Authentication device and gaming machine equipped with the same

Abstract

An authentication device according to the present invention is preferably installed in a gaming machine. In this authentication device, in particular, an authentication data input unit is located on the rear side of a display unit. Furthermore, the screen of the display unit includes an authentication position where an authentication object (for example, a player's finger) is to approach or touch the screen. The authentication data input unit reads the authentication data (for example, fingerprint pattern data) through the screen from the authentication object approaching or touching the screen of the display unit.

1 . An authentication device, comprising: 
 a display unit comprising a screen, and configured to display an image on the screen;    an authentication data input unit located on a rear side of the display unit or the vicinity thereof, the authentication data input unit configured to read authentication data from an authentication object approaching or touching the screen; and    an authentication unit configured to perform an authentication process based on the authentication data read by the authentication data input unit.    
   
   
       2 . The authentication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the authentication data input unit comprises: 
 an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit which irradiates the authentication object with electromagnetic waves through the screen of the display unit; and    an electromagnetic wave detecting unit configured to receive electromagnetic waves transmitted from the authentication object in response to the electromagnetic waves irradiated by the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit, and configured to read the authentication data from the received electromagnetic waves.    
   
   
       3 . The authentication device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a detection unit configured to detect the authentication object when the authentication object approaches or touches the screen of the display unit; 
 wherein the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit irradiates the electromagnetic waves in response to the output of the detection unit.    
   
   
       4 . The authentication device according to  claim 3 , wherein the detection unit is comprised of a transparent touch sensor arranged on the screen of the display unit.  
   
   
       5 . The authentication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the authentication data input unit comprises: 
 a magnetic field generating unit configured to generate a magnetic field in the vicinity of the screen of the display unit in order to supply electric power to the authentication object with the magnetic field; and    a receiving unit configured to use the electric power received from the magnetic field to read the authentication data transmitted from the authentication object.    
   
   
       6 . The authentication device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a detection unit configured to detect the authentication object when the authentication object approaches or touches the screen of the display unit; 
 wherein the magnetic field generating unit is configured to generate the magnetic field in response to the output of the detection unit.    
   
   
       7 . The authentication device according to  claim 6 , wherein the detection unit is comprised of a transparent touch sensor arranged on the screen of the display unit.  
   
   
       8 . The authentication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the display unit is configured to display a guidance image which indicates an authentication position on the screen of the display unit at which the authentication object is to be brought near or placed in contact therewith.  
   
   
       9 . The authentication device according to  claim 8 , wherein the display unit displays a plurality of guidance images that indicate different authentication positions on the screen; and 
 the authentication data input unit is configured to read authentication data from the authentication object which approaches or touches one of the plurality of the authentication positions.    
   
   
       10 . The authentication device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a data communications unit configured to perform wireless data communications with the authentication object after the authentication unit completes the authentication process.  
   
   
       11 . The authentication device according to  claim 1 , wherein the authentication data is biometric authentication data which indicates biometric characteristics that are capable of identifying individuals.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming machine, comprising: 
 a game control unit configured to control a game in accordance with a predetermined game program;    a display unit comprising a screen, and configured to display images on the screen based on the progress of the game; and    an authentication device comprising an authentication data input unit located on the rear side of the display unit or the vicinity thereof, the authentication device configured to read authentication data from an authentication object that approaches or touches the screen; and    an authentication unit configured to perform an authentication process based on the authentication data read by the authentication data input unit.