram 590 using Expression 3 shown in FIG. 70B.

Here, PAi in Expression 3 represents the appearance probability of the luminance “i” in the medal area 573. The appearance probability PAi is represented by the following Expression 4 using the number KAi of pixels having a luminance of “i” in the medal area 573 and the total number KAtotal of pixels in the medal area 573.
PAi=KAi/KAtotal... (Formula 4)

For example, if KAtotal=1000 and the number of pixels with luminance “255” in the medal area 573 is KA255=10, PA255=10/1000.

The entropy EA indicates the degree of variation in the distribution of the luminance histogram 590. When the entropy EA is large, it can be said that the distribution of the luminance histogram 590 varies. That is, it can be said that there is a large variation in luminance in the medal area 573. On the other hand, when the entropy EA is small, it can be said that the distribution of the luminance histogram 590 is biased. That is, it can be said that the variation in luminance in the medal area 573 is small.

When the area dividing unit 565 finds the entropy EA, the area dividing unit 565 obtains the threshold value T used in the area division using the following Expression 5.
T=EA×α (Equation 5)

Here, α in Expression 5 is an adjustment parameter for adjusting the division mode of the medal area 573, and 0<α<1. As α decreases, the threshold value T decreases, so that the medal area 573 is likely to be divided in the area division. The value of α can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like. In the present embodiment, the value of α is determined in advance by experiments or the like so that the authenticity of the medal 510 can be appropriately determined.

When the threshold T is determined in step S31, the area dividing unit 565 initially divides the medal area 573 in step S32. Here, the medal area 573 is divided into four as shown in FIG. 71, for example. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 71, the medal area 573 is evenly divided into four square divided areas 580 in a matrix. The area dividing unit 565 does not use the entropy of the luminance histogram when initially dividing the medal area 573.

Next, in step S33, the area dividing unit 565 determines the divided area 580 to be processed. In step S33 immediately after step S32, the respective divided areas 580 obtained in step S32 are processed.

Next, in step S34, the area dividing unit 565 obtains the entropy of the luminance histogram for each of the processing target divided areas 580 determined in step S33. Specifically, the area dividing unit 565 first obtains a luminance histogram of the divided area 580 to be processed. The luminance histogram of the divided area 580 shows, for example, the luminance distribution of a plurality of pixels forming the divided area 580 shown in FIG. 72A. Then, the area dividing unit 565 obtains the entropy EB of the luminance histogram of the divided area 580 to be processed using Expression 6 shown in FIG. 72B.

Here, PBi in Expression 6 represents the appearance probability of the luminance “i” in the divided region 580. The appearance probability PBi is represented by the following Expression 7 using the number KBi of pixels whose brightness is “i” in the divided area 580 and the total number KBtotal of pixels in the divided area 580.
PBi=KBi/KBtotal (Equation 7)

When the entropy EB for the divided area 580 is large, it can be said that the variation in luminance in the divided area 580 is large. On the other hand, when the entropy EB for the divided area 580 is small, it can be said that the variation in luminance in the divided area 580 is small.

When step S34 is executed, the area dividing unit 565 in step S35 has a processing object divided area 580 whose entropy EB is equal to or larger than the threshold value T in the processing object divided area 580 determined in step S33. Or not. When the area dividing unit 565 determines in step S35 that there is a processing target divided area 580 having an entropy EB equal to or greater than the threshold value T, in step S36, the processing target divided area 580 having an entropy EB equal to or greater than the threshold value T. Is further divided. As described above, when the entropy EB of the divided area 580 is large, it can be said that the luminance variation in the divided area 580 is large. Therefore, the area division unit 565 causes the divided area to be processed in which the luminance variation is large. It can be said that 580 is further divided. In other words, the area dividing unit 565 further divides the divided area 580 to be processed, which has non-uniform characteristics. In step S36, as in step S32, the divided area 580 to be processed whose entropy EB is equal to or larger than the threshold T is evenly divided into four square divided areas 581 in a matrix. FIG. 72A is a diagram showing how the upper left divided area 580 of the four divided areas 580 obtained by the initial division in step S32 is further divided into four divided areas 581.

When step S36 is executed, the area dividing unit 565 executes step S33 again, and newly determines the divided area 581 to be processed. In step S33 immediately after step S36, the new divided area 581 obtained in step S36, which is larger than a predetermined size, is targeted for processing. After that, the area dividing unit 565 similarly executes step S34 and the subsequent steps.

In step S35, when the area dividing unit 565 determines that there is no divided area 581 to be processed whose entropy EB is equal to or larger than the threshold value T, the area division for the medal area 573 ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the area dividing unit 565 further divides a plurality of divided areas when the entropy EB of the luminance histogram in the divided areas (for example, the divided area 580 and the divided area 581) is equal to or more than the threshold value. Since the process of dividing into the divided regions is repeated, the medal region 573 is divided into a plurality of divided regions each having a small entropy EB (for example, in the example of FIG. 71, the medal region 573 is divided into four divided regions 580. 72A, the divided area 580 is divided into four divided areas 581). That is, the medal area 573 is divided into a plurality of divided areas having uniform brightness.

FIG. 73 is a diagram showing an outline of how the medal area 573 is divided into areas, and the medal area 573 is divided into a plurality of divided areas 582 having uniform brightness. In FIG. 73, the divided area is shown as a divided area 582 regardless of its size (that is, regardless of how many times the area is divided). In the medal area 573, since the brightness varies in the area including the contour of the pattern of the medal 510, as shown in FIG. 73, the vicinity of the contour of the pattern of the medal 510 is finely divided in the medal area 573. Similarly, in the area including the outer shape of the medal 510 in the medal area 573, the brightness varies. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 73, in the medal area 573, the vicinity of the outer shape of the medal 510 is finely divided.

In this way, when the entropy EB of the luminance histogram in the divided areas is equal to or more than the threshold value, the processing of further dividing the divided area into a plurality of divided areas is repeatedly performed, so that the medal 510 in the medal area 573. The area near the outline of the pattern is finely divided. Therefore, it can be said that the plurality of divided areas 582 generated by performing the area division on the medal area 573 show the characteristics of the medal 510. Hereinafter, the divided area 582 may be referred to as a “uniform divided area 582”.

In the above example, when the entropy EB of the luminance histogram in the divided area is equal to or more than the threshold value, the divided area is further divided into a plurality of divided areas. However, the entropy EB of the luminance histogram in the divided area is When is larger than the threshold value, the divided area may be further divided into a plurality of divided areas. Further, in the above example, the divided area is divided into four, but the number of divided areas may be other than this.

[Feature acquisition unit]
In the present embodiment, the feature amount acquisition unit 566, for each of the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 generated by the area dividing unit 565, size information indicating the size of the uniform divided area 582 and the medal area 573. Distance information indicating the distance from the center to the uniform divided area 582 is acquired. Then, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 acquires the medal feature amount based on the size information and the distance information for each uniformly divided area 582. In the present embodiment, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 generates a two-dimensional histogram of the size information and the distance information of the uniformly divided area 582, and sets the two-dimensional histogram as the medal feature amount.

As the size information of the uniform divided area 582, for example, the horizontal or vertical length of the uniform divided area 582 is adopted. In the present embodiment, since the uniform divided area 582 is a square, the horizontal and vertical lengths of the uniform divided area 582 are the same. As the distance information about the uniform divided area 582, for example, the distance from the center of the medal area 573 to the center of the uniform divided area 582 is adopted. The length of the diagonal line of the uniform divided area 582 may be adopted as the size information of the uniform divided area 582.

The feature amount acquisition unit 566 sets, for each uniform division area 582, the size information and the distance information of the uniform division area 582 as one set of information pairs, for example, SRAM (the camera unit according to the first embodiment). 209 (corresponding to the SRAM 243) or the like. Then, the feature amount acquisition unit 566, based on the plurality of information pairs respectively corresponding to the plurality of uniformly divided regions 582 generated by the region division unit 565, the frequency distribution of the combination of the size information and the distance information. 2D histogram is generated. Hereinafter, the two-dimensional histogram may be referred to as “two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591”.

FIG. 74 is a diagram showing an example of the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591. The first axis along the x-axis direction in FIG. 74 indicates size information, and the second axis along the y-axis direction in FIG. 74 indicates distance information. The third axis along the z-axis direction in FIG. 74 is the size information having the value shown on the first axis and the distance information having the value shown on the second axis in the plurality of information pairs. It shows the frequency of combination with. In other words, the third axis of FIG. 74 shows how many combinations of the size information having the value shown on the first axis and the distance information having the value shown on the second axis in a plurality of information pairs. Indicates whether it exists.

For example, when there are eight combinations of the size information a1 and the distance information b1 in a plurality of information pairs, the size information a1 shown on the first axis and the distance information b1 shown on the second axis are included. The frequency in the corresponding bin is "8". In addition, when there are three combinations of the size information a5 and the distance information b3 in a plurality of information pairs, the size information a5 shown on the first axis and the distance information b3 shown on the second axis are included. The frequency in the corresponding bin is “3”.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 of the size information and the distance information of the uniformly divided area 582 in the medal area 573 is set as the medal feature amount.

[Judgment part]
The determination unit 567 compares the medal feature amount acquired by the feature amount acquisition unit 566 with the standard feature amount indicating the feature of the regular medal 510, and based on the comparison result, the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is determined. It is determined whether it is legitimate. As the standard feature amount, the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 is used from the captured image 562B showing the regular medal 510 in the same manner as described above. Hereinafter, the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 generated from the captured image 562B showing the regular medal 510 is referred to as a “standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A”.

When the gaming machine is not in actual operation, a regular medal 510 is inserted into the gaming machine to obtain the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A (standard feature amount). The conversion unit 563 generates a captured image 562B showing the inserted regular medal 510. This captured image 562B is called a "standard captured image 562C". The extraction unit 564 generates a medal area 573 in which the regular medal 510 is shown from the standard captured image 562C, and the area division unit 565 divides the medal area 573 into areas. Then, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 generates a standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A (standard feature amount) based on the plurality of uniformly divided regions 582 generated by the region dividing unit 565. The standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A thus generated can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

It should be noted that the acquisition of the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A by such a gaming machine can be performed when a predetermined mode is selected in the gaming machine. Further, the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A may be acquired in advance by a gaming machine or another device and stored in the SRAM or the like of each gaming machine.

On the other hand, in the game machine in actual operation, the determination unit 567 compares the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 generated by the feature amount acquisition unit 566 with the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A stored in SRAM or the like, Based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 567 compares the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 generated by the feature amount acquisition unit 566 and the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A by comparing the two. For example, the Bhattacharyya distance is used as the value indicating the degree of similarity. A large Bhattacharyya distance means low similarity, and a small Bhattacharyya distance means high similarity. Other values may be used as the value indicating the similarity.

Here, when the similarity between the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 generated from the captured image 562B and the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A is high, the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a regular medal. Probability is high. Therefore, like the Bhattacharyya distance, the value indicating the similarity between the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 generated from the captured image 562B and the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A is the medal 510 in the captured image 562B. It can be said that this is an evaluation value indicating the certainty of the thing. In other words, it can be said that the value indicating the degree of similarity is an evaluation value indicating the possibility that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one. Hereinafter, the evaluation value will be referred to as a “determination evaluation value”.

In the present embodiment, when the similarity between the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 generated by the feature amount acquisition unit 566 and the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A is high, the determination unit 567 selects the captured image 562B. It is determined that the medal 510 that appears is a legitimate one, and if the similarity is low, it is determined that the medal 510 that appears in the captured image 562B is not a legitimate one. Specifically, the determination unit 567 determines that the Bhattacharyya distance between the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 generated by the feature amount acquisition unit 566 and the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A is equal to or less than the threshold value. It is determined that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is authentic, and if it is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is not genuine. In other words, the determination unit 567 determines that the determination evaluation value generated based on the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 obtained from the captured image 562B and the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A is less than or equal to the threshold value. It is determined that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is authentic, and if it is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is not genuine. Then, the determination unit 567 outputs the determination result 569.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the threshold value T used when dividing the medal area 573 is determined based on the medal area 573. Therefore, the medal area 573 in which the medal 510 is reflected can be appropriately divided into a plurality of uniform divided areas 582 according to the medal 510. Therefore, compared to the case where the threshold value T is determined in advance, it is possible to acquire the medal feature amount that appropriately indicates the feature of the medal 510 shown in the medal area 573. As a result, the determination accuracy in determining whether or not the medal 510 is a genuine one is improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the medal feature amount is acquired based on the plurality of uniform divided areas 582, the size information and the distance information about the uniform divided areas 582 are used. Therefore, it is possible to easily acquire the medal feature amount as compared with the case where the pixel value of each pixel of the uniform divided area 582 is used to obtain the medal feature amount. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the captured image 562B is a captured image obtained by capturing the rotating medal 510, the rotational attitude (rotation angle) of the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is always the same. Not necessarily. Therefore, the rotational attitude of the medal 510 shown in the medal area 573 is not always the same. On the other hand, the size information and the distance information of the uniformly divided area 582 obtained from the medal area 573 are information that does not change even if the uniformly divided area 582 is rotated around the center of the medal area 573. Therefore, even if the rotational attitude of the medal 510 shown in the medal area 573 varies, the size information and the distance information of the uniformly divided area 582 obtained from the medal area 573 vary if the medal 510 is a regular one. Hateful. Therefore, it can be said that each of the size information and the distance information of the uniformly divided area 582 is information that is not easily influenced by the rotational posture of the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B. In the present embodiment, since the medal feature amount is acquired based on the information that is less likely to be influenced by the rotation posture of the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B, the captured image 562B is obtained by capturing the rotating medal 510. Even if the captured image is a captured image, it is possible to prevent the regular medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B from being erroneously determined to be not a regular one.

<Modification of Fourth Embodiment>
Various modifications of the present embodiment will be described below.

[Modification 1 (Medal feature amount acquisition method)]
In the above example, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 acquires the medal feature amount based on both the size information of the uniform divided area 582 and the distance information. However, the size information of the uniform divided area 582, Alternatively, the medal feature amount may be acquired based on either one of the distance information and the distance information. For example, the characteristic amount acquisition unit 566 may acquire the medal characteristic amount based on the size information of the plurality of uniformly divided areas 582 generated by the area dividing unit 565. In this case, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 generates, for example, a one-dimensional histogram 592 showing the distribution of the size information of the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 generated by the area dividing unit 565, and uses the one-dimensional histogram 592 as a medal. Let it be a feature amount. FIG. 75: is a figure which shows an example of the one-dimensional histogram 592 which shows the distribution of the size information of the uniform division area 582. As shown in FIG. The horizontal axis of FIG. 75 indicates size information. The vertical axis of FIG. 75 indicates the number of uniform divided areas 582 having the size information shown on the horizontal axis, that is, the frequency, among the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 generated by the area dividing unit 565.

When the one-dimensional histogram 592 indicating the distribution of the size information of the uniformly divided areas 582 is used as the medal feature amount, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 causes the regular medal 510 to be displayed when the gaming machine is not actually operating. The one-dimensional histogram (standard one-dimensional histogram 592A) of the size information of the uniform divided area 582, which is generated in the same manner from the captured image 562B in which is shown, is set as the standard feature amount. Then, the determination unit 567 compares the one-dimensional histogram 592 generated by the feature amount acquisition unit 566 with the standard one-dimensional histogram 592A, as in the case where the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 is used, and the comparison result. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is authentic.

The standard one-dimensional histogram 592A generated by such a gaming machine can be generated when a predetermined mode is selected in the gaming machine. Further, the standard one-dimensional histogram 592A may be generated in advance by a gaming machine or another device and stored in the SRAM or the like of each gaming machine.

Further, when the feature amount acquisition unit 566 acquires the medal feature amount based on the distance information of the plurality of uniform divided regions 582 generated by the region dividing unit 565, the distance between the plurality of uniform divided regions 582 is calculated. A one-dimensional histogram 592 indicating the distribution of information is generated and the one-dimensional histogram 592 is used as a medal feature amount.

As described above, even when the medal feature amount is acquired based on one of the size information and the distance information of the uniform divided area 582, the pixel value of each pixel of the uniform divided area 582 is obtained. It is possible to easily acquire the medal feature amount as compared with the case where the medal feature amount is acquired based on. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one.

In addition, since the size information and the distance information of the uniform divided area 582 are information that is not easily influenced by the rotational attitude of the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B, the captured image 562B is also displayed in this modified example. It is possible to prevent an erroneous determination that the regular medal 510 shown is not a regular medal.

[Modification 2 (authenticity determination using multiple types of standard feature amounts)]
As described above, the size information and the distance information of the uniformly divided area 582 are information that is not easily influenced by the rotational attitude of the medal 510 shown in the medal area 573, but the rotational attitude of the medal 510 shown in the medal area 573. There is some variation under the influence of. This point will be described in detail below.

For example, consider four medal areas 573A to 573D in which a regular medal 510 is shown, as shown in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the medal feature amount obtained from the medal area 573A is stored in the SRAM or the like as the standard feature amount. Hereinafter, the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573A may be referred to as “a plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A”.

The rotation angle of the medal 510B shown in the medal area 573B is the same as the rotation angle of the medal 510A when the medal 510A shown in the medal area 573A is rotated 90° counterclockwise around its center. The rotation angle of the medal 510C shown in the medal area 573C is the same as the rotation angle of the medal 510A when the medal 510A shown in the medal area 573A is rotated 180° counterclockwise around its center. The rotation angle of the medal 510D shown in the medal area 573D is the same as the rotation angle of the medal 510A when the medal 510A shown in the medal area 573A is rotated 270° counterclockwise around its center.

In the above example, when the divided area of the medal area 573 is further divided, it is evenly divided into four square divided areas in a matrix. Therefore, the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573B are obtained by rotating the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A obtained from the medal area 573A counterclockwise by 90° around the center of the medal area 573A. Match the ones. Similarly, the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573C coincide with those obtained by rotating the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A by 180° counterclockwise around the center of the medal area 573A. Then, the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573D coincide with those obtained by rotating the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A counterclockwise by 270° around the center of the medal area 573A. Therefore, the size information and the distance information of the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A, the size information of the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573B, and the distance information, and the plurality of pieces obtained from the medal area 573C. The size information and the distance information of the uniform divided area 582 of the same, and the size information and the distance information of the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573D match each other. Therefore, the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573B, the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573C, and the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573D are the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573A, That is, it matches the standard feature amount.

In this way, the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 appearing in a certain medal area 573X is (90×N)° (where N is equal to 90°N) around the center of the regular medal 510A appearing in the medal area 573A for which the standard feature amount is acquired. (Integer of 0 or more) When the rotation angle of the regular medal 510A when rotated counterclockwise matches, the plurality of uniform division areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573X are the plurality of standard uniform divisions. This matches the area 582A rotated by (90×N)° counterclockwise around the center of the medal area 573A. Therefore, the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573X matches the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573A. That is, the medal feature amount obtained from the medal area 573X matches the standard feature amount stored in the SRAM or the like. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine that the medal 510 shown in the medal area 573X is a genuine medal.

On the other hand, the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 reflected in a certain medal area 573X is the normal angle when the regular medal 510A reflected in the medal area 573A is rotated counterclockwise (90×N)° around its center. When the rotation angle of the medal 510 does not match, the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573X are the same as the standard uniform divided areas 582A. Even if it is rotated by, it may not coincide with the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A. In other words, the rotation angle of the regular medal 510A when the regular medal 510A is rotated counterclockwise by γ° (γ≠90×N, that is, γ is a value other than a multiple of “90”) about its center. , The plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573X are the same as the standard uniform divided areas 582A regardless of the rotation angle of the standard uniform divided areas 582A about the center of the medal area 573A. , The standard uniform divided areas 582A may not match. Therefore, the size information and the distance information of the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573X may not match the size information and the distance information of the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A. Therefore, the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573X may not match the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573A. That is, the medal feature amount obtained from the medal area 573X may not match the standard feature amount stored in the SRAM or the like. As a result, the medal 510 shown in the medal area 573X may not be properly determined to be a legal medal. Particularly, the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573X is the regular medal 510A when the regular medal 510A shown in the medal area 573A is rotated counterclockwise (90×N+45)° around its center. If it matches the rotation angle of, the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573X may be significantly different from the standard feature amount. Therefore, in this case, it is highly likely that the medal 510 shown in the medal area 573 is not properly determined to be a proper medal.

The rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in a certain medal area 573X is a regular medal when the regular medal 510A shown in the medal area 573A is rotated counterclockwise (90×N)° around its center. How much the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573X deviates from the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573A when the rotation angle of 510A does not match is determined in the region division for the medal region 573X. It depends on whether the medal area 573X is finely divided. When the medal area 573X is finely divided in the area division, the medal characteristic amount obtained from the medal area 573X largely deviates from the medal characteristic amount obtained from the medal area 573A.

In this way, the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 reflected in a certain medal area 573X is (90×N)° counterclockwise around the center of the regular medal 510 reflected in the medal area 573A for which the standard feature amount is acquired. When it does not match the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 when the medal area 573X is rotated, the medal characteristic amount obtained from the medal area 573X may be different from the standard characteristic amount. Therefore, the medal 510 displayed in the medal area 573X may not be properly determined to be a legal medal. Therefore, in the medal determination process, not only one type of standard feature amount acquired from the medal area 573X in which the regular medal 510 appears, but the regular medal 510 in the medal area 573X is displayed around the center ( 90×N)° The standard feature amount acquired from the medal area 573 in which the regular medal 510 having a rotation angle that does not match the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 when rotated counterclockwise is also used. Is desirable.

Further, the description so far made using FIG. 76 is based on the premise that the center of the medal area 573 and the center of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573 coincide. However, depending on the extraction accuracy of the medal area 573 in the extraction unit 564, the center of the medal area 573 may not coincide with the center of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573. FIG. 77 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the center 573c of the medal area 573 and the center 510c of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573 do not match.

When the center 573c of the medal area 573 extracted by the extraction unit 564 and the center 510c of the regular medal 510 appearing in the medal area 573 do not match, the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 appearing in a certain medal area 573X is If the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573A for which the standard feature amount is acquired is different, no matter what the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573X is, The obtained plurality of uniform divided areas 582 are the same as the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A regardless of the rotation angle of the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A about the center of the medal area 573A. May not match. Therefore, in this case, the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573X is 90°N when the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573A is rotated counterclockwise around its center. Even when the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 coincides, the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573X form the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A around the center of the medal area 573A. It may not match the one rotated 90×N)° counterclockwise. Therefore, the size information and the distance information of the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 obtained from the medal area 573X may not match the size information and the distance information of the plurality of standard uniform divided areas 582A. Therefore, the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573X may not match the medal feature amount obtained from the medal region 573A, that is, the standard feature amount.

As described above, when the center 573c of the medal area 573 extracted by the extraction unit 564 does not match the center 510c of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573X, the rotation of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573X is performed. If the angle is different from the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573A in which the standard feature amount is acquired, no matter what the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573X is, The medal feature amount obtained from the area 573X may be different from the standard feature amount. Therefore, the medal 510 displayed in the medal area 573X may not be properly determined to be a legal medal. Therefore, in the medal determination process, not only one type of standard feature amount acquired from the medal area 573 in which the regular medal 510 appears but also a rotation angle different from the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 in the medal area 573. It is desirable to use the standard feature amount acquired from the medal area 573 in which the regular medal 510 having “” is displayed.

In view of the above points, in the present modification, in the medal determination process, instead of using one type of standard feature amount, a plurality of medal regions 573 in which the regular medals 510 shown in them have different rotation angles from each other are used. A plurality of types of standard feature values generated based on the above are used. The determination unit 567 compares the medal feature amount obtained from the captured image 562B with each of a plurality of types of standard feature amounts stored in SRAM and the like, and based on the comparison result, the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is determined. It is determined whether it is legitimate.

In this modification, four types of standard feature quantities are used. The four types of standard feature amounts are respectively generated based on four medal regions 573R, 573α, 573β, 573γ in which the regular medals 510 appearing in them have different rotation angles. FIG. 78 is a diagram showing an example of the medal areas 573R, 573α, 573β, 573γ. The rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573α is the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573R when the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573R rotates 45° counterclockwise around its center. Matches The rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573β is the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573R when the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573R rotates 90° counterclockwise around its center. Matches The rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573γ is the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573R when the regular medal 510 shown in the medal area 573R rotates 135° counterclockwise around its center. Match the rotation angle.

In this modification, the medal areas 573α, 573β, 573γ are generated based on the medal area 573R. Hereinafter, the medal area 573R will be referred to as a “reference medal area 573R”. The medal area 573α is an image obtained by rotating the image 584R of the regular medal 510 reflected in the reference medal area 573R by 45° counterclockwise around the center 573Rc of the reference medal area 573R. The medal area 573β is an image obtained by rotating the image 584R of the regular medal 510 shown in the reference medal area 573R by 90° counterclockwise around the center 573Rc of the reference medal area 573R. The medal area 573γ is an image obtained by rotating the image 584R of the regular medal 510 reflected in the reference medal area 573R by 135° counterclockwise around the center 573Rc of the reference medal area 573R.

Since a plurality of types of standard feature quantities are generated, a regular medal 510 is thrown into the gaming machine when the gaming machine is not in actual operation. The conversion unit 563 generates a standard captured image 562C showing the inserted regular medal 510. The extraction unit 564 extracts the reference medal area 573R in which the regular medal 510 is reflected from the standard captured image 562C, and the area division unit 565 divides the reference medal area 573R into areas. Then, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 generates a standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A based on the plurality of uniform divided regions 582 generated by the region dividing unit 565. As a result, one type of standard feature amount, that is, one type of standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A is generated based on the reference medal area 573R.

The generation of the standard feature amount by such a gaming machine can be performed when a predetermined mode is selected in the gaming machine. Further, the standard feature amount may be generated in advance by the gaming machine or another device and stored in the SRAM or the like of each gaming machine.

The extraction unit 564 generates medal areas 573α, 23β, and 23γ based on the reference medal area 573R. The extracting unit 564 sets the image obtained by rotating the image 584R of the regular medal 510 in the reference medal area 573R by 45° counterclockwise around the center 573Rc of the reference medal area 573R as the medal area 573α. Further, the extraction unit 564 sets the image obtained by rotating the image 584R of the regular medal 510 in the reference medal area 573R counterclockwise about the center 573Rc of the reference medal area 573R as the medal area 573β. To do. Then, in the reference medal area 573R, the extraction unit 564 rotates an image obtained by rotating the image 584R of the regular medal 510 around the center 573Rc of the reference medal area 573R by 135° counterclockwise as a medal area 573γ. To do.

When the extracting unit 564 generates the medal regions 573α, 573β, 573γ, the region dividing unit 565 divides the medal regions 573α, 573β, 573γ. The feature amount acquisition unit 566 generates a standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A based on the plurality of uniform divided regions 582 generated by the region dividing unit 565 by dividing the medal region 573α. The feature amount acquisition unit 566 also generates a standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A based on the plurality of uniformly divided regions 582 generated by the region dividing unit 565 by dividing the medal region 573β. Then, the feature amount acquisition unit 566 generates a standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A based on the plurality of uniform divided areas 582 generated by the area dividing unit 565 by dividing the medal area 573γ. As a result, three types of standard feature amounts, that is, three types of standard two-dimensional evaluation value histograms 591A are generated based on the medal areas 573α, 573β, and 573γ.

The plurality of types of standard feature amounts (standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A) generated as described above are stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment). You can

In the game machine in actual operation, the determination unit 567 compares the two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591 generated from the captured image 562B with each of the plurality of types of standard two-dimensional evaluation value histograms 591A stored in the SRAM or the like. .. Specifically, the determination unit 567, for each of the plurality of types of standard two-dimensional evaluation value histograms 591A stored in the SRAM or the like, the standard two-dimensional evaluation value histogram 591A and the two-dimensional evaluation generated from the captured image 562B. The Bhattacharyya distance from the value histogram 591 is calculated. Then, the determination unit 567 sets the minimum value of the obtained plurality of Bhattacharyya distances as the determination evaluation value. Then, the determination unit 567 determines that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is authentic when the determination evaluation value is equal to or less than the threshold value, and when the determination evaluation value is greater than the threshold value, the image capturing is performed. It is determined that the medal 510 shown in the image 562B is not a genuine medal.

As described above, in the medal determination process according to the present modification, a plurality of types of standard feature amounts generated respectively are used based on a plurality of images in which the regular medals 510 shown in them have different rotation angles from each other. It is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the medal 510 is a legitimate one, regardless of the rotation angle of the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B. Therefore, the determination accuracy is improved.

In the above example, four types of standard feature amount are used, but the number of types of standard feature amount is not limited to this. Further, the rotation angle of the regular medal 510 shown in each of the plurality of images (the plurality of medal areas 573) in which the plurality of types of standard feature amounts are generated is not limited to the above rotation angle.

[Modification 3 (authenticity determination using a plurality of types of determination methods)]
In the medal determination process, the above-described determination method and other determination methods may be used in combination to determine whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is authentic. As another determination method for determining whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one, for example, a template matching method using an image of a legitimate medal as a template image is conceivable. In this template matching method, it is determined whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a regular one by specifying whether or not an image similar to the template image exists in the captured image 562B. In the following, a case will be described in which the above determination method and the template matching method are used in combination in the medal determination process. A matching method other than the template matching method may be used.

Also in the template matching method, similarly to the above-described determination method, a determination evaluation value (also referred to as an “output value”) indicating the probability that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one is generated. In the template matching method, in the captured image 562B in which the medal 510 is shown, the region most similar to the template image is specified, and the value indicating the degree of similarity between the region and the template image is used as the determination evaluation value. Hereinafter, the judgment evaluation value obtained by the processing described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. 61 will be referred to as “first judgment evaluation value EV1”, and the judgment evaluation value obtained by the template matching method will be referred to as “second judgment evaluation value EV2”. ". Here, it is assumed that the smaller the value of the second determination evaluation value EV2, the higher the possibility that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is correct.

When the first determination evaluation value EV1 is obtained for the captured image 562B and the second determination evaluation value EV2 is further obtained (using the template matching method), the determination unit 567 uses the following evaluation formula 8 to calculate the overall evaluation value. Determine EV0.
EV0=z1×EV1+z2×EV2 (Equation 8)

Z1 and z2 in Equation 8 are constants. As shown in Expression 8, the total evaluation value EV0 becomes a small value when both the first judgment evaluation value EV1 and the second judgment evaluation value EV2 are small.

When the total evaluation value EV0 is equal to or less than the threshold value th0, the determination unit 567 determines that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a valid one. On the other hand, when the total evaluation value EV0 is larger than the threshold value th0, the determination unit 567 determines that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is not a genuine medal. The threshold value th0 and the constants z1 and z2 can be stored in, for example, an SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) or the like.

Here, the captured image 562B in which the regular medal 510 is reflected is referred to as a “positive captured image 562B1”, and the captured image 562B in which the false medal 510 (non-regular medal 510) is reflected is referred to as a “negative captured image 562B2”. The threshold value th0 and the constants z1 and z2 are the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the second determination evaluation value EV2 for the plurality of positive captured images 562B1, and the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the first determination evaluation value EV1 for the plurality of negative captured images 562B2. 2 can be determined based on the evaluation value EV2. The method of determining the threshold th0 and the constants z1 and z2 will be described below.

FIG. 79 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the second determination evaluation value EV2 obtained for each of the plurality of positive captured images 562B1 and the plurality of negative captured images 562B2. The x-axis shown in FIG. 79 indicates the second determination evaluation value EV2. The y-axis shown in FIG. 79 shows the first determination evaluation value EV1 of the captured image 562B for which the second determination evaluation value EV2 shown on the x-axis is obtained. Further, the black triangles in FIG. 79 indicate the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the second determination evaluation value EV2 for the positive captured image 562B1, and the white circles in FIG. 79 indicate the first determination evaluation value EV1 for the negative captured image 562B2. The second judgment evaluation value EV2 is shown. Hereinafter, the pair of the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the second determination evaluation value EV2 obtained for the captured image 562B may be referred to as an “evaluation value pair”. FIG. 79 shows an evaluation value scatter diagram 593 showing the distribution of evaluation value pairs of the plurality of captured images 562B.

In this example, when the first determination evaluation value EV1 is small, it is highly possible that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one. When the second determination evaluation value EV2 is small, it is highly possible that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one. Therefore, in the evaluation value scatter diagram 593 shown in FIG. 79, the black triangles indicating the evaluation value pairs of the positive captured image 562B1 are located in a region where both the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the second determination evaluation value EV2 are small, that is, in the lower left corner. concentrate.

When the authenticity determination of the medal 510 is performed only by determining whether or not the first determination evaluation value EV1 is equal to or less than the threshold value th1 as in the above example, the first determination evaluation value EV1 becomes small. With respect to the negative captured image 562B2 in which the second determination evaluation value EV2 is large, the medal 510 reflected in the negative captured image 562B2 is erroneously determined to be a valid one. In the evaluation value scatter diagram 593 shown in FIG. 79, a negative captured image in which an evaluation value pair indicated by white circles on the line of the straight line 595 along the x axis and below the same indicating the threshold value th1 is obtained. The medal 510 shown in 562B2 is erroneously determined to be a legitimate one. In the evaluation value scatter diagram 593, in the straight line 594 along the x-axis direction, the distribution of the evaluation value pairs (black triangles) of the positive captured image 562B1 and the distribution of the evaluation value pairs (white circles) of the negative captured image 562B2 are appropriately set. Difficult to separate.

Further, when the authenticity determination of the medal 510 is performed only by determining whether or not the second determination evaluation value EV2 is equal to or less than the threshold value th2, the second determination evaluation value EV2 becomes smaller but the first determination evaluation value EV2 becomes smaller. With respect to the negative captured image 562B2 in which the EV1 is large, the medal 510 reflected in the negative captured image 562B2 is erroneously determined to be a valid one. In the evaluation value scatter diagram 593 shown in FIG. 79, the negative captured image 562B2 in which the evaluation value pair indicated by the white circle on the line 595 along the y-axis showing the threshold value th2 and on the left side thereof is obtained. It is erroneously determined that the medal 510 shown in FIG. In the evaluation value scatter diagram 593, it is difficult to appropriately separate the distribution of the evaluation value pairs of the positive captured image 562B1 and the distribution of the evaluation value pairs of the negative captured image 562B2 on the straight line 595 along the y-axis direction.

In this modification, when the gaming machine is not in actual operation, a plurality of regular medals 510 and a plurality of illegal medals 510 are thrown into the gaming machine, a plurality of positive captured images 562B1 and a plurality of negative captured images. An evaluation value pair is obtained for each of the images 562B2. Then, in an evaluation value scatter diagram 593 showing a plurality of evaluation value pairs, a distribution line 596 that separates the distribution of the evaluation value pairs of the positive captured image 562B1 and the distribution of the evaluation value pairs of the negative captured image 562B2 (see FIG. 79). ) Is required. Separation line 596 can be expressed by Equation 9 below. In addition, A1, A2, and B of Formula 9 are constants.
y=-(A1/A2)x+B (Formula 9)

It should be noted that such acquisition of the evaluation value pair by the gaming machine can be performed when a predetermined mode is selected in the gaming machine. Alternatively, the evaluation value pair may be acquired in advance by the gaming machine or another device and stored in the SRAM or the like of each gaming machine.

In the evaluation value scatter diagram 593, the area on the line of the separation line 596 and on the lower side thereof is an area where both the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the second determination evaluation value EV2 are small. Therefore, in the case where the evaluation value pair obtained for the captured image 562B is shown in the evaluation value scatter diagram 593, when the position of the evaluation value pair is on the line of the separation line 596 or below the separation line 596, the imaging is performed. It can be considered that the medal 510 shown in the image 562B is legitimate.

In the evaluation value scattergram 593, the area on the line of the separation line 596 and the area below it is represented by Expression 10 below.
y≦−(A1/A2)x+B (Formula 10)

Further, the equation 10 can be transformed into the following equation 11.
A1x+A2y≦A2×B (Formula 11)

When the first judgment evaluation value EV1 and the second judgment evaluation value EV2 obtained for the captured image 562B are substituted into x and y of the equation 11, respectively, and when the equation 11 is satisfied, it appears in the captured image 562B. The medal 510 can be considered to be legitimate.

For example, the SRAM (corresponding to the SRAM 243 of the camera unit 209 according to the first embodiment) stores constants A1 and A2 of Expression 9 and constants z1 and z2 of Expression 8. The constants A1 and A2 in Expression 9 may be stored as the constants z1 and z2 in Expression 8, respectively. Further, “A2×B” can be stored as the threshold th0.

The determination unit 567 uses the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the second determination evaluation value EV2 for the captured image 562B and the constants z1 and z2 stored in the SRAM or the like to determine the comprehensive evaluation value EV0 for the captured image 562B. Ask. Then, if the obtained comprehensive evaluation value EV0 is equal to or less than the threshold value th0, the determination unit 567 determines that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a regular token, and if it is larger than the threshold value th0, It is determined that the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is not a genuine medal. As a result, the authenticity of the medal 510 can be more accurately determined.

The expression 9 may be calculated manually by a person who looks at the evaluation value distribution chart 593, or may be calculated by a predetermined computer device based on the first determination evaluation value EV1 and the second determination evaluation value EV2. It may be obtained using a machine learning function such as a machine. In the latter case, a gaming machine equipped with a machine learning function may calculate Equation 9.

As described above, in the present modification, it is determined whether or not the medal 510 shown in the captured image 562B is a legitimate one based on a plurality of determination evaluation values obtained by different determination methods. Can be improved.

1,300,400,500 Pachislot 3L Left reel 3C Middle reel 3R Right reel 4 Reel display window 21 Medal slot 23 Start lever 32 Medal payout outlet 51 Hopper device 71 Main control board 72 Sub control board 79 Start switch 80 Stop switch board 91 Main control circuit 101 Sub control circuit 201 Medal selector 202 Medal shoot 203 Slope 204 Base plate part 205 Sub-plate 206 Cancel shooter 207 Select plate 208 Medal solenoid 209 Camera unit 210 Medal rail 211 Medal entrance part 212 Central hole 213 Medal pressure 217 Magnet 218 After Medal Pressure 227 Medal Stopper 230 First Substrate 231 Second Substrate 232 CMOS Image Sensor 233 LED
234 Control LSI
235 Legs 241 Host controller 242 Image recognition DSP circuit 243 SRAM
244 Flash memory 245 ISP circuit 246 Medal counting circuit 247 Color recognition circuit 248 Fisheye correction scaler circuit 249 Image recognition accelerator circuit 250 GPIO
251 ISI circuit 266 Input/output unit 268 Determination result 310, 410, 510 Medal 361 Imaging unit 362A, 362B Captured image 362C Characteristic image 363 Conversion unit 364 Characteristic image generation unit 365 Determination unit 366 Input/output unit 367 Template data 368 Determination result 371 Extraction Section 372 edge image generation section 374 first image 380 second image generation section 461 imaging section 462A, 462B captured image 463 conversion section 464 extraction section 465 identification section 466 fitting section 467 determination section 467A standard feature amount 468 input/output section 469 determination result 561 imaging unit 562A, 562B captured image 563 conversion unit 564 extraction unit 565 region division unit 566 feature amount acquisition unit 567 determination unit 567A standard feature amount 568 input/output unit 569 determination result

Claims (1)

An input port for inputting game media,
A game medium detecting means for detecting the game medium inserted through the slot,
Start operation detecting means for detecting a start operation by the player based on the detection of the game medium by the game medium detecting means,
Based on the detection of the start operation by the start operation detection means, an internal winning combination determination means for determining an internal winning combination with a predetermined probability,
Based on the detection of the start operation by the start operation detection means, a variable display control means for controlling the symbols necessary for the game to be variably displayed on the display means composed of a plurality of display rows,
A stop operation detecting means for detecting a stop operation by the player,
Based on the determination result of the internal winning combination determination means and the detection of the stop operation by the stop operation detection means, stop control means for stopping the variable display of the symbol,
And a privilege granting unit that grants a predetermined privilege based on the symbol combination displayed along the winning determination line extending across the plurality of display columns by stopping the variable display in the plurality of display columns. ,
The game medium detection means,
A game medium passing portion which is a passage through which the game medium passes,
An image pickup means for picking up an image of a surface of the passing object passing through the passage, the surface being irradiated with light;
A game medium determining unit that performs a determination process of determining whether or not the game medium is a regular one by performing image processing based on the image data obtained through the image capturing unit,
The game medium determination means,
Configured as an LSI dedicated to image processing control,
A gaming machine characterized by controlling not to perform at least a part of the determination processing for a predetermined game medium according to the operating status of the game medium determining means .

Images