JPH09131445A - Method and device for analyzing moving locus of pachinko ball - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the reliability of data by outputting a flow of pachinko ball on a board surface of a pachinko machine in the form of quantitative data which can be easily checked by any person in a short time without relying on his sensibility. SOLUTION: A CCD camera 1 sends an image data of the front board surface of a pachinko machine 2 to an image processing device 3. A sensor unit 4 in the device 3 calculates point data indicating positions of a pachinko ball projected onto the board surface by a dynamic image processing based on a series of images from the CCD camera 1 and stores the point data in an information storage unit 10. An analyzing unit 5 in the device 3 performs an analyzing operation including prediction of a moving locus of the ball on the board based on the point data to calculate a moving locus data indicating the moving locus of the ball on the board to store the data in a storage unit 15. The point data and moving locus data together with images on the board (background images) are displayed on a CRT display 18.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is based on position data indicating the position of a pachinko ball on a board of a pachinko gaming machine, and analyzes the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball fired on the board. The present invention relates to a trajectory analysis method and a pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis apparatus using the above-described analysis method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko hall, it is indispensable to adjust nails by appropriately changing the angle and spacing of the nails on the board in order to adjust the payout rate of the pachinko game machine. In this case, since there is a general circumstance that the movement path of the pachinko balls on the board surface varies depending on the model of the pachinko gaming machine, it is necessary to perform nail adjustment with different contents for each model of the pachinko gaming machine.

Therefore, when a new type of pachinko gaming machine is introduced into a pachinko gaming hall, it is necessary to first grasp the characteristics of the pachinko gaming machine. Therefore, conventionally, in order to understand the characteristics of a new model of a pachinko gaming machine, a trial striking is performed with the pachinko gaming machine installed on a so-called test island. This trial striking is performed for a predetermined time in each state where various nail adjustments have been applied to the pachinko gaming machine, and the movement state of the pachinko ball on the board surface accompanying the trial striking in each nail adjustment state is made as a video image. The characteristics of a pachinko gaming machine of a new model are grasped while capturing an image and playing back the video image thus obtained.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned means, the video image must be reproduced for a long time in order to grasp the change state of the flow (movement locus) of the pachinko ball depending on the degree of nail adjustment. Since it has to be done, the work is very troublesome. Due to such drawbacks, it is difficult to use it for reconfirmation of the video image data after the fact, so that it becomes less useful as data and the flow of pachinko balls can only be grasped sensuously. There was also a problem that it lacked reliability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is a quantitative determination by which anyone can easily and quickly confirm the flow of pachinko balls on the board surface of a pachinko gaming machine without depending on the sense. Can be output as dynamic data,
Provided are a pachinko ball movement locus analysis method and a movement locus analysis device, which are capable of extremely easily grasping the characteristics of a pachinko gaming machine necessary for nail adjustment and improving the reliability of the above data. Especially.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to the present invention is capable of generating position data indicating the position of a pachinko ball on the board surface of a pachinko gaming machine. In addition to the detection means, the position detection means sequentially obtains time-series position data for each elapse of a predetermined time, and performs comparison processing of comparing the time-series position data, so that it is emitted to the board surface. It is configured to analyze the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls that have been created and output the analysis results as image data.

According to this configuration, the image data output as described above includes the movement loci of a large number of pachinko balls, and the image data shows the pachinko balls on the board surface of the pachinko gaming machine. The flow is output as quantitative data that anyone can easily and quickly confirm without depending on the sense. Therefore, based on the image data, it becomes possible to very easily grasp the characteristics of the pachinko gaming machine required for nail adjustment. For example, when introducing a new model of a pachinko gaming machine in a pachinko hall, This is extremely useful when grasping the characteristics of the machine (Claim 1).

In this case, the position detecting means is constituted by an image pickup means for outputting an image obtained by picking up a board surface of a pachinko game machine from the front side as the position data, and a series image by the image pickup means is displayed between predetermined screens. It is also possible to analyze the movement locus of the pachinko balls fired on the board by performing the moving image processing of sequentially comparing with the above as the comparison processing, and output the analysis result as image data.

In the case of such a structure, while the pachinko balls are continuously fired on the board surface of the pachinko gaming machine, the board surface is imaged from the front by the image pickup means, and a series image by such image pickup means is taken. By analyzing the moving path of the pachinko balls launched on the board by performing the moving image processing of sequentially comparing between the predetermined screens as the comparison processing,
The analysis result will be output as image data.
Therefore, since the position data can be easily obtained by the image pickup means, there is no fear that the hardware configuration becomes complicated (claim 2).

Further, prior to the execution of the comparison process, a process of setting an element, which is a noise component at the time of the comparison process, among the board surface components of the pachinko game machine as a mask area excluded from the analysis target is performed. With this configuration, it is possible to faithfully analyze only the movement path of the pachinko ball, and the reliability of the image data obtained as described above, that is, the output data including the movement path of the pachinko ball, is improved. It will be improved (claim 3).

When the position detecting means is constituted by the image pickup means as described in claim 2, prior to the execution of the comparison processing, a noise component in the board surface constituent elements of the pachinko gaming machine is added during the comparison processing. Is configured as a mask area that is excluded from the analysis target, and then the mask area is set from the comparison processing target for any pixel group in each screen imaged by the imaging unit. It can be done by software by excluding it.

According to this configuration, the mask area can be set in advance for each model of the pachinko gaming machine, so that the procedure at the time of analyzing the movement locus of the pachinko ball on the user side becomes easy. (Claim 4).

When the position detecting means is constituted by the image pickup means as described in claim 2, prior to the execution of the comparison processing, a noise component is generated during the comparison processing among the board surface components of the pachinko gaming machine. Is configured as a mask area that is excluded from the analysis target, and then the mask area is set such that the board surface component that becomes a noise component during the comparison process has a shape corresponding to that element. It can be performed by hardware by shielding with.

According to this configuration, even with respect to a pachinko gaming machine in which the pachinko balls pass through the front side of the board components, it is possible to reasonably analyze the trajectory of the pachinko balls or predict the trajectory. (Claim 5).

Prior to the execution of the comparison process, it is also possible to perform a process of setting a non-passage area of the pachinko balls on the board as a mask area excluded from the analysis target. According to this, it is not necessary to analyze the image of the area where the comparison processing is unnecessary, and thus the comparison processing time can be shortened (claim 6).

In the case where the position detecting means is constituted by the image pickup means, the processing for setting the non-passage area of the pachinko balls on the board as the mask area excluded from the analysis object is executed prior to the execution of the comparison processing. After that, the mask area can be set by software by excluding an arbitrary pixel group in each screen imaged by the imaging unit from the comparison processing target.

With this configuration as well, the mask area can be set in advance for each model of the pachinko gaming machine, so that the procedure at the time of analyzing the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball on the user side becomes easy ( Claim 7).

At the time of analyzing the movement locus of a pachinko ball fired on the board, the movement locus of the pachinko ball is predicted, and the prediction result is displayed on the screen with the image of the board including the board components as the background. It may be configured to output the image data of the state.

According to this structure, it is possible to reduce the unanalyzable movement paths of the pachinko balls.
The reliability of the image data output as the analysis result is further improved (claim 8).

In this way, when the movement path of the pachinko ball is predicted, if the movement amount of the pachinko ball per unit time of the predicted movement path exceeds the upper limit value, the prediction result is invalidated. According to this configuration, since there is no possibility of erroneously predicting an originally impossible movement trajectory, the reliability of the image data is improved also from this aspect (claim 9). ).

In this case, prior to the comparison processing, a region on the board where the pachinko balls cannot pass is set as a non-passing line, and when predicting the moving locus of the pachinko balls, a moving locus crossing the non-passing line is set. Can be prohibited, and even with this configuration, there is no possibility of erroneously predicting a movement trajectory that is not possible, so that the reliability of the output image data is improved. Item 10).

Prior to the comparison processing, a predetermined area on the board may be set as a start area, and the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls may be analyzed starting from the pachinko balls existing in the start area.

According to this structure, there is no possibility that an erroneous analysis operation of forming a movement locus from a starting point that cannot originally exist will be performed, and the reliability of output data will be improved (claim 11). .

Prior to the comparison process, a predetermined area on the board may be set as an end area, and the analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball may be determined when the pachinko ball is extracted from the end area.

According to this configuration, there is no possibility that an erroneous analysis operation of forming a movement locus toward an originally nonexistent point as the end point of the movement locus is performed, and the reliability of output data is improved. (Claim 12).

In this case, the end area may be set to a predetermined area including an out hole on the board. According to this configuration, when the pachinko ball is unlikely to enter the safe hole on the board, the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball is fixed, so unnecessary movement analysis processing continues for a long time. The movement locus of other pachinko balls can be efficiently analyzed (claim 13).

Prior to the comparison process, a region corresponding to the safe hole on the board is set as a safe hole area,
The analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball may be determined when the pachinko ball is extracted from the safe hole area.

According to this structure, when the pachinko ball enters the safe hole on the board, it becomes possible to determine the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball, and in this case as well, unnecessary movement analysis processing is performed. Will not continue for a long time,
It becomes possible to efficiently analyze the movement trajectory of other pachinko balls. It is also possible to detect the number of pachinko balls that have won the safe hole from the image analysis result (claim 1
4).

A pachinko game machine having a structure in which a pachinko ball that has been fired on the board surface is once taken in, and a pachinko ball taken through the ball entrance is returned to the board surface from a ball exit provided at a position different from the ball entrance. In the case of the movement trajectory analysis target of the pachinko ball, prior to the comparison processing, the ball exit corresponding area on the board is set as a restart area, and the analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball is performed.
The pachinko ball existing in the restart area can be restarted from the starting point.

According to this structure, even if the pachinko gaming machine is of a special type having a ball entrance and a ball exit, a movement locus is formed from a point that cannot originally exist as a starting point of the movement locus. There is no possibility that an erroneous analysis operation is performed (claim 15).

It is also possible to output the analysis result of the movement locus of the pachinko balls fired on the board as image data to be collectively displayed on the same screen for a predetermined period of time. Since it becomes possible to visually check the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball for each predetermined time, it becomes possible to more easily grasp the characteristics of the pachinko gaming machine (claim 16).

It is configured such that one or more attention areas can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board surface, and when the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls fired on the board is analyzed, only the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls that have passed through the attention area is analyzed. While extracting
The extraction result may be output through an output device. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately confirm the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state based on the extracted movement trajectory (claim 17).

Further, a plurality of areas of interest can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board surface, and when analyzing the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls fired on the board surface, the pachinko balls which have successively passed through the plurality of areas of interest are analyzed. It is possible to extract only the movement locus and output the extraction result through an output device. In this case, the movement locus regarding only the pachinko balls moving along a specific route is extracted. Therefore, the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state can be more accurately confirmed (claim 18).

The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis results for the pachinko gaming machine in which the nail adjustment contents are different may be displayed on the display device in a comparable state.

According to this structure, it is possible to visually compare the movement loci of the pachinko balls depending on the difference in the nail adjustment contents, so that the nail adjustment state can be confirmed very easily (claim 19). .

One or a plurality of points of interest can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board, and when analyzing the movement locus of a pachinko ball fired on the board, the points are moved to the left and right with the above-mentioned points of interest as the center. The ratio of the number of pachinko balls may be calculated, and the digitized information or graph indicating the calculated ratio may be output through the output device. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately confirm the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state based on the output digitized information or graph (claim 20).

When the digitized information or the graph is output through the output device as described above, the digitized information or the graph is displayed in a display device provided to display the movement trajectory analysis result of the pachinko ball. Alternatively, the display may be displayed in a state of being associated with the movement trajectory analysis result.

According to this structure, it is possible to easily visually compare the digitized information or graph showing the ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved to the left and right around the point of interest and the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls on the board. Therefore, it is effective in confirming the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state (claim 21).

After constructing one or more lines of interest extending in the horizontal direction at an arbitrary position on the board,
When analyzing the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball launched on the board,
A display provided so as to calculate the number of pachinko balls that have passed through the line of interest in a state in which the line of interest is divided into a plurality of areas, and to display the calculation result of the movement trajectory analysis result of the pachinko ball. It can be configured to display a graph in the device in a state of being associated with the movement trajectory analysis result.

According to this construction, the number of pachinko balls that have passed the horizontal line of interest set on the board is calculated in a state in which the line of interest is divided into a plurality of areas, and Since it becomes possible to easily visually compare the movement locus of the pachinko ball, it is extremely effective in confirming the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state (claim 2).
2).

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to the present invention outputs position data and position detection means for generating position data indicating the position of the pachinko ball on the board surface of the pachinko gaming machine. Analyze the movement locus of the pachinko balls fired on the board by performing a comparison process of comparing the time series position data for each predetermined time elapsed by the position detection means with a possible output device and the predetermined position data. And an image processing unit for outputting the analysis result as image data through the output device (claim 23).

In this case, the position detecting means is constituted by an image pickup means for outputting an image obtained by picking up a board surface of a pachinko gaming machine from the front side as the position data, and then the image processing means is connected by the image pickup means. By performing a comparison process of sequentially comparing images between predetermined screens as the comparison process, it is possible to analyze the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls launched on the board and output the analysis result as image data. It is possible (claim 24).

Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, there is provided a mask area setting means for setting an element, which is a noise component during the comparison processing, of the board surface constituent elements of the pachinko gaming machine as a mask area excluded from the analysis target. It is also possible (claim 25).

Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, a mask area setting means is provided for setting an element, which is a noise component during the comparison processing, of the board surface components of the pachinko gaming machine as a mask area excluded from the analysis target. The mask area setting by the mask area setting unit may be performed by software by excluding an arbitrary pixel group in each screen imaged by the image capturing unit from the comparison processing target (claim) Item 26).

Prior to the execution of the comparison process, a mask area setting means is provided for setting an element, which is a noise component during the comparison process, of the board surface components of the pachinko gaming machine as a mask area excluded from the analysis target. The mask area setting by the mask area setting means may be performed by hardware by shielding a board component that becomes a noise component during the comparison process with a shield member having a shape corresponding to the component ( Claim 27).

Prior to the execution of the comparison process, a mask area setting means for setting a non-passage area of the pachinko balls on the board as a mask area removed from the analysis target may be provided (claim 28).

Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, a mask area setting means for setting the non-passing area of the pachinko balls on the board as a mask area excluded from the analysis object is provided, and the mask area setting means for setting the mask area The setting can be performed by software by excluding an arbitrary pixel group in each screen imaged by the imaging unit from the comparison processing target (claim 2).
9).

When the image processing means analyzes the movement locus of a pachinko ball shot on the board, the movement locus of the pachinko ball is predicted, and the prediction result is used as the background of the board image including board components. The image data may be output as the image data displayed on the screen (claim 30).

When the moving path of the pachinko ball is predicted by the image processing means when the moving amount of the pachinko ball per unit time with respect to the predicted moving path exceeds the upper limit value, the prediction result is invalidated. It may be configured (claim 31).

Prior to the comparison processing, the image processing means sets a region on the board where the pachinko balls cannot pass as a non-passing line, and when the movement path of the pachinko balls is predicted, the non-passing line is set. It may be configured such that the prediction of the traversing trajectories is prohibited (claim 32).

Prior to the comparison processing, the image processing means sets a predetermined area on the board as a start area, and analyzes the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls starting from the pachinko balls existing in the start area. It is also possible (claim 33).

Prior to the comparison processing, the image processing means sets a predetermined area on the board as an end area, and the analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls is determined when the pachinko balls are extracted from the end area. It may be configured (claim 34).

The image processing means may be configured to set the end area to a predetermined area including an out hole on the board (claim 35).

Prior to the comparison processing, the image processing means sets a region corresponding to the safe hole on the board as a safe hole area, and analyzes the movement locus of the pachinko ball.
A configuration may be adopted in which the pachinko balls are determined when they are extracted from the safe hole area (claim 36).

A pachinko gaming machine having a structure in which a pachinko ball fired on the board surface is once taken in, and a pachinko ball taken in through the ball entrance is returned to the board surface from a ball exit provided at a position different from the ball entrance. In the case of a pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis target, the image processing means, prior to the comparison processing, sets the ball exit corresponding area on the board as a restart area, and analyzes the pachinko ball movement trajectory. Alternatively, the pachinko balls existing in the restart area may be restarted from the starting point (claim 37).

The image processing means may be configured to output the analysis result of the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls fired on the board as image data to be collectively displayed on the same screen for a predetermined time through the output device. It is good (claim 38).

The image processing means is configured so that one or a plurality of attention areas can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board, and when the movement locus of the pachinko balls shot on the board is analyzed, the attention area is set. It is also possible to extract only the movement locus of the pachinko ball that has passed through and output the extraction result through the output device (claim 39).

The image processing means is configured so that a plurality of areas of interest can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board, and when the movement locus of the pachinko balls fired on the board is analyzed, the areas of interest of the plurality of areas are analyzed. It is also possible to extract only the movement locus of the pachinko balls that have successively passed through the above step and output the extraction result through the output device (claim 40).

The display device is provided as the output device, and the image processing means is used to compare the movement trajectory analysis results of the pachinko balls for the pachinko gaming machines in which the nail adjustment contents are different from each other through the display device. It may be configured such that it is displayed in a possible state (claim 4).
1).

In the image processing means, one or a plurality of points of interest can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board, and the points of interest are analyzed at the time of analyzing the movement locus of the pachinko balls fired on the board. It is also possible to calculate the ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved separately to the left and right around the center and output the digitized information or graph indicating the calculated ratio through the output device (claim 42).

When the digitized information or the graph is output through the output device as described above, a display device capable of displaying the movement trajectory analysis result of the pachinko ball is provided as the output device, and the image processing means is also provided. May be configured to be displayed in the display device in a state where the digitized information or graph is associated with the movement trajectory analysis result (claim 43).

As the output device, a display device capable of displaying a movement trajectory analysis result of a pachinko ball is provided, and the image processing means is provided with one or a plurality of lines of interest extending horizontally in an arbitrary position on the board. And the number of pachinko balls that have passed through the line of interest is calculated in each divided area of the line of interest when analyzing the trajectory of the pachinko balls that have been shot on the board. At the same time, the calculation result may be displayed in a graph on the display device in a state of being associated with the movement trajectory analysis result (claim 44).

[0063]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the entire electrical configuration by combining functional blocks. In FIG. 1, a CCD camera 1 as an image pickup means constituting a position detection means is a board surface of a pachinko gaming machine 2 (see FIG. 2).
6 is denoted by reference numeral 2a) and is arranged at a position where an image can be taken from the front. The image data captured by the CCD camera 1 (corresponding to the position data in the present invention) is analyzed by the detection unit 4 in the image processing device 3 (corresponding to the mask area setting means and the image processing means in the device of the present invention). Part 5
To be given to each.

In the detecting section 4, the input section 6 which receives the image data from the CCD camera 1 is constructed so that the input image data is AD-converted and given to the frame buffer 7. The frame buffer 7 is for accumulating image data for moving image processing necessary for specifying the position of the pachinko balls existing on the board 2a (see FIG. 26), and sequentially stores and reads the given image data. The image data designated by the control unit 8 is output to the information processing control unit 9.

The information processing control section 9 performs image retrieval including operation control of the frame buffer 7 through the read control section 8, data storage control for the retrieval information storage section 10, signal transmission / reception control with the analysis section 5, and the like. The processing is configured to be performed based on a program stored in advance. Below, the control content of the image search processing and the related operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

That is, in FIG. 2, the information processing control unit 9
Waits until the start data ΔA transmitted from the analysis unit 5 side is received (step A1). Here, the start data ΔA is a mask for designating a mask area as described later for the image of the board 2a captured by the CCD camera 1 in addition to the start command which is an operation start command for the detection unit 4. It is configured to include information and time information for designating a search time (duration of image search processing).

When the start data ΔA is received, the mask information in the start data ΔA is stored in the setting storage section 9a configured as an internal memory so that the mask area designated by the mask information is imaged. It is set to be excluded from the search processing targets (step A2), and thereafter, the read control unit 8 is instructed to start the read operation (step A3). When such an instruction is issued, the image data stored in the frame buffer 7 is processed by the information processing control unit 9 according to the designation by the read control unit 8.
Will be output to.

In the search processing routine A4 subsequent to step A3, each processing as shown in FIG. 3 is executed. In FIG. 3, the search processing routine A4 first waits until one screen of image data input from the frame buffer 7 is stored in an internal buffer memory (not shown) (steps a1, a2) and one screen. When the minute image data is stored, the ball position specifying processing routine a3 is executed.

In this ball position specifying processing routine a3, the moving image processing (corresponding to the comparison processing in the present invention) of extracting the object moved between the image data of the previous screen and the newly input image data is performed. The position of the pachinko balls existing on the board surface 2a is specified by performing the operation on the part other than the mask area. As a method of the moving image processing, for example, the distribution of the movement vector of the object between the continuous screens represented by the image data (so-called optical flow) is obtained by taking the correlation of the brightness of each part in the image. It is possible to adopt the well-known method.

After the above-mentioned ball position specifying processing routine a3 is executed, step a4 for creating point data (coordinate data) indicating the specified position of the pachinko ball, and step for storing the created point data in the search information storage unit 10. After sequentially executing a5, the process returns.

Although not specifically shown, the search processing routine A4 is executed a predetermined number of times per second, and its execution interval, that is, the sampling interval of the point data is on the board 2a. It is set to be as wide as possible within the range where a moving pachinko ball can be tracked sufficiently.

Returning to FIG. 2, the search processing routine A4 as described above is performed until the search time designated by the time information in the reception start data ΔA elapses from the start time of the routine A4, or the analysis unit 5 is executed. It is repeatedly executed until the end command or the stop command transmitted from the side as described later is received (steps A5 and A).
6, A7).

When the search time has elapsed (step A
5 is “YES”), the read control unit 8 is instructed to end the data read operation (step A8), and thereafter, the data read processing routine for reading the point data stored in the search information storage unit 10 is performed. A9, the data transmission processing routine A10 for transmitting the read point data to the analysis unit 5 side is sequentially executed, and then the process returns to step A1. In this case, the point data transmitted as described above is data corresponding to the search time.

When the end command is received from the analysis unit 5 side ("YES" in step A6), the read control unit 8
Is instructed to end the data read operation (step A11), and thereafter, a data read processing routine A12 for reading the point data stored in the search information storage unit 10, and the read point data is transmitted to the analysis unit 5 side. After sequentially executing the data transmission processing routine A13, the process returns to step A1. In this case, the point data transmitted as described above is data corresponding to the time from the start time of the search processing routine A4 to the time of receiving the end command.

When the stop command is received from the analysis unit 5 side ("YES" in step A7), the read control unit 8
Is instructed to end the data read operation (step A14), and thereafter, the data erasing processing routine A15 for erasing the point data stored in the search information storage unit 10 is executed, and then the process returns to step A1. Therefore,
When receiving the stop command, the point data is not transmitted to the analysis unit 5 side.

In summary, in the detecting unit 4, when the start data ΔA is transmitted from the analyzing unit 5 side, CC
The operation of calculating the point data indicating the position of the pachinko balls existing on the board 2a based on the image data by the D camera 1 is executed at predetermined time intervals, and the operation of calculating the point data is performed in the start data ΔA. The operation is performed for the search time designated by the time information of 1, and the point data corresponding to the search time thus obtained is transmitted to the analysis unit 5.

Further, in the detecting section 4, when the end command is transmitted from the analyzing section 5 side during the point data calculating operation as described above, the point data is received when the end command is received. The calculation operation of 1 is stopped, and the point data up to that point is transmitted to the analysis unit 5. Furthermore, in the detection unit 4, during the point data calculation operation period,
When the stop command is transmitted from the analysis unit 5 side, the point data calculation operation is stopped at the time the stop command is received, and the point data calculated up to that point is initialized.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the analysis unit 5 has the following structure. That is, in the analysis unit 5, CC
The input unit 11 that receives the image data from the D camera 1 AD-converts the input image data to perform frame conversion on the frame buffer 1.
It is configured to give to 2. This frame buffer 1
2 is provided for capturing the above-mentioned point data and image data used for a background image when displaying the trajectory data of a pachinko ball as described below, for example, for each model of the pachinko gaming machine 2. The image data designated by the read control unit 13 is output to the analysis control unit 14 while the image data is sequentially stored.

The analysis control unit 14 performs image analysis processing including operation control of the frame buffer 12 through the read control unit 13, data storage control for the storage unit 15, signal reception control with the input unit 4, and the like. The CRT display 18 (corresponding to an output device and a display device in the present invention) and a color printer 19 through the display control unit 16 and the printer driver 17 for the image analysis processing result.
(Corresponding to the output device in the present invention).

In this case, the analysis control unit 14 controls the image analysis processing and the output of the processing result as described above by the input signal from the keyboard 20 to which the mouse 20a (or a pen plotter) may be connected. Also, the control contents and related actions will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 36 as well.

First, in FIG. 4, the analysis control unit 14
When the analysis unit 5 is powered on, the CRT display 18
On the other hand, the menu screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed (step B1). Specifically, this menu screen displays "M
The character a1 of "ENU", "search", "edit", "analysis",
The characters "a2 to a5" for "maintenance" and a frame surrounding these characters a2 to a5 are displayed, and a pointer P moved by the mouse 20a is displayed. In this case, by clicking each of the characters a2 to a5 with the mouse 20a, it is possible to select any of the search process, the edit process, the analysis process, and the maintenance process. When the above selection is made, it is desirable that the selected one of the characters a2 to a5 is informed by a reverse display or the like. Each selection operation appearing in the following description Even at times, it is desirable to similarly notify the selected state.

In the state where the menu screen is displayed in this manner, the process stands by until any one of the search process, the edit process, the analysis process, and the maintenance process is selected (step B2).
~ B5).

When the search process is selected in the display state of the menu screen ("YES" in step B2), the CRT
A search screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display 18 (step B6).

Specifically, this search screen shows "Search".
Character b1, "background processing" character b2 and this character b2
"Read new", "Read registration", "Registration",
"Enlargement", "Reduction", "Display" characters b3 to b8,
The character b9 of "condition setting", the character b10 of "mask area" corresponding to this character b9, the image display area EX and "MENU" corresponding to this image display area EX,
A frame surrounding each of the characters "b11" to "b14" of "stop", "end" and "start" and the characters "b3" to "b8" and "b10" to "b14" is displayed, and the pointer P is displayed.

In this case, by clicking each of the characters b3 to b5 with the mouse 20a, it is possible to select which of the new reading process, the registration reading process, and the registration process to be executed, and to select any of the characters b6 to b8. By clicking, you can select enlargement, reduction, or display processing, and the character b10
The mask area input process can be selected by clicking the part, and further, the menu screen selection process, the cancel process, and the like can be selected by clicking the characters b11 to b14.
The configuration is such that either the end process or the start process can be selected.

In particular, when the character b4 portion is clicked (when the registration reading processing is selected), when the character b8 portion is clicked (when the display processing is selected), and when the character b10 portion is clicked. When (the mask area input process is selected), pull-down menus PM1, PM2, and PM3 appear in the search screen, respectively.

The pull-down menu PM1 when the registration reading process is selected is for selecting the model name of the pachinko gaming machine 2 through the pointer P. The pull-down menu PM2 when the display process is selected is for selecting the type of screen to be displayed in the screen display area EX (screen with only background image, or screen with background image plus mask area setting status). Is. In addition, pull-down menu PM when mask area input processing is selected
3 is for selecting either a mode of deleting a part of the input mask area or a mode of deleting the entire input mask area when the mask area is input.

In FIG. 4, in the state where the above-mentioned search screen is displayed, the above-mentioned new reading process, registration reading process, registration process, enlargement / reduction, display process, mask area input process, start process and menu screen selection are performed. It waits until any one of the processes is selected (steps B7 to B10, steps B11 to B13 in FIG. 5).

When the new reading process is selected through the character b3 in the display state of the search screen ("Y" in step B7).
In "ES"), the image capture processing routine B14 is executed. In this processing routine B14, the read control unit 8 is instructed to start the read operation, and the image data stored in the frame buffer 12 is captured as a new background image.

After the image data is thus captured, the display change processing routine B15 is executed. In this processing routine B15, as shown in FIG. 11, the image data captured as described above in the image display area EX in the currently displayed search screen, that is, the image Q of the board 2a,
Also, a model name input window W1 for the pachinko gaming machine 2 corresponding to the image Q is displayed.

The model name input window W1 is for inputting the model name corresponding to the image Q through the keyboard 20. Further, in the display change processing routine B15, the characters "11", "stop", "end", and "start" in the search screen are displayed.
And the frames surrounding them are switched to the non-display state, and instead of these, the characters b15 and b16 of "Cancel" and "Execute" and the frame surrounding them are displayed. In this case, either the execution process or the cancellation process can be selected by clicking each of the character parts b15 and b16 with the mouse 20a.

After the display change processing routine B15 is executed, the process waits until either the execution processing or the cancellation processing described above is selected (steps B16, B1).
7). When the cancel process is selected, the process directly returns to the search screen display step B6, but when the execution process is selected, it is the same as the pachinko gaming machine 2 of the model corresponding to the image Q being displayed in the image display area EX. It is judged whether the background image data of is already registered (step B1).
8).

If "NO" is determined in this step B18, the search screen display step B6 is executed after the background registration processing routine B19 for registering the image data corresponding to the image Q as the background image data in the storage unit 15 is executed. Return to. In the background registration processing routine B19, the background image data is registered together with the model name code of the pachinko gaming machine 2 corresponding to the background image data.

On the other hand, in step B18, "YES"
If it is determined that the alert display processing routine B20
Execute In this processing routine B20, as shown in FIG. 12, an alert AL1 is displayed in the image display area EX, which asks that background image data for the same model has already been registered, and asks whether to replace the data. Although not shown, the model name input window W1
On the other hand, when the execution process is selected in the state where the model name is not input, the routine for displaying the alert for prompting the input of the model name is configured.

After the alert display processing routine B20 is executed, the process waits until either the execution processing corresponding to the click of the character b15 portion or the cancel processing corresponding to the click of the character b16 portion is selected (steps B21 and B2).
2).

When the cancel process is selected, the process directly returns to the display change process routine B15, but when the execution process is selected, the background rewrite process routine B2.
After executing 3, the process returns to the search screen display step B6. In this case, in the background rewriting processing routine B23,
The image data corresponding to the image Q displayed in the image display area EX is registered in the storage unit 15 as new background image data in place of the already registered background image data.

On the other hand, when the registration reading process is selected through the character b4 in the display state of the search screen (step B
If “YES” in 8), the image reading processing routine B24 is executed. In this processing routine B23, the background image data corresponding to the model name selected by the pull-down menu PM1 as shown in FIG. 10 is read out from the background image data stored in the storage unit 15 and is not shown inside. The data is stored in the buffer memory, and after the storage is completed, the process returns to the judgment step B7.

When the registration process is selected through the character b5 in the display state of the search screen ("YE" in step B9).
S)), it is determined whether or not the image Q, that is, the background image is being displayed in the screen display area EX (step B25). If the background image is not displayed, the process proceeds to determination step B10, but is displayed. If so, the display change processing routine B26 is executed.

In this processing routine B26, as shown in FIG. 13, a comment input window W2 for displaying a nail adjustment content comment is displayed in the image display area EX. The comment input window W2 is the board surface 2 of the pachinko gaming machine 2 corresponding to the model displayed as the image Q.
Nail adjustment content comment showing the content of nail adjustment for a,
Through the keyboard 20, for example, “3 ° to the right of the nth nail” (n
Is for inputting in a format such as "basic" (meaning the initial state in which nail adjustment is not performed), which is set to specify the nail 2b, for example, a numeral or alphabetical symbol, The input comment is stored in the storage unit 15 as a comment file corresponding to the model name code.

After the execution of the display change processing routine B26, the process waits until either the execution processing corresponding to the click of the character b15 portion or the cancel processing corresponding to the click of the character b16 portion is selected (steps B27, B2).
8).

When the cancel process is selected, the process directly returns to the search screen display step B6, but when the execution process is selected, the same contents as the comment input in the comment input window W2 are stored in the storage unit 15. It is determined whether or not the comment file is already stored (step B29).

If "NO" is determined in this step B29, the comment file stored in the comment input window W2 is stored in the storage unit 15 as a comment file corresponding to the model name code. After executing the registration processing routine B30, the process returns to the search screen display step B6.

On the other hand, "YES" in step B29.
If it is determined that the alert display processing routine B31
Execute In this processing routine B31, as shown in FIG. 14, an alert AL2 that asks whether the same comment file for the relevant model has already been registered in the storage unit 15 and whether the comment file should be replaced.
Is displayed. Although not shown, a routine for displaying an alert asking whether comment input is not necessary when the execution process is selected in the state where no comment is input in the comment input window W2 Is configured to execute.

After the alert display processing routine B31 is executed, the process waits until either the execution processing corresponding to the click of the character b15 portion or the cancel processing corresponding to the click of the character b16 portion is selected (steps B32, B3).
3).

When the cancel process is selected, the process directly returns to the display change process routine B26, but when the execution process is selected, the comment file rewriting process routine B34 is executed and then the process returns to the search screen display step B6. . In this case, in the comment file rewriting processing routine B34, the storage unit 15 sets the comment displayed in the comment input window W2 as a new comment file in place of the already stored comment file.
Perform the action to be stored in.

When the search screen is displayed, the characters b6, b7,
If enlargement, reduction, or display processing is selected through the b8 portion ("YES" in step B10), it is determined whether or not a background image is being displayed in the screen display area EX (step B
35), if the background image is not displayed, the process proceeds to a judgment step B11 (see FIG. 5), but if it is displayed, the enlarging / reducing / display processing routine B36 is executed and then the judgment step B7 is executed. Transition.

In the enlarging / reducing / display processing routine B36, when the enlarging process is selected by clicking on the character b6 portion, the background image being displayed in the screen display area EX is enlarged and the character b7 portion is enlarged. When the reduction process is selected by clicking, the background image being displayed in the screen display area EX is reduced. Further, when the display process is selected by clicking the character b8 portion, the screen type selected by the pull-down menu PM2 as shown in FIG. 10 (the background image only screen, or the setting condition of the mask area in the background image is set). The added screen) is displayed in the screen display area EX.

In FIG. 5, when the mask area input process is selected through the character b10 portion in the search screen display state (“YES” in step B11), it is determined whether or not the background image is being displayed in the screen display area EX. It is determined (step B37). If the background image is not displayed, the process proceeds to determination step B12, but if it is displayed,
The condition setting input processing routine B38 is executed.

In the condition setting input processing routine B38, processing for accepting the operation of inputting the mask information described above in the background image (image Q) displayed in the screen display area EX is performed. The mask information is information indicating a mask area for removing an element that becomes a noise component during the above-described moving image processing from the analysis target among the elements that form the board surface 2a of the pachinko gaming machine 2, and the input of the mask area is The pixel group of an arbitrary portion in the background image is painted by operating the mouse 20a.

As described above, when the mask area is input, one of the mode for deleting a part of the input mask area and the mode for deleting the entire input mask area is as shown in FIG. Na pulldown menu P
It has a configuration that can be selected by M3.
The mask area once entered can be modified or deleted.

Here, an example of the setting state of the mask area will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27. That is, in FIG. 26, the board surface 2a of the pachinko gaming machine 2 is CC
FIG. 27 shows an image captured by the D camera 1 (that is, the image Q displayed in the screen display area EX), and FIG. 27 shows the mask area MA set in the image by a hatched band. In this case, on the board surface 2a, in addition to a large number of nails 2b, a windmill 2c, a decorative lamp 2d, a safe hole 2e with a cover, a safe hole 2f without a cover, a start hole 2g with a cover, and a movable prize as board surface components. A predetermined number of devices 2h, symbol display devices 2i, and out holes 2j are provided.

In the board 2a constructed in this way, the rotating windmill 2c, the decorative lamp 2d that emits light, the pattern that emits light and displays a moving image as noise components during moving image processing. The display device 2i exists, and the mask area MA is input by performing a painting operation on the corresponding pixel group as shown in FIG. In addition, the non-passage area of the pachinko balls on the board surface 2a, the launch path of the pachinko balls, etc.
Since it does not need to be the target of the moving image processing, for example, the portion outside the enclosing frame of the board surface 2a, the safe hole with a cover 2e, the start hole 2g, and the ball launching passage SP are also supported as shown in FIG. The mask area MA is input by performing a painting operation on a pixel group to be selected. However, the mask area may be set at least for a portion that becomes a noise component during moving image processing.

Here, the mask area MA input setting as shown in FIG. 27 is performed by software by excluding the pixel group of an arbitrary portion in the background image from the moving image processing target. In particular, in the case where the pachinko ball passes over the pattern display device 2i portion, a shielding member (for example, matte black paper) corresponding to the shape is provided in the pattern display device 2i portion. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the mask area is set by a hardware-like means of shielding the pattern display device 2i by sticking.

However, the condition setting input processing routine B38 as described above continues until the selection operation of other processing is performed on the above-mentioned search screen (until the characters b3 to b8 and b11 to b14 are clicked). The process is continued (step B39), and when a selection operation of another process is performed, the process returns to the determination step B7 shown in FIG. Then, the mask area MA input at this time is set as the mask information for the above-mentioned start code ΔA.

On the other hand, when the start process is selected through the character b14 portion in the display state of the search screen ("YES" in step B12), the display change process routine B40 is executed. In this processing routine B40, as shown in FIG. 15, the image display area EX on the search screen currently being displayed is displayed.
On the other hand, a time data input window W3 for inputting the search time for the start data ΔA described above through the keyboard 20, a message M1 for prompting the input of the search time,
A message M2 indicating the maximum search time is displayed.
Furthermore, in this display change processing routine B40, the characters "b" to "b14" (see FIG. 10) of "MENU", "stop", "end", and "start" in the search screen and the frame surrounding them are switched to the non-display state. At the same time, instead of these, the characters “b” and b16 of “cancel” and “execute” and a frame surrounding them are displayed.

After execution of this display change processing routine B40, an input search time acceptance processing routine B41 for storing the search time input in the time data input window W3 as time information in a buffer memory (not shown) is executed. The processing routine B41 is repeatedly executed until either the execution process in response to the click on the character b15 portion or the cancel process in response to the click on the character b16 portion is selected (steps B42, B43).

Incidentally, the input search time acceptance processing routine B
In 41, the reception time is limited to a predetermined settable range (for example, 1 to 30 minutes in this embodiment), and the search time reception time input in the time data input window W3 exceeds 30 minutes. In this case, for example, the maximum value of 30 minutes is accepted as the time information designating the search time.

If the cancel process is selected ("YES" in step B43), the process directly returns to the search screen display step B6 (see FIG. 4), but if the execution process is selected (step B42). If "YES", the display change processing routine B44 is executed.

In this display change processing routine B44, the display state of the image display area EX is returned to the state as shown in FIG. 16 (state in which characters b11 to b14 are displayed instead of the characters b15 and b16). After executing the processing routine B44, the search start processing routine B45 is executed.

In the search start processing routine B45, the search conditions such as the mask information and the time information indicating the search time input as described above are stored in the storage unit 15 as a search condition setting file, and the mask information and The above-mentioned start data Δ combining the time information and the start command
The operation of transmitting A to the input unit 4 is performed.

In this case, in the input section 4 which has received the start data ΔA, as described above, the CCD camera 1
The operation of calculating the point data indicating the position of the pachinko balls existing on the board 2a based on the image data by
The operation is performed such that the search time designated by the time information in the start data ΔA is executed, and the point data corresponding to the search time thus obtained is transmitted (replied) to the analysis unit 5.

After the execution of the search start processing routine B45, until all the point data returned as described above from the detection unit 4 is input, or either the end processing or the stop processing is performed (character b12). Wait until the part or the character b13 part is clicked (step B)
46-B48).

When all the point data for the time corresponding to the search time designated by the time information in the start data Δ has been input (“YES” in step B46), the search end processing routine B49 is executed. After that,
Then, the process proceeds to the edit screen display step B52 described later.

In the search end processing routine B49, the point data sent from the input unit 4 is stored in the storage unit 15 together with the model code corresponding to the point data.

When the end process is selected ("YES" in step B47), the search end / transmission process routine B50 is executed and then the process proceeds to the edit screen display step B52 shown in FIG.

In the search end / transmission processing routine B50, the end command is transmitted to the input unit 4, and the point data sent from the input unit 4 thereafter is associated with the point data. The storage unit 15 performs an operation of storing the selected model code and the like.

The input unit 4 which has received the end command
In this case, as described above, the operation of calculating the point data is stopped at the time of receiving the end command, and the point data up to that time is transmitted to the analysis unit 5.

When the cancel processing is selected ("YES" in step B48), the search cancel processing routine B5
After executing 1, the process returns to the menu screen display step B1 shown in FIG.

In the search cancel processing routine B51, the operation of transmitting the cancel command to the input unit 4 is performed. The operation of calculating the data is stopped and the point data calculated up to that point is initialized. Therefore, when the cancel process is selected, the point data calculated on the input unit 4 side is not stored in the storage unit 15.

On the other hand, when the menu screen selection operation is performed through the character b11 in the display state of the search screen ("YES" in step B13), the process returns to the menu screen display step B1 shown in FIG.

Now, referring to FIG. 6, the search end processing routine B49 or the search end / transmission processing routine B50.
The edit screen display step B52 to be executed after the execution of is also performed when the edit process is selected in the display state of the menu screen (see FIG. 9) (when “YES” is determined in step B3 of FIG. 4). It is configured to be executed.

In this edit screen display step B52, an edit screen as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. Specifically, in this edit screen, the character c1 of "edit", the character c2 of "display processing" and the "read registration" corresponding to this character c2,
"Enlargement", "Reduction" characters c3 to c5, "Condition setting"
Character c6 and "start", "end", "movement limit value", "restart" corresponding to this character c6,
"Safe hole", "non-passage line" characters c7 to c12,
The image display area EX and the characters c13 of "MENU", "Cancel", and "Edit" corresponding to the image display area EX
.About.c15 and the frames surrounding the characters c3 to c5 and c7 to c15 are displayed, and the pointer P is also displayed.

In this case, the character c3 portion is replaced by the mouse 20.
The registration reading process can be selected by clicking a, and the enlargement / reduction process can be selected by clicking any of the characters c4 and c5.
By clicking the 12 part, you can select the condition setting process including start process, end process, movement value limit value process, restart process, safe hole process, and non-passage line process. By clicking the button 20a, it is possible to select which of the menu screen selection process, the cancellation process, and the editing process is to be executed.

In particular, when the character c3 portion is clicked (when the registration reading process is selected), a pull-down menu PM4 for selecting the model name of the pachinko gaming machine 2 through the pointer P is displayed in the editing screen. It is configured to appear.

In FIG. 6, in the state where the edit screen is displayed as described above, the registration read process, the edit process, the enlargement / reduction process, the condition setting process (start process, end process, movement value limit value process) as described above are performed. , Restart processing, safe hole processing, non-passing line processing), and waits until any one of menu screen selection processing is selected (steps B53 to B53).
57).

When the registration reading process is selected through the character c3 portion in the display state of the editing screen ("YES" in step B53), the image reading process routine B58 is executed. This processing routine B58 corresponds to the model name (model code) selected from the pull-down menu PM4 as shown in FIG. 17 from the background image data and the point data stored in the storage unit 15 as described above. The background image data and the point data are read out and stored in an internal buffer memory (not shown), and the background image data is displayed in the image display area EX. After the display is finished, the judgment step B5 is performed.
Return to 3.

When the enlargement / reduction processing is selected through the characters c4 and c5 in the display state of the edit screen ("YES" in step B55), it is determined whether the image data is being displayed in the screen display area EX. Judgment (step B59), and if image data is not displayed, judgment step B5
If it is displayed, the process proceeds to the enlarging / reducing process routine B60, and then the judgment step B53.
Return to

The enlargement / reduction processing routine B6
In 0, when the enlargement process is selected by clicking the character c4 portion, the image data being displayed in the screen display area EX is enlarged, and when the reduction process is selected by clicking the character c5 portion, the screen display area is displayed. The image data being displayed in EX is reduced.

When the condition setting process is selected through the characters c7 to c12 in the display state of the edit screen (step B
In "56", "YES"), it is determined whether image data is being displayed in the screen display area EX (step B61), and if image data is not displayed, a determination step B57.
If it is displayed, the condition setting input processing routine B62 is executed.

In the condition setting input processing routine B62, a process of accepting and storing a plurality of types of analysis conditions necessary for analyzing the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball based on the point data stored in the buffer memory as described above. This is performed, and an example of such analysis conditions will be described below.

(1) First analysis condition (start area) This is an analysis condition that can be accepted when the character c7 portion in the edit screen (see FIG. 17) is clicked, and is a predetermined area on the board 2a, for example, FIG. As indicated by the shaded area, a region within a predetermined range corresponding to the ball firing passage SP on the board surface 2a is set as the start area E1.
The start area E1 is set in order to analyze the movement locus of the pachinko ball starting from the image of the pachinko ball existing in the start area E1 (this is indicated by the point data). The start area E1 is input by a painting operation in which a pixel group of an arbitrary portion in the background image displayed in the screen display area EX is painted by operating the mouse 20a.

(2) Second analysis condition (end area) This is an analysis condition that can be accepted when the character c8 portion in the editing screen is clicked, and is a predetermined area on the board 2a, for example, a hatched band in FIG. As shown, a predetermined area including the out hole 2j on the board surface 2a is set as the end area E2. This end area E2 is
Analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball is performed in the end area E2.
Set to confirm when the image of the pachinko ball is extracted from. The end area E2 is also input by the above-described painting operation of the pixel group of an arbitrary portion in the background image displayed in the screen display area EX.

(3) Third analysis condition (movement limit value) This is an analysis condition that can be accepted when the character c9 portion in the edit screen is clicked, and the numerical value input through the keyboard 20 is set as the movement limit value. . This movement limit value is set to be equal to the upper limit value of the movement amount of the pachinko ball per unit time for the predicted movement trajectory when the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball is predicted based on the point data. However, if the predicted movement amount exceeds the movement limit value, the prediction result is invalidated. The movement limit value is set to the maximum value of the distance that the pachinko balls can move between consecutive screens when the point data is created on the input unit 4 side.

(4) Fourth analysis condition (restart area) This is an analysis condition that can be accepted when the character c10 portion on the editing screen is clicked. This analysis condition is
Although not specifically shown, for example, a ball entrance for once taking in a pachinko ball fired on the board, and a pachinko ball taken in through this ball entrance from a ball exit provided at a position different from the ball entrance This is a condition set when a pachinko game machine configured to return to is set as a pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis target, and an area corresponding to the ball exit is set as a restart area. This restart area is set in order to restart the analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball starting from the image of the pachinko ball existing in the restart area. The input of the restart area is performed by the same painting operation as described above.

(5) Fifth analysis condition (safe hole area) This is an analysis condition that can be accepted when the character c11 portion on the editing screen is clicked, and each safe hole 2e, 2f and start hole 2g on the board 2a. The area corresponding to is set as the safe hole area E3 as indicated by the hatched band in FIG. 28, for example. This safe hole area E3 is
Analyze the movement path of the pachinko ball by selecting the safe hole area E
It is set to be determined when the image of the pachinko ball is extracted from 3. The safe hole area E3 is also input by the same painting operation as described above.

(6) Sixth analysis condition (non-passing line) This is an analysis condition that can be accepted when the character c12 portion on the editing screen is clicked, and is a predetermined area on the board 2a where pachinko balls cannot pass. , For example in FIG.
As indicated by a thick line in the inside, a region where the nail 2b is erected in a close state on the board surface 2a is set as a non-passage line E4. The non-passage line E4 is set to prohibit the prediction of the movement trajectory that crosses the non-passage line when the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball is predicted. The non-passing line E4 is also input by the same painting operation as described above.

However, the condition setting input processing routine B62 as described above continues until the selection operation of another processing is performed on the editing screen as shown in FIG. 17 (characters c3 to c5, c7 to.
The process is continued until the part c15 is clicked (step B63), and if a selection operation of another process is performed, the process returns to the determination step B53. Then, the analysis condition input at this point is accepted.

On the other hand, when the menu screen selecting operation is performed through the character c13 portion in the edit screen display state (“YES” in step B57), the process returns to the menu screen display step B1 shown in FIG.

When the editing process is selected through the character C15 portion in the display state of the editing screen ("YES" in step B54), the pachinko ball of the first to sixth analysis conditions as described above is selected. It is determined whether or not the analysis conditions indispensable for the analysis of the movement trajectory (for example, the first, second, fifth, and sixth analysis conditions) have been received (step B64).

In this case, if the analysis condition is not accepted, that is, if the edit process is impossible, the process proceeds to a judgment step B55. If the analysis condition is accepted, the edit process routine B65 is executed. To do.

In the edit processing routine B65, the board surface 2 is determined based on the point data stored in the buffer memory as described above and the search condition in the accepted state.
The analysis operation including the operation of predicting the movement locus of the pachinko ball fired on a is executed, and the analysis result is sequentially stored in the storage unit 15 as movement locus data (data indicating the movement locus of the pachinko ball on the board 2a). Performs an edit operation of storing.

The edit processing routine B65 as described above
The process is repeatedly executed until the cancel process corresponding to the click on the character c14 portion is selected, or until the analysis and storage operations in the editing process routine B65 are completed (steps B66 and B67). When the process is selected (“YES” in step B66), the edit initialization process routine B6 that initializes the edit contents up to that point
After executing step 8, the process returns to the judgment step B53.

On the other hand, when the analysis processing and the storage operation in the edit processing routine B65 are all completed without selecting the cancel processing (“YES” in step B67), the display change processing shown in FIG. The routine B69 is executed.

In FIG. 7, in the display change processing routine B69, when the analysis processing is selected through the character a4 portion in the display state of the menu screen (see FIG. 9) (“YES” in step B4 shown in FIG. 4). If it is determined), this processing routine B6 is also executed.
In FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 18, instead of the characters c3, c6 to c12, c14, c15 (see FIG. 17) in the currently displayed edit screen, "read", "display selection", "all",
"Continuous", "Area designation", "Numerical data", "PRI"
Each of the characters "NT" c16 to c22, a frame surrounding them, and an icon c23 for scrolling are displayed and "display"
The character c24 and the frame surrounding it are additionally displayed.

In this case, the character c16 portion is replaced by the mouse 20.
The reading process can be selected by clicking with a, and the display selection process including all process, continuous process, area designation process, and numerical data process can be selected by clicking any of the characters c18 to c21, and the character c22 part. You can select the print process by clicking
By clicking the icon c23, the scrolling process of scrolling the display screen back and forth can be selected, and by clicking the character c24, the display process can be selected.

In particular, when the character c16 portion is clicked (when the reading process is selected), a pull-down menu PM5 for selecting the model name of the pachinko gaming machine 2 through the pointer P appears in the editing screen. At the same time, corresponding to the model name selected through the pull-down menu PM5, a nail adjustment content comment (which is stored as a comment file corresponding to the model name code in the storage unit 15 as described above) is selected. A pull-down menu PM6 for performing is displayed. still,
The letters "A" and "B" in the pull-down menu PM6 are symbols set to specify the nail 2b.

Further, when the character c24 portion is selected, a pull-down menu PM7 for selecting the display format of the analysis result appears in the edit screen. In this case, as the display format, a dot mode in which the position of the pachinko ball indicated by the point data stored in the storage unit 15 based on the transmission data from the detection unit 4 side is displayed in a dot shape, and the edit processing routine B6
Two types of locus modes for linearly displaying the locus of the pachinko balls indicated by the movement locus data stored in the storage unit 15 in accordance with the execution of 5 are prepared.

Here, the all process is a process for collectively displaying all the point data or the movement trajectory data for one model of the pachinko gaming machine 2 in the image display area EX, and the continuous process is the point as described above. This is a process of sequentially displaying the data or the movement trajectory data in a state of being divided into predetermined unit times divided in time series, and the selection state thereof can be canceled by re-clicking the characters c18 and c19. Has become. When the continuous process is selected, for example, when the unit time is set to 1 minute in a state where the point data and the movement trajectory data are stored for a corresponding amount of 30 minutes, 30 images are sequentially displayed. Will be displayed.

In the area designation processing, one or more attention areas are designated at arbitrary positions on the board 2a, and the pachinko balls that have passed the attention area from the point data or movement trajectory data are moved. This is a process of extracting only the locus and displaying the extraction result.
In this case, the area of interest is set, for example, around the so-called life nail, and the setting range thereof can be specified, for example, in a rectangular shape through the mouse 20a, and the selected state of the area specifying process is , The character c20 part can be canceled by re-clicking.

Further, in the numerical data processing, the digitized information or graph linked with the point data or the movement locus data displayed in the image display area EX is converted into the point data or the movement locus data in the image display area EX. It is a process of displaying in an associated state.

That is, in this numerical data processing,
One or a plurality of points of interest are designated at arbitrary positions on the board 2a, and, for example, based on the movement trajectory data,
It is possible to calculate the ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved to the left and right around the designated point of interest, and display the digitized information or graph indicating the calculated ratio together with the movement trajectory data.

Further, for example, one or a plurality of lines of interest extending in the horizontal direction are designated at arbitrary positions on the board 2a, and the number of pachinko balls that have passed through the lines of interest based on the point data or the movement trajectory data. Is calculated in a state where the line of interest is divided into a plurality of areas, and the calculation result is displayed as a graph in the image display area EX in a state of being associated with the point data or the movement trajectory data. Can also be
The selected state of the numerical data processing can be canceled by re-clicking the character c21 portion.

After the display change processing routine B69 is executed, the read processing through the edit screen as shown in FIG. 18, enlargement / reduction, display processing, display selection processing (all processing, continuous processing, area designation processing, numerical data processing) ), And waits until any one of print processing and menu screen selection processing is selected (steps B70 to B74).

In the display state of the editing screen as shown in FIG. 18, when the reading process is selected through the character c16 portion ("YES" in step B70), the background display process routine B
Perform 75. In this processing routine B75, the background image data corresponding to the model name (model code) selected from the pull-down menu PM5 shown in FIG. 18 is read from the background image data stored in the storage unit 15 as described above. And stores the background image data in an image display area E as well as storing it in an internal buffer memory (not shown).
It is displayed on X, and after the display ends,
The process returns to the determination step B70.

In the display state of the edit screen as shown in FIG. 18, when enlargement, reduction, or display processing is selected through the characters c4, c5, and c24 ("YES" in step B71), the screen display area EX is displayed. It is determined whether or not the background image data is being displayed (step B76). If the background image data is not displayed, the process proceeds to a determination step B72. If it is displayed, enlargement, reduction, display processing is performed. After executing the routine B77, the process returns to the determination step B70.

In the enlarging / reducing / display processing routine B77, when the enlarging process is selected by clicking the character c4 portion, the image data being displayed in the screen display area EX is enlarged and the character c5 portion is enlarged. When the reduction process is selected by clicking, the image data being displayed in the screen display area EX is reduced. When the display process is selected by clicking the character c24 portion, the display format (either the dot mode or the locus mode) selected by the pull-down menu PM7 as shown in FIG. 18 is stored.

When the display selection process is selected through the characters c18 to c21 in the display state of the edit screen as shown in FIG. 18 ("YES" in step B72), the background image data is displayed in the screen display area EX. It is determined whether or not it is in the middle (step B78), and if the background image data is not displayed, the process proceeds to determination step B73, but if it is displayed, the contents of the selected display selection process (all Processing, continuous processing, area designation processing, or numerical data processing) (steps B79 to B81).

When the all process is selected (step B
If “YES” in 79), the analysis data batch display processing routine B82 is executed, and then the process returns to the determination step B70.
In the analysis data batch display processing routine B82, data corresponding to the display format selected by executing the display processing corresponding to the click of the character c24 portion among the point data or the movement trajectory data stored in the storage unit 15 ( If the display format is dot mode, read all the point data, and if it is trajectory mode, move trajectory data)
The read data is displayed in the image display area EX in a state of being superimposed on the background image being displayed.

That is, when the selected display format is the dot mode, as shown in FIG. 29, all of the point data read from the storage unit 15 is used as the background image (board surface 2).
It is displayed as a dot Dp in the image (a). Further, when the selected display format is the locus mode, although not shown, all the locus data read from the storage unit 15 is displayed as a linear locus in the background image. In such a display state, the display image can be enlarged or reduced by selecting the enlargement process or reduction process described above.

When continuous processing is selected (step B8)
If YES, the analysis data division display processing routine B83 is executed, and then the process returns to the judgment step B70. In the analysis data division display processing routine B83, data (point data or movement locus data) corresponding to the selected display format among the point data or movement locus data stored in the storage unit 15 is equivalent to a predetermined unit time. The read data is displayed minute by minute, and the read data is displayed in a state of being superimposed on the background image being displayed in the image display area EX.

That is, when the selected display format is the dot mode, as shown in FIG. 30, the point data corresponding to the unit time read from the storage unit 15 is displayed in the background image (image of the board 2a). Are displayed as dots Dp.
Further, when the selected display format is the locus mode, as shown in FIG. 31, the locus data corresponding to the unit time read from the storage unit 15 is a linear locus T in the background image.
Display as p. Even in such a display state, the display image can be enlarged or reduced by selecting the enlargement process or the reduction process described above.

Further, in the analysis data division display processing routine B83, when the icon c23 portion is clicked, the scroll processing of switching the point data or the trajectory data being displayed to the one corresponding to the unit time before and after that is performed. Run.

If the area designation processing is selected ("YES" in step B81), the special analysis data display processing routine B84 is executed and then the process returns to the determination step B70. In the special analysis data display processing routine B84,
In the background image displayed in the image display area EX, the operation of designating the attention area described above is accepted, and when the attention area is designated, the designated attention area is selected from the movement locus data stored in the storage unit 15. Only the trajectory data of the pachinko balls that have passed is extracted, and the extracted data is displayed in a state of being superimposed on the background image being displayed in the image display area EX.

That is, as shown in FIG. 32, when the attention area AP1 is designated around the nail A and the attention area AP2 is designated around the nail B in the background image, those attention areas AP1 and Only the movement trajectory (not shown) of the pachinko ball that has passed through AP2 is displayed. Even in such a display state, the display image can be enlarged or reduced by selecting the enlargement process or the reduction process described above.

In this case, the point data corresponding to the movement locus may be selectively displayed. Further, the attention area may be one location, or may be configured such that a larger number of attention areas can be designated simultaneously.

If the numerical data processing is selected ("NO" in step B81), the data display processing routine B
After executing 85, the process returns to the judgment step B70.

In the data display processing routine B85,
Either of the following display processes (1) and (2) can be selectively performed. (1) As shown in FIG. 33, the attention points P1 and P2 described above are included in the background image displayed in the image display area EX.
When the operation of designating (the nails A and B in this example) is accepted and the points of interest P1 and P2 are designated, the points of interest P1 and P2 are based on the movement trajectory data stored in the storage unit 15. The ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved separately to the left and right around the center is calculated, and the digitized information Dn indicating the calculated ratio is displayed in a multi-window format together with the movement locus Tp based on the movement locus data.

The digitized information Dn includes data indicating the model name, nail adjustment content, data recording start time, and the like, and the ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved to the left and right at the points of interest P1 and P2. Each data group includes data dn1 for all the analyzed data, and a plurality of data dn2 divided for each predetermined time period (for example, every 10 minutes). In this case, only one of the data dn1 and dn2 may be displayed as a graph on the screen displaying the movement trajectory Tp. Further, the number of points of interest may be one, or more points of interest may be designated at the same time.

(2) As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, while accepting the operation of designating the line of interest L1 described above in the background image displayed in the image display area EX, when the line of interest L1 is designated, Based on the point data or the movement trajectory data stored in the storage unit 15, the number of pachinko balls that have passed through the line of interest L1 is calculated in a state in which the line of interest L1 is divided into a plurality of areas, and The calculation result is displayed as a graph G1 in a state associated with the dot Dp based on the point data or the movement locus Tp based on the movement locus data.
Note that the line of interest may be designated at two or more locations at the same time.

On the other hand, in the display state of the edit screen as shown in FIG. 18, when the print process is selected through the character c22 portion (“YES” in step B73), the above-mentioned analysis data is displayed in the screen display area EX. It is determined whether or not it is in the middle (step B86), and if the analysis data is not displayed, the process proceeds to determination step B74, but if it is displayed, the entire screen being displayed is printed through the color printer 19. After executing the print processing routine B87, the process returns to the judgment step B70.

Further, when the menu screen selection operation is performed through the character c13 in the display state of the edit screen as shown in FIG. 18 (“YES” in step B74), the menu screen display step B1 shown in FIG. Return to.

Returning to FIG. 4, the menu screen (see FIG. 9)
When the maintenance process is selected in the display state of "(YES in step B5)", the control after the maintenance screen display step B88 shown in FIG. 8 is executed.

Maintenance screen display step B88
Then, the maintenance screen as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. Specifically, on this maintenance screen, "maintenance" character d1, "deletion" character d2 and "comment F" (where F means a file), "setting", which correspond to this character d2, A frame surrounding the characters "collective" d3 to d5, the character "menu" d6, and the characters d3 to d6 is displayed, and the pointer P is displayed.

In this case, the character d3 portion is replaced by the mouse 20.
The comment file deletion process can be selected by clicking a, the setting deletion process can be selected by clicking the character d4 part, and the batch deletion process can be selected by clicking the character d5 part.
The menu screen selection process can be selected by clicking the character d6 with the mouse 20a.

Particularly, when the character d3 is clicked (when the comment file deletion process is selected),
A pull-down menu PM8 for selecting the model name of the pachinko gaming machine 2 through the pointer P appears in the edit screen.

In the state where the maintenance screen is displayed in this manner, the process waits until any one of the comment file deletion process, the setting deletion process, the batch deletion process, and the menu screen selection process described above is selected (steps B89 to B92).

When the comment file deletion process is selected through the character d3 in the display state of the maintenance screen as shown in FIG. 19 ("YES" in step B89),
The display change processing routine B93 is executed. In this processing routine B93, as shown in FIG. 20, the character d3 portion is switched to the reverse display state (shown by the hatched band) to display that the comment file deletion processing is selected, and is selected through the pull-down menu PM8. The model name d7 of the pachinko gaming machine 2, the comment file group CF stored in the storage unit 15 in a state corresponding to the model name code, the characters d8 of "Cancel" and "Execute",
Display d9.

In this case, the above display change processing routine B9
3, the comment file in the comment file group CF can be selected through the mouse 20a, and the comment file thus selected can be switched to the reverse display state shown by the hatched band. The change processing routine B93 is repeatedly executed until either the execution processing corresponding to the click of the character d9 portion or the cancel processing corresponding to the click of the character d8 portion is selected (steps B94 and B95).

When the cancel process is selected, the maintenance screen display step B8 is directly performed.
Returning to step 8, if the execution process is selected, the display addition process routine B96 is executed.

In the display addition processing routine B96, as shown in FIG. 21, a message GM asking whether the comment file is to be deleted or not is additionally displayed on the displayed maintenance screen. After the display, the process waits until either the execution process in response to the click on the character d9 portion or the cancel process in response to the click on the character d8 portion is selected (steps B97, B9).
8).

When the cancel processing is selected from this standby state, the display change processing routine B9 is directly executed.
Returning to step 3, when the execution process is selected, the comment file deleting process routine B99 is executed, and then the process returns to the display changing process routine B93.

The comment file deletion processing routine B
At 99, among the comment files stored in the storage unit 15, the comment file selected as described above is deleted.

When the setting deletion process is selected through the character d4 portion in the display state of the maintenance screen as shown in FIG. 19 ("YES" in step B90), the display change process routine B100 is executed. This processing routine B10
In 0, as shown in FIG. 22, the character d4 portion is switched to the reverse display state indicated by the hatched band to display that the setting deletion processing is selected, and the deletion target is stored in the storage unit 14 as the search condition. "Search condition setting file" indicating that it is a setting file (including mask information and time information)
Character d10, the model name group PN of the pachinko gaming machine 2 corresponding to the search condition setting file, and characters d8 and d9 of "cancel" and "execute" are displayed.

In this case, the display change processing routine B1
00, select the model name in the model name group PN with the mouse 20
In addition, the model name selected in this way can be switched to the reverse display state shown by the shaded area.
Execution process and character d8 according to the click of character d9
It is repeatedly executed until one of the canceling processes corresponding to the click of the part is selected (steps B101, B
102).

When the cancel process is selected, the maintenance screen display step B8 is directly performed.
Returning to step 8, when the execution process is selected, the display addition process routine B103 is executed.

In the display addition processing routine B103,
As shown in FIG. 23, a message GM asking whether to delete the search condition setting file is additionally displayed on the displayed maintenance screen. After this additional display, the character d9 is clicked. The process waits until either the execution process corresponding to the above or the cancel process corresponding to the click of the character d8 is selected (step B104,
B105).

When the cancel processing is selected from this standby state, the display change processing routine B1 is directly executed.
If the execution process is selected, the process returns to the display change process routine B100 after the search condition setting file deletion process routine B106 is executed.

In the search condition setting file deletion processing routine B106, of the search condition setting files stored in the storage unit 15, the file selected as described above is deleted.

When the batch delete process is selected through the character d5 portion in the display state of the maintenance screen as shown in FIG. 19 ("YES" in step B91), the display change process routine B107 is executed. This processing routine B10
In FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 24, the character d5 portion is switched to the reverse display state indicated by the hatched band to display that the batch deletion process is selected, and the deletion target is the background image stored in the storage unit 14. The data d, the comment file, and the search condition setting file are all "collective (background + search condition setting file + comment file)" character d11, background image data thereof, and the pachinko game machine 2 corresponding to each file. Model name group PN, "Cancel",
The characters "d8" and "d9" of "execute" are displayed.

In this case, the display change processing routine B1
In 07, select the model name in the model name group PN with the mouse 20
The model name selected in this way can be switched to the reverse display state shown by the shaded area.
Execution process and character d8 according to the click of character d9
It is repeatedly executed until one of the canceling processes corresponding to the click of the part is selected (steps B108, B).
109).

When the cancel processing is selected, the maintenance screen display step B8 is directly performed.
Returning to step 8, when the execution process is selected, the display addition process routine B110 is executed.

In the display addition processing routine B110,
As shown in FIG. 25, a message GM asking whether or not to collectively delete the background image data, the search condition setting file and the comment file is additionally displayed on the displayed maintenance screen. This additional display After that, the process waits until either the execution process in response to the click on the character d9 portion or the cancel process in response to the click on the character d8 portion is selected (steps B111 and B11).
2).

When the cancel processing is selected from this standby state, the display change processing routine B1 is directly executed.
Returning to 07, when the execution process is selected, the collective deletion process routine B113 is executed and then the process returns to the display change process routine B113.

In the batch deletion processing routine B113,
Among the image data, the search condition setting file and the comment file stored in the storage unit 15, the files selected as described above are collectively deleted.

In summary, according to this embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the present embodiment, in the detection unit 4 of the image processing device 3,
By performing moving image processing based on a series image of the board surface 2a of the pachinko gaming machine 2 taken from the front by the CCD camera 1, point data indicating the position of the pachinko ball fired on the board surface 2a is obtained and the image processing is performed. In the analysis unit 5 of the device 3, an analysis operation including prediction of a movement path of a pachinko ball on the board 2a is performed based on the point data to obtain movement path data indicating a movement path of the pachinko ball on the board 2a. In addition, the point data and the movement trajectory data can be selectively output as image data by the CRT display 18 or the color printer 19 together with the image (background image) of the board 2a.

In this case, the above image data includes
The point data or the movement locus data for a large number of pachinko balls fired toward the board surface 2a will be included, and the image data does not rely on the sense of the flow of the pachinko balls on the board surface of the pachinko gaming machine. It will be output as quantitative and visual data that anyone can easily and quickly confirm. Therefore, the CRT display 18
Alternatively, based on the image data output through the color printer 19, it becomes possible to very easily grasp the characteristics of the pachinko gaming machine 2 necessary for nail adjustment. For example, in a pachinko hall, a new model of a pachinko gaming machine is selected. This will be extremely useful when understanding the characteristics of the pachinko gaming machine when introducing it.

Further, prior to execution of the above-described moving image processing by the image processing apparatus 3, among the board surface constituent elements of the pachinko gaming machine 2, the windmill 2c and the decorative lamp 2d which are noise components during the moving image processing. Since the pattern display device 2i is set as the mask area MA (see FIG. 27) removed from the analysis target, it is possible to faithfully analyze only the movement path of the pachinko ball, and obtain as described above. The reliability of the image data that is acquired, that is, the point data and the movement trajectory data is improved.

In this case, the mask area MA needs to be subject to moving image processing such as a non-passage area for pachinko balls on the board surface 2a (a portion outside the enclosure of the board surface 2a) or a ball firing passage SP. Since it is configured to include a portion that does not have any, there is no need to perform an analysis operation for an image of an unnecessary area, and the moving image processing time can be shortened.

The mask area MA is set by software by excluding an arbitrary pixel group in the background image (image of the board 2a) displayed on the CRT display 18 from the moving image processing target. Therefore, it becomes possible to set the mask area MA in advance for each model of the pachinko gaming machine 2, and the procedure at the time of performing the work of analyzing the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball on the user side becomes easy.

For example, in the case where the pachinko gaming machine 2 has a structure in which a pachinko ball passes over the portion of the pattern display device 2i, a shielding member made of matt black paper or the like is provided at that portion. It is also possible to set the mask area by a hardware means of shielding the symbol display device 2i by sticking the pattern display device 2i. Even for a pachinko gaming machine in which the pachinko balls pass through the front side, it becomes possible to reasonably analyze the trajectory of the pachinko balls or predict the trajectory.

Moreover, as described above, since the movement path of the pachinko balls on the board 2a is predicted, it is possible to reduce the movement paths of the pachinko balls that cannot be analyzed. The reliability of the image data output as is further improved.

When predicting the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls as described above, the movement limit value (the distance that the pachinko balls can move between the screens of the series images when the point data is created on the detecting section 4 side is set). (Corresponds to the maximum value) in advance,
Predicted movement trajectory If the movement amount of a pachinko ball per unit time exceeds the above movement limit value, the prediction result is invalidated, so the prediction of a movement trajectory that is not possible is incorrect. Therefore, the reliability of the image data can be improved in this respect as well.

When predicting the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball, a region on the board 2a where a pachinko ball cannot pass is preset as a non-passage line E4 (see FIG. 28), and movement is performed across the non-passage line E4. Since the structure is such that the trajectory prediction is prohibited, in this case as well, there is no risk of erroneously predicting the originally impossible trajectory, and the reliability of the output image data is improved.

When predicting the movement locus of a pachinko ball, an area of a predetermined range corresponding to the ball firing passage SP on the board 2a is set as the start area E1 (see FIG. 28), and the movement locus of the pachinko ball is analyzed. Since the configuration is performed with the image of the pachinko ball existing in the start area E1 as a starting point, there is no possibility that an erroneous analysis operation of forming a movement locus from a starting point that cannot originally exist is performed.
The reliability of the image data is further improved.

When the movement path of the pachinko ball is predicted, a predetermined area on the board 2a, for example, a predetermined area including the out hole 2j is set as the end area E2 (see FIG. 28), and the movement path of the pachinko ball is determined. Since the analysis is configured to be determined when the image of the pachinko ball is extracted from the end area E2, an erroneous analysis of forming a movement locus toward a point that cannot originally exist as the end point of the movement locus Since there is no fear that the operation is performed, the reliability of the output image data is improved.

Further, according to this structure, the movement locus of the pachinko ball is fixed when there is no possibility of the pachinko ball entering the safe holes 2e, 2f and the start hole 2g on the board surface 2a. Therefore, unnecessary movement analysis processing is not continued for a long time, and the movement locus of other pachinko balls can be efficiently analyzed.

When predicting the movement path of the pachinko balls, the areas corresponding to the safe holes 2e, 2f and the start hole 2g on the board 2a are set as the safe hole area E3 (see FIG. 28), and the movement of the pachinko balls is moved. Since the trajectory analysis is configured to be determined when the image of the pachinko ball is extracted from the safe hole area E3, the pachinko ball is the safe holes 2e, 2f or the start hole 2g on the board surface 2a.
At the time of entering, it becomes possible to determine the movement locus of the pachinko ball, so in this case as well, unnecessary movement analysis processing will not continue for a long time, The movement trajectory can be efficiently analyzed. It is also possible to detect the number of pachinko balls that have won the safe holes 2e and 2f and the start hole 2g from the image analysis result.

[0218] A pachinko gaming machine configured to return the pachinko balls fired to the board to the board from the ball entrance and the pachinko balls taken through the ball entrance from the ball exit provided at a position different from the ball entrance. In the case of the pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis target, when performing the prediction of the pachinko ball movement trajectory, set the ball exit corresponding area on the board as a restart area, the analysis of the pachinko ball movement trajectory, Since it is configured to restart from the image of the pachinko ball existing in the restart area, even if the pachinko gaming machine is a special type with a ball entrance and a ball exit, There is no possibility that an erroneous analysis operation of forming a movement locus from a point that cannot originally exist as a starting point is performed.

Since the analysis results of the movement loci of the pachinko balls fired on the board 2a are output as image data to be collectively displayed on the same screen for a predetermined time, continuous processing is performed. The movement locus of the pachinko ball can be visually confirmed for each predetermined time, and the characteristics of the pachinko gaming machine 2 can be more easily grasped.

One or a plurality of attention areas (for example, attention areas AP1 and AP2 as shown in FIG. 32) can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board 2a.
At the time of analyzing the movement locus of the pachinko ball fired at a, only the movement locus of the pachinko ball that has passed through the attention areas AP1 and AP2 is extracted, and the extraction result is displayed on the CRT display 18 as shown in FIG. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately confirm the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state based on the movement trajectory thus extracted.

The movement locus data obtained as an analysis result after being configured so that one or a plurality of points of interest (for example, points of interest P1 and P2 as shown in FIG. 33) can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board 2a Based on the above, the ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved to the left and right around the points of interest P1 and P2 is calculated, and the digitized information Dn (or graph) indicating the calculated ratio is calculated as shown in FIG. ,
Since the display is made in the multi-window format together with the movement locus Tp based on the movement locus data, it is possible to accurately confirm the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state based on the display.

Particularly, according to this configuration, the point of interest P
Since the digitized information (or graph) showing the ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved to the left and right around P1 and P2 can be easily visually compared with the movement path of the pachinko balls on the board 2a, the nail adjustment state It is effective in confirming the effectiveness of.

One or more lines of interest extending in the horizontal direction at an arbitrary position on the board 2a (for example, FIGS. 34 and 35).
The line of interest L1) as shown in Fig. 4 can be designated, and when analyzing the movement locus of the pachinko balls fired on the board 2a, the number of pachinko balls that have passed through the line of interest L1 is divided into a plurality of lines of interest L1. The calculation is performed in a divided state for each of the divided areas, and the calculation result is shown in FIG. 34 and FIG.
Since the graph is displayed in a state of being associated with p or the movement trajectory Tp based on the movement trajectory data, the number of pachinko balls that have passed the attention line L1 in the horizontal direction set on the board 2a is set to a plurality of attention lines L1. Since it is possible to easily visually compare the result calculated in the state of being divided into each of the divided areas and the movement path of the pachinko balls on the board 2a, it is effective in confirming the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state. Become.

As shown in FIG. 36, the pachinko ball movement locus analysis results 3 for the pachinko gaming machine 2 in which the nail adjustment contents are different can be compared with each other through the CRT display 18 (multi-window format). )
May be displayed (in this example, the dots Dp are based on the point data, but the movement locus based on the movement locus data may be used). According to this configuration, it is possible to visually compare the movement loci of the pachinko balls depending on the difference in the nail adjustment content, so that the nail adjustment state can be checked very easily. Further, in this case, the digitized information Dn related to the points of interest P1 and P2 described above may be displayed in each multi-window screen.

Besides, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be modified or expanded as described below. The image display area EX of the CRT display 18 displays out ball number data, safe ball number data, difference ball number data, ball output rate data, etc. in the pachinko gaming machine 2.
It may be configured to be displayed together with the analysis screen. The point data or the movement trajectory data obtained as an analysis result may be selectively displayed on the data display terminal installed in the pachinko hall, and may be disclosed to the player side.

Further, after constructing a plurality of attention areas at arbitrary positions on the board surface 2a, when analyzing the movement locus of the pachinko balls fired on the board surface 2a, all the attention areas at the above-mentioned plurality of places are analyzed. It is possible to extract only the movement loci of the pachinko balls that have sequentially passed and to output the extraction result through an output device such as a CRT display. In this case, only the pachinko balls moving along a specific route are related. Since the movement trajectory is extracted, the effectiveness of the nail adjustment state can be confirmed more accurately.

Although the CCD camera 1 as the image pickup means is used as the position detecting means capable of generating the position data indicating the position of the pachinko ball on the board surface 2a of the pachinko gaming machine 2, both surfaces of the front glass of the board surface 2a are arranged. In addition, a plurality of transmission lines and reception lines are arranged in a matrix, and the position of the pachinko balls fired on the board using these transmission lines and reception lines is determined according to the operation of each transmission line and reception line. It is also possible to use a matrix sensor that is electromagnetically detected and outputs the detection result as position data as position detecting means.

[0228]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method and the movement trajectory analysis device of the present invention, it is possible to obtain position data indicating the position of the pachinko ball on the board surface of the pachinko gaming machine. By performing a comparison process of comparing time-series position data every time a predetermined time has passed, the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball shot on the board is analyzed, and the analysis result is output as image data. Therefore, the flow of pachinko balls on the board of a pachinko gaming machine can be output as quantitative data that anyone can easily and quickly confirm without relying on their senses, which is necessary for nail adjustment. The characteristics of the pachinko gaming machine can be grasped very easily, and the beneficial effects such as the reliability of the data can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the detection unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 2 showing the same control contents.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the analysis unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control contents, part 2

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the control contents, part 3.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents, part 4

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 5 showing the same control contents.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a menu screen on a CRT display.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a search screen on a CRT display.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a search screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of a search screen, part 3

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a search screen, part 4

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a search screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of a search screen (No. 6)

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of a search screen No. 7

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of an edit screen.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of an edit screen, part 2

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example of a maintenance screen, Part 1

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a maintenance screen display example 2

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display example of a maintenance screen, part 3

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display example of a maintenance screen, part 4

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example of a maintenance screen, Part 5;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display example of a maintenance screen;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display example of a maintenance screen, No. 7

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a display example of an image display area.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a display example of the image display area;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a display example of the image display area;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display example of the image display area;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a display example of the image display area;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a display example of the image display area;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a display example of the image display area;

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a display example of the image display area;

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a display example of the image display area;

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a display example of an image display area, part 10;

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a display example of an image display area in a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 1 is a CCD camera (position detection means, image pickup means),
2 is a pachinko game machine, 2a is a board surface, 2c is a windmill (board surface component), 2d is a decorative lamp (board surface component), 2i is a pattern display device (board surface component), 3 is an image processing device (mask area setting means). , Image processing means), 4 is a detection unit, 5
Is an analysis unit, 9 is an information processing control unit, 10 is a search information storage unit, 14 is an analysis control unit, 15 is a storage unit, 18 is a CRT display (output device, display device), 19 is a color printer (output device) 20. Is a keyboard and 20a is a mouse.

Claims (44)

[Claims] 1. A position detecting means capable of generating position data indicating a position of a pachinko ball on a board of a pachinko gaming machine, wherein the position detecting means sequentially obtains time-series position data for each elapse of a predetermined time. At the same time, by performing a comparison process of comparing the time-series position data, the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls fired on the board is analyzed, and the analysis result is output as image data. A characteristic method for analyzing the trajectory of pachinko balls. 2. The position detection means is composed of an image pickup means for outputting an image obtained by picking up an image of a board surface of a pachinko gaming machine from the front side as the position data, and successively comparing a series of images by the image pickup means between predetermined screens. It is configured to analyze the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball launched on the board by performing the moving image processing as the comparison processing, and to output the analysis result as image data. The method for analyzing the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball described in 1. 3. Prior to the execution of the comparison process, a process of setting an element, which is a noise component at the time of the comparison process, among the board surface components of the pachinko gaming machine as a mask area excluded from the analysis target is performed. Claim 1 or 2
A method for analyzing the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball described. 4. Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, it is configured to perform a processing of setting an element, which is a noise component at the time of the comparison processing, among the board surface components of the pachinko gaming machine as a mask area excluded from the analysis target. 3. The pachinko ball according to claim 2, wherein the setting of the mask area is performed by software by excluding an arbitrary pixel group in each screen imaged by the imaging unit from a comparison processing target. Trajectory analysis method. 5. Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, it is configured to perform a processing of setting an element, which is a noise component during the comparison processing, among the board surface components of the pachinko gaming machine as a mask area excluded from the analysis target. 3. The pachinko machine according to claim 2, wherein the mask area is set by hardware by shielding a board component which becomes a noise component during the comparison process with a shield member having a shape corresponding to the component. A method for analyzing the trajectory of a ball. 6. A process for setting a non-passage area of a pachinko ball on a board as a mask area excluded from an analysis target prior to the execution of the comparison process. A method for analyzing the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball described. 7. Prior to the execution of the comparison process, a process of setting a non-passage area of a pachinko ball on the board as a mask area excluded from the analysis target is performed.
6. The mask area is set by software by excluding an arbitrary pixel group in each screen imaged by the image pickup means from a comparison processing target. A pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to any one of the claims. 8. When analyzing the trajectory of a pachinko ball that has been launched onto a board, the trajectory of the pachinko ball is predicted, and the prediction result is displayed on a screen with a board image including board components as a background. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to claim 1, wherein the pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method is configured to output as image data in a displayed state. 9. When predicting the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball, when the movement amount of the pachinko ball per unit time of the predicted movement trajectory exceeds an upper limit value, the prediction result is invalidated. The method for analyzing a movement path of a pachinko ball according to claim 8. 10. Prior to the comparison processing, a region on the board where a pachinko ball cannot pass is set as a non-passing line, and when a moving locus of the pachinko ball is predicted, a movement locus crossing the non-passing line is set. The movement trajectory analysis method for a pachinko ball according to claim 8 or 9, wherein prediction is prohibited. 11. Prior to the comparison process, a predetermined area on the board is set as a start area, and the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls is analyzed starting from the pachinko balls existing in the start area. The movement trajectory analysis method for a pachinko ball according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein. 12. Prior to the comparison processing, a predetermined area on the board is set as an end area, and the analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball is confirmed when the pachinko ball is extracted from the end area. Claim 1
11. A method for analyzing a movement path of a pachinko ball according to any one of 11. 13. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to claim 12, wherein the end area is set to a predetermined area including an out hole on the board surface. 14. Prior to the comparison processing, an area corresponding to a safe hole on a board is set as a safe hole area, and an analysis of a movement path of a pachinko ball is performed when a pachinko ball is extracted from the safe hole area. 14. The method of analyzing a movement path of a pachinko ball according to claim 1, wherein the method is determined. 15. A pachinko ball constitution in which a pachinko ball fired on a board surface is once taken in, and a pachinko ball taken in through the ball entrance is returned to the board surface from a ball exit provided at a position different from the ball entrance. When a gaming machine is to be used as a pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis target, prior to the comparison processing, the ball exit corresponding area on the board is set as a restart area, and the pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis is restarted as described above. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the pachinko ball existing in the area is restarted from the starting point. 16. An analysis result of a movement trajectory of a pachinko ball fired on a board surface is output as image data to be collectively displayed on the same screen for a predetermined time. 15. The movement trajectory analysis method according to any one of 15 to 15. 17. A pachinko ball that has passed through the attention area is analyzed at the time of analysis of the movement locus of a pachinko ball that is configured to be able to specify one or a plurality of attention areas at arbitrary positions on the board surface and is analyzed. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein only the trajectory is extracted and the extraction result is output through an output device. 18. A plurality of areas of interest can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board surface, and at the time of analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls fired on the board surface, the pachinko balls that have successively passed through the plurality of areas of interest are analyzed. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to claim 1, wherein only the movement trajectory is extracted and the extraction result is output through an output device. 19. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis results of the pachinko gaming machine in which the nail adjustment contents are different are displayed in a state in which they can be compared with each other through a display device. 19. A method for analyzing a movement path of a pachinko ball according to any one of 18 to 18. 20. One or a plurality of points of interest can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board, and when analyzing the movement locus of a pachinko ball fired on the board, the points of interest are divided into left and right. 20. It is configured to calculate a ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved, and to output numerical information or a graph indicating the calculated ratio through an output device. A method for analyzing the trajectory of a pachinko ball. 21. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to claim 20, wherein the digitized information or graph is
A display device provided to display the movement trajectory analysis result of a pachinko ball, which is configured to be displayed in a state associated with the movement trajectory analysis result. 22. One or more lines of interest extending in the horizontal direction can be designated at any position on the board,
When analyzing the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball launched on the board,
A display provided so as to calculate the number of pachinko balls that have passed through the line of interest in a state in which the line of interest is divided into a plurality of areas, and to display the calculation result of the movement trajectory analysis result of the pachinko ball. 22. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus displays the movement trajectory analysis result in a graph in association with the movement trajectory analysis result. 23. A position detecting means for generating position data indicating the position of a pachinko ball on a board of a pachinko gaming machine, an output device capable of outputting image data, and a time series for each elapse of a predetermined time by the position detecting means. Image processing of analyzing the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball launched on the board by performing a comparison process of comparing specific position data between predetermined position data and outputting the analysis result as image data through the output device. A pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device comprising: 24. The position detecting means is constituted by an image pickup means for outputting an image obtained by picking up a board surface of a pachinko gaming machine from the front side as the position data, and the image processing means predetermined a series image by the image pickup means. By analyzing the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls fired on the board by performing the comparison processing of sequentially comparing between the screens as the comparison processing, it is configured to output the analysis result as image data. 24. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to claim 23. 25. Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, a mask area setting means is provided for setting, as a mask area, an element that becomes a noise component during the comparison processing, out of the board surface constituent elements of the pachinko gaming machine. 25. The movement trajectory analysis device for a pachinko ball according to claim 23 or 24. 26. Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, a mask area setting means is provided for setting an element that becomes a noise component during the comparison processing among the board surface components of the pachinko gaming machine as a mask area removed from the analysis target, The mask area setting means is configured by software by setting the mask area by excluding an arbitrary pixel group in each screen imaged by the imaging means from the comparison processing target. The movement trajectory analysis device for a pachinko ball according to claim 24. 27. Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, a mask area setting means is provided for setting an element, which is a noise component during the comparison processing, of the board surface components of the pachinko gaming machine as a mask area removed from the analysis target, The mask area setting means is configured to perform the setting of the mask area in a hardware manner by shielding the board surface constituent element, which becomes a noise component during the comparison process, with a shielding member having a shape corresponding to the element. 25. A pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to claim 24. 28. The mask area setting means for setting a non-passage area of a pachinko ball on a board surface as a mask area excluded from an analysis object prior to the execution of the comparison processing. A movement trajectory analysis device for a pachinko ball according to any one of 1. 29. Prior to the execution of the comparison processing, a mask area setting means for setting a non-passage area of a pachinko ball on the board as a mask area excluded from the analysis target is provided, and the mask area setting means 28. The setting is configured by software by excluding an arbitrary pixel group in each screen imaged by the imaging unit from a comparison processing target. A movement trajectory analysis device for a pachinko ball according to any one of 1. 30. The image processing means predicts the movement trajectory of a pachinko ball that has been launched onto the board, predicts the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball, and outputs the prediction result as an image of the board including board components. 30. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to claim 23, which is configured to output as image data in a state of being displayed on a screen as a background. 31. The image processing means invalidates the prediction result when the movement amount of a pachinko ball per unit time with respect to the predicted movement locus exceeds the upper limit value at the time of predicting the movement locus of the pachinko ball. 31. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to claim 30, wherein 32. Prior to the comparison processing, the image processing means sets an area on the board where a pachinko ball cannot pass, as a non-passing line, and the non-passing line is set when predicting a movement path of the pachinko ball. The pachinko ball movement locus analysis device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein prediction of a movement locus crossing a line is prohibited. 33. Prior to the comparison processing, the image processing means sets a predetermined area on the board as a start area, and analyzes the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball starting from the pachinko ball existing in the start area. 33. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to claim 23, wherein the device is configured as described above. 34. The image processing means sets a predetermined area on the board as an end area prior to the comparison processing, and analyzes the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball when the pachinko ball is extracted from the end area. 34. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to claim 23, wherein the pachinko ball movement trajectory is determined. 35. The movement trajectory analysis of the pachinko ball according to claim 34, wherein the image processing means is configured to set the end area to a predetermined area including an out hole on a board. apparatus. 36. The image processing means sets an area corresponding to a safe hole on a board as a safe hole area prior to the comparison processing, and analyzes the movement trajectory of the pachinko ball from the safe hole area to the pachinko ball. 36. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to any one of claims 23 to 35, which is determined when is extracted. 37. A pachinko ball constitution in which a pachinko ball fired on a board surface is once taken in, and a pachinko ball taken in through the ball entrance is returned to the board surface from a ball exit provided at a position different from the ball entrance. When the game machine is a pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis target, the image processing means, prior to the comparison processing, sets the ball exit corresponding area on the board as a restart area, and the pachinko ball movement trajectory The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to any one of claims 23 to 36, characterized in that the analysis is configured to restart with a pachinko ball existing in the restart area as a starting point. 38. The image processing means is configured to output, through the output device, an analysis result of a movement trajectory of a pachinko ball fired on a board as image data to be collectively displayed on the same screen for a predetermined time. 38. The movement trajectory analysis device according to any one of claims 23 to 37, wherein: 39. The image processing means is configured so that one or a plurality of attention areas can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board surface, and when the movement locus of a pachinko ball fired on the board surface is analyzed, the attention area is selected. The movement path of the pachinko ball according to any one of claims 23 to 38, wherein only the movement path of the passed pachinko ball is extracted and the extraction result is output through the output device. Analyzer. 40. The image processing means is configured so that a plurality of areas of interest can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board, and the plurality of areas of interest are selected at the time of analysis of a movement locus of a pachinko ball shot on the board. The movement path of the pachinko ball according to any one of claims 23 to 38, wherein only the movement path of the pachinko balls that have sequentially passed is extracted and the extraction result is output through an output device. analysis 41. A display device is provided as the output device, and the image processing means can compare the results of pachinko ball movement locus analysis with respect to the pachinko gaming machine in which nail adjustment contents are different from each other through the display device. The display device is configured to be displayed in a normal state.
The movement trajectory analysis device for a pachinko ball according to any one of 3 to 40. 42. The image processing means is configured so that one or a plurality of points of interest can be designated at arbitrary positions on the board, and the points of interest are set when analyzing the movement locus of a pachinko ball fired on the board. It is configured to calculate a ratio of the number of pachinko balls that have moved separately to the left and right with respect to the center and output numerical information or a graph indicating the calculated ratio through an output device.
The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to any one of 3 to 41. 43. The pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis device according to claim 42, comprising a display device capable of displaying a pachinko ball movement trajectory analysis result as the output device, and the image processing means in the display device. A configuration in which the digitized information or graph is displayed in a state of being associated with the movement trajectory analysis result. 44. A display device capable of displaying a movement trajectory analysis result of a pachinko ball is provided as the output device, and the image processing means displays one or a plurality of lines of attention extending in the horizontal direction at an arbitrary position on the board. It is configured to be specifiable, and at the time of analysis of the movement trajectory of the pachinko balls fired on the board, while calculating the number of pachinko balls that have passed through the line of interest in each divided area of the line of interest, The movement locus of the pachinko ball according to any one of claims 23 to 43, wherein the calculation result is configured to be displayed as a graph in the display device in association with the movement locus analysis result. Analyzer.