Information acquisition device, gaming device and gaming system

Abstract

This invention provides an information acquisition device, a game device, and a game system. It enables the configuration of a highly engaging game medium and the low-cost acquisition of information related to that medium. The information acquisition device acquires information attached to the game medium. The device includes: a configuration unit for configuring the game medium as the object of information acquisition, capable of configuring the game medium on a first surface and a second surface set at different tilt angles; a camera unit for capturing images of the configuration unit; a mirror surface disposed within the camera's field of view; and an acquisition unit for acquiring information attached to the game medium configured on the configuration unit based on the image captured by the camera unit. The image includes a real image portion representing a real image of the game medium configured on the second surface and a mirror image portion representing a reflection of the game medium configured on the first surface formed by the mirror surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information acquisition device, a game device, and a game system, and particularly to a technology for acquiring information attached to an object by taking a photograph. Background Technology

[0002] There exists a game console that uses a camera image taken from the back of the disc to detect the position and type of a game medium, such as a card, mounted on a disc (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-072986 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, the method described in Patent Document 1 is limited to detecting cards placed on a disk, which may limit its appeal.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide an information acquisition device, a game device, and a game system that can configure a highly entertaining game medium and acquire information related to that medium at a low cost.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The information acquisition device of the present invention is used to acquire information attached to a game medium. The information acquisition device includes: a configuration unit for configuring the game medium as the object of information acquisition, which can configure the game medium on a first surface and a second surface set at different tilt angles; a camera unit for capturing images of the configuration unit; a mirror surface disposed within the camera field of the camera unit; and an acquisition unit for acquiring information attached to the game medium configured on the configuration unit based on the image captured by the camera unit. The image includes a real image portion and a mirror image portion, wherein the real image portion represents a real image of the game medium configured on the second surface, and the mirror image portion represents a mirror image of the game medium configured on the first surface formed by the mirror surface portion.

[0011] The effects of the invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to configure a highly engaging game medium and to acquire information related to the medium at low cost. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1This is a diagram illustrating the external structure of a game device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the configuration unit 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the information acquisition component 105 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating a camera image obtained in relation to the acquisition of information about a game card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the appearance structure of a game card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of a game device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] [Implementation Method]

[0020] The embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more features from the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Additionally, the same or identical structures are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0021] The following description illustrates an embodiment of the invention applied to a game device, which is an example of an information acquisition device. This device includes an information acquisition component capable of acquiring information from game cards disposed on two different sides. However, the invention can be applied to any device capable of acquiring information from game media disposed on each of the first and second sides, which are set at different tilt angles.

[0022] <<Structure of the Game Device>>

[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the external structure of the game device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 (a) shows a frontal perspective view of the gaming device 100. Figure 1 (b) shows the front view of the game device 100.

[0024] like Figure 1As shown in (a), the game device 100 mainly consists of a main housing portion 110 and a display portion 120 disposed above the main housing portion 110. When the game device 100 is in the activated state, the display portion 120 displays information related to the services that can be provided in the game device 100, including the screen of playing the game (game screen).

[0025] A configuration section 140 and an operation section 108 are provided on the upper surface (top surface) of the main housing 110. The configuration section 140 can configure game cards whose information is acquired during game execution, and the operation section 108 is used to handle various user operations when using the service, including operations during game play. Here, the game configuration of the game device 100 in this embodiment that provides a game playing experience is such that game elements associated with game cards can be brought to the screen by acquiring information from game cards during game play.

[0026] exist Figure 1 In example (a), the operation unit 108 includes a user identification unit 131 for obtaining information from a user identification card (not shown), an operation input unit 132 for inputting information such as a selection button and an confirmation button, and an input slot 133 for accepting the insertion of coins or the like as consideration. In this embodiment, from Figure 1 The lateral width of the main body housing 110 viewed from the front direction as indicated by arrow 160 in (a), and the lateral width of the upper surface of the main body housing 110 obtained by combining the configuration part 140 and the operation part 108 are as follows: Figure 1 As shown in (b), the width of the display unit 120 is the same as that of the display unit 120. However, in order to improve the performance of the operation performed by the user using the configuration unit 140 or the operation input unit 132, the width of the display unit 120 may be configured to be larger than the width of the upper surface of the main body housing 110.

[0027] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown in the enlarged view of (a), the configuration unit 140 is configured to include a first configuration surface 141, which is the first surface according to the present invention, and a second configuration surface 145, which is the second surface according to the present invention. The first configuration surface 141 has the same plane as the top surface of the main body housing 110, and the second configuration surface 145 is an inclined surface of a member protruding from the top surface of the main body housing 110. That is, the configuration unit 140 has a first configuration surface 141 and a second configuration surface 145 provided with different tilt angles, and is configured such that either configuration surface can hold the game card used when playing the game.

[0028] In this embodiment, when the game device 100 is installed, the first mounting surface 141 is arranged in a substantially horizontal manner. On the other hand, the second mounting surface 145 is arranged in the same inclined manner as the display unit 120. That is, the angle formed by the second mounting surface 145 relative to the upper surface of the main housing 110 is the same as or approximately the same angle formed by the display unit 120 relative to the upper surface of the main housing 110. Furthermore, the first mounting surface 141 and the second mounting surface 145 are as follows... Figure 2 As shown in the simplified diagram of (b), one edge is positioned in the middle and adjacent to the other, while the upper end of the second configuration surface 145 is as shown... Figure 1 As shown in (a), it is configured close to the lower end of the display unit 120. That is, the second configuration surface 145 is disposed between the first configuration surface 141 and the display unit 120. Through these configuration relationships and tilting methods, the user playing the game can easily see the game cards configured on the configuration unit 140 at a glance.

[0029] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown in (a), in the configuration unit 140 of this embodiment, in order to clearly indicate the position where game cards should be configured and the number of game cards that can be configured, a plurality of first configuration frames 142 or second configuration frames 146 are respectively provided on the first configuration surface 141 and the second configuration surface 145. The first configuration frames 142 and the second configuration frames 146 are each sized to accommodate one game card, and the game cards configured in the frames are guided to a state of contact with the first configuration surface 141 or the second configuration surface 145. The number of first configuration frames 142 provided on the first configuration surface 141 is the same as the number of second configuration frames 146 provided on the second configuration surface 145 (a plurality), and a maximum of five game cards can be configured on each frame when playing the game.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown in (c), in order to allow the game cards to be slidably arranged upwards in the figure, the first arrangement frame 142 has an inclined portion 143 at the end of the side adjacent to the first arrangement surface 141 and the second arrangement surface 145, which slopes from the outside of the frame to the inside, thereby achieving easy arrangement of the game cards. On the other hand, as Figure 2 As shown in (d), in order to stably hold the configured game card, the second configuration frame 146 has, for example, a protruding locking portion 147 at the end near the edge adjacent to the first configuration surface 141 of the second configuration surface 145, thereby locking the lower end of the configured game card.

[0031] Furthermore, recesses formed by cutting away a portion of the frame member are provided on both sides of the first configuration frame 142 and the second configuration frame 146, allowing the game card disposed in the configuration section 140 to be easily removed. Specifically, as Figure 2As shown in (c), the first configuration frame 142 has a recess 144 at its end away from the side adjacent to the second configuration surface 145. Additionally, as... Figure 2 As shown in (d), the second configuration box 146 has a recess 148 at the end of the side away from the side adjacent to the first configuration surface 141.

[0032] Furthermore, the main housing 110 is designed as a universal housing capable of supporting various games, and is configured to change the structure for reading game cards depending on the game providing the gaming experience. Therefore, the configuration unit 140 is configured as part of an information acquisition component 105, which is a separate component of the information acquisition device according to the present invention, for acquiring information attached to the configured game card and outputting that information.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown in (a), the information acquisition component 105 has a box-shaped structure with at least a built-in camera unit 151 and a mirror 152. When installed on the gaming device 100, a portion of the information acquisition component 105 is housed inside the main body housing 110. Figure 3 In example (a), in order to clearly show the internal structure of the information acquisition component 105, the front surface (upper surface) of the box-shaped structure, which includes the components constituting the first configuration frame 142 and the second configuration frame 146, as well as the first configuration surface 141 and the second configuration surface 145, has been removed (indicated by dashed lines).

[0034] In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 105 acquires information attached to the game card by performing image analysis on an image obtained from photographing the game card from the back of the game card disposed on the first mounting surface 141 or the second mounting surface 145 (hereinafter referred to as a camera image). In this embodiment, information is assigned to the game card by attaching a QR code. In order to acquire the information, it is necessary to include an image of the QR code in a preferred manner in the camera image output from the camera unit 151, as detailed below.

[0035] That is, when using this acquisition method, the camera unit 151 needs to be positioned approximately facing the configuration surface, that is, in a way that allows the square-shaped QR code to be captured as an approximately square image. On the other hand, in the case of a configuration surface with multiple tilt angles, such as the configuration unit 140, even if the camera unit 151 is configured in a way that is better for acquiring information related to one configuration surface, it may not be suitable for acquiring information related to other configuration surfaces. In particular, in a small space such as inside the box-shaped information acquisition unit 105, it is not possible to provide a sufficient optical path length from the camera unit 151 to each configuration surface, so it is difficult to achieve optimal acquisition of information related to multiple configuration surfaces.

[0036] In this regard, it is possible to obtain a better image by setting up a camera unit 151 for each configuration surface, but this will increase the manufacturing cost of the information acquisition component 105. In addition, it may also increase the amount of image processing and the necessary computing power required for information acquisition, which is impractical.

[0037] Therefore, the information acquisition component 105 of this embodiment is as follows: Figure 3 As shown in (b), for example, by providing a mirror 152 within the imaging range of the camera unit 151, which is configured in a manner more favorable for information acquisition related to the second configuration surface 145, it is possible to include, in a single captured image, both the image of the QR code on the game card configured on the second configuration surface 145 and the image of the QR code on the game card configured on the first configuration surface 141. In other words, as illustrated, the imaging range of the camera unit 151 includes a real image 301 related to the second configuration surface 145 in a manner suitable for information acquisition, and a real image 302 related to the first configuration surface 141 in a manner unsuitable for information acquisition. However, by means of the mirror 152, it is possible to also include a mirror image 303 of the latter in a manner suitable for information acquisition.

[0038] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, the acquired camera image (400) presents a real image portion 401 and a mirror image portion 402. The real image portion 401 contains a real image (real image 301) of the game card disposed on the second configuration surface 145, and the mirror image portion 402 contains a mirror image (mirror image 303) of the game card disposed on the first configuration surface 141. The image of the QR code displayed in the mirror image portion 402 is an image of the code (top and bottom) attached to the game card flipped horizontally. Therefore, it is possible to extract the image of the area of ​​the mirror image portion 402 that is predetermined according to the configuration relationship between the camera unit 151 and the mirror surface 152, and to correctly restore the image by flipping it horizontally.

[0039] Furthermore, as described above, the arrangement of the camera unit 151 roughly facing each of the mounting surfaces is suitable for acquiring information about the mounted game cards; therefore, it is preferable that the mirror 152, as described above, is positioned such that... Figure 3 As shown in (b), it is set in a tilted manner such that the mirror image 303 of the game card arranged on the first arrangement surface 141 and the real image 301 of the game card arranged on the second arrangement surface 145 are presented on roughly parallel surfaces.

[0040] Here, refer to Figure 5This section describes the game cards that can be used when playing games using the game device 100 of this embodiment. Furthermore, the game cards may be provided by the game device 100, by a device different from the game device 100, or through a specific purchase channel.

[0041] As mentioned above, there is a game element associated with the game cards, such as... Figure 5 As shown in (a), the game card has a game element image 501 representing that game element. Figure 5 (a) shows the front of the game card, which is the side presented to the user when it is configured in the configuration unit 140 in a manner that allows it to acquire information. On the other hand, the back of the game card is as follows: Figure 5 As shown in (b), QR codes 502 are affixed to two locations. Here, Figure 5 (a) and (b) show the front and back of the game card in its upright position. That is, when the game card in this embodiment is in its upright position, the long side is vertical and the short side is horizontal, and the game element image 501 and the two QR codes 502 attached to the game card can be correctly displayed (content with appropriate vertical orientation determined in advance) and recognized.

[0042] QR codes can be constructed, for example, by encoding identification information used to uniquely identify the associated game element. As shown in the figure, the game card is formed in a rectangular shape, and two QR codes 502 are distributed and arranged in the central portion of the rectangle's horizontal direction when it is in the correct position. Figure 5 In example (b), the two QR codes 502 are configured along the opposing sides of a game card that is approximately rectangular in shape, more specifically, the top and bottom sides when upright. Additionally, as illustrated, the two QR codes 502 are identical.

[0043] With this configuration, when the game cards are arranged in the configuration unit 140 with their long sides vertical and their short sides horizontal, a QR code 502 is positioned near the adjacent area of ​​the first configuration surface 141 and the second configuration surface 145. That is, when the game cards are positioned upright in the configuration unit 140, or when they are flipped vertically from their upright position and then positioned in the configuration unit 140, a QR code 502 is positioned close to the aforementioned adjacent area.

[0044] Therefore, as long as the camera unit 151 is as follows Figure 3 As shown in (b), by including the adjacent area and the mirror 152 within the camera range, it is possible to acquire the QR code 502 of the game card arranged on two different configuration surfaces with different tilt angles. This allows for cost reduction, for example, by using a camera image with a small viewing angle, or by setting the distance to the subject to be short, to achieve miniaturization of the information acquisition component 105.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game card is rectangular in shape, and by attaching QR codes 502 at two different locations, it is configured such that one of the QR codes 502 can be read (captured) when the game card is placed in the configuration unit 140. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the game card can be arbitrary, and the number of attached QR codes 502 is not limited to two. In a configuration that allows for different arrangements of the game card, as in this embodiment, multiple QR codes 502 may be attached to the game card, and the information acquisition unit 105 may be configured to read at least a portion of the multiple QR codes 502.

[0046] Furthermore, in the configuration unit 140 of this embodiment, the following situation will be described: using... Figure 3 As shown in (a), the two camera units 151 capture images of up to 10 game cards arranged on the first arrangement surface 141 and the second arrangement surface 145. A processing board 153, described later, processes the two captured images to obtain identification information related to the arranged game cards. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one camera unit 151 may be used to capture images of all the game cards arranged on the arrangement unit 140. Alternatively, for example, the information acquisition unit 105 may be configured such that one processing board 153 is provided for each camera unit 151, and multiple information acquisition units 105 may be used in the game device 100 depending on the number of game cards used in the game.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, to facilitate understanding of the invention, it is set as follows: Figure 5 The invention has been described in the case where the QR code 502 is visible and attached to the game card, but the implementation of the invention is not limited to this. That is, the QR code 502 can also be attached to the game card using invisible ink printing, without compromising the aesthetics of the game card. Furthermore, the attached information is not limited to the QR code 502; any one-dimensional or multi-dimensional pattern that can be captured by photography is acceptable.

[0048] <<Functional Structure of a Game Device>>

[0049] Below, refer to Figure 6 The functional structure of the game device 100 in this embodiment is illustrated by the block diagram.

[0050] The control unit 101, for example, is a CPU, which controls the operation of each block in the game device 100. Specifically, the control unit 101 controls the operation of each block by reading the operation program of each block, for example, recorded in the recording medium 102, expanding it in the memory 103, and executing the operation program.

[0051] The recording medium 102 is, for example, a non-volatile memory, HDD, or other recording device capable of permanently storing data. In addition to storing the action programs for each block of the game device 100, the recording medium 102 also stores information about the parameters required for each block to perform its actions, various graphics data used in the game executed by the game device 100, etc. The memory 103 is, for example, a volatile memory or other storage device used for temporary data storage. The memory 103 is used not only as an area for expanding the action programs for each block, but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data output during the actions of each block.

[0052] The payment detection unit 104 detects whether a payment has been made in the game device 100. For example, it can determine whether a payment has been made based on the detection that a specified amount of coins or equivalent game coins have been inserted into the coin slot 133, or by the detection that a settlement process based on communication between a chip related to the specified electronic currency has been completed. The game device 100 of this embodiment will be described as providing a game experience based on a payment made.

[0053] The information acquisition unit 105 acquires information from the game cards in the configuration unit 140 of the game device 100 of this embodiment. As described above, the information acquisition unit 105 is configured as a separate component, and the processing board 153 controls the operation of the information acquisition unit 105. The processing board 153 includes a microcomputer, ROM, and RAM, and is configured to perform control and image processing. When the processing board 153 receives a control signal related to reading start from the control unit 101, it causes the camera unit 151 to start capturing images of the configuration unit 140, and performs prescribed image processing, including the extraction and transformation of the QR code 502, on the acquired image to acquire the identification information attached to each configured game card. Then, the processing board 153 outputs the acquired identification information to the control unit 101.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 105 is described as having a processing substrate 153 and outputting the identification information obtained through transformation; however, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the processing of acquiring identification information from the camera image may be performed in the control unit 101, and the information acquisition unit 105 may not have this function, and the output of the information acquisition unit 105 may be the camera image.

[0055] Element DB 106 is a database used to manage information (element information) related to each game element that appears in the game. As described above, in the game device 100 of this embodiment, when a user plays the game, they configure a game card to the configuration unit 140 to obtain information, thereby enabling the game element associated with that game card to appear in the game. Regarding the element information managed for a game element, it can be configured, for example, to include, at least, category information indicating the category of the game element, and parameter information to be referenced in the game's progress control that enables the game element to appear, associated with identification information used to uniquely identify the game element.

[0056] The display control unit 107 controls the presentation of information to the user via the display unit 120 in the game device 100. The display unit 120 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), and is fixed above the main housing 110 in the vertical direction by means of a support. The display control unit 107 includes, for example, a graphics processing unit such as a GPU, and performs prescribed rendering processes when generating the image to be displayed on the display unit 120. Specifically, during the startup period of the game device 100 (service provision period, standby period), the display control unit 107 performs necessary computational processing on the required rendering objects (graphics data) based on the processing and commands performed by the control unit 101, and renders the image. The generated image is output to the display unit 120 and presented to the user by being displayed in a designated display area.

[0057] The operation unit 108 is the user interface of the game device 100. In this embodiment, the game device 100, in addition to accepting game card configuration to the configuration unit 140 and user card configuration to the user identification unit 131, also accepts operation inputs as operation inputs to the operation components of the operation input unit 132. When the operation unit 108 detects an operation input to the operation input unit 132, it outputs a control signal corresponding to that operation input to the control unit 101.

[0058] <<Controls While Playing Games>>

[0059] When playing a game using the game device 100 with this functional structure, the control unit 101 brings out game elements associated with the game cards configured in the configuration unit 140 and controls the progress of the game based on parameters determined for those game elements. Details about the game are omitted, but the configuration allows the user to register the game elements to be played by configuring the game cards they carry into the configuration unit 140 before actually playing the game portion.

[0060] When registering the game element, the configuration control can be configured to improve the game's fun and the visibility of the game cards arranged in the configuration unit 140 during gameplay. For example, in a configuration where different categories such as aircraft and pilots riding the aircraft are set for the game elements that can be registered, and game cards are provided for these categories, the categories of game cards (the categories of the associated game elements) that can be arranged on the first configuration surface 141 and the second configuration surface 145 can be restricted. That is, it can be configured such that only pilot-related game cards can be arranged on the first configuration surface 141, and only aircraft-related game cards can be arranged on the second configuration surface 145. When different categories of game cards are arranged, the control unit 101 controls the game not to start or not to progress, and notifies the user of this situation. Furthermore, the configuration unit 140 of this embodiment is configured to arrange the same number of game cards on the first configuration surface 141 and the second configuration surface 145, and the first configuration frame 142 and the second configuration frame 146 are arranged adjacent to each other in a 1-to-1 manner. Therefore, in this example, the aircraft and the pilot riding the aircraft can be presented to the user more simply and clearly.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game medium for information acquisition disposed in the configuration unit 140 is described as a game card, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the game medium only needs to be configured such that identification information can be acquired when photographed through the configuration surface; for example, it can be a figurine or other shaped object with game elements. In this case, the identification information of the game elements can be acquired from the pattern attached to the bottom or a designated surface of the figurine by means of a sticker or printing. In addition, the game medium can be not only a figurine, but also any medium such as a toy or a sticker.

[0062] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0063] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and alterations can be made within the scope of the invention without departing from its spirit and scope.

[0064] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0065] 100: Game device; 101: Control unit; 102: Recording medium; 103: Memory; 104: Payment detection unit; 105: Information acquisition unit; 106: Element database; 107: Display control unit; 108: Operation unit; 110: Main housing unit; 120: Display unit; 131: User identification unit; 132: Operation input unit; 133: Input port; 140: Configuration unit; 141: First configuration surface; 142: First configuration frame; 143: Inclined portion; 144: Recess; 145: Second configuration surface; 146: Second configuration frame; 147: Locking portion; 148: Recess; 151: Camera unit; 152: Mirror surface; 153: Processing substrate.

Claims

1. An information acquisition device for acquiring information attached to a game medium, the information acquisition device comprising: The configuration unit is used to configure the game medium as the object of information acquisition, and can configure the game medium on a first surface and a second surface set at different tilt angles respectively; A camera unit that captures images of the configured unit; The mirror-like surface is positioned within the imaging range of the camera unit; as well as The acquisition unit acquires information attached to the game medium disposed on the configuration unit based on the camera image obtained by the camera unit. The camera image comprises a real image portion and a mirror image portion. The real image portion represents a real image of the gaming medium disposed on the second surface, and the mirror image portion represents a mirror image of the gaming medium disposed on the first surface formed by the mirror surface. The mirror surface is tilted so that the real image of the game medium disposed on the second surface is approximately parallel to the mirror image of the game medium disposed on the first surface formed by the mirror surface.

2. The information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein, The camera unit captures images of the first and second surfaces from the rear side of the first and second surfaces.

3. The information acquisition device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The configuration unit is configured to be able to configure multiple, and equal in number, game media on the first and second surfaces respectively.

4. The information acquisition device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the configuration, the first surface and the second surface are arranged so that one edge is in the middle and adjacent to each other.

5. The information acquisition device according to claim 4, wherein, A first frame component is provided on the first surface to define the configuration position of the game medium. An inclination is provided at the end of the first frame member away from the side adjacent to the second surface, which allows the game medium to slide.

6. The information acquisition device according to claim 5, wherein, A recess is provided at the end of the first frame member away from the side adjacent to the second surface, so that the configured game medium can be easily removed.

7. The information acquisition device according to claim 4, wherein, A second frame member is provided on the second surface to define the configuration position of the game medium. A locking part capable of locking the game medium is provided at the end of the second frame member near the side adjacent to the first surface.

8. The information acquisition device according to claim 7, wherein, A recess is provided at the end of the second frame member away from the side adjacent to the first surface, so that the configured game medium can be easily removed.

9. The information acquisition device according to claim 4, wherein, The game medium has information attached to multiple locations. The acquisition unit acquires information attached to a portion of the game medium for a given game medium.

10. The information acquisition device according to claim 9, wherein, The acquisition unit acquires information from the information attached to the game medium that is located near the adjacent parts of the first surface and the second surface.

11. A gaming device, comprising: Main body shell section; and The information acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in, The configuration part of the information acquisition device is disposed outside the main body housing. The camera unit and the mirror unit of the information acquisition device are disposed inside the main body housing.

12. The gaming device according to claim 11, wherein, It is equipped with multiple of the aforementioned information acquisition devices.

13. The gaming device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The first surface of the information acquisition device is set approximately horizontally.

14. The gaming device according to claim 13, wherein, A display section is also provided above the main body housing. The angle formed by the second surface of the information acquisition device relative to the upper surface of the main housing is the same as or approximately the same as the angle formed by the display unit relative to the upper surface of the main housing.

15. The gaming device according to claim 14, wherein, The second surface of the information acquisition device is disposed between the first surface and the display unit.

16. The gaming device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The upper surface of the main housing portion also includes an operating section, which is formed on the same plane as the first surface of the information acquisition device. The lateral width of the upper surface of the main housing portion obtained by combining the operation part with the first surface of the information acquisition device is less than or equal to the lateral width of the display portion.

17. The gaming device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, It also includes a control unit that controls the game's progress based on information acquired by the acquisition unit of the information acquisition device and attached to the game medium disposed on the configuration unit. The category of the game medium is determined based on the information attached to it. The control unit controls the game to prevent it from progressing, provided that at least one of the first and second surfaces of the information acquisition device is configured with a game medium of a different category than a category predetermined for that surface.

18. A game system comprising a game medium and a game device, wherein, The gaming device includes: Main body shell section; as well as Information acquisition device, which acquires identification information attached to the game medium. The information acquisition device includes: A configuration unit is provided outside the main housing portion for configuring the game medium as the object of information acquisition. The configuration unit is capable of configuring the game medium on a first surface and a second surface set at different tilt angles. A camera unit, located inside the main housing portion, captures images of the configuration portion; The mirror-shaped part is located within the imaging range of the camera unit inside the main housing portion; as well as The acquisition unit acquires the identification information attached to the game medium disposed on the configuration unit based on the camera image obtained by the camera unit. The game medium includes: Patterns of game elements associated with the game medium; and Two identical identification pieces, each representing a game element associated with the other. The captured image includes a real image portion and a mirror image portion. The real image portion represents a real image of the gaming medium disposed on the second surface, and the mirror image portion represents a mirror image of the gaming medium disposed on the first surface formed through the mirror surface. The real image portion or the mirror image portion contains at least one of the identification information possessed by the configured game medium. The mirror surface is tilted so that the real image of the game medium disposed on the second surface is approximately parallel to the mirror image of the game medium disposed on the first surface formed by the mirror surface.

19. The game system according to claim 18, wherein, The game medium is formed in a rectangular shape. The identification information of a gaming medium is configured in the central portion of the horizontal direction when the gaming medium is in the upright position.

20. The game system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein, The game system is configured such that, in a state where the game medium is positioned in the configuration unit in an upright position, or in a state where the game medium is flipped from its upright position and then positioned in the configuration unit, it can acquire one of the two identification information possessed by the game medium.

Images