Management system

Abstract

The roulette game uses both RFID tags and cameras to identify the game coins placed in the roulette game to assist the dealer's operation. For the selected game coins remaining after the dealer collects the non-selected game coins after the game result is determined in the roulette (11), the control device (140) uses the placement area antenna (131) to read the RFID tag (104) and obtain the first reading result. It also uses multiple cameras (14), (15), and (16) to take pictures of the selected game coins and obtain the first image. The analysis device (110) analyzes the first image to determine the number of each color of the image-identifiable selected game coins that are not obscured in any first image. The number of each color of the selected game coins shown in the first reading result is subtracted from the number of each color of the image-identifiable selected game coins to determine the number of each color of the image-identifiable selected game coins that are obscured in any first image. Based on the respective sharing ratios, the sharing amount of each color is calculated for the number of each color of the image-identifiable selected game coins and the obscured selected game coins.

Description

[0001] Divisional application

[0002] This application is a divisional application of patent application filed on March 10, 2025, with application number 202510278272.6 and invention title: Management System. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a management system for managing roulette games played on a roulette table using roulette game coins. Background Technology

[0004] In recent years, a system has been proposed for entertainment facilities that identifies placed game coins (hereinafter also referred to as "placed game coins") by reading RFID tags embedded in the game coins or by taking pictures of the game coins with a camera and performing image analysis in games played on game tables. This system assists the dealer in operations such as the recycling of placed game coins and the distribution of placed game coins in accordance with the game results (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0005] In the case of tracking game coins by reading the RFID tag embedded in the coin holder, the game coins can be read relatively accurately as long as the RFID tag is normal. However, on the other hand, it is often difficult to accurately distinguish and identify the location where game coins are placed (i.e., the object placed) when using RFID.

[0006] On the one hand, when using a camera to film the placement of game coins, the location where game coins are placed can be identified relatively accurately. However, there are situations where game coins placed in blind spots due to other game coins cannot be identified.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-112690. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a system, particularly for identifying and placing game coins in roulette games, to assist the dealer in their operation. This invention specifically considers the advantages and disadvantages of using RFID tags and cameras to identify and place game coins, and utilizes both RFID tags and cameras to identify and place game coins in roulette games, thereby assisting the dealer in their operation.

[0012] means for solving problems

[0013] One type of management system is a management system for managing roulette games played on a roulette table using roulette game coins, wherein the roulette table has a roulette wheel and a placement area divided into multiple areas for placing objects. In the roulette game, roulette coins with different colors depending on the player are used. Each roulette coin has an RFID tag storing information corresponding to at least its color, and the color is displayed at least on its side. The management system comprises: two cameras that capture images of the placement area from different obliquely upward positions and generate images or videos respectively; one or more placement area antennas for reading the RFID tags on the roulette coins placed in the placement area and embedded in the placement area; a parsing device that determines the number of roulette coins of each color placed in the placement area, multiple boundaries of adjacent placement areas, and the positional relationship between the roulette coins and the boundaries by parsing the images or videos; a control device that performs dealer assistance processing for payment by controlling the at least two cameras, the one or more placement area antennas, and the parsing device; and a display that displays the results of the dealer assistance processing. As a result, the control device is configured to, for the selected game coins remaining after the dealer collects the non-selected game coins following the determination of the game result in the roulette wheel, use one or more placement area antennas to read the RFID tag and obtain a first reading result, and use the at least two cameras to capture the selected game coins and obtain a first image or video, and use the analysis device to analyze the first image or video, thereby determining the number of each color of the unobstructed image-identifiable selected game coins through any of the first images or videos, subtracting the number of each color of the image-identifiable selected game coins from the number of each color of the selected game coins indicated by the first reading result, thereby determining the number of each color of the obstructed selected game coins through any of the first images or videos, and calculating the share of each color of the game coins based on their respective share ratios for the number of each color of the image-identifiable selected game coins and the obstructed selected game coins, and displaying the share of each color of the game coins calculated by the control device on the display.

[0014] According to this structure, for the selected game tokens, the control device knows the placement position and the number of tokens of each color, calculates the share of each color, and displays it on the screen. Therefore, the dealer can easily identify which color of game token is placed in which position and how much share to give by checking the screen.

[0015] The aforementioned management system also includes an antenna for recycling game coins. This antenna is used to read the RFID tags of the non-selected game coins recycled by the dealer. The control device is configured to use one or more placement area antennas to read the RFID tags of all the roulette game coins placed in the placement area and obtain a second reading result, and to use the recycling antenna to read the RFID tags of the non-selected game coins and obtain a third reading result. If the result obtained by subtracting the number of each color of the non-selected game coins (represented by the third reading result) from the number of each color of the roulette game coins placed in the second reading result is inconsistent with the number of each color of the selected game coins (represented by the first reading result), an alarm is output.

[0016] According to this structure, an alert can be issued if cheating occurs in the recycling of unselected game coins.

[0017] The aforementioned management system further comprises: a player determination system that determines the relationship between the players participating in the roulette game and the colors of the roulette game coins allocated to those players; and a recording device that, according to the historical records and / or cumulative totals of the amounts placed by each player, determines the historical records and / or cumulative totals to be recorded in the recording device based on the number of each color of all the roulette game coins placed, as indicated by the second reading result.

[0018] Based on this structure, it is possible to record the historical data of players' placements and / or the cumulative customer ratings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the roulette game table to which the management system of this embodiment is applicable;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a top view of the roulette game table to which the management system of this embodiment is applicable;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the placement area in this embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of game coins being placed in the placement area in this embodiment;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional image of the game currency in this embodiment;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the antenna configuration of the game table in this embodiment;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a stack of game coins captured by a camera in this embodiment;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the management system in this embodiment;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a dealer assistance screen displaying the result of the dealer assistance processing in this embodiment;

[0028] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an example of a selected game coin displayed in the image of the first camera in this embodiment;

[0029] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing an example of a selected game coin displayed in an image from the second camera in this embodiment;

[0030] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing an example of a selected game coin displayed in an image from the third camera in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following describes a method for implementing the present invention; however, the embodiments described below are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the elements of the various embodiments can be combined arbitrarily.

[0032] (Overview of a roulette table)

[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a roulette game table to which the management system of this embodiment is applicable. Figure 2 This is a top view showing the roulette game table to which the management system of this embodiment is applicable. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a roulette wheel 11 is provided at one corner of a roulette table (hereinafter referred to as the "game table"). Next to the roulette wheel 11 is a dealer's coin area 12 for placing the dealer's coins. The dealer is located in the dealer's position to deal the cards in the game, and this dealer's position is located in the center of the opposite side of the side where the roulette wheel 11 is located.

[0034] On the tabletop, from the center of the game table 10 to the end opposite the roulette wheel 11, there is a placement area 13. Figure 1 and Figure 2In the example, a roulette wheel 11 is located on the inside right side of the dealer, and a dealer's coin area 12 is located in front of the dealer on the right side. A placement area 13 is arranged from the front to the left. Multiple players are located in player positions and place their coins in the placement area 13. The player positions are arranged around the placement area 13, avoiding the dealer's position, and are positioned around the placement area 13.

[0035] The game table 10 is equipped with a first camera 14, a second camera 15, and a third camera 16 for filming the placement area 13. The first camera 14, second camera 15, and third camera 16 are all mounted on a pole erected on the game table 10. The first camera 14 is located at a corner of the roulette wheel 11 of the game table 10. The second camera 15 is located at a corner of the dealer's coin area 12 of the game table 10. The third camera 16 is located at a corner of the game table diagonally opposite the first camera 14. It is desirable that the first camera 14, second camera 15, and third camera 16 are all positioned so as not to obstruct players from placing coins, or the dealer from collecting and paying out coins.

[0036] The first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 film the placement area 13 from an angle above and below. The first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 film the placement area 13 from different directions. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In the example, the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 are set at approximately the same height from the desktop; however, the heights of the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 may be different from each other.

[0037] Next to the roulette wheel 11 of the game table 10, a display 17 is provided. This display 17 faces the dealer and displays the dealer's auxiliary screen, which will be described later. The display 17 is also mounted on a stick erected on the game table 10, but alternatively, it can be embedded in the tabletop. Furthermore, although the display 17 is located in the game table 10 in this embodiment, it can also be located at the edge of the game table 10 in a way that does not obstruct the dealer's dealing of cards. In addition, the display 17 can also face a direction that allows not only the dealer but also the players to observe it.

[0038] (Placement area and placement)

[0039] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates an example of the placement area in this embodiment. The placement area for the roulette game can be European or American style. Figure 3 The example illustrates an American-style placement area. It should be noted that the invention is also applicable to European-style placement areas.

[0040] In this embodiment, the smaller areas within the placement area 13 are referred to as "placement object areas". The placement area 13 is generally divided into an inner placement area consisting of placement object areas numbered 0, 00, 1 to 36, and an outer placement area consisting of all other placement object areas. The placement object areas in the outer placement area include a column area for placing 12 placement objects in a horizontal column, a twelve-area area for placing the first 12, the middle 12, or the last 12 placement objects, a low / high area for placing 18 placement objects numbered 1 to 18 or 18 placement objects numbered 19 to 36, an odd / even area for placing 18 odd-numbered or 18 even-numbered placement objects, and a red / black area for placing 18 red or 18 black placement objects.

[0041] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates an example of placing game coins in the placement area according to this embodiment. Game coins can be placed within a small area designated as the placement target area. In the inner placement area, by placing the coins along the boundary of the placement target area, placement targets on both sides of that boundary can be placed simultaneously. For example, when game coins C11 and C15 are placed across the boundary of two inner placement target areas, both of these targets (game coins C11 for numbers 17 and 20, and game coins C15 for numbers 19 and 20) are placed (see separate note). Similarly, when game coins C12 and C14 are placed across the intersection of four inner placement target areas, all four targets (game coins C12 for numbers 17, 18, 20, and 21, and game coins C14 for numbers 20, 21, 23, and 24) are placed (see corner note).

[0042] Like the game coin C13, when a game coin is placed in the inner placement area without touching any boundaries, it only applies to that placement object (within). Figure 4 Placement is performed on the 20th (direct selection). Like game coin C18, when placing the game coin on the boundary between the inner placement area and the twelve areas, it will move towards the corresponding three vertical placement objects (…). Figure 4 In the case of game coin C18, it was placed between numbers 28 and 30 (street note). Like game coin C17, when the game coin is placed on the boundary between the two inner placement areas and the twelve-area, it is placed towards the corresponding two vertical columns of six placement objects (…). Figure 4In the case of game coin C17, it is placed in numbers 7-12 (Note from Shuangjie). Like game coin C16, when the game coin is placed at the intersection of the boundaries of areas 1, 0, and 12, it is placed towards the corresponding 5 vertical placement objects (…). Figure 4 In the case of game coin C16, the coins were placed in columns 0, 00, and numbers 1 through 3 (five numbers). For game coin C19, when the coins are placed in a column area, they are placed in the corresponding horizontal column of 12 objects (in...). Figure 4 The game currency C19 is placed in the order of numbers 2, 5, ... 35 (see note).

[0043] For each of the above placements, while ensuring the organizer's revenue (deduction rate), a corresponding organizer's odds (shared amount) are defined based on the probability of winning. For example, in the case of... Figure 4 In the American-style scenario shown, the odds of winning with a straight bet are 1 / 38 (approximately 2.63%), but to ensure the organizer's 5.26% profit, the organizer's odds are set at 36. Alternatively, for example, the odds of winning with a list bet are 12 / 38 (approximately 31.58%), but to ensure the organizer's 5.26% profit, the organizer's odds are set at 3.

[0044] As mentioned above, in the roulette game, the placement of items varies depending on the location of the game coins. In placement area 13, multiple placement object areas are arranged in a two-dimensional direction, with adjacent placement object areas connected by boundaries.

[0045] (Game currency)

[0046] This section explains the game currency used in roulette (hereinafter referred to as "game currency"). Casinos offer table games such as card games, where common game currency can be used. However, roulette uses a special roulette game currency (hereinafter referred to as "roulette game currency"), which differs from the regular game currency used in other games (hereinafter referred to as "regular game currency").

[0047] When a player starts a roulette game, they borrow roulette game tokens from the dealer. Roulette game tokens can be borrowed using regular game tokens. Depending on the casino, it may be possible to borrow only with regular game tokens. Roulette game tokens have a distinctive appearance depending on the set. Therefore, when multiple players simultaneously place tokens in placement area 13, it is possible to determine which token was placed by which player.

[0048] Figure 5This is a perspective view showing the game coin of this embodiment. The game coin C has a group-determining part that varies depending on the group, and a common part shared by multiple groups. Figure 5 In the example, game coin C is a circular plate shape with two circular planes (upper and lower surfaces), and the sides have annular shapes along the perimeter of the circles. Figure 5 In the example game coin C, the central circular portion 101 of the plane and the six embedded portions 102 arranged at equal angular intervals from the outer periphery of the plane to the side are common portions. The portions 103 of the plane and side, excluding these, are group-defining portions. The group-defining portions have colors assigned according to each group, and the common portion is white. The group-defining portions and the common portions can be observed from the upper surface, lower surface, and side.

[0049] It should be noted that the game tokens may consist solely of a group-determining part, without a common part. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the group-determining part uses its color to represent the group; however, alternatively, the group-determining part may use its pattern or even design. Additionally, in this embodiment, the roulette game uses a fixed amount of game tokens, but multiple denominations of game tokens can be prepared for each group. In this case, for example, a number representing the price may be marked on the central circular portion 101, which serves as the common part, and the color of the embedded portion 102 may be set to a different color than that of portion 103, with the price represented by the color of the embedded portion 102. Furthermore, the price of game tokens within the same group may be all equal, while different groups may have different fixed amounts.

[0050] The dealer distributes different groups (and thus different specific colors) of game coins to different players. For example, when six players are allowed to play simultaneously at a roulette table, six specific colors of game coins are prepared for table 10. Players who finish their game in roulette and wish to leave the table settle their score by returning the game coins they have used to the dealer. Settlement is done using regular game coins.

[0051] The game coin has a built-in RFID tag 104. The RFID tag 104 stores at least information for determining the group to which the game coin belongs. If multiple denominations of game coins are prepared, the RFID tag 104 also stores denomination information. As described above, since the color of the group-determining part of the game coin differs according to each group, the RFID tag 104 can be configured to store information for determining the color of the group-determining part.

[0052] In this embodiment, the RFID tag 104 stores a game coin ID as information for determining the group to which the game coin belongs. To determine the group to which the game coin belongs using the game coin ID, a game coin database (not shown) is provided. The game coin database stores information about the group to which each game coin belongs (i.e., the color of the group determination part of the game coin) according to each game coin ID. Therefore, by determining the game coin ID and referring to the game coin database, the group of the game coin with that game coin ID can be determined.

[0053] It should be noted that the RFID tag 104 of the game coin stores information corresponding to the group of the game coin. By reading the RFID tag 104, the group to which the game coin belongs can be determined directly from the RFID tag 104 without preparing and referring to a database.

[0054] (RFID reading of game coins)

[0055] An antenna for reading RFID tags 104 placed on the tabletop is embedded under the tabletop of the game table 10. Figure 6 This diagram illustrates an example of the antenna configuration in the game table according to this embodiment. The dealer's coin area 12 is provided with multiple dealer's coin area antennas 121. The reading ranges of adjacent dealer's coin area antennas 121 overlap, thereby covering the entire dealer's coin area 12 with the reading range of any one of the dealer's coin area antennas 121.

[0056] Placement area 13 is also equipped with multiple placement area antennas 131. The reading ranges of adjacent placement area antennas 131 overlap, thus the entire placement area 13 is covered by the reading range of any one placement area antenna 131. A shield 141 is provided between the dealer's coin area 12 and the placement area 13. This prevents the dealer's coin area antenna 121 of the dealer's coin area 12 from reading the RFID tag of the coin in the placement area 13, and also prevents the placement area antenna 131 of the placement area 13 from reading the RFID tag of the coin in the dealer's coin area 12.

[0057] (Photo of the placement area)

[0058] As described above, the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 all film the placement area 13 from an obliquely upward angle. Thus, the film captures an obliquely upward view of a stack of game coins consisting of multiple game coins placed overlapping in the placement area 13.

[0059] Figure 7This diagram illustrates an example of a stack of game coins captured by a camera in this embodiment. First camera 14, second camera 15, and third camera 16 capture the stack of game coins from an obliquely upward angle, thus, as shown... Figure 7 As shown, the captured image displays the top surface of the top coin in the stack of coins, as well as the sides of all the coins in the stack.

[0060] As mentioned above, since the side of the game coin has at least one defined part, therefore, Figure 7 As shown, if you photograph a stack of game coins, the image will display a grouping of all the game coins included in the stack.

[0061] (The process of playing roulette)

[0062] In the roulette game, the dealer first allows players to place the ball onto the spinning roulette wheel 11. Players can continue placing the ball as it spins around the edge of the wheel 11 due to centrifugal force. If the centrifugal force weakens, the dealer places their hand face down on the placement area 13 and shouts "No more bet." Based on this shout, players are prohibited from making new or altered placements, thus confirming the placement.

[0063] If the ball lands in roulette wheel 11 and enters any of the pockets 0, 00, 1 to 36 of the spinning roulette wheel 11, the game result is determined. The dealer places a dolly on the placement object corresponding to the pocket the ball landed in. If a coin is placed on that placement object, a dolly is placed on that coin. Then, according to the game result, the dealer returns the unselected coins (hereinafter referred to as "unselected coins"), i.e., the coins that the dealer should reclaim, to the dealer's coin area 12. Then, for the selected coins (hereinafter referred to as "selected coins"), coins are taken from the dealer's coin area 12 and distributed (paid). At this time, for the selected coins, the number (or even the amount) of coins of the same type as the selected coin is paid according to the distribution multiplier.

[0064] If a player receives both the selected game token and the paid game token, the game ends, and the next round begins. The dealer starts spinning roulette wheel 11 to begin the next round, placing the ball on wheel 11. These steps are repeated to continue the game.

[0065] (System Structure)

[0066] Figure 8This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the management system of this embodiment. The management system 100 manages roulette games played on a roulette table 10 using roulette game coins. The roulette table 10 includes a roulette wheel 11 and a placement area 13 divided into multiple placement areas. The management system 100 includes a first camera 14, a second camera 15, and a third camera 16 that capture images of the placement areas 13 from different obliquely upward positions and generate images of each.

[0067] The analysis device 110 analyzes the images captured by the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 respectively, thereby identifying the number of each color of roulette game coins placed in the placement area 13 and multiple boundaries of adjacent placement areas, and further determining the positional relationship between the identified roulette game coins and the identified boundaries. In particular, the analysis device 110 analyzes images captured after the dealer collects the unselected game coins that remain in the placement area 13.

[0068] The analysis device 110 uses machine learning or deep learning to analyze images. For this purpose, the analysis device 110 learns by capturing images of stacks of game coins placed on the placement area 13. To prepare images for learning, stacks of game coins are captured under various conditions. Furthermore, images for learning are prepared for each group of multiple sets, and images for learning are also prepared for each number of game coins included in the stack. Further, images of game coins neatly stacked and images of game coins stacked with staggered arrangement are prepared as learning images. Further, images with darker lighting, brighter lighting, and images with specific lighting hues are also prepared as learning images. The analysis device 110, having learned such learning images, can robustly perform image recognition under various conditions.

[0069] When adjacent placement object areas are divided by boundary lines, the analysis device 110 can learn to use the boundary lines as recognition objects. When placement object areas are divided by painting each area with a predetermined color and making the colors of adjacent placement object areas different, the analysis device 110 can identify the boundaries of these placement object areas by recognizing each placement object area. Furthermore, based on the coordinates of the game coin identified by the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16, it can identify cases where the game coin is located on the boundary. In this case, the boundary lines are mapped to coordinates.

[0070] In addition, the management system 100 includes: multiple placement area antennas 131, which are built into the placement area 13 to read the RFID tags of roulette game coins placed in the placement area 13; and a placement area reader 130 for controlling the multiple placement area antennas 131. The management system 100 also includes: multiple dealer coin area antennas 121, which are built into the dealer coin area 12 to read the RFID tags 104 of roulette game coins placed in the dealer coin area 12; and a dealer coin area reader 120 for controlling the multiple dealer coin area antennas 121.

[0071] The placement area reader 130 and the dealer's coin area reader 120 read information from the RFID tags 104 of the coins within their respective reading ranges by driving their corresponding antennas. As described above, in this embodiment, since multiple antennas are configured with overlapping reading ranges in both the placement area 13 and the dealer's coin area 12, there is a situation where the coin ID stored in the RFID tag 104 of a single coin is read repeatedly by two or more antennas. The placement area reader 130 and the dealer's coin area reader 120 unify the coin IDs read repeatedly by multiple antennas into one, determining that there is a coin with that coin ID.

[0072] The control device 140 controls the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16, as well as the analysis device 110, and controls multiple placement area antennas 131 via the placement area reader 130, thereby performing dealer-assisted payment processing. In dealer-assisted processing, the control device 140 guides the dealer on the number (and even the amount) of game coins to be paid for each selected game coin.

[0073] As a result of the dealer assistance processing, the control device 140 generates a dealer assistance screen representing the dealer assistance content, and the display 17 displays the dealer assistance screen.

[0074] (Dealer assists in handling)

[0075] The dealer's auxiliary processing is explained in detail below. As described above, if the game result is determined because the ball enters any pocket of the roulette wheel 11, the dealer first retrieves the unselected game coins from the placement area 13 to the dealer's game coin area 12. At this time, the control device 140 controls the placement area reader 130 to use multiple placement area antennas 131 to read the RFID tags of the selected game coins remaining in the placement area 13, and obtains the reading result including the number of each color of the selected game coins (hereinafter referred to as the "first reading result").

[0076] Additionally, at this time, the control device 140 controls the analysis device 110 to analyze the images captured by the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 (hereinafter, these images are referred to as "first images"), and determines the number of each color (group) of the selected game coins (hereinafter referred to as "boundary selected game coins") placed across the boundary of the placement object area, and obtains it as the analysis result of the first image.

[0077] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a dealer assistance screen displaying the results of dealer assistance processing. Figure 9 It was shown that in the process Figure 4 The shown placement is the dealer's assist screen when the game result is "20" (the ball goes into pocket 20 in roulette wheel 11). For example... Figure 9 As shown, for the selected token, the dealer's auxiliary screen 171 includes information such as the group to which the selected token belongs (i.e., the color of the selected token), the number of selected tokens (and even the amount of the selected tokens), and the number of tokens allocated (and even the allocation amount) according to the various categories of placement method (i.e., winner).

[0078] like Figure 9 As shown, according to Figure 4 The placed tokens are the straight bets (number 20), split bets (number 20), and corner bets (number 20). The number of tokens to be distributed among these tokens is calculated according to the rules-based distribution multiplier. The dealer, by checking the dealer's auxiliary screen 171, knows which token is selected and how many tokens of which color should be distributed, thus enabling quick and accurate payout operations.

[0079] To generate such a dealer assistance screen 171, the control device 140 must determine the placement method of the selected tokens, that is, in which placement area and even at the boundary of the placement area, how many of which set of selected tokens are placed. However, in Figure 4 In the example shown, selected game tokens are arranged around the placement area "20". Because the game tokens are placed close together, it is difficult to determine the different locations of the stacked tokens using RFID tag 104, and it is also difficult to determine which token is placed where.

[0080] Figures 10-12This diagram illustrates examples of selected tokens displayed in the images from the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera, respectively, in this embodiment. In any of the images from the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera, a portion of the stack of tokens located on the inside is occluded by other stacks of tokens on the front side when viewed from the camera. During image analysis, it is not easy to accurately identify the type and number of tokens in such stacks located on the inside side. In particular, for tokens like... Figure 4 In the example, the selected coin "20" is surrounded by other selected coins. The images of the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera will all be partially obscured by the stack of coins in front of it.

[0081] Therefore, in this embodiment, for the selected game coin, a game coin stack that is partially obscured by other game coin stacks is used.

[0082] The control device 140 first determines the number of each color of the selected game tokens (hereinafter referred to as "image-recognizable selected game tokens") that are not obscured in any of the first images and are identified through image analysis, based on the analysis results of the first image from the analysis device 110. Figure 4 In the example, game coins C11 and C15 are not obscured in the first image of the first camera 14, game coins C11 and C12 are not obscured in the first image of the second camera 15, and game coin C14 is not obscured in the first image of the third camera 16. Thus, all game coins except game coin C13 can be identified as image-recognizable selected game coins through image analysis.

[0083] On the other hand, the game coin C13 is a selected game coin that is obscured in the first image of any one of the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 (hereinafter referred to as "obscured selected game coin"). Therefore, for such obscured selected game coins, the control device 140 determines the number of obscured selected game coins of each color by subtracting the number of image-recognizable selected game coins of each color identified by image analysis from the number of selected game coins of each color indicated by the first reading result of the RFID tag 104.

[0084] Furthermore, the control device 140 determines the position of the obstructed selected coin based on the positions of all image-recognizable selected coins. Figure 4In the example case, the sub-bets 17-20, the corner bets 17-18-20-21, the corner bets 20-21-23-24, and the sub-bets 19-20 are recognized by the image as described above. Therefore, the control device 140 determines that the obscured selected game coins are the direct selection of "20" that are obscured by these game coins.

[0085] In this way, for the selected game coin, the control device 140 uses the first reading result obtained from reading the RFID tag and the analysis result of the first image to determine the placement method (and even the placement object) of the selected game coin, including the one that obscures the selected game coin, and the number of coins of each color. Furthermore, for the determined number of coins of each color in the selected game coin, the control device 140 calculates the allocated number of coins for each color based on the allocation multiplier corresponding to each placement method, and generates a dealer assistance screen 171 including the allocated number of coins for each color. It should be noted that, similar to game coins placed on the boundary of the inner placement area, for game coins placed in the outer placement area, the first reading result obtained from reading the RFID tag and the analysis result of the first image are also used to determine the placement method (and even the placement object) of the selected game coin, including the one that obscures the selected game coin, and the number of coins of each color.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the game coin IDs repeatedly read by the multiple placement area antennas 131 in placement area 13 are unified into one, determining that a game coin with that game coin ID exists in placement area 13. Alternatively, the game coin IDs can be read separately by separating the inner and outer placement areas, thereby obtaining the game coin IDs of the game coin placed in the inner placement area and the game coin placed in the outer placement area respectively. It should be noted that, depending on the position of the placed game coin, a game coin placed in the inner placement area can be read through the placement area antenna 131 of the inner placement area, and it can also be read through the placement area antenna 131 of the outer placement area. In addition, the reverse is also possible. Even in this case, the signal strength can be used to determine whether the game coin is placed in the inner or outer placement area.

[0087] (Alert for payment fraud)

[0088] The management system 100 of this embodiment also has the function of outputting an alarm if cheating occurs during the recycling of unselected game coins. To this end, the control device 140 controls the placement area reader 130 at the moment the player finishes placing the coins, and uses the placement area antenna 131 to read the RFID tags 104 of all placed game coins in the placement area 13, and obtains the reading results (hereinafter referred to as "second reading results"). Furthermore, before recycling, the control device 140 uses the dealer's game coin area antenna 121 to read the RFID tags 104 of all game coins in the dealer's game coin area 12, and obtains the reading results (hereinafter referred to as "third reading results").

[0089] If the game result is determined, and the dealer retrieves the non-selected game coins from placement area 13 to dealer game coin area 12, then the control device 140 controls the dealer game coin area reader 120 to use the dealer game coin area antenna 121 to read the RFID tags 104 of all game coins in the dealer game coin area 12, including the retrieved non-selected game coins, and obtains the reading results (hereinafter referred to as "fourth reading result"). Furthermore, the control device 140 calculates the number of game coins of each color added to the dealer game coin area 12 due to the retrieval by obtaining the difference between the third and fourth reading results. On the other hand, the control device 140 calculates the number of game coins of each color added to the dealer game coin area 12 due to the retrieval by obtaining the difference between the first reading result obtained by reading only the selected game coins in placement area 13 and the second reading result obtained by reading all placed game coins.

[0090] The control device 140 determines whether the increase in game coins in the dealer's game coin area 12 due to recycling is consistent with the decrease in game coins in the placement area 13 due to recycling. If they are inconsistent, an alarm is output. The alarm is output as visual information via the display 17.

[0091] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the number of non-selected coins of each color recovered to the dealer's coin area 12 is obtained based on the difference in reading results before and after recovery. That is, the dealer's coin antenna 121 located in the dealer's coin area 12 is used as a coin recovery antenna for reading the RFID tag 104 of the recovered non-selected coins. However, alternatively, a dedicated coin recovery antenna can be used that only reads the RFID tag 104 of the recovered non-selected coins. In this case, the recovered non-selected coins are recovered to the area where the dedicated coin recovery antenna is located and read. Afterward, the recovered non-selected coins move to the dealer's coin area 12.

[0092] Furthermore, cheating detection is also performed on payments. That is, the management system 100 of this embodiment has the function of outputting an alarm if cheating occurs in the payment of selected game coins. To this end, the control device 140 reads the RFID tags 104 of all game coins in the dealer's game coin area 12 after the payment is completed, and obtains the reading result (hereinafter referred to as "the fifth reading result"). Furthermore, the control device 140 calculates the number of game coins of each color that were reduced in the dealer's game coin area 12 due to payment by obtaining the difference between the fourth reading result of the RFID tags 104 of all game coins in the dealer's game coin area 12 after the collection is completed and the fifth reading result of the RFID tags 104 of all game coins in the dealer's game coin area 12 after the payment is completed.

[0093] Furthermore, the control device 140 reads the RFID tags 104 of all game coins in the placement area after payment and obtains the reading results (hereinafter referred to as the "sixth reading result"). The control device 140 calculates the number of game coins of each color added to the placement area 13 due to payment by obtaining the difference between the sixth reading result of the RFID tags 104 of all game coins in the placement area 13 after payment and the first reading result of the RFID tags 104 of all game coins in the placement area 13 after recycling.

[0094] The control device 140 determines whether the amount of game coins lost in the dealer's game coin area 12 due to payment is consistent with the amount of game coins gained in the placement area 13 due to payment, and outputs an alarm if they are inconsistent.

[0095] The aforementioned payment fraud detection determines whether the amount of game coins decrease in the dealer's game coin area 12 due to payment is consistent with the amount of game coins increase in the placement area 13 due to payment. This confirms whether game coins moved seamlessly from the dealer's game coin area 12 to the placement area 13 during payment. However, in this embodiment, as described above, for selected game coins, their placement method (and even the placement object) and the number of each color are determined. Furthermore, for the determined number of each color of selected game coins, the allocated number of each color is calculated based on the allocation multiplier corresponding to their respective placement method. Therefore, the control device 140 determines whether the game coins in the placement area 13 actually increased due to payment based on the calculated allocated number of each color. The increase in game coins in the placement area 13 due to payment can be obtained as described above by obtaining the difference between the sixth reading result and the first reading result.

[0096] Based on this, or as an alternative, the control device 140 can determine whether the number of coins in the dealer's coin area 12 has decreased according to the calculated number of coins allocated to each color. The amount of coin decrease caused by the payment in the dealer's coin area 12 can be obtained as described above by obtaining the difference between the fourth and fifth reading results.

[0097] Furthermore, to detect payment fraud, a dedicated payment coin antenna, used only for reading payment coins, can be used to read coins taken from the dealer's coin area 12 and placed in front of the placement area 13. In this case, the payment coin paid to the placement area 13 is read after being retrieved to the area equipped with the dedicated payment coin antenna. Afterwards, the payment coin is moved by the dealer to the vicinity of the corresponding selected coin in the placement area 13.

[0098] When using a dedicated payment coin antenna, in order to detect payment fraud, the control device 140 can determine whether the number of coins of each color that decreased due to payment in the dealer's coin area 12 matches the number of coins of each color read by the dedicated payment coin antenna. Alternatively, or based on this, in order to detect payment fraud, the control device 140 can determine whether the number of coins of each color read by the dedicated payment coin antenna matches the number of coins of each color that increased due to payment in the placement area 13. Furthermore, when using a dedicated payment coin antenna, it can determine whether the calculated allocated number of coins of each color matches the number of coins of each color read by the dedicated payment coin antenna.

[0099] (Customer rating)

[0100] The management system 100 in this embodiment also has a customer rating function. To achieve this function, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the management system 100 includes a card reader 160 and a player database 170. The card reader 160 obtains player information (player ID) by scanning the membership card of a player who wants to purchase roulette game tokens. The control device 140 associates the obtained player ID with information about the group (color) of roulette game tokens allocated to that player. This association can be performed by the dealer using an input device (not shown) to control the control device 140.

[0101] If the color of the game coin is associated with the player ID, then at the end of the placement process, the control device 140 records the number of game coins (placement amount) placed by each player in the player database 170 based on the number of each color of game coins placed, as indicated by the second reading result. By performing this recording every time a game is played, the player database 170 keeps a historical record and cumulative amount of the number of game coins (placement amount) placed by each player. It should be noted that the player database 170 may only record either the historical record or the cumulative amount.

[0102] It should be noted that player identification can be performed using a camera. In this case, the camera can capture the face of a player intending to purchase roulette tokens, and this image can be used for facial verification to identify the player. In this scenario, any one of the first camera 14, the second camera 15, or the third camera 16 can be used. Even in this case, the association between the identified player and the color of the roulette tokens can be performed by the dealer, or the camera can be used for this association. That is, the camera can capture the player placing the roulette tokens, and the image can be analyzed to identify the tokens while identifying the player, and associate the player with the color of the tokens.

[0103] (Modified Example)

[0104] In the above-described embodiments, the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 all capture images at a predetermined time and generate images, and the analysis device 110 analyzes the captured images. However, as an alternative, the first camera 14, the second camera 15, and the third camera 16 can capture videos, and the analysis device 110 analyzes the captured videos or analyzes images extracted from the videos.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the game table 10 is equipped with three cameras: a first camera 14, a second camera 15, and a third camera 16. However, at least two cameras are sufficient. When using two cameras, it is desirable that the two cameras be positioned diagonally opposite each other in the placement area 13, similar to the positional relationship between the first camera 14 and the third camera 16 in the above embodiment. Furthermore, four or more cameras can be provided. It should be noted that when four cameras are provided, these four cameras can be positioned at the four corners of the game table 10. Moreover, the multiple cameras can be configured to have different heights, viewing angles, and resolutions, except for their positions and shooting directions.

[0106] In the above embodiment, for placement area 13, multiple placement area antennas 131 are arranged in an overlapping manner. When the same game coin ID is read by the placement area reader 130 using multiple placement area antennas 131, these are unified and processed into a single game coin ID. For each game coin, the control device 140 can be configured to determine the approximate location of the game coin based on the signal strength received by each placement area antenna 131 from the RFID tag. Similarly, for the dealer's game coin area 12, the location of the game coin can also be determined based on the signal strength received by the multiple dealer's game coin area antennas 121 from the RFID tag.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the example described uses roulette game tokens specifically designed for roulette games. However, ordinary game tokens with built-in RFID tags can be used for placement and settlement according to established rules (e.g., when the number of players participating in the roulette game is small and the dealer allows it). Even in this case, the antennas and readers of the management system 100 can read the RFID tags of ordinary game tokens and perform the same management as described above.

[0108] Symbol explanation:

[0109] 10 Roulette Game Table

[0110] 11 Roulette

[0111] 12 Dealer's Coin Zone

[0112] 13 Placement Area

[0113] 14 First Camera

[0114] 15 Second Camera

[0115] 16 Third Camera

[0116] 17 Monitors

[0117] 100 Management System

[0118] 110 Analysis Device

[0119] 120 Dealer Game Coin Zone Reader

[0120] 130 Placement Area Reader

[0121] 140 Control device

[0122] 150 monitors

[0123] 160 Card Reader

[0124] 170 Player Database

[0125] 121 Dealer's Coin Area Antenna

[0126] 131 Placement Area Antenna

[0127] 171 Dealer's Auxiliary Screen

[0128] Group 101 Determination Department

[0129] 102 Common Section

[0130] C-roulette game uses game coins.

Claims

1. A management system that manages a roulette game played using roulette game chips on a roulette game table that has a roulette and a placement area in which a plurality of placement object areas are divided, wherein in the roulette game, the roulette game chips having colors that differ depending on different players are used, the roulette game chips have RFID tags in which information corresponding to at least the colors is stored, and at least the colors are displayed on side surfaces, the management system has two cameras that photograph the placement area from positions that are different from each other and that are obliquely above, and that respectively generate images or videos, one or more placement area antennas that are built in the placement area and that read the RFID tags in the roulette game chips placed in the placement area, an analysis device that determines the number of each color of the roulette game chips placed in the placement area, a plurality of boundaries of adjacent placement object areas, and a positional relationship between the roulette game chips and the boundaries by analyzing the images or videos, a control device that performs dealer assistance processing of payout by controlling the at least two cameras, the one or more placement area antennas, and the analysis device, and a display that displays a result of the dealer assistance processing, the control device is configured so that for winning game chips that remain after a dealer recovers non-winning game chips after determining a game result in the roulette, reading of the RFID tags is performed using the one or more placement area antennas and a first reading result is obtained, and the winning game chips are photographed using the at least two cameras and a first image or video is obtained, the first image or video is analyzed using the analysis device, and the number of each color of non-occluded image-recognizable winning game chips is determined from any of the first images or videos, the number of each color of the winning game chips indicated by the first reading result is subtracted from the number of each color of the image-recognizable winning game chips, and the number of each color of occluded winning game chips that are occluded is able to be determined from any of the first images or videos, for the number of each color of the image-recognizable winning game chips and the occluded winning game chips, a payout amount of each color of game chips is calculated based on a respective distribution rate, and the display displays the payout amount of each color of game chips calculated by the control device.

2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the management system further has a recovery game chip antenna that reads the RFID tags of the non-winning game chips recovered by a dealer, the control device is configured so that reading of the RFID tags of all of the roulette game chips placed in the placement area is performed using the one or more placement area antennas and a second reading result is obtained, and the number of each color of the image-recognizable winning game chips is determined from any of the first images or videos and the second reading result. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ reading the RFID tags of the non-winning tokens using the recovered token antenna and obtaining a third read result, in the case where the result obtained by subtracting the number of each color of the non-winning tokens indicated by the third read result from the number of each color of the placed tokens indicated by the second read result does not match the number of each color of the winning tokens indicated by the first read result, outputting an alarm.

3. The management system according to claim 2, wherein the management system further comprises: a player determination system that determines a relationship between a player participating in the roulette game and a color of the roulette tokens allocated to the player; and a recording device that records a history of the bet amount and / or a total amount for each of the players, the control device determines the history and / or the total amount to be recorded in the recording device based on the number of each color of the placed tokens indicated by the second read result.

4. The management system according to claim 3, wherein the player determination system determines the relationship between the player and the color of the roulette tokens based on a bet amount of each color of the roulette tokens allocated to the player.

5. The management system according to claim 4, wherein the player determination system determines the relationship between the player and the color of the roulette tokens based on a bet amount of each color of the roulette tokens allocated to the player.

6. The management system according to claim 5, wherein the player determination system determines the relationship between the player and the color of the roulette tokens based on a bet amount of each color of the roulette tokens allocated to the player.

7. The management system according to claim 6, wherein the player determination system determines the relationship between the player and the color of the roulette tokens based on a bet amount of each color of the roulette tokens allocated to the player.

8. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the player determination system determines the relationship between the player and the color of the roulette tokens based on a bet amount of each color of the roulette tokens allocated to the player.

9. The management system according to claim 8, wherein the player determination system determines the relationship between the player and the color of the roulette tokens based on a bet amount of each color of the roulette tokens allocated to the player.

10. The management system according to claim 9, wherein the player determination system determines the relationship between the player and the color of the roulette tokens based on a bet amount of each color of the roulette tokens allocated to the player.

Images