JPH01223988A - Recognition of pip on die used in game - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely decipher the number of pips on a die used in a game by counting the concurrent of low brightness data as a pip on the die when the low brightness data exist also in a range corresponding to the diameter of the pip on the die in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction from the continuous center position. CONSTITUTION:A game machine is provided with three die operating devices A, B and C having respectively dies 1a, 1b and 1c so that a bet is carried out with medals by forecasting the total number of pips on the dies 1b, 1c. The pip on the die 1a will be treated as a magnification of the total number proved to be right. Since a level pointer is painted with the intermediate brightness level, the intensity of reflected light is apt to be affected by the external light. This is utilized to properly adjust the sensitivity of a detecting camera in cooperation with the external light and provide always a proper die image. When the level pointers 9a, 9a are detected from addresses in which the data of location pointers 9b, 9b are stored, addresses in which the data are recorded are figured out so that the level pointed 9a, 9a can be detected. While the level pointers are surely detected, the pip on the die can be naturally surely detected and recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for recognizing rolls of a dice in a game machine using a dice.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Game machines in which games are played while viewing game pieces such as model dice or medals or game pieces displayed on a television screen are well known.

Among these, game machines that play the game by mechanically and automatically rolling model dice on the board provide a sense of realism and are rich in interest, but Due to dirt, uneven color, etc. on the surface of the dice, it is not always easy to decipher the number of dice on the dice, and misinterpretation often results in incorrect game results.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a recognition method that can reliably decipher the number of dice on a dice used in a game. It is in.

[Means for solving problems]

The above purpose is to provide a dice roll recognition method comprising the steps described in (a) to (a) below, namely: - (a) a low brightness level field where a dice is thrown, a high lightness level of the dice thrown; A scene including a location pointer at a brightness level and a level pointer at an intermediate brightness level is projected at a low sensitivity where the level pointer cannot be detected, and the image data is transferred to a video RA.
(b) Calculating an address where the level pointer data should be recorded from the location pointer data of the video RAM; (c) Recording the level pointer data at the desired address at the address where the level pointer data should be recorded. (d) calculating the offset value of the screen mask data from the address where the location pointer data is recorded; (c) scanning the data in the video RAM, and if a predetermined number or more of consecutive high brightness level data are present, the corresponding high brightness level is calculated; (f) Detecting the position of the dice by saving the start address of the data and sequentially performing the same operation for each scanning line; and (f) saving the data in the video RAM within the range of the detected outline position of the dice Scan, the low brightness data is continuous within a range corresponding to the diameter of the dice, and the above data is also continuous within the range equivalent to the diameter of the dice in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction from the center position of the series. This can be achieved by a dice roll recognition method comprising the steps of: counting the set of low brightness data as one dice roll when low brightness data exists;

Note that in order to remove dust, dirt, and other video data present in the image data, prior to performing the steps described in (e) and/or (f) above, the data in the video RAM is processed every N bits. It is recommended to provide a step of dividing the data into bytes and unifying and converting the data of each byte into either high brightness data or low brightness data by majority vote.

Further, contrary to the above, the same objective can be achieved by making the dice and the location pointer have low brightness, and the dice and the field where the dice are thrown have high brightness.

[For production]

With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a recognition method that can reliably decipher the number of dice on a dice used in a game.

[Example] The details of the present invention will be specifically explained below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of an embodiment of a game machine implementing the dice roll recognition method according to the present invention, and FIG.
A top view of the place where the dice are thrown in the game machine shown in the figure (a sectional view taken along the line 4
The figure is a block diagram of a circuit that performs image processing to recognize the eyes of a dice, Figure 5 is a flowchart of the overall program for image processing, and Figures 6 to 10 are the programs shown in Figure 5. 2 is a flowchart showing details of main parts of the process.

Thus, the game machine shown in FIG. 1 has three dice operating devices A each having dice 1a, lb, and 1c inside.
, B, and C are provided, and the player bets using medals by predicting the total number of dice 1b and 1c. The roll of the dice 1a is treated as a multiplier when the above total number hits. The dice 1a, 1b, and 1c are all pipes 2a, 2 made of transparent acrylic resin, etc.
b, 2c, and the respective proa 3a, 3b,
The air blown out from 3c blows up into the pipe, and when the blower is stopped, it falls onto the bottom tables 4a, 4b, and 4c. Image data is processed by image processing device 6
The game results are then transmitted to a host computer 7 that controls the entire game machine, and the game results are outputted, for example, by audio through a speaker 8 or by other means.

The CCD camera 5 sequentially moves directly above the pipes 2a, 2b, and 2c of the three dice operating devices A, B, and C, and
The rolled numbers of a, 1b and 1c are detected.

The state of the dice throwing area (hereinafter referred to as r detection area 1) in each of the pipes 2a, 2b, and 2c is shown in FIG. 2, and the upper surface of the bottom plate 4a is actually at a low brightness level, e.g. It is painted black, and a detection pointer 9.9 is drawn at the desired position.

The detection pointer 9 is divided into level pointers 9a, 9a having an intermediate brightness level, and a location pointer 9b having a high brightness level, for example, white.

An example of an image obtained by the CCD camera 5 is shown in FIG. 3, and this image includes not only the image of the detection area but also the inner wall of the pipe and the reflected image 1a of the dice captured thereon. ' and reflected images 9' and 9' of the detection pointer are included. Image data based on these reflected images must be erased for convenience in detecting the dice.

In order to erase only the data of the reflected image of the inner wall, it is sufficient to simply apply a mask, but since the CCD camera moves on the three pipes, errors occur due to the stopping position. Therefore, the white location pointer 9 is located within the detection area.
b, 9b are drawn, and the offset value of the mask data is calculated based on the address of the location pointer in the video RAM.

The level pointers 9a and 9a are drawn as a countermeasure against external light since it is used in a game arena where external light changes rapidly. Since the level pointer is painted at an intermediate brightness level, the intensity of the reflected light is increased and it is easily affected by the L light.Use this to adjust the sensitivity of the detection camera appropriately according to the external light, and always It is now possible to obtain a correct dice image.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an outline of the image processing circuit.

These image processing circuits are usually built into the CCD camera. The image including the detection area is transmitted to the CCD (charge coupled device) 1 in the camera through the lens 11 of the CCD camera.
The image is formed on 2.

13 is a gate array that drives the CCD 12, 14 is an amplifier that amplifies the captured signal, and 15 is a video I that drives the captured signal.
'? Decoder to be inserted into AM16, 17 is the above amplifier 14
18 is a microprocessor for controlling the entire image processing circuit; 19 is a microprocessor for controlling the entire image processing circuit;
is the system ROM that stores the necessary programs,
20 is a system RAM for storing work data for processing, 21
is a communication interface for exchanging information with the host computer 7 of the game machine.

Therefore, the procedure for detecting dice rolls will be explained below with reference to the program chart.

First, an overview of the entire detection procedure will be explained with reference to FIG. 5, and then details of the main steps will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, it waits until it receives a detection start signal from the host computer 7 through the communication interface 21. (■, ■) After receiving the detection start signal, set the gain of the amplifier 14 to a low value α (α is a fixed value), capture one screen into the video RAM 16, and select the location pointer location from the captured screen data. Detect.

(■) Since the location pointer has high brightness, it is always detected reliably, but the level pointer has α
Set. In this state, the data recorded in the video RAM 16 is only the location pointer data.

If a level pointer is detected, the address where the data will be recorded is calculated from the address where the location pointer data is stored, and the data at the above address remains high until the level pointer can be detected.
The screen is captured into the video RAM 16 while increasing the gain of the amplifier 14 step by step until it becomes . (■) Therefore, when the level pointer is reliably detected,
Naturally, the dice rolls will also be reliably detected and recorded.

If the data at the desired address becomes Hi, indicating the existence of the level pointer, screen mask data is calculated from the address of the location pointer, and the data is stored in the video RAM.
Of the data, data outside the area where the dice are thrown, that is, the detection area, is masked. (■) When calculating the screen mask data, calculations can be simplified by calculating an offset value for the mask data of the table instead of directly calculating the mask data.

In this state, only the location pointer is recorded as Hi, so the address of the location pointer can be easily grasped, and the area adjacent to that address is the area where the level pointer data should be stored. becomes.

Next, the screen data of the video RAM is scanned to detect the position of the dice (■), then the area where the dice are recorded is scanned to detect eyes, the number of eyes is counted, and the line (.
■) Communicate the counted number of eyes to the host computer and end the detection.

The above steps will be explained in order below.

First, with reference to Figure 6, \■Detection of r level pointer''
To explain, in this subroutine, first, from the address where the location pointer data is recorded,
Calculate the address where the level pointer data should be stored. (■) Next, data caused by noise such as dust, dirt, external light, etc. other than the eyes of the dice is erased from the data in the video RAM. This method will be described later.

Next, increase the gain of the amplifier by one step (■) and turn on the video R.
Load the data into the AM (■), check the data stored at the address of the level pointer (■), and then repeat the above procedure while increasing the gain of the amplifier step by step until the level pointer is confirmed.

Through this processing, optimum gain adjustment is performed for external light.

Next, an example of step ① "Mask of detection area" in FIG. 5 will be explained with reference to FIG.

An offset value (difference from basic mask data) of mask data is calculated from the address of the location pointer, and data in the video RAM is masked.

Through this processing, only the data in the detection area is scanned, and the following calculations can be performed efficiently and reliably.

Next, the details of step (2) "detection of the position of the dice" in FIG. 5 will be explained with reference to FIG.

This routine is for grasping the profile of the dice or its leading edge, but in the previous stage, the video RAM
It is desirable to erase noise in the data, that is, unnecessary data originating from images of dust, dirt, etc. in the place where the dice are thrown.

The data in the video RAM is scanned along one scanning line parallel to the horizontal axis of the corresponding CCD, and the data is sequentially read out and processed by the subroutine shown in FIG. In this noise processing routine, the data read out as described above is latched every N bits, and for example, the number of high brightness signals and the number of low brightness signals are compared by a majority circuit, and all of the N bit data is The signal is unified to whichever has the greater number. The value of N is, for example, 1/2 of the number of bits of the dice.

After performing such processing, it is checked whether the high brightness signal, that is, Hi, continues for at least 2N bits or more on that scanning line, and if the result is Yes, the Hi multiplied signal address at the beginning is diced. Record as leading edge of profile.

Next, when this scanning line has not reached the bottom end of the dice or the bottom of the screen, the same process as above is repeated in sequence for the next scanning line.

When the bottom of the dice or the bottom of the screen has been scanned, this routine ends.

Therefore, the position of the dice is determined by this routine.

Next, the details of step 1 of detection of dice rolls in Figure 5
This will be explained using figures.

In this routine, first the EYE counter is reset,
Next, the noise processing routine described in the above-mentioned dice position detection routine is executed. In this routine, data within the area of the dice detected in the preprocessing is scanned.

The dice roll is basically detected by checking the number of bits in the horizontal and vertical directions of the CCD image of the dice roll.

In other words, if the low brightness data is continuous within a predetermined bit range in the horizontal direction within the area where the dice exists, and the low brightness data is continuous within a predetermined bit number range from the center of continuity in the vertical direction. , the set of low brightness data of the - group is taken as one eye, and 1 is added to the EYE counter. This routine ends when the lower end of the dice has been scanned.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the present invention is structured like a ridge, it is possible to provide a recognition method that can reliably decipher the number of dice on a dice used in a game.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments on the ridges (
For example, in the above explanation, the dice and the location pointer are described as having high brightness, and the dice and the place where the dice are thrown are described as having low brightness, but these may be reversed, or they may be colored as appropriate. However, it is sufficient to have a certain contrast, and a filter or the like may be used to achieve the same effect as above, and a program for determining dice rolls and other configurations are also within the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes all modifications that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art from the above description.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts of an embodiment of a game machine implementing the dice roll recognition method according to the present invention, and FIG.
A top view of the place where the dice are thrown in the game machine shown in the figure (a sectional view taken along the line 4
The figure is a block diagram of a circuit that performs image processing to recognize the eyes of a dice, Figure 5 is a flowchart of the overall program for image processing, and Figures 6 to 10 are the programs shown in Figure 5. 2 is a flowchart showing details of main parts of the process. A, B, C...-----1----Sice operating device l
a, lb, 1c---1・----Dice 2a,
2b, 2c...------Pipe 3a
, 3b, 3cm---Blower 4a, 4
b, 4c・----Bottom plate 5-----
------
・・−Image processing device 7−・−1−−−−−・・−・−・
−・−−−−−−−・−1−−−Host computer 8
・−・−−−−−−−−−−111・〜 ・・・−−−
11 Speaker 9--・--m----;---1--Detection pointer 9a, 9a----
...-Level pointer 9b, 9b--・----
m---...-1---Location pointer 11---
m------,------...-Lens 12------
−・−−−−1・−−−−−CCD13・−−−−
・−・−111−−−−−−−−−・・−−11 Gate array 14−−−−−−,−−−,−Amplifier

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A dice roll recognition method comprising the steps described in the following items (a) to (f). (a) A scene including a dice whose eyes are displayed at a lower brightness than the surrounding ground, a field at a low brightness level where the dice are cast, a location pointer at a high brightness level, and a level pointer at an intermediate brightness level. A step of photographing at a low sensitivity that makes it impossible to detect the level pointer and recording the image data in the video RAM. (b) Calculating the address where the level pointer data is to be recorded from the location pointer data of the video RAM. (c) A step of adjusting the sensitivity of the camera until a desired image signal is obtained at the address where the data of the level pointer is to be recorded, and recording the obtained image data in the video RAM. (d) Calculating screen mask data from the address where the location pointer data is recorded, and masking data outside the detection area of the video RAM. (e) Scan the data in the video RAM, and if a predetermined number or more of consecutive high-brightness level data are present, save the start address of the high-brightness level data, and perform the same operation for each scanning line in sequence. Step of detecting the position of the dice. (f) Video RA within the range of the detected outer shape position of the dice
Scan the data of M, and find that the low brightness data is continuous within a range corresponding to the diameter of the dice, and also corresponds to the diameter of the dice in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction from the center position of the continuity. If the low brightness data exists within the range, counting the set of low brightness data as one dice roll. 2) Prior to the operation in step (e) above, data in the video RAM is divided into bytes of N bits each, and the data in each byte is unified into either high brightness data or low brightness data by majority vote. , a method for recognizing dice rolls according to claim 1, comprising the step of converting. 3) Prior to the operation in step (f) above, divide the data in the video RAM into bytes of N bits each, and unify the data in each byte into either high brightness data or low brightness data by majority vote. A dice roll recognition method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the step of converting . 4) A dice roll recognition method comprising the steps described in items (g) to (l) below. (g) A level scene containing a dice whose eyes are displayed at a higher brightness than the surrounding ground, a field at a high brightness level where the dice are cast, a location pointer at a low brightness level, and a level pointer at an intermediate brightness level. A step of photographing at a high brightness that makes it impossible to detect the pointer and recording the image data in the video RAM. (h) Calculating the address where the level pointer data is to be recorded from the location pointer data of the video RAM. (i) A step of adjusting the sensitivity of the camera until a desired image signal is obtained at the address where the level pointer data is to be recorded, and recording the obtained image data in the video RAM. (j) Calculating an offset value for screen mask data from the address where the location pointer data is recorded, and masking data outside the detection area of the video RAM. (k) Scan the data in the video RAM, and if there is a predetermined number or more of consecutive low brightness level data, save the start address of the low brightness level data, and perform the same operation for each scanning line in sequence. Step of detecting the position of the dice. (l) Video RA within the range of the detected outer shape position of the dice
Scan the data of M, and find that the high brightness data is continuous within a range corresponding to the diameter of the dice, and also corresponds to the diameter of the dice in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction from the center position of the series. A step of counting a set of the high brightness data as one die when the high brightness data exists within the range. 5) Prior to the operation in step (k) above, the data in the video RAM is divided into bytes of N bits each, and the data in each byte is unified into either high brightness data or low brightness data by majority vote. 5. The dice roll recognition method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of converting . 6) Prior to the operation in the step described in item (l) above, divide the data in the video RAM into bytes of N bits each, and unify the data in each byte into either high brightness data or low brightness data by majority vote. , a dice roll recognition method according to claim 4 or claim 5, comprising the step of converting.