Peripheral apparatus, playing time measuring system and playing time measuring apparatus

Abstract

To provide a sandwiched apparatus which enables an accurate ascertainment of a usage time of a member configuring a gaming machine, without increasing a fear that a dishonest behavior or a use of a magnet will occur. A sandwiched apparatus, which is installed adjoining a gaming machine, continuously or intermittently images a prescribed area in front of the gaming machine, determines whether or not facial image data indicating a person's face are included in image data acquired by imaging, measures a continuous time for which it is determined that the facial image data are included in the image data, cumulatively counts the continuous time, judges whether or not an accumulative continuous time has reached a possible usage time and, in the event that the accumulative continuous time has reached the possible usage time, transmits at least identification information for identifying a game establishment and the gaming machine to a prescribed apparatus installed outside the game establishment.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-379746 filed on Dec. 28, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present invention relates to a peripheral apparatus (for example, a sandwiched apparatus) installed adjoining a gaming machine, a playing time measuring system furnished with the peripheral apparatus and an information processing apparatus installed in a game establishment, and a playing time measuring apparatus provided on the gaming machine or on the peripheral apparatus installed adjoining the gaming machine. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] To date, in a casino, etc. in which a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming apparatus, a slot gaming apparatus or a medal gaming apparatus is installed, a type of machine has been replaced at a frequency of approximately once in two to four months and a used pachinko gaming apparatus has been disposed of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a system for accurately measuring the usage time of a member configuring a gaming machine without increasing the risk of dishonest behavior or unauthorized access. The system includes an imaging apparatus that continuously or intermittently images the area in front of the machine, a memory that stores a table correlating possible usage time with member identification information, and a processor that detects facial image data in the image data and measures the time it takes for the facial image to be present. The processor then sends the information to a prescribed apparatus installed outside the game establishment. This system helps ensure the accuracy of the member's usage time and helps prevent unauthorized access to the machine.

Problems solved by technology

However, in recent years, a waste gaming machine such as the pachinko gaming apparatus or a pachi-slot gaming apparatus has become a big problem.

However, it being difficult for an installer of the gaming machine to pick out a responsible dismantler, there is a dismantler who leaves the used gaming machines piled outdoors.

However, in the system described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-245454, as it is necessary to provide an interface on a gaming machine for transmitting a signal from the gaming machine to a shop terminal indicating an operating time of a game ball shooting device, and change a setting of the gaming machine to enable a communication of the signal, there has been a fear of a dishonest behavior such as an access to a control substrate provided on the gaming machine or a use of a magnet occurring.

From a point of view of a game establishment, as a considerable loss is incurred in the event that the dishonest behavior or the use of the magnet occurs, there has been a problem that it is difficult to introduce a system accompanied with a fear of this kind.

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