Chip measurement system

Abstract

To solve the problem that in an image analysis technique, it is difficult to determine the total amount of tips as token coins for a game on a game table (4) because of complexity of patters of tips as the token coins for the game on the game table.SOLUTION: A measurement system comprises a management controller (14) for measuring the total amount of tips (120) bet on a game table (4) using an image analysis result by an image recorder (300). The tips (120) as token coins for a game used in the system are obtained by laminating plastic layers with a plurality of different colors, and each provided with at least a colored layer (121) in an intermediate position. The tips each have a multi-layer structure in which a white layer (122) or a pale-color layer (which may be a layer with a color lighter than the colored layer (121), although not shown in the figure) is laminated on both sides of the colored layer (121) at the intermediate position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a chip measuring system, wherein chips are gaming substitute currency (gaming chips) used in amusement arcades. [Background Art]

[0002] It has been proposed to attach a wireless IC (RFID) tag to each gaming substitute currency placed on a gaming table to acquire the denomination of the gaming substitute currency, so as to grasp the number and total amount of wagered gaming substitute currency.

[0003] In the card game monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether the gaming substitute currency placed on the gaming table has been collected or redeemed in accordance with the win / lose result by performing image analysis on the movement of the gaming substitute currency, thereby monitoring fraudulent activities. In addition, in amusement facilities such as casinos, it has been proposed to attach an IC tag to each chip serving as gaming substitute currency to acquire the denomination of the chip serving as gaming substitute currency, so as to grasp the number and total amount of chips as wagered gaming substitute currency. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 107902 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] In conventional gaming systems, chips used as substitute currency are stacked high on the gaming table. However, in the current technology, where IC tags are attached to each chip and the stacked chips are read by an IC tag reader located beneath the gaming table, there is a problem in that the total amount cannot be accurately read due to the stacking of chips. Furthermore, if the sensitivity of the reader is increased, chips used as substitute currency placed in different positions (where the outcome of the game depends) are added together, making it impossible to determine the total amount of chips used as substitute currency at each position. Additionally, with camera imaging, there are problems such as blind spots due to the camera's field of view and shadows caused by overlapping chips, making it impossible to determine the total amount of chips used as substitute currency.

[0006] In amusement facilities such as casinos, chips used as substitute currency for games are piled high and placed on the game table. However, IC tag readers installed under the game table have a problem in that they cannot accurately read the total amount. Furthermore, if the sensitivity of the reader is increased, chips used as substitute currency for games placed in different locations (where the outcome of the game depends on the location) are added together, making it impossible to determine the total amount of chips used as substitute currency for each location. The present invention aims to provide a novel system for measuring the total amount of stacked chips in games played in amusement facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the chip measurement system of the present invention includes an image recording device that records the state of chips of a predetermined thickness to be measured, which are stacked in a game played on a gaming table, as an image using a camera, Multiple height-measuring cameras that obtain images of stacked chips to be measured from different positions or angles, A chip counting device that uses the multiple height-measuring cameras to obtain the respective horizontal or vertical viewing angles to the chip to be measured from the multiple height-measuring cameras, obtains the height of the chip to be measured from these angles, and calculates the number of chips to be measured. It includes a management control device that controls an image recording device and a chip counting device.

[0008] Furthermore, a total chip value measuring device calculates the total value of the chips to be measured based on the number of chips to be measured obtained from the chip count measuring device, In addition to the image recording device and the chip counting device, the system may further include a management control device that controls the total chip value measuring device.

[0009] The system may further include a chip total value measuring device that obtains the number of chips to be measured from a chip counting device and calculates the total value of the stacked chips by identifying the type of chip from the image analysis results of the image recording device.

[0010] Furthermore, the chip measurement system may be configured in a management control device that, via the image recording device, can determine the location, type, and number of chips to be measured by each player, and determine the total amount of all chips bet by each player. The system may also further include a chip tray camera that obtains an image of the dealer's chip tray at the gaming table, and a chip measuring device for the chip tray that determines the total amount of chips in the chip tray from the image taken by the chip tray camera.

[0011] The present invention is a chip measurement system, further comprising a win / loss result determination device that obtains the win / loss result for each game on the game table, and the management control device may be configured to determine the total amount of chips bet by the losing player in the game based on the information obtained from the win / loss result determination device, including the position, type, and number of chips bet by the losing player.

[0012] Furthermore, the management control device may grasp the total amount of chips to be measured in the dealer's chip tray at the gaming table, add or subtract the increase or decrease in the chips to be measured in that game, calculated from the position, type, and number of chips bet by all players in that game and the win / loss result of that game obtained by the win / loss result determination device, from the total amount of chips to be measured in the chip tray before settlement of each game, compare the expected total amount of chips to be measured in the chip tray after settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of chips to be measured in the chip tray at the end of the game, obtained via the image recording device, and determine whether there is a discrepancy between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

[0013] Furthermore, the chip total amount measuring device may have multiple image recording devices, and the chip total amount measuring device may be a chip measuring system that calculates the total amount of chips to be measured using images of stacked chips to be measured taken from different positions or angles of each of the image recording devices.

[0014] Furthermore, the chip to be measured in the measurement system of this chip is A laminated structure consisting of multiple layers of plastic is formed by laminating at least a colored layer and a white or light-colored layer, forming a striped pattern on the side surface in the lamination direction, the type of substitute currency for games can be identified by the colored layer, and printed layers indicating the type of substitute currency for games are applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the laminated structure, and the layers are heat-sealed together to form a layered structure.

[0015] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the chip measurement system in the present invention is An image recording device that uses a camera to record the state of chips of a predetermined thickness that are stacked in a game played on a gaming table as an image, Multiple height-measuring cameras that obtain images of stacked chips to be measured from different positions or angles, A chip counting device that uses the multiple height-measuring cameras to obtain the respective horizontal or vertical viewing angles to the chip to be measured from the multiple height-measuring cameras, obtains the height of the chip to be measured from these angles, and calculates the number of chips to be measured. A total chip value measuring device that calculates the total value of the chips to be measured by combining the number of chips to be measured obtained from the chip count measuring device and the total value of the chips to be measured accumulated from the image analysis results of the image recording device, It comprises an image recording device, a chip counting device, and a management control device that controls the total chip value measuring device, The chip to be measured is, The structure consists of multiple layers of plastic, with at least a colored layer and a white or light-colored layer laminated together to form a striped pattern on the side in the direction of lamination. The colored layer allows for the identification of the type of substitute currency used for games. Furthermore, printed layers indicating the type of substitute currency are applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the laminated structure, and the layers are heat-sealed together to form a layered structure.

[0016] Furthermore, the chip to be measured may be at least one layer of multiple plastic layers, and the layer may be a heavy layer containing metal powder for weight increase. In addition, white or light-colored layers may be provided on both sides of the colored layer, and the thicknesses of the upper and lower layers of the white or light-colored layers provided on either side of the colored layer may be different from those of the other layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the measurement system of the present invention, by measuring the number of stacked chips and calculating the total amount of chips wagered, it is possible to determine whether the chips were collected and redeemed correctly according to the outcome of the game. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an overview of the chip measurement system as a substitute currency for games according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a perspective view of chips as gaming substitute currency showing an example of different stacked states of chips as gaming substitute currency grasped in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a chip as gaming substitute currency according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is a diagram showing another example of a chip as gaming substitute currency according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is a diagram showing another example of a chip as gaming substitute currency according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of a chip as gaming substitute currency according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a stacked state of chips as gaming substitute currency according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective explanatory photograph illustrating a stacked state of different types of chips as gaming substitute currency. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is a diagram showing details of the chip tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B is a diagram showing another example of the chip tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A] Figure 9A is a diagram showing the relationship between a two-stage chip tray and a camera device 2, showing a state where the two stages are stacked. [Figure 9B] Figure 9B is a diagram showing the relationship between a two-stage chip tray and a camera device 2, showing a state where the two stages are offset. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram showing a method for counting the number of chips as gaming substitute currency according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram showing a method for counting the number of chips as gaming substitute currency according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12]Figure 12 shows a method for measuring the number of chips used as substitute currency for games according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows a method for measuring the number of chips used as substitute currency for games according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] In casinos and other amusement facilities, chips used as substitute currency for games are piled high and placed on the game tables. However, IC tag readers installed beneath the game tables have difficulty accurately reading the total amount. If the sensitivity of the readers is increased, chips placed in different locations (where the outcome of the game depends) are added together, making it impossible to determine the total amount of chips used as substitute currency at each location.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the patterns on the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games have been complex, and there is a problem in that when a large number of chips are stacked, the camera cannot accurately determine the number of chips stacked.

[0021] The chips 120, used as substitute currency for games, can be stacked not only in a vertically aligned manner, but also in an offset manner as shown in Figure 2. In this case, if the camera device 2 is positioned in the direction of arrow X shown in Figure 2 (or if the orientation of the chips 120 as substitute currency for games is in a blind spot), it is expected that the chips 120 as substitute currency for games will not be visible (they will be in a blind spot).

[0022] Furthermore, the dealer needs to ensure that the chips 120, which are used as substitute currency for the game, placed on the game table are collected or redeemed according to the outcome of the game. Even if this is attempted by analyzing the chips 120 using image analysis, the patterns on the chips 120 are complex. Therefore, existing practical image analysis technologies cannot determine whether the dealer has accurately redeemed the chips 120 corresponding to the chips that were wagered, resulting in insufficient error prevention.

[0023] According to the system of this embodiment, even if a large number of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games are piled up, the number of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games can be determined by image analysis, and even relatively overlapping chips 120 used as substitute currency for games can be identified by their position and color to determine their total value.

[0024] The following describes a chip measurement system for table games in a game hall having a game table 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the system, and the system of this embodiment in a game hall having multiple game tables 4 includes a chip total amount measurement device 302 equipped with an image recording device 300 that records the progress of the game played on the game table 4 as video via multiple camera devices 2, including the game participants 6 and the dealer 5, and performs image analysis of the recorded video of the game progress, and a card distribution device 3 that determines and displays the win or loss result of each game on the game table 4. The card distribution device 3 is a so-called electronic shoe, which is already used and known to those skilled in the art, and has the rules of the game programmed in advance, and is structured to read the information (rank and suit) of the distributed card 1 and determine the win or loss of the game. For example, in a baccarat game, the banker win, the player win, and a tie (draw) are basically determined by the rank of 2-3 cards each, and the determination result (win or loss result) is displayed on the indicator lamp 13.

[0025] The control device 14 reads the information (rank and suit) of card 1 obtained from the card distribution device 3 to determine the outcome of each game, and uses the measurement results of the position, type, and number of chips 120 placed by the game participants 6 to determine the winner 6W and loser 6L among the participants 6 in each game. Furthermore, it has a calculation function that performs a calculation of the casino's profit and loss at the game table 4 (the total amount of chips 120 wagered by the losers 6L) minus the total amount of chips 120 wagered by the winner 6W among the participants 6) for each game.

[0026] The image recording device 300, the total chip value measurement device 302, and the management control device 14 in this measurement system have a structure that combines a computer, program, and memory, either as an integrated unit or as multiple components.

[0027] Next, we will explain the details of the chips used as substitute currency for games in this measurement. Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the chip 120 used as substitute currency for games in this measurement system. It has a multilayer structure in which multiple layers of different colored plastics are laminated, with at least one colored layer 121 in the middle, and white layers 122 or light-colored layers (not shown, but any layer lighter in color than the colored layer 121) laminated on both sides of this intermediate colored layer 121. By having a colored layer 121 and a multilayer structure in which white layers 122 or light-colored layers (not shown, but any layer lighter in color than the colored layer 121) are laminated on both sides of this intermediate colored layer 121, a striped pattern in the direction of lamination is formed on the side as shown in Figure 6, and by changing the color of the colored layer 121 (red, green, yellow, blue, etc.) for each type of chip 120 used as substitute currency for games (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.), the type of chip 120 used as substitute currency for games can be identified.

[0028] The chip 120, used as a substitute currency for games, has a structure having at least an external appearance of a colored layer 121 and a white layer 122 or a light-colored layer, forming axial stripes on its side, and the colored layer 121 allows for the identification of the type of chip 120 used as a substitute currency for games. Figures 4A and 4B show different embodiments, but are examples in which the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122 or light-colored layer are formed by injection molding. In these embodiments, the colored layer 121 is first molded in a mold (not shown), and then the white layer 122 or light-colored layer is molded, a so-called two-color molding process.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games have printing 123 (such as 100 points) on the surface (top and bottom) of the white layer 122 indicating the type of chip 120 used as substitute currency for games. As shown in Figure 3, a transparent layer 124 is provided as the outermost layer, and each layer is heat-sealed to form at least a five-layer structure. These chips 120 used as substitute currency for games are made from a long, narrow plastic material, and each layer (colored layer 121, white layer 122, transparent layer 124) is heat-sealed to form a tightly bonded state (a five-layer structure, etc.) while the material is in a long state, and then punched out into a circular or rectangular shape using a press or the like. When punching out with a press, the dimensions of the die and punch of the die for punching are designed so that the edges of the outermost transparent layer 124 are rounded (R-shaped corners).

[0030] In other words, when manufacturing the chips 120 as substitute currency for games, first, a plate-shaped colored plastic layer 121 and a plate-shaped white plastic layer 122 or a light-colored layer are laminated to form a laminated structure consisting of multiple plastic layers. Then, a design is printed on the top and bottom surfaces of this laminated structure, and a transparent layer 124 is placed on top of that. Then, each layer of the laminated structure and the transparent layer 124 is heat-sealed to create a substitute currency plate. The substitute currency plate thus created is punched out using a die to obtain multiple chips 120 as substitute currency for games of a predetermined shape. During this punching process, the top and bottom corners of the outer surface of the chips 120 as substitute currency for games are rounded using a die.

[0031] Furthermore, the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games have a face code made of UV ink or carbon black ink on the surface of the white layer 122 (see Figure 5). This face code indicates the authenticity of the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games. When exposed to ultraviolet light (or infrared light), the marks become visible, and the combination of their shape and number indicates authenticity. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games stacked up, and the face code F is a combination of the long code FL and the short code FS. The outermost layer is heat-pressed or coated with a transparent layer (printed layer) 124 to cover the printing 123 and the face code. This transparent layer 124 is embossed to prevent the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games from sticking together. In this embodiment, an example of printing the face code on the surface of the white layer 122 was given, but instead of the face code, or together with the face code, a security mark, an optical variable device (OVD), or both may be printed.

[0032] The edges of the outermost transparent layer (printed layer) 124, which has printing 123 (such as 100 points) applied to it, are rounded (R) to prevent the surface of the white layer 122 from deforming and appearing on the sides during the die-cutting process of the chips 120 used as game currency. In addition, the chips 120 used as game currency will have sharp edges remaining, preventing damage to hands or other chips 120 used as game currency.

[0033] The colored layer 121 may be formed by multiple colored layers (three layers in Figure 3), as shown in Figure 3. Since the multiple colored layers (three layers in Figure 3) are heat-pressed together, the three-layer structure is not visible as shown in Figure 3, and Figure 3 represents the three layers for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, a cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the colored layer 121, and the RFID 125 is embedded within it.

[0034] Alternatively, the RFID 125 may be embedded in the chip 120, which serves as a substitute currency for games, by placing it between the flat surface of the colored layer 121 and the flat surface of the white layer 122, without providing a cutout B in the colored layer 121, and then heat-pressing the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122 together. By making at least one of the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122 from a heat-deformable material such as plastic, the plastic layer of the colored layer 121 and white layer 122 sandwiching the RFID 125 will be heat-deformed by the heat-pressing, so the RFID 125 will be tightly fixed between those layers even without providing a cutout B.

[0035] Figure 7 is a perspective photograph illustrating the stacking of different types of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games. In the figure, the control device 14 uses a camera device 2 to image the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games placed on the game table 4 by the game participants 6. The total amount of chips measured by a chip totaling device 302 equipped with an image recording device 300 measures whether the chips were placed in each area 8 (whether they were bet on the banker, the player, a pair, or a tie). The total amount of chips measured by the chip totaling device 302 analyzes and measures the number and color of the colored layers 121 (or light-colored layers) or white layers 122 of the stacked chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in each area (using the information obtained from the image recording device 300) to determine the type and number of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games. The management control device 14 controls the camera device 2 to take images when the first card is drawn from the card distributing device, or before or after the first card is drawn, or after the dealer signs to end the betting.

[0036] The management control device 14 may be an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning-based control device. The management control device 14 can determine the position 8 (position where the bet is placed on player, banker, or pair), type (each color of chip 120 is assigned a different value), and number of chips 120 used as substitute currency for the game, which each participant 6 places bets on, via the camera device 2 and the image recording device 300. In artificial intelligence-based computers or control systems, and deep learning (structure) technology, it is possible to determine the position 8 (position where the player, banker, or pair bets were placed), type (each color of chip is assigned a different value), and number of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games, using self-learning functions, etc. Therefore, in each game, the management control device 14 determines whether the collection of chips 120 bets placed by losing participants 6L in each game (shown by arrow E) and the redemption (payment (120W)) of winning chips 120 to winning game participants 6W were carried out appropriately according to the outcome of the game determined by the card distribution device 3, by analyzing video footage of the game's progress via the image recording device 300.

[0037] In such cases, as shown in Figure 6, the chips have a stacked multilayer structure (compared to the conventional chips used as substitute currency for games shown in Figure 2), and clear stripe patterns in the stacking direction are formed on the sides. Therefore, the chip total value measuring device 302, including the image recording device 300, can easily and accurately measure the type and number of chips used as substitute currency for games. Furthermore, by using an artificial intelligence-based computer or control system, or deep learning (structure) technology, image analysis and judgment can be made even more accurate. Since artificial intelligence-based computers or control systems and deep learning (structure) technology are already known and available to those skilled in the art, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0038] The management control device 14 can analyze and grasp the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 using the image recording device 300. After the game ends and settlement is complete, the management control device 14 can compare and calculate whether the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the chip tray 17 has increased or decreased according to the game's outcome, based on the amount of chips 120 lost by each game participant 6 and the amount of chips 120W paid to the winning game participant 6W as substitute currency for games. Even if the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the chip tray 17 is always known by means such as RFID, the management control device 14 determines whether the increase or decrease is correct by analyzing video footage of the game's progress via the image recording device 300. Artificial intelligence or deep learning structures may also be utilized in these processes.

[0039] The control device 14 may be an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning structure capable of extracting unique situations (set by the casino) when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount exceeds a certain amount (1 million dollars), or when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a losing amount is reached, such as when a winning amount is reached, such as when a losing amount is low, and when a winning amount is high, such as when a winning amount is high, and this occurs for several games in a row, the control device 14 may be an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning structure capable of extracting this as a unique situation when compared with statistical data (big data, etc.) from past games.

[0040] The management control device 14 has a structure that allows it to compare and calculate whether the increase or decrease in the amount of chips used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 is correct after the settlement of the chips 120 used as substitute currency in the game after each game, which is then settled with the chips 120 bet by each participant 6.

[0041] In the chip tray 17 for holding chips 120 as substitute currency for games at dealer 5 shown in Figure 1, the total chip amount measuring device 302 analyzes and measures the number and color of the colored layers 121 or white layers 122 of the chips 120 stacked horizontally (using information obtained by the image recording device 300), thereby determining the type and number of chips 120 as substitute currency for games. The total value of the chips 120 as substitute currency for games in the holding chip tray 17 is thus always (or at predetermined time intervals) known. The management control device 14 is equipped with a calculation function that calculates the settlement amount for each game (the casino's profit and loss calculation at the game table 4 (the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games wagered by the losers 6L minus the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games redeemed by the winners 6W among the participants 6)) for each game (see above). Therefore, the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the chip tray 17 is always (or at predetermined time intervals) verified. In other words, it is verified whether the increase or decrease in chips used as substitute currency matches the image analysis results from the image recording device 300 and the settlement amount for each game by the dealer 5.

[0042] Figure 8A is a diagram showing the details of the chip tray as a substitute currency for games in this embodiment, and Figure 8B is a diagram showing another example of a chip tray as a substitute currency for games. The chip tray 17 is provided with a collection chip tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing the chips 120L used as substitute currency for games bet by losing players 6L, and a redemption chip tray 172 for storing the chips 120W used as substitute currency for games to be redeemed. The image recording device 300 and the management control device 14 grasp the location, type, and number of chips 120L used as substitute currency for games bet by losing players 6L, and calculate the increase in the value of the chips 120L used as substitute currency for games in that game (the amount of chips 120 that should be in the collection chip tray 171). Furthermore, the image recording device 300 and the management control device 14 grasp the actual total value of the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the chip tray 171 after collection, and compare the expected total value with the actual total value to determine whether there is a difference.

[0043] Here, the chip tray 17 shown earlier has a two-tiered structure consisting of an upper chip tray 17a and a lower chip tray 17b. Figures 9A and 9B show the relationship between the two-tiered chip tray 17 and the camera device 2. Figure 9A shows the two tiers stacked on top of each other, and Figure 9B shows the two tiers offset from each other. Below the upper chip tray 17a is the lower chip tray 17b, which is connected to the upper chip tray 17a by a hinge 18. If the chips 120 used as substitute currency for gameplay in the upper chip tray 17a run low, chips 120 are replenished from the lower chip tray 17b to the upper chip tray 17a. If the chips 120 used as substitute currency for gameplay in the upper chip tray 17a become excessive, the chips 120 are moved to the lower chip tray 17b.

[0044] To insert or remove chips 120, which serve as substitute currency for games, from the lower chip tray 17b, the upper chip tray 17a is moved by the hinge 18 to the state shown in Figure 9B. In the state shown in Figure 9A, the upper chip tray 17a can be imaged by the camera device 2, and in the state shown in Figure 9B, the lower chip tray 17b can also be imaged by the camera device 2. In the state shown in Figure 9B, the upper chip tray 17a and the lower chip tray 17b can also be imaged simultaneously and distinguishably by the camera device 2c. Alternatively, the upper chip tray 17a and the lower chip tray 17b may be imaged separately in the state shown in Figure 9B.

[0045] The control device 14 can determine, via the camera device 2 and image recording device 300, which position (player, banker, or pair) each player 6 has bet on with their chips 120 (which serve as substitute currency for the game) in the betting area 8, the type of chips 120 bet (each color of chip 120 is assigned a different value), and the number of chips. The chips 120 can be stacked not only in a vertically aligned manner, but also overlapping in an offset manner, as shown in Figure 2. In this case, if the camera device 2 is positioned in the direction of arrow X shown in Figure 2 (or if the orientation of the chips 120 is relatively in a blind spot), it is assumed that the chips 120 will not be visible (will be in a blind spot).

[0046] Thus, it is necessary to know which position in betting area 8 (player, banker, or pair) the 120 chips used as substitute currency for the game were bet on, the type of 120 chips used as substitute currency (each color of the 120 chips is assigned a different value), and the number of chips used. Then, in each game, the management control device 14 determines whether the collection of chips used as substitute currency for losing games (indicated by arrow E) and the payment of chips used as substitute currency for winning games (120W) to the winning player 6W were carried out appropriately according to the outcome of the game determined by the card distribution device 3, by analyzing video footage of the game's progress via the image recording device 300. If the determination result analyzed by the management control device 14 via the image recording device 300 differs from the reading result by other means (for example, the reading result by RFID), the analysis image can be saved and verified later.

[0047] The management control device 14 can analyze and grasp the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 using the image recording device 300. After the game ends and settlement is completed, the management control device 14 can compare and calculate whether the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the chip tray 17 has increased or decreased according to the game's outcome, based on the amount of chips 120 lost by each player 6 and the amount of chips 120W paid to the winning player 6W for winnings. Even though the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the chip tray 17 is always known by means such as RFID, the management control device 14 determines whether the increase or decrease is correct by analyzing video footage of the game's progress via the image recording device 300.

[0048] In this example, fraud and errors are detected based on the game's outcome, information on how many chips of each type of substitute currency (chips 120) were bet on each position in the betting area 8 (player, banker, or pair), and the increase or decrease in the amount of substitute currency (chips 120) in the chip tray 17 after the collection of losing substitute currency (chips 120) and the redemption of winning substitute currency (chips 120). Therefore, fraud and errors can be detected without knowing the movement of the substitute currency (chips 120) after the game ends, i.e., whether the bets moved to the player's side or the dealer's side.

[0049] In this case, the outcome of a game can be determined according to the rules of baccarat, for example, by reading the rank of the card 1 dealt in the game using the card distributing device 3. Alternatively, the outcome of a game can also be determined by photographing the game table 4 with the camera device 2, analyzing the image with the image recording device 300, and comparing the analysis results with the game rules using the management control device 14. In this case, the camera device 2, the image recording device 300, and the management control device 14 constitute the win / loss result determination device of the present invention.

[0050] Information on which players at each playing position 7 placed how many chips 120 (as substitute currency for games) on which position in the betting area 8 (player, banker, or pair) is obtained by photographing the chips 120 placed in the betting area 8 with the camera device 2 and analyzing the images for each playing position 7 with the image recording device 300. Further details will be explained later.

[0051] Furthermore, the increase or decrease in the amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 before and after the collection of chips 120 used as substitute currency for losing games and the redemption of chips 120 used as substitute currency for winning games can be calculated by comparing the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 before the collection of chips 120 used as substitute currency for losing games and the redemption of chips 120 used as substitute currency for winning games with the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 after the collection of chips 120 used as substitute currency for losing games and the redemption of chips 120 used as substitute currency for winning games. The total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 before the collection of chips 120 used as substitute currency for losing games and the redemption of chips 120 used as substitute currency for winning games, and the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 after the collection of chips 120 used as substitute currency for losing games and the redemption of chips 120 used as substitute currency for winning games, can be detected by photographing the chip tray 17 containing the chips 120 with the camera device 2 and analyzing the image with the image recording device 300. Alternatively, an RFID indicating the amount may be embedded in the chips 120 used as substitute currency and an RFID reader may be provided on the chip tray 17 to detect the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17.

[0052] For example, suppose that before the game starts, the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in chip tray 17 is Bb, and after the game ends, with the collection of losing chips and the redemption of winning chips, the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in chip tray 17 is Ba. Also, suppose that in this game, the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency placed in all 7 play positions in the player area is bp, the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency placed in all 7 play positions in the banker area is bb, and the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency placed in all 7 play positions in the tie area is bt. For example, if the outcome of this game is a banker win, then Ba - Bb = bp - bb + bt should hold true. Alternatively, the total value Ba of the chips 120 used as substitute currency for gameplay in the chip tray 17 after the game ends should be (Bb + bp - bb + bt). If this is not the case, it can be determined that there was fraud or error in the collection or redemption of the chips used as substitute currency for gameplay.

[0053] As described above, in this embodiment, the management control device 14 calculates the balance of chips used as substitute currency for gambling games for each game based on the amount of chips used as substitute currency on the gambling table 4 and the results of the game, and verifies the increase in the balance of chips used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 after the game. If a difference is detected in this verification, the management control device 14 issues an alarm or adds a record to that effect to the video recording captured by the camera device 2. The casino operator can investigate the cause of the difference by reviewing the video.

[0054] The measurement system of this embodiment adds or subtracts the increase or decrease in chips used as substitute currency in a game, calculated from the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 before settlement of each game, based on the position, type, and number of chips 120 bet by all players 6 in that game and the win / loss result of the game obtained by the win / loss result determination device. It then compares the expected total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 after settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 at the end of the game, obtained via the image recording device 300, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

[0055] The management control device 14, via the image recording device 300, grasps the location, type, and number of chips used as substitute currency for games wagered by each player. When all of the lost chips wagered by each player have been collected, the device grasps the actual total value of the chips used as substitute currency in the chip tray. The device then compares the actual total value of the chips used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 with the expected total value of the chips used as substitute currency in that game, calculated by adding the increase in the chip tray 17 based on the location, type, and number of chips wagered by the losing players, from the total value of the chips used as substitute currency in the chip tray before settlement of each game. The device then determines whether there is a difference between the expected total value and the actual total value.

[0056] The management control device 14 compares the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 before settlement of each game with the actual total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17, which is calculated by adding the increase in the chip tray 17 for that game based on the position, type, and number of chips 120 bet by losing players, to the total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency in the chip tray 17 before settlement of each game. If it determines that there is no difference between the total amount and the actual total amount, and if it determines that there is a difference between the total amount and the actual total amount, it determines that there is a payment error and generates a payment error signal to indicate the payment error.

[0057] The chip tray 17 is equipped with a collection chip tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing chips 120 used as substitute currency for games wagered by losing players. The image recording device 300 compares the expected total amount of chips 120 in the collection chip tray 171, calculated by adding the increase in the value of the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games in the game, which is determined from the position, type, and number of chips 120L wagered by losing players, with the actual total amount of chips 120 in the collection chip tray 171, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

[0058] When the control device 14 determines that the actual total amount of chips 120 used as substitute currency for gaming, as tracked in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the gaming table 4, does not correspond to the increase or decrease in chips used as substitute currency calculated from the amount of chips bet by all players and the win / loss results of the game, the image recording device 300 can either assign an index or timestamp to the acquired video, or identify and play back the scene of the collection or payment of the chips used as substitute currency 120, so that the record of the game in which the above difference occurred can be analyzed in the image recording device 300.

[0059] Thus, the management control device 14 obtains the total amount of chips (substitute currency for gameplay) in the chip tray 17 after settlement at the end of the game via the image recording device 300. In this case, the decision after settlement is made when any of the following 1) to 4) occurs. 1) When the redemption of 120 chips (winning chips) used as substitute currency for winning games is completed, 2) When card 1 used in the game is collected and discarded to the discard area or discard slot of the table, 3) When a predetermined button attached to the win / loss result determination device is pressed, 4) When the markers indicating the win or loss (not shown) are returned to their original positions.

[0060] In the measurement system described above, the management control device 14 takes images of the position, type, and number of chips used as substitute currency for games placed by game participants in each game, and this is done when any of the following 1) to 3) is detected. 1) When the card distributing device detects that the first card has been drawn, 2) Before and after being pulled, 3) After the control system recognizes the dealer's signal that the bet has ended.

[0061] Furthermore, the management control device 14 is an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning structure that can extract unique situations (set by the casino) when a player has won or lost a game, by comparing the win / loss history of each player 6 obtained from the win / loss results of each game and the amount of chips bet as substitute currency (amount won) obtained with statistical data from a large number of past games (big data). Typically, it is equipped with an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning structure that can extract unique situations (set by the casino) when a player has won more than a certain amount (1 million dollars), or when, at a certain play position 7 of a game table 4, the amount of chips bet as substitute currency is small when the player loses and large when the player wins for several games in a row, by comparing this with statistical data from past games (big data, etc.).

[0062] Furthermore, the management control device 14 of this measurement system (integrated with the image recording device 300) is structured to identify individual players 6 at play positions 7 that have been extracted as unique situations or have won more than a predetermined amount. Such identification of players 6 is done by obtaining facial images from the image recording device 300 using feature point extraction, etc., and assigning them an identity number (ID, etc.). The management control device 14 then has a warning function that notifies the other game table of the presence of the identified player 6 when the player leaves their seat and takes a seat at another game table. Specifically, it notifies the pit manager or the person in charge of each table (which may also be a dealer) who manages each game table 4, in order to prevent further unique phenomena.

[0063] In the above example, instead of identifying individual players 6, the win / loss history and the amount of chips won (the amount of substitute currency used for gambling) for each playing position 7 may be monitored. In this case, it would be impossible to track each player 6 when they leave their seat, but it would be possible to detect unusual situations, such as a pattern where the amount of chips won is small when losing and large when winning at a particular playing position 7 on a single gambling table 4 for several games. If such a playing position 7 is detected, there is suspicion of fraud or error at that playing position 7. By examining the video footage of that playing position 7, fraud or error can be discovered.

[0064] Specifically, the camera device 2 is installed to photograph at least the chips 120 used as substitute currency for the game, which are placed in the betting area 8 of the game table 4. The image recording device 300 analyzes the images captured by the camera device 2 to detect whether the chips used as substitute currency were placed in the player, banker, or tie position in the betting area 8 for each user position 7, and the amount of chips placed. The card distribution device 3 also functions as a win / loss result determination device to determine the outcome of the game. The management control device 14 records (monitors) the win / loss history for each play position 7 and the amount of chips obtained (amount of chips used as substitute currency) based on the position (player, banker, or tie) within the betting area 8 where the chips used as substitute currency 120 were placed and the outcome of the game. Note that only one of the win / loss history or the amount of chips obtained may be recorded. The control device 14 identifies this player position 7 as a play position suspected of fraudulent activity if the win / loss history and / or the history of chips acquired as substitute currency for games is an unusual situation (as set by the casino) compared with statistical data from a large number of past games (big data).

[0065] If cheating is suspected at a player's position 7, the cheating detection system may generate an alarm (light, sound, or vibration) that can be perceived by the dealer at least at that moment. This can prevent the cheating from continuing, for example, by interrupting the game at that point. Additionally, information indicating that cheating is suspected may be added to the video footage captured and recorded by the camera device 2. This allows the cause of the suspected cheating to be investigated by reviewing the video.

[0066] As described above, the chip 120 used as a substitute currency for games in this embodiment has a laminated structure consisting of multiple layers of plastic, with a colored layer 121 and a white layer 122 or light-colored layer sandwiching the colored layer 121, thereby forming a striped pattern on the side in the direction of the lamination. The chip 120 used as a substitute currency for games has a configuration that allows the type of chip 120 to be identified by the colored layer 121 that appears on the side. In addition, the top and bottom surfaces of the chip 120 used as a substitute currency for games are printed. Specifically, the surface of the white layer 122 or light-colored layer is printed, and a transparent layer 124 is located on top of it. The colored layer 121, the white layer 122 or light-colored layer, and the printed layer 124 are heat-sealed together to form a layered structure.

[0067] The white layer 122 or light-colored layer sandwiching the colored layer 121 may be configured to have different thicknesses at the top and bottom. In this embodiment, the outer edges of the top and bottom surfaces of the chip 120 used as a substitute currency for games are rounded. This prevents the player's hands from being injured when handling the chip 120 used as a substitute currency for games, and prevents damage to other chips 120 used as substitute currency for games. In this embodiment, the RFID 125 is tightly fixed between the plastic layers forming the colored layer 121, the white layer 122, or the light-colored layer.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper and / or lower surfaces of the chip 120, which serves as a substitute currency for gaming, are provided with a face code made of UV-emitting ink or infrared-absorbing ink such as infrared-absorbing ink (carbon black ink). In addition, as a variation of this embodiment, a security mark, an optical variable device (OVD), or both may be printed on the surface of the chip 120, which serves as a substitute currency for gaming, instead of or together with the face code.

[0069] In this embodiment, the management control device 14 takes images to determine the position, type, and number of chips used as substitute currency for games placed by the game participants in each game, when the first card is drawn from the card distribution device 3, or before or after it is drawn, or after the dealer signs to end betting.

[0070] Furthermore, the measurement system of this embodiment includes a card distribution device 13 that determines and displays the win / loss results of each game on the game table 4, a camera device 2 that images chips 120, which are substitute currency for games, placed on the game table 4, and a management control device 14 that uses the image capture results from the camera device 2 to identify and store the position, type, and number of chips, which are substitute currency for games, placed on the game table 4 by the game participant 6. The chips 120, which are substitute currency for games, are laminated structures in which a colored layer 121 and a white layer 122 or a light-colored layer are laminated, and have striped patterns on the side in the direction of lamination. The management control device 14 has a calculation function that performs a casino-side profit / loss calculation for each game on the game table 4 based on the win / loss results obtained from the card distribution device 13 and the position, type, and number of chips, which are substitute currency for games, identified using the image capture results from the camera device 2.

[0071] The control device 14 has a function to measure the number of colored layers 121, white layers 122, or light-colored layers of the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games placed by each game participant 6, and to determine the type and value of the chips used as substitute currency based on the color of the colored layers 121, thereby determining the number of chips used as substitute currency for games.

[0072] As mentioned above, the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games can be stacked not only in a vertically aligned manner, but also offset from each other, as shown in Figure 2. In this case, if the camera device 2 is positioned in the direction of arrow X shown in Figure 2 (or if the orientation of the chips 120 used as substitute currency is in a blind spot), it is assumed that the chips 120 used as substitute currency will not be visible (enter the blind spot). Information on how many chips 120 of each type used as substitute currency were bet by each player at each play position 7, and at which position in the betting area 8 (player, banker, or pair), can be obtained by photographing the chips 120 placed in the betting area 8 with the camera device 2 and analyzing the images for each play position 7 with the image recording device 300. However, attempting to do this with only the camera device 2 would require an extremely sophisticated and expensive image analysis device due to problems such as blind spots. This embodiment has a special configuration to solve this problem. Details are described below.

[0073] In Figures 10 and 11, the measurement system of this embodiment further includes, in addition to the camera device 2 that photographs the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games, height measuring camera devices 2R and 2L that are positioned at a predetermined height from the game table 4 and photograph the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games from different positions or angles. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the height measuring cameras 2R and 2L and the chips 120 used as substitute currency for games are on the same plane perpendicular to the game table 4. The relationship between the angle α formed by the line connecting the height measuring camera 2R and the center C of the topmost game substitute chip 120 and the game table 4, the angle β formed by the line connecting the height measuring camera 2L and the center C of the topmost game substitute chip 120 and the game table 4, the distance L between the intersection point KR of the line connecting the height measuring camera 2R and the center C of the topmost game substitute chip 120 and the game table 4 and the intersection point KL of the line connecting the height measuring camera 2L and the center C of the topmost game substitute chip 120 and the game table 4, and the height H of the overlapping game substitute chips 120 is expressed by the following formula.

number

number

number

[0074] Figure 13 is a diagram of the measurement system of this embodiment in a roulette game. Chips 220, which serve as substitute currency for the game, are stacked and placed on the game table 201. In this case as well, using the method described above, the height measuring cameras 2R and 2L can obtain the distance L between the intersection point KR of the game table 201 and the line connecting the height measuring camera 2R and the center C of the topmost substitute currency 220, and the line connecting the height measuring camera 2L and the center C of the topmost substitute currency 220, and the intersection point KL of the game table 201, thereby obtaining the height H of the substitute currency chips 220. The number of substitute currency chips 220 can be obtained from the height H and the thickness t of the substitute currency chips 220. In a roulette game, one type of substitute currency chip 220, with a different color for each player, is used. Therefore, the total amount of chips 220 used as substitute currency for games can be obtained solely from the number of chips 220 obtained by the height measuring cameras 2R and 2L and the chip count measuring device 301, and the player 6 who placed the bet can be identified from the color of the highest-ranking chip 220 used as substitute currency for games.

[0075] In this embodiment, the measurement system may have an artificial intelligence-based control device 14 or the like, or a deep learning structure. Such devices are described in U.S. Patent No. 9361577, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016-171336, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015-036920, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-110232, and these descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the above embodiments can be modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention, and the apparatus of these embodiments may be appropriately modified as needed for the game to which they are applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Playing Card 1s Multiple shuffled playing cards 2 Camera device 3. Card distribution device 4 Gaming Tables 5 Dealer 6. Players (Game Participants / Players) 7 chairs 8 bed areas 13. Result display lamp 14 Management control device 120. Chips as substitute currency for games 121 Colored layer 122 White layer 123 Print 124 Transparent layer (printing layer) 125 RFID 200 gaming tables 220. Chips as substitute currency for games 300 Image recording device 301 Chip counting device 302 Total tip amount measuring device

Claims

1. A chip recognition system, A game table having a chip tray and multiple placement areas arranged vertically and horizontally for placing chips, A first camera for generating a first image of a chip stack consisting of one or more chips arranged in the plurality of arrangement areas, the first camera for generating the first image by photographing the chip stack from diagonally above, A second camera, different from the first camera, which generates a second image of the chip stacks arranged in the plurality of arrangement areas, the second camera which photographs the chip stacks from diagonally above in order to generate the second image, Using deep learning technology, image analysis is performed on the first image and the second image, and for the same chip stack included in the first image and the second image, Among the multiple placement areas on which the chip stack is placed, The number of each type of chip included in the aforementioned chip stack, The types of chips included in the aforementioned chip stack, A management control device configured to determine, Equipped with, The first camera captures images of multiple chip stacks arranged in the same arrangement area or adjacent arrangement areas. The first camera and the second camera capture images of the same chip stack from different directions, and thereby, even if a part of one or more chips constituting the chip stack is not visible due to a blind spot in either the first image or the second image, the management control device, based on the first image and the second image, will perform the following actions for each of the multiple chip stacks: Among the multiple placement areas on which the chip stack is placed, The number of each type of chip included in the aforementioned chip stack, The types of chips included in the aforementioned chip stack, A chip recognition system that determines [something].

2. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of arrangement areas include at least a player area and a bunker area provided vertically for each of the plurality of player positions provided horizontally.

3. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of placement areas include placement areas adjacent to each other, separated by a single line.

4. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first camera or the second camera is installed on a pole on the game table.

5. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, wherein the first camera or the second camera is installed to photograph the top surface of the uppermost chip in the chip stack.

6. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, wherein each of the first camera and the second camera is positioned to capture an image of the upper surface of the topmost chip in the chip stack.

7. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, wherein the management control device identifies a predetermined portion of the chip in the first image and the second image.

8. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, wherein the management control device determines the value of the chip stack based on the determination of the placement area where the chip stack is placed, the number of chips included in the chip stack, and the types of chips included in the chip stack.

9. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, wherein the first camera, the second camera, or a third camera different from the first camera and the second camera images one or more chips housed in the chip tray of the game table.

10. The chip recognition system according to claim 9, wherein the management control device recognizes the total amount of chips contained in the chip tray and determines whether an increase or decrease in the total amount of chips contained in the chip tray after the collection and payment of a set of chips in a game corresponds to the amount of one or more chips to be collected and paid.

11. The chip recognition system according to claim 10, wherein the management control device determines the amount to be collected and the amount to be paid based on the arrangement, type, and number of chips in the chip stack placed by the player, as well as the game result.

12. The chip recognition system according to claim 1, wherein the first camera or the second camera acquires a video image including a plurality of images.

13. The chip recognition system according to claim 12, wherein the management control device records the video image with an index or timestamp so that the location of the fraudulent activity can be identified based on the fraudulent activity.

14. A chip recognition system, A game table having multiple placement areas arranged vertically and horizontally for placing chips, and where each player uses chips of a different color, A first camera for generating a first image of a chip stack consisting of one or more chips arranged in the plurality of arrangement areas, the first camera for generating the first image by photographing the chip stack from diagonally above, A second camera, different from the first camera, which generates a second image of the chip stacks arranged in the plurality of arrangement areas, the second camera which photographs the chip stacks from diagonally above in order to generate the second image, Using deep learning technology, image analysis is performed on the first image and the second image, and for the same chip stack included in the first image and the second image, Among the multiple placement areas on which the chip stack is placed, The number of chips of each color included in the aforementioned chip stack, The types of chips included in the aforementioned chip stack, A management control device configured to determine, Equipped with, The first camera captures images of multiple chip stacks arranged in the same arrangement area or adjacent arrangement areas. The first camera and the second camera capture images of the same chip stack from different directions, and thereby, even if a part of one or more chips constituting the chip stack is not visible due to a blind spot in either the first image or the second image, the management control device, based on the first image and the second image, will perform the following actions for each of the multiple chip stacks: Among the multiple placement areas on which the chip stack is placed, The number of chips of each color included in the aforementioned chip stack, The types of chips included in the aforementioned chip stack, A chip recognition system that determines [something].

Images