JP4601320B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to fraud prevention of gaming machines represented by slot machines (pachislot machines) and pachinko machines.

  In recent amusement stores, there are many cases of using surveillance cameras in order to prevent fraud against gaming machines such as slot machines. In general, a technique is used in which a surveillance camera is placed in a suitable place in a game store and a plurality of game machines appearing in the surveillance area are monitored, but there is a shield between the surveillance camera and the game machine. If there is, there will be no evidence of fraud because it is impossible to show the most important game stand, and illegal players etc. are performing their own cheats so that they do not appear on the surveillance camera as a shield. It was difficult to shoot video.

  Therefore, a surveillance camera system has been proposed in which a surveillance camera is provided for each calling lamp at the top of the game machine so that the blind spot between the player and the game machine can be eliminated and an unauthorized site can be directly photographed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP-A-7-328216

  However, in the gaming camera monitoring camera system described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, fraudulent acts performed on the gaming machine from the outside of the gaming machine can be monitored, but fraud performed inside the gaming machine. It was difficult to monitor the behavior. In particular, in a gaming machine in which an important part such as a control board is provided inside a housing such as a slot machine, since the illegal act is executed inside the housing, it becomes a blind spot from the surveillance camera. It was not possible to photograph itself.

  In addition, when a game store is open, the front door of the game machine is frequently opened and closed due to game media replenishment and error clearing. However, it is difficult to determine whether it is a door opening / closing action or a fraudulent action in normal business, and there is a problem that it is overlooked.

  In view of the problems as described above, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can reliably detect an illegal act performed inside the gaming machine.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a gaming table in which a control unit for controlling the progress of a game performed in the gaming area is arranged behind the gaming area in which a player plays a game. , respectively detection and imaging means can image a predetermined portion of the control unit, whether the predetermined error made internally Yu technique stand state, open-closed state of the door provided in the game machine front, as amusement machine state A game table state detecting means, and the control section includes a photographing control means for controlling the photographing means to perform periodic photographing every time a predetermined photographing time elapses, and the photographing control means The storage means for storing photographed image data, the reference image data stored in the storage means and the newly photographed image data are compared, and the distribution of the predetermined brightness and / or the predetermined tone contained in both image data Extract changes and distribute An image processing unit that acquires a change rate that is a degree of change, and the presence / absence of abnormality is determined based on whether or not the distribution change rate acquired by the image processing unit satisfies a predetermined determination criterion. A determination means for outputting a signal, wherein the control unit obtains a determination result obtained by photographing control periodically performed by the photographing control means, and the determination means of the photographing control means is abnormal. And determining whether or not the combination of the gaming machine states detected by the gaming machine state detecting means corresponds to a predetermined normal pattern. performs abnormality notification control for informing abnormality abnormality is judged based, also, if the gaming table state amusement machine state detected by the detection means, which met the predetermined shooting condition, when regular photographing There line imaging control by the imaging control unit without waiting for elapse of the shooting when the control means determines unit determines that abnormality is present, the rows abnormality notification control for notifying an abnormality determines that incorrectly based abnormal Migihitsuji It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the determination unit of the shooting control unit is obtained from image data periodically shot after a predetermined shooting time has elapsed. For the rate of change of distribution, it is determined whether it is abnormal using strict criteria, and for the rate of change of distribution obtained from image data taken irregularly, Further, it is characterized in that it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality using a loose criterion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, when the shooting control unit corresponds to a predetermined gaming table state, the shooting unit performs shooting. An initialization process for storing the reference image data in the storage unit is performed .

In the invention, in the gaming table according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the image processing means, the extraction of changes in the distribution multiple runs, the number of executions of the claims 4 The average value according to the above is used as the distribution change rate .

The invention according to claim 5, the gaming table according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, a predetermined brightness extracting a change in the distribution in the position photographing range of the photographing means and / Alternatively, a reference portion having the same color tone is provided, and the image processing means matches the reference portions of both image data when comparing the reference image data stored in the storage means with the newly taken image data. As described above, it has a correcting means for correcting the position of the newly photographed image data.

The invention according to claim 6, in gaming table according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit includes a determination result from said determination means, the game in該判Ordinary It has an abnormality notification control means for controlling the notification operation based on the progress status.

According to the gaming table of the first aspect, since the photographing unit capable of photographing a predetermined part of the control unit that controls the progress of the game performed in the gaming area is provided, the imaging unit is performed on the control unit inside the gaming table. It is possible to take a picture of a fraudulent act or a trace thereof. In addition, the control unit includes a photographing control unit that controls the photographing unit to perform regular photographing every time a predetermined photographing time elapses, and the photographing control unit stores photographed image data. And comparing the reference image data stored in the storage unit with newly captured image data to extract a change in distribution of predetermined brightness and / or predetermined color tone included in both image data, An image processing unit that acquires a change rate that is a degree of change, and the presence / absence of abnormality is determined based on whether or not the distribution change rate acquired by the image processing unit satisfies a predetermined determination criterion. A determination means for outputting a signal, wherein the control unit obtains a determination result obtained by photographing control periodically performed by the photographing control means, and the determination means of the photographing control means is abnormal. To determine Zui in the combination of the amusement machine state are respectively detected to determine whether corresponding to the normal pattern predetermined by the amusement machine state detection means, when does not correspond to the normal pattern, it is determined that an abnormality based illegally If the gaming machine state detected by the gaming machine state detection unit satisfies a predetermined shooting condition, it does not wait for the periodic shooting time to elapse. There line imaging control by the imaging control unit, said when the judging means of the imaging control unit determines that there abnormal, since the abnormality notification control for notifying the abnormality is determined that illegally based abnormal line Migihitsuji, gaming table If there is a high probability of fraud from the state (presence / absence of a specific error that has occurred inside the game machine, the door open / closed state on the front of the game machine), Traces judged by rapidly controller, it is possible to inform the abnormality.

In addition, according to the gaming machine according to claim 2, the determination unit of the imaging control unit is configured so that the rate of change of the distribution obtained from the image data periodically captured after the predetermined imaging time has elapsed, strict criteria using perform abnormality determining whether or not, for the rate of change of the distribution obtained by the image data taken at irregular intervals, abnormal or using a loose criterion than the stricter criterion Since it was decided to determine whether or not , because the officials of the amusement shop etc. are doing regular work and it does not correspond to the normal pattern, irregular shooting control and abnormality determination are performed, It is possible to suppress erroneous determination due to vibration or the like caused by work.

Further, according to the gaming machine according to claim 3, the imaging control unit performs the initialization process of performing imaging by the imaging unit and storing the reference image data in the storage unit when the gaming machine state corresponds to the predetermined gaming machine state. Since it did in this way, it can prevent becoming the factor of a misjudgment with the inadequate reference | standard image data preserve | saved.

According to the gaming machine of claim 4, the image processing means executes the extraction of the distribution change a plurality of times, and uses the average value according to the number of executions as the distribution change rate. Even when subtle vibrations occur in the game machine, the possibility of misjudgment of the presence or absence of abnormality can be reduced, and the reliability can be increased.

  Further, according to the gaming machine according to claim 5, the reference unit identical to the predetermined brightness and / or the predetermined color tone for extracting the change in distribution is provided at an appropriate position within the shooting range of the shooting unit, and the image processing unit is stored in the storage unit. When the stored reference image data and the newly captured image data are compared, the correction unit corrects the position of the newly captured image data so that the reference portions of the two image data coincide with each other. Even when the clerk of the store clerk unintentionally changes the shooting range unintentionally, the possibility of misjudgment of the presence or absence of abnormality can be reduced and the reliability can be improved.

  Further, according to the gaming table according to claim 6, the control unit has the abnormality notification control means for controlling the notification operation based on the determination result from the determination means and the progress of the game at the time of the determination. Therefore, it is possible to set judgment criteria so that changes in the distribution of image data that occur when an amusement store clerk performs an appropriate operation such as canceling an error can be excluded from abnormality judgment, and the judgment reliability can be improved. Can do.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the specific structure of the game machine according to the present invention will be described.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, inside the center of the slot machine 100, plural kinds of patterns (characters and symbols such as “7”, “Bar”, “Bell”, “Replay”, etc .: not shown) are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. Three cylindrical reels (the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112) are accommodated and can be rotated inside the main body 201. Handles 201 c are provided on both sides of the main body 201 and are used when the slot machine 100 is transported.

  The front door 101 is provided with a reel display window 113, and when the reels 110 to 112 are viewed from the front, three patterns applied thereto can be seen from the reel display window 113 in the vertical direction. In other words, when all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the player can see a total of nine patterns of 3 × 3. When these reels 110 to 112 are rotated and stopped, various combinations of patterns are displayed on the reel display window 113. In the present embodiment, three reels are provided, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  On the back side of each of the reels 110 to 112, a backlight (not shown) for illuminating each picture displayed on the reel display window 113 is disposed. The backlight is capable of emitting light of, for example, seven colors (three primary colors of red, green, and bluish purple and a mixed color such as white) and includes an LED corresponding to each primary color. Is done.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp indicating a winning line 114 that is valid for each game. The effective pay line 114 changes depending on the number of game media (in this embodiment, medals are assumed) inserted into the slot machine 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of having five winning lines 114, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line, when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are shown. When 3 sheets are added, 3 lines are added, and 5 lines including 2 diagonal lines are valid, and the winning combination is judged by the combination of the patterns on the effective line 114. It becomes. Of course, the number of winning lines is not limited to five.

  The start lamp 121 is a lamp that informs the player that the reels 110 to 112 are in a state of being able to rotate. When the replay lamp 122 wins a replay that is a winning combination (for example, when a combination of replay-replay-replay replay patterns is arranged on the winning line 114), the next game is replayed to the player. It is a lamp that informs that it is. In the case of a re-game, the medal that is a game medium is exempted in the next game.

  The notification lamp 123 is a lamp for notifying the player that a special winning combination (for example, a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB)) has been won internally. The medal insertion lamp 124 is a lamp for notifying the player that it is necessary to insert a medal at the start of the game.

  The medal insertion number display lamp 125 is a lamp for displaying the number of medals inserted by the player. In the present embodiment, since up to three medals can be inserted in one game, the number of medals inserted is displayed using three vertically arranged lamps. Of course, in addition to displaying with a lamp, the number of inserted medals may be directly displayed on a 7-segment display or the like.

  The payout number display unit 126 is a display unit that displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player when winning a winning combination with a medal payout. The game number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of general games in the big bonus game. The stored number display 128 is a display that displays the number of medals stored electronically (credited). The effect lamp 129 is a lamp used for an effect for enhancing the interest of the game.

  The medal insertion buttons 131 and 132 are insertion buttons for electronically inserting the stored medals into the slot machine 100, and are called so-called bet buttons. In the present embodiment, a three-medal insertion button 131 (a so-called max bet button that can insert the maximum number of medals) and a one-medal insertion button 132 that inserts one medal each time it is pressed are provided. When one of these buttons is pressed, 1 to 3 medals necessary for the game are electronically inserted into the slot machine 100. When inserting two medals, the one-medal insertion button 131 is pressed twice. The number of inserted medals is subtracted from the current stored number, and the remaining number is displayed on the stored number display 128.

  The medal slot block 133 has an opening through which a player directly inserts medals when starting a game. When a medal is directly inserted and a medal is clogged in a medal selector unit (not shown) immediately below the medal insertion slot, the medal cancel switch 133a is operated to eliminate the clogging of the medal. The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch that starts the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 as a game start operation.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with three stop buttons (a left stop button 136a, a middle stop button 136b, and a right stop button 136c). Each stop button is a button type switch that stops the corresponding reels 110 to 112 when pressed. Specifically, the left reel 110 is stopped by operating the left stop button 136a, the middle reel 111 is stopped by operating the middle stop button 136b, and the right reel 112 is stopped by operating the right stop button 136c.

  Each stop button is provided with a lamp (not shown). After the start lever 135 is operated, all the lamps are turned on when the reels 110 to 112 can be stopped. Notify that the stop operation has become possible. Each stop button lamp is turned off each time the stop button is pressed. Of course, it is also possible to change the light emission color of the lamp between the stop operation enabled state and other states.

  The settlement button 138 is a button that is pressed when performing a settlement process in which the medals acquired by the player are settled and discharged. The checkout button 138 is used to switch whether or not to store up to a maximum of 50 medals acquired by winning or winning a predetermined number (for example, 3) of medals inserted by the player from the medal slot block 133. For example, when the settlement button is pressed once and the settlement process is performed, the non-storage mode is set, and when the settlement button is pressed again, the storage mode is set. Here, storing medals means temporarily storing the number of medals temporarily in a control unit (to be described later) without directly paying out medals.

  The key hole 139 is a hole into which a door opening / closing key is inserted. When the key is inserted and turned clockwise, the lock is released and the front door 101 of the slot machine 100 can be opened. The medal discharge port 165 is an opening for discharging medals, and medals paid out at the time of winning a prize are discharged from here. The discharged medals are accumulated in the tray 160.

  The upper lamp 190, the side lamps 151 and 152, the center lamps 153 and 154, the waist lamps 155 and 156, and the lower lamps 157 and 158 are effects lamps for exciting the game, and are turned on / off / Flashes. The title panel 140 is illuminated by a title panel lamp (not shown). In the present embodiment, the tray 160 is made of a translucent material, and is configured to exhibit the same effect as the lamp for production described above by making the lamp light incident from the tray mounting surface. In addition, the tray 160 is provided with an ashtray unit 170 configured to be detachable.

  Also, in the center of the upper part of the slot machine (above the reel display window 113), various information related to the game (game screen for displaying characters and the like to make the game live, errors in the event of an abnormality in the slot machine) An LCD 180 capable of displaying an error screen for displaying the contents is provided, and various switches (for example, a three-medal insertion button 131, a single-medal insertion button 132, and a start lever 135 are used by using the LCD 180. , Stop buttons 136a to 136c, checkout button 138, etc.) are also notified of information regarding malfunctions.

<Internal configuration>
Next, the internal configuration of the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front door 101 constituting the game area where the player plays a game is opened from the main body 201, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the main body 201 (the front door 101 is omitted in the figure). It is.

  A substantially horizontal reel fixing base 210 is disposed inside the main body 201, and the reel unit 220 is fixed at a position where the reels 110 to 112 face the back surface of the reel display window 113. In a lower space of the reel fixing base 210, a power supply device 230 that supplies driving power to each unit, a medal hopper 240 that stores medals inserted from the medal insertion slot block 133 and pays out medals to the tray 160, a medal hopper An auxiliary tank 250 for receiving and storing medals overflowing from 240 is accommodated.

  A main control unit 300 that mainly realizes a game control function is fixed at an appropriate position inside the main body 201 behind the front door 101 serving as the game area (for example, a rear portion above the reel unit 220). A sub-control unit 400 that mainly realizes a rendering function is fixed to a central portion of the side wall inside the main body 201 (for example, the side wall on the front door 101 where the hinge mechanism is provided), and this sub-control unit 400 is operated. Various production devices (described in detail later) are connected via a relay substrate 191 provided on the upper back of the front door 101.

  Furthermore, a camera control unit 500 connected to the sub-control unit 400 is provided at an appropriate position in the main body 201 (for example, an upper part of the sub-control unit 400), and a harness that connects the main control unit 300 and the reel unit 200. The first camera unit 601 provided at a position where it can be photographed from the side (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and the medal selector unit 192 for selecting medals inserted from the medal slot block 133 are photographed from the back. A second camera unit 602 provided at a possible position, and a third camera unit 603 provided with a setting value change switch 261 and a power switch 262 as a setting operation unit for changing a setting value of a winning probability at a position where photographing can be performed from above. While controlling the operation, the imaging data is acquired from the first to third camera units 601 to 603.

  As described above, the first to third camera units 601 to 603 are provided as photographing means capable of photographing the control unit (for example, the main control unit 300, the medal selector unit 192, the setting value change switch 261, etc.) to be fraudulent. Thus, it is possible to capture an improper act performed on the control unit inside the game table or its trace.

  The image data acquired from the first to third camera units 601 to 603 is transmitted to a hall computer or the like in the amusement store like the surveillance camera that has been used in the amusement store from the past. However, in the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the camera control unit 500 appropriately processes the image data captured by the first to third camera units 601 to 603. Thus, it is configured to determine whether or not there is a high probability that fraud has been performed (presence / absence of fraud). A specific method of fraud determination will be described later.

  In addition, the first to third camera units 601 to 603 are illuminating means (light emitting sources capable of irradiating light sources such as visible light and infrared light) so that the inside of the main body 201 with the front door 101 closed can be photographed. And a camera unit (digital camera capable of electronically acquiring video data using an image sensor) as a unit, and the shooting range is illuminated during shooting to acquire shooting data. It is good also as a structure which provides a part and an illumination means separately, and the camera control part 500 controls separately.

<Control block>
Next, the configuration of each control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The control unit in the present embodiment controls the main control unit 300 that controls the whole, the sub-control unit 400 that performs control related to effects for exciting the game, and the first to third camera units 601 to 603. And a camera control unit 500. In addition, power for operation is supplied from the power supply device 230 to each control unit.

<Main control unit 300>
The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as “Main CPU”) 310 serves as a center of control in the slot machine 100, and exchanges control signals and data with peripheral units via the bus 370.

  The random number generator 311 generates a random number, and includes a plurality of counters, a clock oscillator, a frequency divider, a latch circuit, and the like. The random value generated by the random number generator 311 is stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 313 via the bus 370 and is sent to the Main CPU 310 as necessary. There are a plurality of types of random number values, and each is used according to the processing content.

  The main CPU 310 has a medal sensor 320 that detects a medal inserted from the insertion slot of the medal insertion block 134 via the input interface 360 and the bus 370, a start lever sensor 321 that detects an operation of the start lever 135, and stop buttons 136a to 136a. When any one of 136c is pressed, a stop button sensor 322 that detects which stop button is pressed, and when any one of the medal insertion buttons 131 and 132 is pressed, which medal insertion button is pressed is detected. The medal insertion button sensor 323 to be connected is connected.

  A ROM (read-only memory) 312 is one of storage means for storing programs for performing various controls, various table data to be described later, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 313 has a work area for programs processed by the Main CPU 310 and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like.

  In addition, a motor control unit 331 that controls a motor (built in the reel unit 220) that rotates and stops the reels 110 to 112, and a hopper control unit 332 that controls the medal hopper 240, the input / output interface 330 and the bus 370 are connected. Via the main CPU 310.

  The effect lamps / displays 333 include various types of lamps such as the winning line display lamp 120, the start lamp 121, and the replay lamp 122 shown in FIG. 1, the payout number display 126, the game number display 127, and the like. The display is collectively shown, and is connected to the Main CPU 310 via the output interface 340 and the bus 370.

  The output interface 350 transmits various commands (including commands that trigger shooting by the first to third camera units 601 to 603) to the input interface 430 of the sub-control unit 400 based on instructions from the Main CPU 310.

<Sub-control unit 400>
The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as SubCPU) 410 receives various commands transmitted from the main control unit 300 via the input interface 430 and the bus 470, and controls the sub control unit 400 as a whole according to the contents of the received commands. To do.

  The ROM 411 is one of storage means for storing programs and data for controlling the sub-control unit 400 as a whole. The RAM 412 has a work area for programs processed by the SubCPU 410, and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like.

  The backlight 421 is a light that illuminates the design of the reel, and is turned on / flashing / turned off in accordance with an instruction from the SubCPU 410. The effect light-emitting display unit 422 collectively represents an upper lamp 190, side lamps 151, 152, center lamps 153, 154, waist lamps 155, 156, lower lamps 157, 158, and the like. Flashes / turns off. The effect LCD display control unit 423 controls the LCD 180 to display various information and effect display during the game. The backlight 421, the production light emission display unit 422, and the production LCD display control unit 423 are connected to the SubCPU 410 via the output interface 420 via the bus 430.

  The sound source signal forming unit 460 forms and outputs a sound source signal based on the control signal and data delivered from the SubCPU 410. The sound source signal is amplified by the amplifier 461 and then output as sound from the speaker 462.

  The input / output interface 450 is connected to the camera control unit 500, outputs a command from the SubCPU 410 to the camera control unit 500, and receives a fraud determination result input from the camera control unit 500. Note that the SubCPU 410 determines whether or not to report fraud from the determination result from the camera control unit 500 and the game progress status of the slot machine 100 that can be determined based on the command received from the main control unit 300. If it is determined that fraudulent notification is to be performed, lighting control of the light emitting display 422 for the effect is performed, or a command for fraud notification is transmitted to the effect LCD display control unit 423 to warn the LCD 180 of the occurrence of fraud. Is displayed, or a fraud warning sound is output from the speaker 462 to execute the notification operation.

<Camera control unit 500>
The SubCPU 510 receives various shooting start commands transmitted from the sub-control unit 400 via the input / output interface 520 and the bus 530 and causes the first to third camera units 601 to 603 to execute shooting operations according to the commands. At the same time, the image data transmitted from the first to third camera units 601 to 603 is received and stored in the RAM 511. The ROM 511 is a storage unit that stores a control program, data, and the like of the SubCPU 510.

  Here, based on FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, an image determination method performed by the camera control unit 500 that functions as an imaging control unit that controls the first to third camera units 601 to 603 will be specifically described.

  For example, FIG. 5A shows an image of reference image data (image data previously captured by the first camera unit 601) stored in the RAM 511. As a target to be detected in order to detect a change state, a reel The first harness 801, the second harness 802, the third harness 803, and the fourth harness 804 that connect the unit 220 and the main controller 300 were selected. The first to fourth harnesses 801 to 804 are configured with a color tone significantly different from the background color so that the areas of the first to fourth harnesses 801 to 804 in the captured image data can be easily separated and extracted from the background. It is desirable to keep it.

  When using a monochrome camera as the shooting means, set the brightness to be significantly different from the background brightness (the harness is white when the background is low, and the harness is black when the background is high). This makes it easy to separate and extract the first to fourth harnesses 801 to 804 from the background. Further, when an infrared camera is used as the photographing means, the region of the first to fourth harnesses 801 to 804 can be easily set from the background by setting it to be opposite to the infrared absorptivity or reflectance of the background material. Can be separated and extracted.

  FIG. 5B shows an image of newly captured image data newly captured by the first camera unit 601, and the second harness 802 changes significantly compared to the reference image data of FIG. I understand that Such a change may occur, for example, when an unauthorized player or the like temporarily removes and reconnects the second harness 802 for an unauthorized purpose with respect to the main control unit 300, or when an unauthorized tool is inserted toward the main control unit 300. This may have occurred when the position of the second harness 802 is shifted. FIG. 6 shows the principle by which the camera control unit 500 can compare and determine the change in the area where the second harness 802 exists.

  An area including a determination target (for example, the letter “A”) that is conspicuously different from the background color is captured by a camera (see FIG. 6A), and the captured image data is displayed in a plurality of screens in a predetermined area. (See, for example, 8 rows and 12 columns) (see FIG. 6B), and each divided screen is divided into a determination target area “1” and a non-determination target area “0” and binarized (see FIG. 6). 6 (c)). The binarized divided screen image data can be converted into a 4-digit hexadecimal code for each scanning line.

  At the time of binarization, when the image data is an achromatic color (gray scale), the predetermined brightness can be set to “1” and the non-determination target area can be set to “0” by setting the predetermined brightness as a threshold value. When the image data is a color image, filtering for extracting a predetermined color tone to be determined based on the RGB composition ratio is performed to set the determination target region to “1” and the non-determination target region to “0”. In addition, if the same color tone as the determination target is also included in the background, they may be detected as noise, but if those noise components are also detected in the same state for each shooting If there is no problem or if the lightness is remarkably different between the determination target and the noise component, noise can be removed by performing binarization with the predetermined lightness as a threshold value after filtering for predetermined color tone extraction. In any case, the method of binarizing the image data is not particularly limited as long as the target part (determination target region) can be extracted according to the characteristics of the image data.

  Exclusive logic is applied to all corresponding pixels of the newly captured image data obtained by binarizing the image data newly captured as described above and the reference image data that is the previous captured image stored in the RAM 511. Sum operation is performed (see FIG. 6D). Thereby, determination data as shown in FIG. 6E is obtained. That is, the pixel that has not changed between the newly captured image data and the reference image data is “0”, and the pixel that has changed between the newly captured image data and the reference image data is “1”. Pixels that have changed to “1” in the captured image data can be handled as differential data that has changed since the previous imaging, and it is possible to grasp how the determination target has changed based on the distribution of the differential data.

  In the determination control to be performed by the camera control unit 500, it is not necessary to grasp the change state of the determination target, and the degree of change between the previous image and the new image (the ratio at which difference data is included in all pixels) is determined. If it is large enough to exceed the error range, it can be determined that there is a change, so whether or not there is a change is determined by whether the rate of change obtained as the number of difference data ÷ the total number of data is greater than or equal to the reference value did.

  For example, an OR operation is performed on the divided screen of the fifth row and the seventh column of the new image data (hereinafter referred to as the divided screen (5, 7)) and the divided screen of the reference image data (5, 7). In the judgment data split screen (5, 7), the difference data number is 39 and the total data number (pixel number) is 16 × 16 = 256, so the rate of change is approximately 15%.

  The change rate reference setting used to determine whether or not there is a change may be appropriately determined according to the performance of the photographing means, the resolution of the photographed image, and the like, and the reference set value is not particularly limited. Further, the present invention is not limited to calculating the change rate for each divided screen and determining the presence / absence of change, but may determine the presence / absence of change based on the change rate obtained from the entire image data.

  It should be noted that the first to fourth harnesses 801 to 804 to be judged are not changed, but the shooting range of the first camera unit 601 is slightly changed (the amusement shop clerk hits the camera unit 601 during regular work) In such a case, the image data in the same state as that of the relative movement of the determination target is acquired, so it is ignored for the split screen including the boundary between the determination target region and the non-determination target region. Difference data that cannot be obtained will be included, and there is a possibility of erroneous determination that there is a change from the obtained change rate. Therefore, a part separated from the determination target in the imaging range (for example, the inner surface of the side wall of the main body 201 which is the innermost side in the imaging range of the first camera unit 601, and the first to fourth harnesses 801 to 804. A reference mark 805 is provided at a position where there is almost no possibility of being hidden, and the overlapping position of both data is corrected so that the reference mark position in the newly captured image data matches the reference mark position in the reference image data. You may do it.

  In addition, the newly captured image data to be compared with the reference image data may fluctuate due to subtle changes in the imaging conditions, and the subtle error may lead to a final erroneous determination. Therefore, in order to improve the reliability of the determination in the camera control unit 500, the first to third camera units 601 to 603 are continuously photographed a plurality of times, and a plurality of new photographed image data is acquired from the plurality of photographed images. In addition, a plurality of determination data obtained by exclusive OR operation of each newly photographed image data and reference image data is acquired, and a final change rate is obtained by an average value of the number of difference data in the plurality of determination data. May be.

  After determining the presence / absence of fraud determination as described above, new captured image data is stored in the RAM 511 as reference image data, and used for the next fraud determination. Note that each time the fraud determination operation is performed by the camera control unit 500, the distribution change of the determination target is large without replacing the newly-captured image data with the reference image data (for example, the rate of change is equal to or higher than a specified value). The reference image data may be updated to new photographed image data only when there are a predetermined number or more of divided screens.

  In addition, if a newly shot image shot with a large error fluctuation due to shooting conditions etc. is saved as the reference image data, then the new shot image data shot with a small error fluctuation is incorrect. There is a possibility that it may lead to an erroneous determination. Therefore, in order to improve the reliability of the determination in the camera control unit 500, the first to third camera units 601 to 603 are continuously photographed a plurality of times, and a plurality of new photographed image data is acquired from the plurality of photographed images. The final new captured image data may be determined based on the average value of the determination area and the non-determination area in each new captured image data, and stored in the RAM 511 as reference image data after the determination operation is executed.

  The presence / absence determination obtained as a result of comparison between the reference image data and the newly captured image data based on the image determination principle is output to the sub-control unit 400 via the bus 530 and the input / output interface 520. If the determination result from the camera control unit 500 is fraudulent, as described above, based on the progress of the game at the time of determination (specifically, the state of the slot machine 100), The sub-control unit 400 determines whether or not notification is to be performed, and the fraud detection notification operation is performed only when the notification determination is made.

  As described above, the camera control unit 500 serving as the imaging control unit compares the “storage unit that stores the captured image data” with the “reference image data stored in the storage unit and the newly captured image data. “Image processing means for extracting changes in distribution of predetermined brightness and / or predetermined color tone included in data” and “Signal according to the determination result by determining presence / absence of abnormality based on distribution change extracted by image processing means” It has a function as “determination means for performing output”.

  When determining whether or not the camera control unit 500 is fraudulent, the entire area of the first to fourth harnesses 804 may not be determined as a determination target, and only the marking portion applied to the appropriate position of the harness may be extracted and determined. . In addition, by supplying power directly from the external power source 700 to the camera control unit 500, the camera control unit 500 can operate independently even when the main power source of the slot machine 100 is cut off. The hall computer may be connected to the input / output interface 520 of the camera control unit 500 so that the fraud determination operation by the camera control unit 500 is executed by a command transmitted from the hall computer and the determination result may be acquired by the hall computer. .

<Sub control section main processing>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main processing by the sub-control unit 400.

  First, it is determined whether or not the main control command is stored in the command reception process (step S701). If the main control command is stored, the determination process of the command is performed (step S702). The effect processing for setting the control data for operating the effecting operation device so as to realize the effect or setting the sub-control command to be transmitted to the effect LCD display control unit 423 is performed (step S703).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the control data to be output to the device driver of each performance device is set (step S704). If the control data is set, the control data is output to the corresponding device driver (step S705). Then, it is determined whether or not a sub-control command to be transmitted to the production LCD control unit 423 or the sub-control unit 500 is set (step S706). If it is set, the sub-control command is transmitted (step S707), and the camera A case monitoring process is performed to determine whether to perform error notification with reference to the error output from the control unit 500 (determination result of fraud) and the large state of the slot machine 100 (step S708). It is determined whether or not the end condition is achieved (step S709), and if the end condition is achieved, the sub-control unit main process is terminated. That.

<Case monitoring processing>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the case monitoring process performed in step S708 of the sub-control unit main process.

  First, an external input process for processing an input from the camera control unit 500 connected via the input / output interface 450 is performed (step S801), and it is determined whether there is an error output from the camera control unit 500 (step S801). In step S802, if no error output is received from the camera control unit 500, the housing monitoring process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S802 that there is an error output from the camera control unit 500, the base state flag is referred to (step S803), and it is determined whether the base state is normal (step S804). . FIG. 9 shows a combination pattern of the stand status flag referred to in step S803 and the stand status flag determined to be normal in step S804.

  The stand status flag includes an error 1 that is set when an error occurs in the medal selector unit 192, an error 2 that is set when the medal hopper 240 is empty, and a flag that is set when the medal hopper 240 is full. Error 3 standing up, flag 4 error when the medal hopper 240 is clogged, flag state when the front door 101 is opened, setting value change switch 261 is operated to change the setting If the setting change state where the flag is set, the business hours state where the flag is set when the game shop is out of business hours, the main power state where the main power is turned on is set, and these stand status flags are specified Only when the combination becomes the normal pattern.

  For example, if an error occurs in the medal selector unit 192 during business hours when the slot machine 100 is operating, and the game store clerk opens the front door 101 for repair, error 1, door status, The normal pattern 1 in which each flag in the main power supply state is “1” is satisfied. In such a case, since the game clerk is working with the front door 101 opened, the captured image of the second camera unit 602 for monitoring the medal selector unit 192 changes greatly. Since it is clear that the error determination output from the camera control unit 500 as the determination result is not based on fraud, it is determined to be normal. Similarly, other normal patterns have a high probability that the error determination from the camera control unit 500 is not based on fraud, and if the combination of the stand state flags is a normal pattern, the stand state is determined to be normal. To do.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step S804 that the stand state is normal, the housing monitoring process is terminated as it is, and no fraud detection notification is performed. In this way, it is possible to prevent the notification operation from being performed even if a fraudulent determination is output from the camera control unit 500 during an error release operation by a game clerk or the like.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S804 that the stand state is not normal (when the stand state flag is not combined with the normal pattern), the error determination from the camera control unit 500 is based on fraud. Since it can be determined that there is, control data is output to each device driver to operate various displays, speakers, and the like (step S805).

<Camera control main process>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main processing by the camera control unit 500.

  First, it is determined whether there is a command received from the sub-control unit 400 (step S1001). If there is a received command, the command is used as a trigger for shooting by the first to third camera units 601-603. It is determined whether or not the command is a target command (step S1002).

  Note that, as the shooting target command, for example, door lock (command output when the front door 101 is closed and locked), setting change start (output when setting change by the setting value change switch 261 is started) Command), setting change end (command output when setting change by setting value change switch 261 is completed), error occurrence (output when error occurs in medal selector unit 192, medal hopper 240, etc.) Command), error cancellation (command output when the generated error is resolved), power recovery (command output when the power switch 262 is turned on to return to an operating state), and the like.

  If it is determined in step S1002 that the command is a shooting target command, one of the first to third camera units 601 to 603 is set in a predetermined order as the first camera to be shot. (Step S1003).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1001 that a command has not been received, the count value of the timer counter that counts a predetermined time that is a shooting interval by the first to third camera units 601 to 603 is “0”. It is determined whether or not (a predetermined time has passed) (step S1004). If the predetermined time has passed, the process jumps to step S1003 to set the first camera to be photographed.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the fraud determination operation by the camera control unit 500 (photographing by the first to third camera units 601 to 603 and determination of the presence / absence of abnormality by the photographed image) is performed when a command is input from the sub control unit 400. In addition to this, it is assumed that the timer is provided periodically by the camera control unit 500. If the interval of the fraud determination operation by the timer is set to an appropriate length (for example, about 1 to 5 minutes), even if the slot machine 100 is illegally falsified by an unauthorized player or the like, Since it becomes possible to detect and notify the tampering trace before the loss becomes significantly large, the practical value is great.

  When the camera unit to be photographed first in step S1003 is set, an illumination lighting signal is output to the camera unit to turn on the illumination for photographing (step S1005), and the photographing signal is output to obtain a photographed image. (Step S1006) An illumination extinction signal is output to turn off the illumination (Step S1007), and image data processing is performed to generate new captured image data binarized from the acquired captured image into a determination area and a non-determination area ( In step S1008), a determination process is performed to determine whether or not fraud is present by comparing the reference image data and the newly captured image data (step S1009).

  When the fraud determination operation related to one camera unit is completed by the series of processes in steps S1005 to S1009, it is determined whether the fraud determination operation in all the camera units is completed (step S1010). If the camera unit still has the fraud determination operation, the camera unit to be photographed next is set (step S1011), and the series of processing from step S1005 to step S1009 is performed. If it is determined in step S1010 that the fraud determination operation related to all camera units has been completed, the camera control unit main process ends.

  Note that in the camera control unit main process described above, when a shooting target command is received in step S1002, all fraud determination operations (shooting by the first to third camera units 601 to 603 and presence / absence of abnormality due to the shot image are performed). (Determination) may not be performed, and different operations may be performed according to the target command. For example, when a command for door lock or power return is received, only an initialization process (a process of acquiring reference image data serving as a reference for performing abnormality determination and storing it in the RAM 511) may be performed. In addition, a non-volatile storage means is provided in the camera control unit 500 so that the stored contents are not lost even if the power is turned off. The reference image data is stored in the non-volatile storage means, and the power is turned on when the game shop starts business. In this case, the reference image data stored in the nonvolatile storage means at the end of the previous day may be used as it is.

<Image data processing>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the image data processing performed in step S1008 of the camera control unit main processing.

  First, it is determined whether or not there is image data from the camera unit set as a photographing target (step S1101). If there is image data, an image input process for capturing the camera image is performed (step S1102). A screen division process for dividing the camera image into a plurality of divided screens is performed (step S1103), and image data of the first divided screen is acquired according to a predetermined processing order (step S1104). Area) and non-determined area (area other than the harness) are binarized (step S1105), and data conversion processing is performed to convert the data into binary code for each scanning line (step S1106). The converted image data is stored in the storage area (step S1107).

  When the processing operation for the image data of one divided screen is completed by the series of processing in steps S1105 to 1107, it is determined whether the processing operation for the image data of all the divided screens is completed (step S1108). If the processing operation for the image data of all the divided screens has not been completed, the image data of the next divided screen is acquired (step S1109), and the series of processing from step S1150 to step S1107 is performed. If it is determined in step S1108 that the processing operation for the image data of all the divided screens has been completed, the comparison flag is set in the reference flag of the camera control unit 500 (step S1110), and the image data processing is performed. finish.

<Determination process>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the determination process performed in step S1009 of the camera control unit main process.

  First, in step S1110 of the image data processing, it is determined whether or not comparison data is present (step S1201). If the comparison data is present, a new image processed in the image data processing is determined. A storage area is set for the image data of the first divided screen in the photographed image data (step S1202), and a data reading process for reading out the image data of the reference image data corresponding to this divided screen is performed (step S1203). A comparison operation process for performing an exclusive OR operation for each pixel of data is performed (step S1204), and the processing result is stored in the storage area (step S1205).

  When the processing operation for the image data of one divided screen is completed by the series of processes in steps S1202 to S1205, it is determined whether or not the processing operation for the image data of all the divided screens is completed (step S1206). If the processing operation for the image data of all the divided screens is not yet required, the image data of the next divided screen is set in the storage area (step S1207), and the processing from step S1203 to step S1205 is performed. If it is determined in step S1206 that the processing operation for the image data of all the divided screens has been completed, the rate of change is calculated (step S1208).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the change rate calculated in step S1208 exceeds the determination reference value X (step S1209). If the change rate exceeds the determination reference value X, pay attention to fraud determination. Therefore, an error is output to the sub-control unit 400 (step S1210), the reference image data is reset (step S1211), and the determination process is performed. finish.

  On the other hand, if the determination reference value X is not exceeded in step S1209, normal determination (no fraud determination) in which there is no change in the existence area of the determination target focused on fraud determination is made, and an error to the sub-control unit 400 occurs. The output is not performed, the reference image data is reset (step S1211), and the determination process ends.

  Note that the value of the determination reference value X used in step S1209 is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately determined according to the usage environment or the like. For example, the appropriate determination reference value X differs greatly between the case where the change rate is calculated from the comparison result for each divided screen and the case where the change rate is calculated from the comparison result of the entire image data.

  Further, instead of setting the determination reference value X as a fixed value, different determination reference values may be used depending on the situation when the determination process is being executed. For example, in the fraud determination operation performed at regular intervals by the timer function of the camera control unit 500, a strict determination reference value (for example, X = 10) is used, and in the fraud determination operation performed by a command from the sub control unit 400, Since there is a possibility that a minute change may occur in the determination target due to vibration or the like caused by opening and closing of the front door 101 by a game shop clerk or the like, if a relatively loose determination reference value (for example, X = 30) is used, an error will occur. Misjudgments during release work can be suppressed.

  Further, when the change rate is calculated from the comparison result for each divided screen and compared with the determination reference value X, an error is output because there is even one divided screen exceeding the determination reference value. It may be set, or it may be set so that error output is not performed unless the determination reference value is exceeded across a plurality of divided screens according to the size and shape of the determination target.

It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a slot machine which is an example of a game table. It is a perspective view of the slot machine in a state where the front door is opened. It is a front view of the main body in a slot machine. It is a control block diagram of a slot machine. (A) is an image figure of standard image data. (B) is an image diagram of newly captured image data. It is an explanatory view of the principle of determination of a state change by image data. It is a flowchart which shows a sub control part main process. It is a flowchart which shows a housing | casing monitoring process. It is correspondence explanatory drawing of a stand state flag and a normal pattern. It is a flowchart which shows a camera control part main process. It is a flowchart which shows an image data process. It is a flowchart which shows a determination process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Slot machine 101 Front frame 201 Main body 262 Set value operation switch 300 Main control part 324 Front door sensor 400 Sub control part 500 Camera control part 601-603 1st-3rd camera unit 801-804 1st-4th harness 805 Reference | standard mark

Claims (6)

A game table in which a control unit for controlling the progress of a game performed in the game area is arranged behind the game area where the player plays a game,
Imaging means capable of imaging a predetermined part of the control unit;
A gaming table state detecting means for each detecting presence state of predetermined error made internally Yu technique stand, open-closed state of the door provided in the game machine front, as amusement machine state,
Provided,
The control unit includes a photographing control unit that controls the photographing unit to perform regular photographing every time a predetermined photographing time elapses;
The photographing control means includes
Storage means for storing captured image data;
The reference image data stored in the storage means and newly captured image data are compared to extract a change in distribution of predetermined brightness and / or predetermined tone contained in both image data, and the degree of change in distribution. Image processing means for obtaining the rate of change;
Determination means for determining the presence or absence of abnormality based on whether or not the change rate of the distribution obtained by the image processing means satisfies a predetermined determination criterion, and performing signal output according to the determination result;
Have
The control unit acquires a determination result obtained by shooting control periodically performed by the shooting control unit, and based on the determination that the determination unit of the shooting control unit determines that there is an abnormality, the gaming machine state detection Abnormality notification control for determining whether or not the combination of the gaming machine states detected by each means corresponds to a predetermined normal pattern, and when the combination does not correspond to the normal pattern, it determines that the abnormality is based on fraud and notifies the abnormality In addition, when the gaming machine state detected by the gaming machine state detection unit satisfies a predetermined shooting condition, shooting control by the shooting control unit is performed without waiting for the periodic shooting time to elapse. There, the when the judging means of the imaging control unit determines that abnormality is present, the game being characterized in that the abnormality notification control for notifying the abnormality is determined that incorrectly based abnormal line Migihitsuji . The determination means of the photographing control means is
For the rate of change of the distribution obtained from image data periodically taken after a predetermined shooting time has passed, determine whether it is abnormal using strict criteria,
For the rate of change of the distribution obtained by the image data captured irregularly claims, characterized in that to perform the abnormality is determined whether or not using a loose criterion than the stricter criterion Item 3. The game table according to item 1.   2. The imaging control unit according to claim 1, wherein, when a predetermined game machine state is met, the imaging unit performs imaging and performs initialization processing stored in the storage unit as reference image data. The game table according to claim 2.   4. The image processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit executes the extraction of the distribution change a plurality of times, and sets an average value according to the number of executions as the distribution change rate. The listed game table. Providing a reference portion identical to a predetermined brightness and / or a predetermined color tone for extracting the change in the distribution at an appropriate position within the imaging range of the imaging means;
When the image processing means compares the reference image data stored in the storage means and the newly photographed image data, the position of the newly photographed image data so that the reference portions of both image data match. The game table according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising correction means for correcting.   The said control part has an abnormality notification control means which controls alerting | reporting operation | movement based on the determination result from the said determination means, and the progress situation of the game at the time of this determination, The claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The game table according to any one of the above.

Images