Card processing device, card game system provided with same, card processing method, and card processing program

Abstract

A card processing device (10) is provided with an image acquisition unit (11), an information reading unit (12), a card type identification unit (13), and a display control unit (17). The information reading unit (12) reads information on the back surface side of a game card (C) from image data of the game card (C) acquired by the image acquisition unit (11). The card type identification unit (13) identifies a face card type on the front surface side of the game card (C) on the basis of the information on the back surface side of the game card (C) read by the information reading unit (12). The display control unit (17) causes a display device (22) to display the face card type on the surface side of the game card (C) identified by the card type identification unit (13).

Description

Card processing device, card game system including the same, card processing method, and card processing program

[0001] The present invention relates to a card processing device used for, for example, live video of a card game distributed via the Internet, a card game system including the same, a card processing method, and a card processing program.

[0002] In recent years, as e-sports has become increasingly popular, various games are being streamed over the Internet. In this context, live video commentary of card games, such as playing cards, is also being streamed over the Internet. However, in card games, the rules require players to keep their cards face-up and their decks face-down while playing, making it difficult for online viewers to understand the situation and tactics being used during play, making it difficult to attract viewers' attention during online commentary.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a table game system that provides an opportunity to bet on higher payout odds and an opportunity to make additional bets while playing, without complicating the process, by attaching an ID code such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) to a set of playing cards. Patent Document 2 also discloses a game card that allows players to enjoy the inherent fun of scratch cards by attaching an identification information section on the back side that is used when extracting a scratch image corresponding to a unique title and that can optically read identification information corresponding to the unique title.

[0004] JP 2022-24095 A JP 2021-119991 A

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional table game systems and game cards have the following problems: In the table game system disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, an ID code such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) is attached to each set of playing cards, thereby identifying the characteristics of each set.

[0006] However, with this configuration, it is not possible to identify the information on each individual card, such as a playing card, and therefore it is not possible to attract the attention of viewers in live online broadcasts. Furthermore, the gaming cards disclosed in Patent Document 2 use a two-dimensional code, one-dimensional code, or the like as the identification information section attached to the back of the card, and therefore attaching a code to the back of the card detracts from the design and cannot eliminate the possibility that the code can be read visually.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to determine card information without placing a burden on the player, it is necessary to detect the card itself, and furthermore, since card designs are generally rotationally symmetrical around the center of the card, even if the card is detected, it is difficult to determine the upside-down orientation of the card from the card design. As another method, there is a known example in which an RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag or the like is embedded in the card and the card information is read using an RF-ID reader attached to a table to calculate points and determine the winner, but embedding an RF-ID makes the card thicker and more difficult to bend, and there are issues with durability against bending.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a card processing device that is difficult to identify visually and that can identify information on picture cards using information attached to the cards, as well as a card game system, card processing method, and card processing program that include the same.

[0009] (Means for Solving the Problem) A card processing device according to a first invention is a card processing device that reads information about gaming cards used during the play of a card game, and includes an image acquisition unit, an information reading unit, a card type identification unit, and a display control unit. The image acquisition unit acquires image data including gaming cards photographed by an imaging device. The information reading unit reads information attached to the second face of the gaming card from the image data of the gaming card acquired by the image acquisition unit. The card type identification unit identifies the type of face card attached to the first face of the gaming card based on the information attached to the second face of the gaming card read by the information reading unit. The display control unit displays the type of face card attached to the first face of the gaming card identified by the card type identification unit on a display device.

[0010] Here, while a card game is being played using gaming cards, the information reading unit uses image data including the gaming cards acquired from an imaging device such as a camera to read information attached to the second side of the gaming cards, identify the type of face card attached to the first side, and display the type of face card on the display device. Here, the image acquiring unit acquires image data including the gaming cards from an imaging device such as a camera that can capture an image of the table where the card game is being played from above.

[0011] The information reading unit reads information (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, etc.) attached to the second side of the gaming card contained in the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit. The card type identification unit identifies the type of face card (e.g., a character, a playing card, etc.) on the first side of the gaming card based on the information read by the information reading unit.

[0012] The display control unit is connected to a display device such as an external PC (Personal Computer) and causes the display device to display the type of face card of the gaming card identified by the card type identification unit. By reading the information included in the information attached to the second side using an imaging device such as a camera, for example, during a card game, the image on the first side of a gaming card placed face down on the table can be displayed on the screen of a live video or the like, thereby attracting the attention of viewers. As a result, the information on the face card, which is difficult to distinguish visually, can be identified by the information attached to the second side of the card.

[0013] A card processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the card processing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a result notification unit that notifies the type of face card affixed to the first face of the gaming card identified by the card type identification unit. This allows, for example, an administrator (host) or the like who hosts the card game to recognize the type of face card of the gaming card being played by receiving the information affixed to the first face of the identified gaming card from the result notification unit.

[0014] A card processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the card processing device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a read determination unit that determines whether the information on the second face of the gaming card has been read successfully. This makes it possible to easily determine whether the read information is correct, for example, according to the information on the second face of the gaming card.

[0015] A card processing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the card processing device according to the third aspect of the present invention, further comprising an error notification unit that notifies a read error when the read determination unit determines that the information could not be read correctly. By notifying a read error when reading fails, it is possible to notify, for example, an administrator hosting a card game that a read error has occurred, and to provide only correctly read information to viewers of the card game, etc.

[0016] A card processing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the card processing device according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the display control unit causes the display device to display a message urging the player to rearrange the gaming cards when the reading determination unit determines that the information could not be read normally. Thus, when a reading error occurs, the display device displays the message urging the player to rearrange the gaming cards, so that the second side of the gaming card that could not be read can be read again and reading can be performed again.

[0017] A card processing device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the card processing device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising an area detection unit that detects a card placement area on a game table where a card game is played, where the gaming cards are placed. By detecting the area on the table where the gaming cards are placed by the area detection unit, the gaming cards placed there can be easily recognized.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the card processing device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the information attached to the second side of the gaming card includes a barcode or a QR code. By reading the information on the second side with the barcode or QR code (registered trademark) using the information reading unit, it is possible to easily identify the face card of the gaming card without the player being able to visually identify it.

[0019] A card game system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention comprises the card processing device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention and an imaging device, thereby making it possible to build a system that can identify face cards that are difficult to identify visually, but can identify information on the cards by information attached to the cards, as described above.

[0020] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a card game system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the imaging device is positioned to photograph the gaming cards from above the table where the card game is played. This makes it possible to read the information on the second faces of the gaming cards using image data photographed from information about the table where the card game is played, and easily identify the face cards of the gaming cards.

[0021] A card game system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the card game system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a display device that displays the type of face card attached to the first face of the gaming card identified by the card type identification unit. As a result, for example, by displaying the face card of the identified gaming card on a display device such as an externally installed PC, it is possible to inform viewers of the progress of the card game and attract their interest in the live video.

[0022] A card processing method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a card processing method for reading information about a gaming card being used during the play of a card game, and includes an image acquisition step, an information reading step, a card type identification step, and a display control step. In the image acquisition step, image data including the gaming card photographed by an imaging device is acquired. In the information reading step, information attached to the second face of the gaming card is read from the image data of the gaming card acquired in the image acquisition step. In the card type identification step, the type of face card attached to the first face of the gaming card is identified based on the information attached to the second face of the gaming card read in the information reading step. In the display control step, the type of face card attached to the first face of the gaming card identified in the card type identification step is displayed on a display device.

[0023] Here, while a card game is being played using gaming cards, the information attached to the second side of the gaming card is read using image data including the gaming card acquired from an imaging device such as a camera in the information reading step, the type of face card attached to the first side is identified, and the type of face card is displayed on a display device. Here, in the image acquisition step, for example, image data including the gaming card is acquired from an imaging device such as a camera that can capture an image of the table where the card game is being played from above.

[0024] In the information reading step, information attached to the second side of the gaming card included in the image data acquired in the image acquiring step (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, etc.) is read. In the card type identification step, the type of face card on the first side of the gaming card (e.g., a character, a playing card, etc.) is identified based on the information read in the information reading step.

[0025] In the display control step, the display device is connected to an external display device such as a PC (Personal Computer), and the type of face card of the gaming card identified by the card type identification unit is displayed on the display device. By reading the information on the second side with an imaging device such as a camera, for example, during a card game, the image on the first side of a gaming card placed face down on the table can be displayed on a screen of a live video or the like, thereby attracting the attention of viewers. As a result, the information on the face card, which is difficult to identify visually, can be identified by the information on the second side of the card.

[0026] A card processing program according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a card processing program for reading information about gaming cards being used during the play of a card game, and causes a computer to execute a card processing method including an image acquisition step, an information reading step, a card type identification step, and a display control step. In the image acquisition step, image data including a gaming card photographed by an imaging device is acquired. In the information reading step, information attached to the second face of the gaming card is read from the image data of the gaming card acquired in the image acquisition step. In the card type identification step, the type of face card attached to the first face of the gaming card is identified based on the information attached to the second face of the gaming card read in the information reading step. In the display control step, the type of face card attached to the first face of the gaming card identified in the card type identification step is displayed on a display device.

[0027] Here, while a card game is being played using gaming cards, the information attached to the second side of the gaming card is read using image data including the gaming card acquired from an imaging device such as a camera in the information reading step, the type of face card attached to the first side is identified, and the type of face card is displayed on a display device. Here, in the image acquisition step, for example, image data including the gaming card is acquired from an imaging device such as a camera that can capture an image of the table where the card game is being played from above.

[0028] In the information reading step, information attached to the second side of the gaming card included in the image data acquired in the image acquiring step (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, etc.) is read. In the card type identification step, the type of face card on the first side of the gaming card (e.g., a character, a playing card, etc.) is identified based on the information read in the information reading step.

[0029] In the display control step, for example, the display device is connected to an external PC (Personal Computer) or the like, and the type of face card of the gaming card identified by the card type identification unit is displayed on the display device. As a result, by reading the information attached to the second side with an imaging device such as a camera, for example, during the playing of a card game, the image on the first side of the gaming card placed face down on the table can be displayed on the screen of a live video or the like to attract the attention of viewers.

[0030] As a result, it is difficult to distinguish the information on the face card by visual inspection, and the information on the face card can be distinguished by the information attached to the second surface of the card.

[0031] (Effects of the Invention) According to the card processing device of the present invention, it is possible to identify information on face cards that is difficult to identify visually, but is identified by information attached to the cards.

[0032] 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a card game system including a card processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an imaging device provided above a table on which a card game is played, a card processing device connected to the imaging device, and a display device. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the table on which the card game of FIG. 2 is played. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the back side of a card. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the QR code attached to the back of the card of FIG. 4. A conversion table showing the relationship between the QR code of FIG. 5 and the images on the front of the card. A table showing the results of identifying face cards on each player's gaming cards using the conversion table of FIG. 6. A diagram showing an example of a display on a display screen during a live game in which the images on the front of each card recognized using the conversion table of FIG. 6 are displayed in correspondence with each other. A flowchart showing the processing flow of a card processing method executed by the card processing device of FIG. 1. A flowchart showing a detailed flow of the information reading processing (S12) of the flowchart of FIG.

[0033] A card processing device 10 and a card game system 20 equipped with the same according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Note that in this embodiment, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and does not intend for them to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0034] (1) Configuration of the Card Game System 20 The card game system 20 according to this embodiment uses gaming cards C (see FIG. 4) containing information that can be read by a predetermined information reading device (such as a camera), and identifies the face card on the face side of the gaming card C placed face down in a card game such as a competitive card game or a trump game used in gaming facilities such as a casino, and displays it on a display device or the like.

[0035] The gaming cards C include, for example, cards used in competitive card games and playing cards used in gaming facilities such as casinos. As shown in FIG. 1, the card game system 20 of this embodiment includes a card processing device 10, an imaging device (camera) 21, and a display device 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the card processing device 10 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) or an application installed on the PC, and reads information attached to the back (second side) Cb of the gaming card C photographed by the imaging device 21 during playing of a card game using the gaming cards C described above, and identifies the picture card attached to the front (first side) Ca. The detailed configuration of the card processing device 10 will be described later.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the imaging device 21 is connected to the card processing device 10 and transmits image data of images captured continuously or intermittently to the card processing device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the imaging device 21 is attached to a mounting base 21a in order to capture images from above of a gaming table 30 on which a card game is played. This allows the imaging device 21 to capture images including a gaming card C placed in a predetermined position on the gaming table 30.

[0037] 3, the gaming table 30 in this embodiment has a gaming area 31 on its top surface that allows 10 players to play simultaneously, and each player has a card placement area 32 on which to place gaming cards C. Therefore, when photographing the gaming table 30 from above, the imaging device 21 photographs an image including the gaming cards C placed in the card placement area 32 in the gaming area 31 corresponding to each player.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 22 is connected to the card processing device 10, and the display content is controlled by the display device 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 22 may be a PC for an administrator who hosts a card game, or, for example, a PC owned by a viewer who watches a game commentary video distributed via the Internet. Here, the gaming card C used in this embodiment has a picture card on its front side Ca, and as shown in FIG. 4, a common design D1 is attached to its back side (second side) Cb. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, a QR code (information) (registered trademark) C1 is attached approximately in the center of the common design D1 on the back side Cb of the gaming card C.

[0039] The QR code (information) C1 is attached by printing or the like to the back (second surface) side of the gaming card C, and contains information that can be read by an information reading device such as the imaging device 21. Specifically, the QR code C1 is located approximately in the center of the common design D1, as shown in Fig. 4. The QR code C1 is also attached to the front (first surface) Ca side and contains information indicating a correspondence with a different face card for each gaming card C, making it difficult to visually identify the face card on the front surface Ca side.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5, the search marks C2 are approximately square design portions arranged at three of the four corners on the back surface Cb of the approximately rectangular gaming card C, and are mainly used to determine the presence or absence of the gaming card C and to detect the position of the QR code C1. The information of the QR code C1 of the read gaming card C is converted into face card information (card value) using the conversion table shown in Fig. 6. For example, if the gaming cards C are playing cards, a different QR code C1 is attached to each of the 52 cards x set number, and the differences between them are configured so that they cannot be distinguished visually.

[0041] The information on the face cards converted using the conversion table shown in Fig. 6 is displayed on the display device 22 or the like as the reading result of the gaming card C held by each player, as shown in Fig. 7. The reading result displayed on the display device 22 may be displayed superimposed on the image of the gaming table 30 for each card placement area 32 of the gaming area 31 of each player, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0042] (2) Configuration of the Card Processing Device 10 As shown in Fig. 1, the card processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes an image acquisition unit 11, an information reading unit 12, a card type identification unit 13, a reading determination unit 14, an error notification unit 15, a result notification unit 16, a display control unit 17, and a storage unit 18. The image acquisition unit 11 acquires, from the imaging device 21, images continuously or intermittently captured by the imaging device 21, in particular, image data of an image of the top surface of the gaming table 30 including a gaming card C. The image acquisition unit 11 may acquire image data from the imaging device 21, for example, at predetermined time intervals or continuously.

[0043] The information reading unit 12 reads information in a QR code C1 attached to the back surface Cb of the gaming card C from the image data of the gaming card C acquired by the image acquisition unit 11. The card type identification unit 13 identifies the type of face card attached to the front surface Ca of the gaming card C based on the information included in the QR code C1 read by the information reading unit 12. In this embodiment, the card type identification unit 13 identifies the face card (card value) of the gaming card C using a conversion table (see FIG. 6 ) in which the read information is associated with the face card (card value).

[0044] The reading determination unit 14 determines whether or not the information on the back surface Cb of the gaming card C has been successfully read. Specifically, if the reading determination unit 14 cannot detect three search marks C2 arranged at three corners on the back surface Cb of the gaming card C, for example, it determines that the gaming card C is not in a state where the QR code C1 can be correctly read, and determines that a reading error has occurred.

[0045] The error notification unit 15 notifies a read error when the reading determination unit 14 determines that the information could not be read normally. Specifically, when a read error occurs, the error notification unit 15 transmits a message to the PC of the administrator or the like urging the administrator to set the gaming card C in the correct position. The result notification unit 16 notifies, for example, the administrator or the like who hosts the card game of the type of face card affixed to the face Ca side of the gaming card C identified by the card type identification unit 13.

[0046] The display control unit 17 controls the display device 22 to display the type of face card attached to the face Ca side of the gaming card C identified by the card type identification unit 13. Specifically, the display control unit 17 displays information about the face card on the face Ca of the gaming card C identified by the card type identification unit 13, superimposed on an image of the gaming table 30, as shown in FIG.

[0047] This allows, for example, when a video of a card game is being distributed over the Internet, viewers can enjoy the ongoing card game with interest while recognizing the information of the face cards of each gaming card C in a face-down state that is displayed superimposed on the image of the gaming table 30. The memory unit 18 stores a conversion table (see FIG. 6 ) that is referenced after the information reading unit 12 reads the QR code C1 and indicates the relationship between the information of the QR code C1 read by the information reading unit 12 and the information (face cards) on the face Ca side of the gaming card C. The memory unit 18 further stores a table (see FIG. 7 ) that indicates the reading results for each player whose QR code C1 was read during the card game.

[0048] <Card Processing Method> With the above-described configuration, the card processing device 10 of this embodiment executes a card processing method in accordance with the flowcharts shown in Figures 9 and 10. That is, as shown in Figure 9, in step S11, the image acquisition unit 11 acquires, from the imaging device 21, image data of an image including a gaming card C on the gaming table 30 photographed by the imaging device 21.

[0049] Next, in step S12, the information reading unit 12 reads information from the QR code C1 attached to the back Cb of the gaming card C, which is included in the image data acquired in step S11. The information reading process in step S12 will be described in detail later using the flowchart in FIG.

[0050] Next, in step S13, the result notification unit 16 notifies the PC or the like owned by the administrator or the like of the result of the reading in step S12, and the display control unit 17 causes the reading result to be displayed on the display device 22. Next, in step S14, it is determined whether or not the reading has been completed, and if it has been completed, the process is terminated, and if it has not been completed, the process is repeated again from step S11.

[0051] Next, details of the information reading process in step S12 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 10. The information reading process shown in Fig. 10 is repeated until the information of the gaming cards C for all ten players shown in Fig. 8 has been read. In step S21, the information reading unit 12 searches for search marks C2 arranged at three corners on the back surface Cb of the gaming card C using the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 11. More specifically, the information reading unit 12 detects the back surface Cb of the gaming card C placed in a predetermined card placement area 32 on the top surface of the gaming table 30 using the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 11 from the imaging device 21, and searches for the search marks C2.

[0052] Next, in step S22, the information reading unit 12 determines whether or not the search mark C2 has been found. If the search mark C2 has not been found, the process proceeds to step S29; if the search mark C2 has been found, the process proceeds to step S23. Next, in step S23, since it has been determined in step S22 that the search mark C2 has been found, the information reading unit 12 determines whether or not a gaming card C is present based on the number of search marks C2 found and the positional relationship of the search marks C2 (the ratio of the sides of the gaming card C, the angle, etc.).

[0053] Next, in step S24, as a result of the card presence / absence determination in step S23, it is determined whether or not there is a gaming card C on the top surface (card placement area 32) of the gaming table 30 included in the image data. If it is determined that there is a gaming card C, the process proceeds to step S25, and if it is determined that there is no gaming card C, the process proceeds to step S29. Next, in step S25, since it was determined in step S24 that there is a gaming card C in the card placement area 32, the information reading unit 12 identifies the position of the QR code C1 based on the position of the search mark C2 searched for in step S21.

[0054] Next, in step S26, the information reading unit 12 reads the QR code C1 whose position was identified in step S25. Next, in step S27, the reading determination unit 14 determines whether or not reading the code in step S26 was successful. If reading the code was successful, the process proceeds to step S28; if not, the process proceeds to step S29.

[0055] Next, in step S28, information on the face card (card value) of the gaming card C that was successfully read in step S27 is saved as a result in the memory unit 18. Meanwhile, in step S29, since it has been determined in steps S22, S24, and S27 that there is no search mark C2, there is no gaming card C, and code reading has failed, respectively, it is determined that there is no reading result and the process ends. In this embodiment, the processes from step S21 to step S29 are repeated for all players currently playing.

[0056] [Other Embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0057] (A) In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being realized as a gaming card C, a card processing device 10, and a card processing method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be realized as a card processing program that causes a computer to execute the card processing method described above.

[0058] This card processing program is stored in a memory (storage unit) installed in the card processing device, and a CPU reads the card processing program stored in the memory and causes the hardware to execute each step. More specifically, the CPU reads the card processing program and executes the image acquisition step, information reading step, card type identification step, and display control step described above, thereby achieving the same effects as those described above. The present invention may also be realized as a recording medium on which the card processing program is stored.

[0059] (B) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a card game is played using one set of gaming cards C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if multiple sets of all types of gaming cards required for a card game are prepared, the card processing device may be configured to include a card set identification unit that identifies which card set a gaming card belongs to.

[0060] (C) In the above embodiment, a gaming card C bearing a QR code C1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a gaming card may bear information that is difficult to discern visually, such as encrypted information, coded random numbers, or barcodes, instead of a QR code.

[0061] (D) In ​​the above embodiment, an example was described in which the search marks C2 were arranged at each of the three corners of the back surface Cb of the gaming card C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a search mark is arranged at at least one of the four corners of the gaming card may be used. In other words, the number of search marks is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four.

[0062] (E) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the QR code C1 was placed approximately in the center of the back surface Cb of the approximately rectangular gaming card C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information such as a QR code may be placed near one of the four sides of the back surface of the approximately rectangular gaming card.

[0063] (F) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the imaging device 21 was attached to the mounting base 21a and photographed the gaming table 30 from above. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the imaging device may be configured as a system attached to the ceiling or upper part of a wall of an amusement facility where the gaming table is set up.

[0064] (G) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the QR code C1 was attached to the back surface Cb of the gaming card C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information such as a QR code may be attached to the front surface or both surfaces of the gaming card.

[0065] (H) In the above embodiment, an example was given of the configuration of the card game system 20 in which, in addition to the PC functioning as the card processing device 10, a separate PC used by an administrator or the like is used as the display device 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the system may be configured such that the display unit of the PC used as the card processing device is used as the display device.

[0066] (I) In the above embodiment, an example of a system configuration including one imaging device 21 that photographs the gaming table 30 from above was described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0067] For example, the system may be configured to include a plurality of imaging devices that photograph the gaming table from above.

[0068] The card processing device of the present invention has the effect of making it difficult to identify the information on face cards by visual inspection, but making it possible to identify the information on face cards by the information attached to the cards, and therefore is widely applicable to card games.

[0069] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Card processing device 11 Image acquisition unit 12 Information reading unit (information reading unit, area detection unit) 13 Card type identification unit 14 Reading determination unit 15 Error notification unit 16 Result notification unit 17 Display control unit 18 Memory unit 20 Card game system 21 Imaging device (camera) 22 Display device 30 Gaming table 31 Gaming area 32 Card placement area C Gaming card C1 QR code (information) C2 Search mark D1 Common design

Claims

1. A card processing device that reads information about gaming cards used while playing a card game, comprising: an image acquisition unit that acquires image data including the gaming card photographed by an imaging device; an information reading unit that reads information attached to a second side of the gaming card from the image data of the gaming card acquired by the image acquisition unit; a card type identification unit that identifies the type of face card attached to a first side of the gaming card based on the information attached to the second side of the gaming card read by the information reading unit; and a display control unit that causes a display device to display the type of face card attached to the first side of the gaming card identified by the card type identification unit.

2. The card processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a result notifying section that notifies the type of face card attached to the first face side of the gaming card identified by the card type identifying section.

3. A card processing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a read determination unit which determines whether or not the information on the second surface of the gaming card has been read normally.

4. The card processing device according to claim 3, further comprising an error notification section which notifies a read error when the read determination section determines that the information could not be read normally.

5. The card processing device according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit causes the display device to display a message prompting the user to rearrange the gaming cards when the reading determination unit determines that the information could not be read normally.

6. The card processing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an area detection unit that detects a card placement area, on which the gaming cards are placed, set on a game table on which the card game is played.

7. The card processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information attached to the second surface of the gaming card includes a barcode or a QR code.

8. A card game system comprising: the card processing device according to claim 1 or 2; and the imaging device.

9. The card game system according to claim 8, wherein the imaging device is disposed at a position to photograph the gaming cards from above the table on which the card game is played.

10. The card game system according to claim 9, further comprising a display device that displays the type of face card attached to the first face side of the gaming card identified by the card type identification unit.

11. A card processing method for reading information about a gaming card being used while playing a card game, comprising: an image acquisition step for acquiring image data including the gaming card photographed by an imaging device; an information reading step for reading information attached to a second side of the gaming card from the image data of the gaming card acquired in the image acquisition step; a card type identification step for identifying the type of face card attached to a first side of the gaming card based on the information attached to the second side of the gaming card read in the information reading step; and a display control step for displaying on a display device the type of face card attached to the first side of the gaming card identified in the card type identification step.

12. A card processing program for reading information about a gaming card being used while playing a card game, the card processing program causing a computer to execute a card processing method comprising: an image acquisition step for acquiring image data including the gaming card photographed by an imaging device; an information reading step for reading information attached to a second side of the gaming card from the image data of the gaming card acquired in the image acquisition step; a card type identification step for identifying the type of face card attached to a first side of the gaming card based on the information attached to the second side of the gaming card read in the information reading step; and a display control step for displaying on a display device the type of face card attached to the first side of the gaming card identified in the card type identification step.

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