Gaming table system and system

Abstract

(Project) By utilizing RFID tag reading and image recognition, we provide an organic table system for reading gaming chips on an organic table by effectively leveraging the advantages of both. (Solution) The organic table system (100) is equipped with a camera (40) that captures a chip stack placed on the organic table (10) to generate an image, an image recognition unit (81) that recognizes the location of the chip stack and the type and number of gaming chips (70) by analyzing the image, a plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) for reading RFID tags of gaming chips (70), and a chip determination unit (82) that corresponds the reading result of the RFID tag (72) by each of the plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) with the recognition result of the chip stack by the image recognition unit (81).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an organic table system for reading a gaming chip embedded with an RFID tag on an organic table, and a system for reading an article embedded with an RFID tag at a predetermined location. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, a camera system is known for identifying a gaming chip used in a game on an organic table where the game using the gaming chip is played, by photographing the gaming chip used in the game to generate an image, and performing image recognition processing on the image. Since the type (value) of the gaming chip can be identified from its appearance, the type of gaming chip used in the game can be identified through image recognition processing. In addition, various areas based on the rules of the game are defined on the organic table, and the gaming chip can also be recognized in which area it is placed through image recognition processing.

[0003] Areas defined in organic tables include, for example, betting areas for placing gaming chips that a player bets on a game. By recognizing gaming chips (bat chips) placed in betting areas, and in particular, chip stacks (bat chip stacks) formed by stacking multiple gaming chips in betting areas, the camera system can determine how many gaming chips are placed in which betting areas.

[0004] Meanwhile, an RFID system is also known for recognizing a gaming chip placed on an organic table by embedding an RFID tag in the gaming chip and storing the type (value) of the gaming chip, chip identification information, etc., in the RFID tag, and installing an antenna for wirelessly communicating with the RFID tag within the gaming chip and a reader for reading the information stored in the RFID tag using the antenna on an organic table. The problem to be solved

[0005] In a camera system, it is possible to determine from an image how many of a certain type of gaming chip are placed in a specific area (location), but it is difficult to read more detailed information about each gaming chip. For example, one could consider marking chip identification information on the outer edge of a gaming chip and reading it with a camera, but such markings of chip identification information are inevitably small, making accurate reading difficult.

[0006] Meanwhile, since the RFID system reads information about each gaming chip by reading RFID tags, it is possible to obtain detailed information about the gaming chip by storing various information in these RFID tags. However, since the RFID system uses electromagnetic waves to read RFID tags, even if one attempts to distinguish and read using multiple antennas installed in each area, it is difficult to strictly set the reading range of each antenna. Consequently, there are cases where an antenna intended to read a certain area also reads the RFID tags of gaming chips in neighboring areas, making it difficult to accurately identify which area the gaming chip is located in after reading its RFID tag by each antenna.

[0007] Furthermore, in an RFID system, even if the RFID tag is damaged or there is a gaming chip without an RFID tag, such an RFID-illegal gaming chip cannot be detected.

[0008] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an organic table system for reading a gaming chip on an organic table by using an RFID tag embedded in a gaming chip to assist a camera system and effectively utilizing the advantages of both. means of solving the problem

[0009] An organic table system of one embodiment of the present invention is an organic table system that reads a gaming chip embedded with an RFID tag on an organic table. Here, on the organic table, a bat area is arranged including a plurality of bat target areas arranged to be close to or in contact with each other. The above organic table system comprises: a reading means including a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of locations on the organic table and for reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip within a reading range; wherein, the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas overlap each other, thereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of target areas, and by photographing the target area including the plurality of target areas arranged to be in close proximity or contact with each other on the organic table, an imaging means for generating an image including a chip stack consisting of one or more gaming chips placed in the target area; an image recognition means for recognizing the position of the chip stack on the organic table and the type and number of gaming chips constituting the chip stack by analyzing the image; and, based on the reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, an area corresponding to the reading range of which of the plurality of antennas within the target area where the gaming chip is placed, and approximately where within the reading range of the corresponding antenna the gaming chip is placed, and the result of the estimation and the Based on the recognition result of the chip stack by the image recognition means, the configuration has a chip determination means that corresponds the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means.

[0010] With this configuration, the chip stack recognized by image recognition can be correlated with the reading result of the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip of the chip stack.

[0011] In the above organic table system, due to the fact that the reading ranges of the adjacent antennas overlap each other, the bed area may include one or more areas where the RFID tag of the gaming chip placed therein is read by the plurality of antennas, and the chip determination means may estimate an area smaller than the reading range of the plurality of antennas as the area where the gaming chip is placed based on a combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas.

[0012] With this configuration, an area smaller than the antenna's read range can be estimated as the area where the gaming chip is located.

[0013] In the above organic table system, the reading means may perform repeated reading using the plurality of antennas, the imaging means may generate a continuous image by performing repeated shooting, and the chip determination means may correspond the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means with the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means based on the reading result and the recognition result at the timing when the stack is newly placed in the bed area.

[0014] With this configuration, in the bed stage of the chip stack, the correspondence between the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means and the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means can be repeatedly performed.

[0015] In the above organic table system, the reading means may perform repeated reading using the plurality of antennas, and the chip determination means may recognize the plurality of gaming chips for which the RFID tag is read at the same timing by the same antenna as one chip stack, and recognize the plurality of gaming chips for which the RFID tag is read at different timings by the same antenna as a chip stack different from the one chip stack.

[0016] With this configuration, reading can be performed separately for each chip stack based on the timing of reading by the reading means.

[0017] The above organic table system may additionally have a holder identification means for identifying the holder of the gaming chip based on the reading result of the RFID tag of the gaming chip by the reading means, and the chip determination means may recognize a plurality of gaming chips identified as being held by the same holder by the holder identification means among a plurality of gaming chips placed in the same estimated area as one chip stack.

[0018] With this configuration, the chip stack can be recognized by identifying the holder based on the reading of the RFID tag.

[0019] In the above organic table system, the contents stored in the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip may include chip identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip, and the chip determination means may correspond the chip identification information of the gaming chip included in the chip stack with the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means.

[0020] With this configuration, chip identification information read from an RFID tag can be associated with a chip stack recognized by image recognition.

[0021] The above organic table system having the above-mentioned holder-specific means may additionally have a holder update means for changing the holder information of the gaming chip paid by the dealer for the gaming chip that won the game, based on the game result using the gaming chip, to the holder information of the gaming chip that won the game.

[0022] With this configuration, the holder information of the gaming chips paid by the dealer can be changed to the holder information of the bet chips.

[0023] In the above organic table system, the chip stack consisting of one or more gaming chips placed in the above-described area may be a chip stack placed for a game. The chip determination means may correspond the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means with respect to the placed chip stack.

[0024] With this configuration, image recognition results and RFID tag reading results can be correlated for the chip stack.

[0025] In the above organic table system, a chip stack consisting of one or more gaming chips placed in the betting area may be a chip stack that is bet on a game and is also paid out by the dealer for the chip stack that wins the game. The chip determination means may correspond the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means with respect to the paid chip stack.

[0026] With this configuration, image recognition results and RFID tag reading results can be correlated for the paid chip stack.

[0027] In the above organic table system, the reading range of the plurality of antennas may cover the entire bed area on the organic table.

[0028] With this configuration, the chip stack can be read across the entire bed area.

[0029] In the above organic table system, the chip determination means may determine that a defective gaming chip with a defective RFID tag is included in the chip stack within the said area when the number of gaming chips estimated to be in the area based on the reading result of the RFID tag is less than the number of gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means as being in the said area.

[0030] With this configuration, it can be determined that it contains an illegal gaming chip in which the RFID tag is not read.

[0031] In the above organic table system, the chip determination means may determine that, when the number of gaming chips whose area is estimated based on the reading result of the RFID tag is greater than the number of gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means as being placed within the area, there are gaming chips that are not recognized by the image recognition means in the blind spot of the imaging means within the area.

[0032] With this configuration, it is possible to determine an area containing a gaming chip that is not image recognized in the blind spot of the imaging means.

[0033] In the above organic table system, the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip may store type-specific information for specifying the type of the gaming chip, and the chip determination means may determine that the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means contains an illegal gaming chip if, with respect to the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means, the type and number of gaming chips indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag differ from the type and number of gaming chips of the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means.

[0034] With this configuration, if the reading result of the RFID tag and the image recognition result do not match with respect to the type and number of gaming chips, it can be determined that there are fraudulent gaming chips.

[0035] In the above organic table system, the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip may store type-specific information for specifying the type of the gaming chip, and the chip determination means may also specify the chip stack containing the illegal gaming chip among the chip stacks recognized by the image recognition means based on the type and number of the gaming chip indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag and the type and number of the gaming chip recognized by the image recognition means.

[0036] With this configuration, a chip stack containing an illegal gaming chip can be identified by utilizing information on the type and number of gaming chips indicated by the RFID tag reading result and the image recognition result, respectively.

[0037] In the above organic table system, if the chip determination means cannot specify one chip stack containing the illegal gaming chip, it may determine a plurality of chip stacks in which the probability of containing the illegal gaming chip is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value as chip stacks containing the illegal gaming chip.

[0038] With this configuration, even if a chip stack containing a fraudulent gaming chip cannot be identified as a single one, a chip stack with a possibility of such a chip stack can be determined.

[0039] In the above organic table system, the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip may store type-specific information for specifying the type of the gaming chip, the type of the gaming chip may correspond to the amount of the gaming chip, and the chip determination means may determine the amount of the chip stack based on the type-specific information.

[0040] With this configuration, the amount of the chip stack can be determined based on the reading result of the RFID tag.

[0041] The above organic table system may additionally be provided with a player-specification means for specifying a player playing a game on the organic table, and the chip determination means may also specify a player corresponding to the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means.

[0042] With this configuration, the player corresponding to the chip stack placed on the organic table can be identified.

[0043] In the above organic table system, the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip may store chip identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip, and the bat area may include bat areas formed for each of the plurality of players. The above organic table system may also have a configuration comprising a database storing player identification information associated with the chip identification information and player identification information for identifying a player, a player identification means for identifying the player identification information of a player playing in the plurality of player positions, and an alert means for outputting an alert when the player identification information identified by the player identification means is not associated with the chip identification information of the gaming chip identified in the database as being in the player position where the player is playing.

[0044] With this configuration, if a player different from the one who should possess it possesses the gaming chip and uses it at an organic table, an alert can be displayed.

[0045] A system of one embodiment of the present invention is a system for reading an article containing an RFID tag at a predetermined location. At the predetermined location, a plurality of separate areas are arranged to be in close proximity or in contact with one another. The system comprises a reading means including a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of locations in the predetermined location and for reading the RFID tag of the article within a reading range, wherein the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas overlap each other, and thereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of separate areas. The invention has a configuration comprising: a capturing means for generating an image including a group of items consisting of one or more items placed at a predetermined location by photographing a plurality of separated areas arranged to be in close proximity or contact with each other at the predetermined location; an image recognition means for recognizing the location of the group of items at the predetermined location and the type and number of items constituting the group of items by analyzing the image; and a determination means for estimating, based on the reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, an area corresponding to the reading range of one of the plurality of antennas at the predetermined location where the item is placed, and estimating where the item is placed within the reading range of the corresponding antenna, and based on the estimation result and the recognition result of the group of items by the image recognition means, a determination means for correlating the group of items recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means.

[0046] With this configuration, a group of items recognized by image recognition can be correlated with the reading results of RFID tags embedded in the items of that group.

[0047] An organic table system of one embodiment of the present invention is an organic table system that reads a gaming chip embedded with an RFID tag on an organic table. In the organic table system, a bat area comprising a plurality of bat target areas arranged to be in close proximity or contact with each other is disposed on the organic table. The organic table system has a configuration comprising a reading means including a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of locations on the organic table and for reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip within a reading range, and a chip determination means for estimating the location where the gaming chip is placed based on the reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means. The reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas of the reading means overlap each other, and thereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of bat target areas of the bat area on the organic table. The chip determination means estimates the area where the gaming chip is placed at a resolution smaller than the reading range of the plurality of antennas based on a combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas.

[0048] With this configuration, by combining the reading results of multiple antennas whose reading ranges overlap each other, the area where the gaming chip is located can be estimated at a resolution smaller than the reading range of those antennas.

[0049] An organic table system of one embodiment of the present invention is an organic table system that reads a gaming chip embedded with an RFID tag on an organic table. In the organic table system, a bat area including a plurality of bat target areas arranged to be in close proximity or contact with each other is disposed on the organic table. The organic table system has a configuration comprising a reading means including a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of locations on the organic table and for reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip within a reading range, and a chip determination means for estimating the location where the gaming chip is placed based on the reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means. In the organic table system, the reading means performs repeated reading using the plurality of antennas, and the chip determination means recognizes a plurality of gaming chips in which the RFID tag is read at the same timing by the same antenna as gaming chips forming one group, and recognizes a plurality of gaming chips in which the RFID tag is read at a different timing by the same antenna as gaming chips of a different group from the one group.

[0050] With this configuration, multiple gaming chips placed within the same reading range can be divided into groups based on the timing of reading by the reading means. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming chip used in an organic table system of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an organic table into which an organic table system of an embodiment of the present invention is introduced. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of an image captured by a camera of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of an image captured by a camera of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of antennas in an organic table system of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the intensity distribution of electromagnetic waves formed by one antenna of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an organic table system of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between an antenna and a gaming chip in an organic table of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a table showing the reading results of the RFID tag in the case of Figure 8. FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of a bed chip stack recognized by an image recognition unit of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a table showing the result of a judgment by the chip judgment unit of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a modified example of the arrangement of an antenna in an organic table system of an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0052] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments described below represent examples of how the present invention is implemented and are not limited to the specific configurations described below. In implementing the present invention, specific configurations according to the embodiments may be appropriately adopted.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming chip used in an organic table system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gaming chip (70) has a disc shape. On the flat surfaces of the front and back, a number indicating the type (value) of the gaming chip (70) is marked. On the side, a center line (71) with a different color depending on the type is shown. Even when the gaming chips (70) are stacked and only the side can be observed, the type of the gaming chip (70) can be recognized by this center line (71).

[0054] Additionally, the gaming chip (70) does not need to have a center line on its side. In this case, the color of the side can be made different depending on the type, so that the type of gaming chip (70) can be recognized by the color of the side.

[0055] An RFID tag (72) is embedded in the gaming chip (70). The RFID tag (72) consists of an antenna and an IC chip. The RFID tag (72) communicates wirelessly with the antenna described later in a passive manner. The RFID tag (72) may be contained in a capsule to protect it, and the capsule may be embedded in the gaming chip (70). Additionally, the gaming chip may be in the shape of a rectangular plate.

[0056] The RFID tag (72) stores chip identification information (chip ID), type (value), date of manufacture, and information for identifying the casino where the gaming chip (70) is intended to be used, which are uniquely identified.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an organic table to which an organic table system of an embodiment of the present invention is introduced. The organic table system (100) is installed on each of a plurality of organic tables (10) installed in a casino and reads gaming chips (70) on the organic table (10). The organic table (10) is approximately oval-shaped. A dealer is located on one side of the organic table (10), and on the side opposite to where the dealer is located, a plurality of player positions for a plurality of players are formed. The organic table (10) of this embodiment is a table for playing baccarat.

[0058] On the dealer side of the organic table (10), a chip tray (30) is formed to store the dealer's gaming chips (70). Additionally, on the organic table (10), a card shoe (50) containing multiple decks of playing cards is placed to draw playing cards from there. The playing cards contained in the card shoe (50) and used in the game have a code indicating their rank marked on them. The code is printed on the surface of the playing card using ink that is visible under a black light. The card shoe (50) is equipped with a black light and a sensor to read the code of the card being drawn. Additionally, a display (60) is embedded on the dealer side of the organic table (10).

[0059] In each player position, player-specific bet areas (201 to 205) are formed. Multiple player-specific bet areas (201 to 205) for multiple players are arranged horizontally and together form a bet area (21). In each player-specific bet area (201 to 205), as bet target areas, a player area “P” for betting on a player win, a banker area “B” for betting on a banker win, a tie area “T” for betting on a tie, a player pair area “PP” for betting on a player pair, and a banker pair area “BP” for betting on a banker pair are formed. These bet target areas are arranged so as to be close to or in contact with each other. Tie, player pair, and banker pair are called side bets, and their bet target areas are called side bet areas. Multiple antennas are embedded in the Bat Area (21). The antennas will be described later.

[0060] Additionally, in each player's bet area (201 to 205), a bet target area may also be formed for side bets called "Lucky 6" or "Super 6," for example, betting on the banker winning with a 6. Additionally, the side bet area may not be formed in each player's bet area (201 to 205), but may be placed collectively in the central part of the play table (10) for multiple player positions according to the type of side bet. Furthermore, on the play table (10), a player hand area (22) for placing the playing card that becomes the player's hand and a banker hand area (23) for placing the playing card that becomes the banker's hand are laid out.

[0061] A player participates in the game (bets) by placing their gaming chips (70) in any of the player-specific betting areas (201 to 205). The betting chips of a player who loses the game are collected by the dealer into the chip tray (30). For the betting chips of a player who wins the game, the gaming chips (70) are paid out from the chip tray (30) by the dealer.

[0062] On both sides of the dealer side of the organic table (10), a support column is erected and formed, and a camera (40, 41) is mounted on each support column. The two cameras (40) and camera (41) installed on the same support column have different angles of view and shooting directions. Camera (40) is used to photograph the gaming chips (70) (bat chips) placed in the bat area (21), and camera (41) is used to photograph the bat chips and the player. In this embodiment, the angle of view of camera (41) is larger than the angle of view of camera (40).

[0063] Cameras (40, 41) take pictures to generate images. Both the right camera (40) and the left camera (40) take pictures so that the entire bat area (21), which includes multiple bat target areas, is included in the shooting range. As a result, the camera (40) generates an image of a chip stack (bat chip stack) consisting of multiple gaming chips (70) stacked in the bat area (21). Both the right camera (41) and the left camera (41) take pictures so that the entire bat area (21) and the upper body of the player located in the player position are included in the shooting range. As a result, the camera (41) generates an image of the player betting the gaming chip (70) in the bat area (21) and the gaming chip (70) being bet.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of player-specific bet areas (201 to 205) are arranged in parallel along the length of the organic table (10), and in each player-specific bet area (201 to 205), a plurality of bet target areas are arranged in parallel in the direction from the player toward the dealer. That is, the plurality of bet target areas are arranged in a two-dimensional direction on the organic table (10). A camera (40, 41) photographs the bet area (21) in which the bet target areas are arranged in a two-dimensional direction from an oblique upward angle. As a result, the image generated by the camera (40, 41) captures a stack of bet chips photographed from an oblique upward angle.

[0065] By having the camera (40, 41) photograph the bat chip stack from an oblique upward angle, the image contains information about the location of the bat chip stack, information about the side (value) of the bat chips included in the bat chip stack, and information about the number of bat chips. Therefore, by analyzing this image, the location of the bat chip stack and the type and number of bat chips included therein can be recognized. That is, if the bat chip stack is photographed from the side, information about the value and number of bat chips is obtained, but it is unclear which of the bat target areas arranged in a two-dimensional direction the bat chip stack is located in. Also, if the bat chip stack is photographed from directly above, the location of the bat chip stack can be clearly identified, but only the type of the top bat chip of the bat chip stack can be recognized, and it is unclear how many of which types of bat chips are in the bat chip stack.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of an image captured by a camera of an embodiment of the present invention. The camera (40) generates an image by capturing a stack of gaming chips (70) consisting of one or more gaming chips (70) placed in the bed area (21) of an organic table (10). The shooting range of the left camera (40) and the shooting range of the right camera (40) overlap with each other in at least part, so that the gaming chips (70) placed in the bed area (21) are captured from different directions by the left camera (40) and the right camera (40).

[0067] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of an image captured by a camera of an embodiment of the present invention. The camera (41) captures and generates an image that includes a player playing on an organic table (10) and a bet chip. The shooting range of the left camera (41) and the shooting range of the right camera (41) overlap at least partially with each other, so that the player playing on the organic table (10) and the gaming chip (70) placed in the bet area (21) are captured from different directions by the left camera (41) and the right camera (41). Additionally, the camera (41) also captures a back bettor who is standing and betting from behind without sitting in a player position.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of antennas in an organic table system of an embodiment of the present invention. Nine antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) are arranged in the organic table (10). The nine antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) are arranged in order along a horizontally extending bed area (21). At this time, neighboring antennas overlap in part in the left-right direction, thereby overlapping the reading ranges of neighboring antennas. With such arrangement of the nine antennas (ANT1 to ANT9), the entire bed area (21) is covered, and the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70) within the bed area (21) is read by at least one antenna (or, in some cases, two or three antennas).

[0069] In the example of FIG. 5, antennas (ANT1, ANT3, ANT5, ANT7, ANT9) correspond to each player's bet area (201–205), and ANT2, ANT4, ANT6, and ANT8 are positioned in the middle of each of those antennas. The size of each antenna (ANT1–ANT9) is approximately the same size as the player's bet area (201–205). However, the size and position of the antennas (ANT1–ANT9) do not have to correspond to the player's bet area (201–205).

[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the intensity distribution of electromagnetic waves formed by one antenna of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram viewed from the planar direction of a loop formed by the antenna. The electromagnetic waves become stronger on the antenna wire, weaken slightly towards the center within the loop, and weaken as they move away from the antenna outside the loop. The intensity of these electromagnetic waves is thought to be approximately proportional to the reading ability of the antenna.

[0071] In this embodiment, these antennas are arranged to overlap each other as shown in FIG. 5. For instance, if these multiple antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) perform readings simultaneously, that is, if they output electromagnetic waves with an intensity distribution as shown in FIG. 6, the electromagnetic waves interfere with each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) are controlled so that they do not perform readings simultaneously with respect to at least the antennas that interfere with each other.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an organic table system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The organic table system (100) is equipped with a plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9), a reader (24), a plurality of cameras (40, 41), a card shoe (50), a display (60), an information processing device (80), a chip database (90), and a player database (91). The antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) are connected to the reader (24), and the reader (24), cameras (40, 41), card shoe (50), display (60), chip database (90), and player database (91) are connected to the information processing device (80). The information processing device (80) is composed of a computer equipped with a computational processing device and a memory device. The information processing device (80) functions as an image recognition unit (81), a chip determination unit (82), and a player identification unit (83) by reading and executing a program stored in a non-transient computer-readable medium.

[0073] In the chip database (90), for each gaming chip (70), information such as chip identification information (chip ID), type (value), date of manufacture, information to specify the casino where it is intended to be used, activation status (valid, invalid, etc.), and the history of the holder is stored. In the player database (91), for each player, information such as player identification information (player ID), player's personal information (face photo, name, nationality, contact information, etc.), betting history, and status (VIP, caution, etc.) is stored.

[0074] The card shoe (50) stores a game result determination algorithm based on the rules of baccarat and determines the game result (Player Win, Banker Win, Tie, Player Pair, Banker Pair, etc.) by applying the reading result of reading the rank of the playing card being drawn to the game result determination algorithm. The card shoe (50) has a display not shown and displays the reading result and the game result on the display. The card shoe (50) is also equipped with a game start button that is operated to cancel the display of the game result and start the next game.

[0075] The progress stage of the game can be recognized by using the card shoe (50). That is, when the card shoe (50) detects that the game start button has been pressed, it can recognize that the betting stage of the next game has started. When the card shoe (50) detects that the first playing card has been drawn after the game start button has been pressed, it can recognize that the betting stage has ended and the card dealing stage has started. Additionally, when the game result is determined from the reading result of the drawn playing card, it can recognize that the card dealing stage has ended and the settlement stage has started. Furthermore, when it detects that the game start button has been pressed, it can recognize that the settlement stage has ended and the betting stage of the next game has started. The card shoe (50) reports these recognized game progress stages to the information processing device (80).

[0076] The reader (24) controls the reading of a plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9). The reader (24) outputs electromagnetic waves to a selected antenna among the antennas (ANT1 to ANT9), receives a reading signal of an RFID tag (72) from the antenna, and outputs the reading result to an information processing device (80). At this time, the reader (24) transmits radio waves to the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70) through the antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) and receives the received signal strength (RSSI) along with the information stored in the RFID tag (72) as a reading result. By sequentially switching the antennas that the reader (24) executes the reading, the reading results of the antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) are obtained sequentially. A means for reading the RFID tag (72) on the organic table (10) is configured by these plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) and the reader (24).

[0077] The camera (40, 41) outputs an image obtained by shooting to an information processing device (80). The image recognition unit (81) recognizes the location of the bat chip stack, the type and number of gaming chips (70) included in the bat chip stack by analyzing the image from the camera (40). To this end, the image recognition unit (81) uses a convolutional neural network having a deep learning structure to recognize the bat chip stack from the image of the camera (40), and also recognizes the gaming chips (70) from the recognized bat chip stack.

[0078] Since images are generated from the left and right cameras (40) respectively, the image recognition unit (81) analyzes each image and basically recognizes the same gaming chip (70) from both images. However, in the image from one camera (40), there is a gaming chip (70) that is obscured by another stack of chips, and in the image from the other camera (40), the gaming chip (70) that is obscured is captured. In such cases, the gaming chip (70) that is not recognized in the image from one camera (40) may be recognized from the image from the other camera (40). The image recognition unit (81) synthesizes the results of image recognition from the images from these left and right cameras (40) to finally recognize the gaming chip (70) that is placed on the organic table (10).

[0079] Additionally, the image recognition unit (81) recognizes (detects) a bet chip stack by analyzing an image from the camera (41). Additionally, the image recognition unit (81) corresponds the bet chip stack recognized from the image from the camera (41) with the bet chip stack recognized from the image from the camera (40). As described below, since the bet chip stack recognized from the image from the camera (41) corresponds to a player specified by the player identification unit (83), the bet chip stack recognized from the image from the camera (40) and the player specified by the player identification unit (83) are finally corresponded, and which player made which bet is recognized.

[0080] The player identification unit (83) generates a skeletal model of the player by analyzing an image from the camera (41) and recognizing the player's left and right shoulders, left and right elbows, left and right wrists, left and right eyes, left and right ears, and nose. Additionally, the player identification unit (83) extracts the player's face region from the image from the camera (41) and performs image recognition on it to identify player identification information (player ID) that uniquely identifies the player. This identification of the player is made possible by registering the player's face image in advance.

[0081] The player identification unit (83) uses a convolutional neural network having a deep learning structure for the generation of such skeletal models and for player identification by face images. Additionally, for players who have not registered in advance, the player identification unit (83) determines them to be unknown players or guests.

[0082] The chip determination unit (82), based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) by each of the plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9), estimates where the gaming chip (70) is located within the bat area where it is placed, as an area corresponding to the reading range of one of the plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9). Additionally, the chip determination unit (82), based on the estimation result and the recognition result of the bat chip stack by the image recognition unit (81), matches the bat chip stack recognized by the image recognition unit (81) with the reading result of the RFID tag (72) by the antennas (ANT1 to ANT9).

[0083] As described above, the reading ranges of adjacent antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) overlap each other, and as a result, the bed area (201 to 205) includes an area where the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70) placed therein is read by a plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9). For example, a gaming chip (70) placed in an area where antenna (ANT1) and antenna (ANT2) overlap is read by antenna (ANT1) and antenna (ANT2). Additionally, for example, a gaming chip (70) placed between antenna (ANT1) and antenna (ANT3) is read by antenna (ANT1), antenna (ANT2), and antenna (ANT3). The chip determination unit (82) estimates, based on a combination of reading results of multiple antennas (ANT1 to ANT9), an area smaller than the reading range of multiple antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) as the area where the gaming chip (70) is placed.

[0084] The chip determination unit (82) also determines, based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) and the image recognition result by the image recognition unit (81), a bat chip stack that includes a non-authenticated gaming chip that does not have a normal RFID tag (72) among the bat chip stacks recognized by image recognition. A gaming chip (70) that does not have an RFID tag (72) and a gaming chip (70) in which the RFID tag (72) is broken are both determined to be gaming chips (70) that do not have a normal RFID tag (72). The chip determination unit (82) determines that there is a non-authenticated gaming chip when there is a mismatch between the reading result of the RFID tag (72) and the image recognition result by the image recognition unit (81). More specifically, the chip determination unit (82) determines that there is a non-authenticated gaming chip when there is a gaming chip (70) that is recognized in image recognition but is not included in the reading result of the RFID tag (72).

[0085] Specifically, the chip determination unit (82) determines that if the number of gaming chips (70) estimated to be in the area based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) is less than the number of gaming chips (70) recognized by the image recognition unit (81) as being in the area, then a gaming chip with a fault in the RFID tag (72) is included in the area. Conversely, if the number of gaming chips (70) estimated to be in the area based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) is greater than the number of gaming chips (70) recognized by the image recognition means as being in the area, then the chip determination unit (82) determines that a gaming chip (70) that is not recognized by the image recognition unit (81) in the rectangle of the camera (40) is included in the area.

[0086] The information processing device (80) controls the reader (24) when the game progress state is in the bet stage to repeatedly perform reading of the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70). At this time, the reader (24) performs reading by the antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) in sequence as described above. In addition, the information processing device (80) controls the camera (40) when the game progress state is in the bet stage to perform continuous shooting and continuously acquires images from the camera (40). The image recognition unit (81) recognizes the gaming chip (70) by performing sequential analysis on the images continuously sent from the camera (40). In this way, the chip determination unit (82) matches the reading result of the RFID tag (72) recognized by the image recognition unit (81) with the reading result of the RFID tag (72) based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) at the timing when a new bat chip stack is placed in the bat area (21) and the result of image recognition. That is, in the bat stage, the reading of the RFID tag (72) by the reader (24) and the recognition of the gaming chip (70) by image recognition are performed in real time. By doing so, a fraudulent gaming chip can be detected in the bat stage, and the fraudulent gaming chip can be discovered before entering the card deal stage.

[0087] However, immediately after the player places the gaming chip (70) on the organic table (10), the gaming chip (70) may be obscured by the player's hand, so the RFID tag (72) is recognized, but the corresponding gaming chip (70) is not recognized from the image. For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 4, regarding the gaming chip (70) that the man is betting on, the gaming chip (70) cannot be detected by image recognition, but the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70) can be read. However, even in such a case, the man soon places the gaming chip (70) in the betting area (21) and takes his hand off the gaming chip (70). Accordingly, the chip determination unit (82) may not immediately determine that there is a fraudulent gaming chip when a mismatch between the result of image recognition and the reading result of the RFID tag (72) is detected, but rather determine that there is a fraudulent gaming chip when such mismatch continues for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds).

[0088] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between an antenna and a gaming chip in an organic table of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a table showing the reading results of an RFID tag in the case of FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the type ($) and chip identification information (#) of each gaming chip (70), and FIG. 9 shows the received signal strength (RSSI) of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9) for the chip identification information of each gaming chip (70) in a range of 0 to 100.

[0089] The chip determination unit (82) estimates a small area within the bat area (21) where each gaming chip (70) is located, based on the reading results of the antennas (ANT1 to ANT9). Since the reading ranges of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9) overlap, this small area is narrower than the reading range of a single antenna. Since the reading ranges of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9) overlap, one gaming chip (70) is read by multiple antennas. For each gaming chip (70), the chip determination unit (82) estimates a small area where the gaming chip (70) is located, based on the reading intensity of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9).

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9, even if multiple gaming chips (70) are located in the same position, it cannot be said that the signal strengths will necessarily be the same. As such, the received signal strength of the RFID tag (72) has ambiguity. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the intensity distribution of electromagnetic waves from each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9) also has a complex shape. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the location of the gaming chip (70) based solely on the received signal strength of the RFID tag (72). However, there is no such uncertainty in the chip identification information read from the RFID tag (72), and as long as the gaming chip (70) has a normal RFID tag (72), the reading is accurate.

[0091] The chip determination unit (82) estimates the probability of each gaming chip (70) existing in each sub-region in the range of 0 to 100 based on the received signal strength of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9). The chip determination unit (82) is provided with an arithmetic formula or table for calculating the probability of each sub-region existing from the received signal strength of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9). The chip determination unit (82) calculates the probability of each sub-region existing by applying the actual received signal strength of each gaming chip (70) to this arithmetic formula or table.

[0092] The chip determination unit (82) likewise estimates the probability of each player being in a bet area (201 to 205) for each gaming chip (70) in the range of 0 to 100 based on the received signal strength of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9). The chip determination unit (82) is provided with an arithmetic formula or table for calculating the probability of each player being in a bet area (201 to 205) from the received signal strength of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9). The chip determination unit (82) calculates the probability of each player being in a bet area (201 to 205) by applying the actual received signal strength of each gaming chip (70) to this arithmetic formula or table.

[0093] In this way, based solely on the reading result of the RFID tag (72), it is only possible to determine with probability which small area or player-specific bet area (201 to 205) each gaming chip (70) exists in, and thus they cannot be confirmed. Meanwhile, the image recognition unit (81), as described above, can recognize the location of each bet chip stack and the type and number of gaming chips (70) included in the bet chip stack. Accordingly, the chip determination unit (82) corresponds each gaming chip (70) (each chip identification information in the reading result) for which the RFID tag (72) was read to the bet chip stack obtained as a result of image recognition.

[0094] FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of a bet chip stack recognized by an image recognition unit of an embodiment of the present invention. The image recognition unit (81) assigns an ID to each recognized bet chip stack and, for each bet chip stack, recognizes the type (value) and location (player position, bet target area) of the gaming chip (70) included therein.

[0095] The chip determination unit (82) assigns the reading result of the RFID tag (72) shown in FIG. 9 and the image recognition result shown in FIG. 10 to one of the bet chip stacks obtained from image recognition. Since the player-specific bet area (201 to 205) and bet target area where each bet chip stack is placed are determined by the result of image recognition, the chip determination unit (82) assigns the reading result of the RFID tag (72) (chip identification information, type (value), etc.) to the player-specific bet area (201 to 205) and bet target area.

[0096] FIG. 11 is a table showing the results of a determination by the chip determination unit of an embodiment of the present invention. The chip determination unit (82) determines which gaming chip (70) exists in a bat chip stack within a range where the possibility of existence for each sub-region based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) does not fall below a predetermined reference value (threshold value). At this time, the chip determination unit (82) determines that a negative gaming chip exists in such a bat chip stack if, based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72), the number of RFID tags (72) (chip identification information) assigned to the bat chip stack within the range of the threshold value does not match the number of gaming chips (70) included in each bat chip stack recognized by image recognition. Additionally, the chip determination unit (82), conversely, when determining which bat chip stack each gaming chip (70) exists in in order to match the number of bat chip stacks in the image recognition result, if the probability based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) becomes lower than the threshold value due to such determination, it may determine that a bad gaming chip exists in the bat chip stack having such an RFID tag (72) reading result.

[0097] Additionally, in the example of FIG. 11, the chip determination unit (82) determines that there is a negative gaming chip in such a bat chip stack when the number of RFID tags (72) (chip identification information) assigned to the bat chip stack within the range of a threshold value based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) does not match the number of gaming chips (70) included in each bat chip stack recognized by image recognition, and does not consider the type of gaming chip (70), but the chip determination unit (82) may also consider the type of gaming chip (70) and determine which bat chip stack each gaming chip (70) is in. That is, as described above, the RFID tag (72) embedded in the gaming chip (70) has information (type-specification information) stored in it to specify the type of the gaming chip (70), and the center line (71) on the side of the gaming chip (70) also indicates the type of the gaming chip (70), so the image recognition unit (81) specifies the type of the gaming chip (70) based on this center line (71).

[0098] Therefore, the chip determination unit (82) may also assign the read RFID tag (72) (chip identification information) to any of the bat chip stacks recognized by the image recognition unit (81) based on the type of gaming chip (70) identified based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) and the type of gaming chip (70) recognized by the image recognition unit (81), so that for each type, within the range of a threshold value, the number of RFID tags (72) (chip identification information) assigned to the bat chip stack matches the number of gaming chips (70) included in each bat chip stack recognized by image recognition. And, if there is a bat chip stack where the number of chips does not match, the chip determination unit (82) determines that bat chip stack as a bat chip stack containing a fraudulent gaming chip. That is, in cases where the number of pieces is judged without considering the type, even if the player-specific bat area (201 to 205) where the gaming chip (70) is placed cannot be identified as one from the reading result of the RFID tag (72), by considering the type, it may be possible to identify which bat chip stack the information of the RFID tag (72) read by the reader (24) exists in. Accordingly, the chip determination unit (82) may consider the type information in the reading result of the RFID tag (72) and the type information recognized by the image recognition unit (81), and assign the read RFID tag (72) (chip identification information) to any one of the bat chip stacks recognized by the image recognition unit (81).

[0099] Additionally, the chip determination unit (82) may, before performing the above processing, first compare the number of gaming chips (70) indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag (72) for the entire bat area (21) with the number of gaming chips (70) recognized by the image recognition unit (81), and if the two do not match, perform the processing to correspond the information obtained by reading the RFID tag (72) to the bat chip stack recognized by image recognition as above, thereby specifying which bat chip stack such discrepancy is occurring in. In other words, the chip determination unit (82) may omit the above processing if, for the entire bat area (21), the number of gaming chips (70) indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag (72) matches the number of gaming chips (70) recognized by the image recognition unit (81).

[0100] Additionally, in cases where the image recognition result and the reading result of the RFID tag (72) do not match, it may not be possible to specify one player-specific bet area where such mismatch occurs, and it may be possible to narrow it down to only two player-specific bet areas. In this case, the chip judgment unit (82) determines that there is a possibility that the two specified bet chip stacks contain a fraudulent gaming chip. That is, when the chip judgment unit (82) cannot specify one bet chip stack containing a fraudulent gaming chip, it determines multiple bet chip stacks where the possibility of containing a fraudulent gaming chip is greater than or equal to a threshold value as bet chip stacks containing a fraudulent gaming chip.

[0101] As described above, the image recognition unit (81) recognizes the type of each gaming chip (70). Accordingly, the chip determination unit (82) may determine that a gaming chip is included in such a gaming chip stack if, for each small area, the type and number of gaming chips (70) indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag (72) differ from the type and number of gaming chips (70) of the gaming chip stack recognized by the image recognition unit (81).

[0102] When it is determined that there is a fraudulent gaming chip, the chip determination unit (82) identifies the player who bet the fraudulent gaming chip by using the information of the player identified by the player identification unit (83). Because of this, the chip determination unit (82) associates the bet chip stack captured by the camera (41) with the player identified by the player identification unit (83). That is, the chip determination unit (82) identifies the player who placed the bet chip stack in the bet area (21).

[0103] For this reason, the image recognition unit (81) extracts a stack of gaming chips (70) (bat chip stack) from an image captured by the camera (41) when the bet phase ends (i.e., when the bet is confirmed). Then, the chip determination unit (82) identifies the image (frame) in which the bet chip stack is first recognized at the extraction location of the bet chip stack among a plurality of consecutive images (frames) obtained by the camera (41) continuously capturing the bet phase. The chip determination unit (82) identifies the player whose wrist is closest to the bet chip stack in this image (frame) as the player who bet the bet chip stack.

[0104] For example, if we assume that whenever a gaming chip (70) is recognized during the betting phase, the gaming chip (70) is associated with the player who has the wrist closest to the gaming chip (70), then the processing of associating the gaming chip (70) with the player must always be performed during the betting phase, which not only increases the processing load but also causes confusion if the player changes the content of the bet made during the betting phase (which is legal in itself). In contrast, according to the method of the present embodiment, the association between the final betting chip stack and the player can be performed, and since there is no need to always perform the association between the betting chip and the player during the betting phase, the processing load can be reduced.

[0105] In this way, the chip judgment unit (82) associates the bet chip stack with the player who bet the bet chip stack, that is, identifies the player who bet the bet chip stack, so if the bet chip stack contains a fraudulent gaming chip, it can identify the player who bet the bet chip stack containing such fraudulent gaming chip.

[0106] Additionally, since the location of the bet chip stack and the type and number of gaming chips (70) included in the bet chip stack are recognized in the image from the camera (40), the chip judgment unit (82) recognizes the player and the location of the bet chip stack that the player has bet, as well as the type and number of gaming chips (70) included in the bet chip stack. As described above, since the type of gaming chip (70) corresponds to its value, the chip judgment unit (82) also calculates the amount of the bet chip stack for each bet chip stack based on the type and number of gaming chips (70) included therein. Then, the information processing device (80) records the amount of this bet chip stack as the bet amount of the player in the player database (91) or updates the record in the player database (91).

[0107] Additionally, as described above, the type of gaming chip (70) can be identified from its appearance, but information that uniquely identifies the gaming chip (70) is not obtained from its appearance. That is, even if the image obtained by photographing the gaming chip (70) is analyzed, the chip identification information of the gaming chip (70) is not obtained. Meanwhile, as described above, chip identification information is stored in the RFID tag (72). Therefore, the chip determination unit (82) determines which gaming chip (70) of which chip identification information is included in which bat chip stack in the image by matching the reading result of the RFID tag (72) with the result of image recognition. When the information processing device (80) determines the chip identification information of the gaming chip (70) included therein for each bat chip stack, it uses the chip identification information to query the chip database (90) and obtains the information of the gaming chip (70) from the chip database (90). And, for example, the information processing device (80) determines whether the activation information in the chip database (90) is valid for the chip identification information that was inquired about.

[0108] The display (60) displays various results of information processing by the information processing device (80). In particular, the display (60) may display the number of gaming chips (70) in each player's bet area (201 to 205) based on image recognition as shown in FIG. 10 and the number of gaming chips (70) in each player's bet area (201 to 205) finally determined by the chip judgment unit (82) considering the reading result of the RFID tag (72) in a way that allows comparison. If there is a bet chip stack containing a fraudulent gaming chip, an error is displayed for the player's bet area (201 to 205) where the bet chip stack is placed. This error display functions as an alert to the dealer, and at this time, the display (60) functions as an alert device.

[0109] Additionally, the information processing device (80) queries the chip database (90) regarding the chip identification information read from the RFID tag (72), and if there is a problem (for example, if the activation information is "invalid"), it executes an error display on the display (60) according to the problem.

[0110] In addition, the display (60) may display information (e.g., the name of the player) identifying the player who has placed the gaming chip (70) in each player's bet area (201 to 205) in addition to the above.

[0111] As described above, according to the organic table system (100) of the present embodiment, by recognizing a gaming chip (70) from an image obtained by shooting with a camera (40) and assigning (mapping) the reading result of an RFID tag (72) to the recognition result, it is possible to determine a bat chip stack containing a fraudulent gaming chip that does not have a normal RFID tag (72).

[0112] (Variation Example 1)

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, a gaming chip (70) that does not have a normal RFID tag (72) is defined as a fraudulent gaming chip, and a bet chip stack containing the fraudulent gaming chip is specified. The fraudulent gaming chip is not limited to this, and the organic table system (100) may determine the existence of such fraudulent gaming chips by making a gaming chip (70) related to a fraudulent bet into a fraudulent gaming chip. Specifically, the chip determination unit (82) may determine a bet chip stack containing such fraudulent gaming chips by making a gaming chip (70) related to capping (rate betting) that adds a bet chip that is confirmed to win or likely to win after the card deal phase begins, or pinching that removes a bet chip that is confirmed to lose or likely to lose after the card deal phase begins, into a fraudulent gaming chip.

[0114] In order to detect such fraudulent gaming chips, the image recognition unit (81) recognizes the location of the gaming chip (70) bat chip stack and the type and number of gaming chips (70) included in the bat chip stack for the images obtained by taking a picture at the first timing and the subsequent second timing. In addition, the information processing device (80) obtains the reading results of the RFID tag (72) by each of the plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) at the first timing and the second timing by the reader (24).

[0115] And, the chip determination unit (82) determines the bat chip stack that includes a fraudulent gaming chip among the bat chip stacks recognized by the image recognition unit (81), based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) at each of the first and second timings and the recognition result of the bat chip stack by the image recognition unit (81) for each of the first and second timings. Specifically, the chip determination unit (82) determines the type and number of gaming chips (70) included in the bet chip stack of each player's bet area (201 to 205) based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) at the first timing and the image recognition result at the first timing, and determines the type and number of gaming chips (70) included in the bet chip stack of each player's bet area (201 to 205) based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) at the second timing and the image recognition result at the second timing, and determines that there is a non-identifiable gaming chip when there is a mismatch in the determined type and number.

[0116] More specifically, the chip judgment unit (82) determines that for a bat chip stack with more gaming chips (70) in the second timing than the first timing, it contains a negative gaming chip regarding capping negation, and for a bat chip stack with fewer gaming chips (70) in the second timing than the first timing, it determines that it contains a negative gaming chip regarding pinching negation.

[0117] In particular, if the first timing is set as the end of the betting phase (i.e., the start of the card dealing phase) and the second timing is set as the end of the card dealing phase (i.e., the start of the liquidation phase), then an irregularity of increasing or decreasing betting chips can be detected during the card dealing phase, where a player is not allowed to increase or decrease betting chips. Furthermore, the first timing and the second timing are not limited to this example, and the start and end of any period during which increasing or decreasing betting chips is prohibited may be set as the first timing and the second timing.

[0118] (Variation Example 2)

[0119] As described above, in order for the organic table system (100) to identify a bet chip stack containing a fraudulent gaming chip and to identify a player who bets such a bet chip stack, the chip determination unit (82) matches the gaming chip (70) included in the bet chip stack recognized by the image recognition unit (81) with the player identified by the player identification unit (83). Additionally, the chip determination unit (82) determines the amount of bet chips (bet amount) from the type and number of gaming chips (70) in each bet chip stack. The information processing device (80) stores the player's bet amount in the player database (91) or updates the player's accumulated bet amount in the player database (91) based on the player's bet amount.

[0120] As described above, the information processing device (80) corresponds the information read from the RFID tag (72) to each bet chip stack, the bet area (201 to 205) for each player to which the bet chip stack is bet, and the bet target area. The organic table system (100) may also determine the winning amount and the losing amount for each player by using the game result information from the card shoe (50), and store them in the player database (91) in relation to the player identification information along with the bet amount.

[0121] In addition, as described above, since the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70) stores chip identification information that uniquely identifies the gaming chip (70), it is also possible to correspond this chip identification information to player identification information. By corresponding the chip identification information to player identification information and storing it in the chip database (90), the information processing device (80) can determine which gaming chip (70) each player possesses.

[0122] In this case, regarding the gaming chip (70) bet on the organic table (10), a situation may be discovered where the player who bet the gaming chip (70) does not match the player stored in the chip database (90) as the latest holder of the gaming chip (70). Additionally, for example, when a player exchanges the gaming chip (70) held by the player for cash at a cashier, a situation may be discovered where the player who requests the exchange does not match the player stored in the chip database (90) as the latest holder of the gaming chip (70). The organic table system (100) may be equipped with an alert device that outputs an alert when such a discrepancy is detected. When such a discrepancy is detected in the organic table (10), a display (60) may be used as an alert device. By doing so, illegal acts such as money laundering or theft can be detected.

[0123] (Variation Example 3)

[0124] In addition, in the above embodiment, the organic table system (100) repeatedly reads the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70) of the bat area (21) during the bat stage, and the camera (40, 41) also continuously takes pictures during the bat stage and outputs the images sequentially to the information processing device (80), and the image recognition unit (81) recognizes the location of the bat chip stack and the type and number of gaming chips (70) included therein for the images sent from the camera (40, 41), and the chip determination unit (82) assigns the reading result of the RFID tag (72) to the bat chip stack based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) and the image recognition result, and as a result, if there is a fraud, the chip bat stack containing the fraudulent gaming chip is identified.

[0125] That is, the organic table system (100) detects fraudulent gaming chips in real time during the betting phase and outputs an alert using the display (60). By doing so, fraudulent gaming chips that do not have a normal RFID tag (72) can be detected before the card deal starts, and the game using the fraudulent gaming chips can be avoided.

[0126] However, not limited to this, the organic table system (100) may detect the aforementioned fraudulent gaming chips at the time when the bet phase ends, that is, when the bet content is confirmed (No More Bet) and the card deal phase begins.

[0127] In addition, in the above embodiment, the organic table system (100) determined which bet chip stack the chip identification information read from the RFID tag (72) exists in based on the image recognition result and the reading result of the RFID tag (72) for the bet chip, but the same processing may also be performed on the dispensing gaming chips that are dispensed from the dealer to the player who won the game. By doing so, not only can it be determined whether the dispensing gaming chips contain fraudulent gaming chips and to which player the dispensing gaming chips were paid, just as in the above embodiment, but the information processing device (80) can also determine whether the dispensing amount is correct along with the bet amount and game result by determining the amount of the dispensing gaming chips, and furthermore, it is possible to determine which player identification information the gaming chip (70) having which chip identification information came to be held by.

[0128] (Variation Example 4)

[0129] Additionally, in the above embodiment, a plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) send the received signal strength for each RFID tag (72) back to the reader (24), and the chip determination unit (82) estimates which sub-region the gaming chip (70) read from the plurality of antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) is located in using the information of these received signal strengths, but the RFID tag (72) may not transmit the received signal strength to the reader (24) and may simply transmit the information stored in the RFID tag (72), or a part thereof, to the reader (24). In this case, instead of FIG. 9, a table is obtained having whether it was read or not (1 or 0) as a value representing the reading result of each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9).

[0130] Even in this case, the chip judgment unit (82) assigns the information read from the RFID tag (72) to one of the image-recognized chip stacks based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) by each antenna (ANT1 to ANT9).

[0131] (Variation Example 5)

[0132] In the above-described embodiment, in the bet area (21), player-specific bet areas (201 to 205) are arranged side by side in the direction in which player positions are arranged (horizontal direction), and antennas (ANT1 to ANT9) are also arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. In addition to this, or instead of this, by arranging a plurality of antennas side by side in the direction from the player toward the dealer (vertical direction), it may be possible to estimate where the gaming chip (70) in which the RFID tag (72) was read is located among the sub-areas divided in the vertical direction based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) by such plurality of antennas.

[0133] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a modified example of the arrangement of antennas in an organic table system of an embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 12, in the bed area (21), nine antennas are arranged to overlap each other in the horizontal direction, just as in the above embodiment, and three antennas are also arranged to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0134] In addition, in the above embodiment and the variation of FIG. 12, a plurality of antennas are arranged so that neighboring antennas (the loops they create) overlap each other, but it is not mandatory for the loops created by the antennas to overlap, and it is sufficient if the reading ranges by each antenna overlap each other. By this, it is guaranteed that the RFID tag (72) of a gaming chip (70) placed at any location within the bat area (21) will be read by any one of the antennas.

[0135] In this case, the chip determination unit (82) can assign information read from the RFID tag (72) to the chip stack recognized by image recognition based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) obtained by distinguishing in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0136] (Variation Example 6)

[0137] In the above-described embodiment, the information processing device (80) was equipped with an image recognition unit (81), a chip judgment unit (82), and a player identification unit (83), but each of these units may be equipped in a separate device. In this case, each device may be able to communicate through a network. For example, the image recognition unit (81) may be formed in a casino device, and the chip judgment unit (82) and the player identification unit (83) may be formed in a cloud device capable of communicating with the casino device.

[0138] (Variation Example 7)

[0139] The chip determination unit (82) may recognize multiple gaming chips (70) for which RFID tags (72) are read at the same timing by the same antenna as one chip stack or one group of chip stacks, and may recognize multiple gaming chips (70) for which RFID tags (72) are read at different timings by the same antenna as one chip stack or one group of gaming chips (70) different from the said one chip stack or one group. In particular, regarding the bet chips, multiple bet chips read at the same timing by the same antenna may be recognized as having been bet by the same player.

[0140] (Variation Example 8)

[0141] The information processing device (80) of the organic table system (100) may also additionally be provided with a holder identification unit that identifies the holder of the gaming chip (70) based on the reading result of the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70). In this case, the chip determination unit (82) recognizes a plurality of gaming chips (70) that are identified as being held by the same holder by the holder identification unit among a plurality of gaming chips (70) placed in the same estimated area as one chip stack. The holder identification unit identifies the holder of the gaming chip (70) by referring to the chip database (90) based on the chip identification information (chip ID) read from the RFID tag (72) of the gaming chip (70).

[0142] The information processing device (80) of the organic table system (100) may also additionally be provided with a holder update unit that updates the holder information of the gaming chip (70) paid by the dealer for the gaming chip (70) that won the game as a result of a game using the gaming chip (70) to the holder information of the gaming chip (70) that won the game. By doing so, the holder information is properly updated for the gaming chip (70) paid by the dealer to the player.

[0143] (Variation Example 9)

[0144] In the above embodiment, an organic table system (100) that recognizes a gaming chip (70) in an organic table (10) was described, but the present invention can be applied more broadly to general articles. That is, the present invention can be applied to a system that reads an article containing an RFID tag at a predetermined location. In this case, at the predetermined reading location where reading is performed, a plurality of separate areas are arranged to be close to or in contact with each other. This system is provided with a reading means including a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of reading locations and for reading the RFID tag of an article within the reading range. The reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas overlap each other, and thereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of separate areas.

[0145] The system further comprises an imaging means for generating an image comprising a group of items consisting of one or more items placed at a reading location by photographing a plurality of separate areas arranged to be close to or in contact with each other at a reading location, and an image recognition means for recognizing the location of the group of items at the reading location and the type and number of items constituting the group of items by analyzing the image. The system comprises a determination means, and the determination means can estimate, based on the reading result of an RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, an area corresponding to the reading range of one of the plurality of antennas at the reading location where the item is placed, and where the item is placed within the reading range of the corresponding antenna, and based on the estimation result and the recognition result of the group of items by the image recognition means, the group of items recognized by the image recognition means corresponds with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means.

[0146] (Variation Example 10)

[0147] The following technology is also provided by the above embodiments and variations.

[0148] The organic table system comprises a reading means including a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of locations on the organic table and for reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip within a reading range, and

[0149] A chip determination means for estimating the location where the gaming chip is placed based on the reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, and

[0150] The reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas of the above-mentioned reading means overlap each other, and thereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of target areas of the above-mentioned bed area on the organic table, and

[0151] The above chip determination means estimates the area where the gaming chip is located at a resolution smaller than the reading range of the plurality of antennas, based on a combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas.

[0152] The organic table system is,

[0153] A reading means comprising a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of locations on the above organic table and for reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip within a reading range, and

[0154] A chip determination means for estimating the location where the gaming chip is placed based on the reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, and

[0155] The above reading means performs repeated readings using the plurality of antennas, and

[0156] The above chip determination means recognizes a plurality of gaming chips in which the RFID tag is read at the same timing by the same antenna as a group of gaming chips, and recognizes a plurality of gaming chips in which the RFID tag is read at a different timing by the same antenna as a group of gaming chips different from the group. Explanation of the symbols

[0157] 10 : Organic Table 21 : Bet Area 30: Chip Tray 40, 41: Camera 50 : Card Shoe 60 : Display 70 : Gaming chip 71 : Centerline 72 : RFID tag 80: Information processing unit 81: Image recognition unit 82 : Chip judgment unit 83 : Player specific part 90: Chip Database 91 : Player Database 100 : Organic Table System 201 ~ 205: Bet Areas by Player

Claims

Claim 1 An organic table system for reading a gaming chip embedded with an RFID tag on an organic table, wherein a bat area including a plurality of bat target areas is disposed on the organic table, and the organic table system comprises: a reading means including a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of locations on the organic table for reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip within a reading range, wherein the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas have an overlapping area, and thereby the RFID tag of the gaming chip placed in the overlapping area is read by the plurality of antennas associated with the overlapping area, and an imaging means for generating an image including a chip stack consisting of one or more gaming chips placed in the bat area by photographing the bat area including the plurality of bat target areas of the organic table, and an image recognition means for recognizing the location of the chip stack on the organic table and the type and number of gaming chips constituting the chip stack by analyzing the image, and when the same RFID tag is read by the plurality of antennas, the reading result of the plurality of antennas An organic table system having a chip determination means that estimates the area where the gaming chip containing the said RFID tag is placed based on a combination, and corresponds the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the said RFID tag by the reading means based on the result of the estimate and the recognition result of the said chip stack by the image recognition means. Claim 2 In claim 1, the chip determination means estimates, based on a combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas, an area smaller than the reading range of the plurality of antennas as the area where the gaming chip is placed, an organic table system. Claim 3 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the reading means performs repetitive reading using the plurality of antennas, and the chip determination means correlates the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means based on the reading result of the reading means and the timing information. Claim 4 An organic table system according to claim 3, wherein the reading means performs repetitive reading using the plurality of antennas, and the chip determination means recognizes the plurality of gaming chips for which the RFID tag is read at the same timing by the same antenna as one chip stack, and recognizes the plurality of gaming chips for which the RFID tag is read at different timings by the same antenna as a chip stack different from the one chip stack. Claim 5 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores type-specific information for specifying the type of the gaming chip, and the chip determination means additionally correlates the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means, based on the type and number of the gaming chip indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag and the type and number of the gaming chip recognized by the image recognition means. Claim 6 An organic table system according to claim 1, further comprising a holder identification means for identifying a holder of said gaming chip based on the reading result of the RFID tag of said gaming chip by said reading means, wherein the chip determination means recognizes a plurality of said gaming chips identified as being held by the same holder by said holder identification means among a plurality of said gaming chips placed in the same estimated area as one chip stack. Claim 7 In claim 1, the chip determination means estimates the area where the gaming chip containing the RFID tag is located based on a combination of the reading intensities of the plurality of antennas when the same RFID tag is read by a plurality of antennas, in an organic table system. Claim 8 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the bet area includes a player-specific bet area formed in each of a plurality of player positions, the bet target area includes a side bet area, and the chip determination means estimates the area where the gaming chip is placed and estimates which side bet area the gaming chip is placed in, even when the side bet area is formed in the player-specific bet area, or when the side bet area for the plurality of player positions is arranged collectively for each type of side bet. Claim 9 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the content stored in the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip includes chip identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip, and the chip determination means corresponds the chip identification information of the gaming chip included in the chip stack with the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means. Claim 10 An organic table system according to claim 5, further comprising a holder update means for changing the holder information of a gaming chip paid by a dealer for the gaming chip that won the game as a result of a game using the gaming chip to the holder information of the gaming chip that won the game. Claim 11 In claim 1, the chip stack consisting of one or more gaming chips placed in the above-mentioned betting area is a chip stack placed for a game, and the chip determination means corresponds the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with respect to the placed chip stack with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means, an organic table system. Claim 12 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein a chip stack consisting of one or more gaming chips placed in the betting area is a chip stack that is bet on a game and is paid out by a dealer for the chip stack that wins the game, and the chip determination means corresponds the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means with respect to the paid chip stack. Claim 13 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the reading range of the plurality of antennas covers the entire bed area on the organic table. Claim 14 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determination means determines that, when the number of gaming chips estimated to be in a region based on the reading result of the RFID tag is less than the number of gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means as being in a region, a gaming chip having a defect in the RFID tag is included in the chip stack within the region. Claim 15 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determination means determines that, when the number of gaming chips whose areas are estimated based on the reading result of the RFID tag is greater than the number of gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means as being placed within the area, there are gaming chips within the area that are not recognized by the image recognition means in the blind spot of the imaging means. Claim 16 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores type-specific information for specifying the type of the gaming chip, and the chip determination means determines that the chip stack contains an invalid gaming chip when, for the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means, the type and number of the gaming chip indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag differ from the type and number of the gaming chip of the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means. Claim 17 An organic table system according to claim 14, wherein the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores type-specific information for specifying the type of the gaming chip, and the chip determination means further specifies the chip stack containing the negative gaming chip among the chip stacks recognized by the image recognition means based on the type and number of the gaming chip indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag and the type and number of the gaming chip recognized by the image recognition means. Claim 18 In claim 14, the chip determination means determines a plurality of chip stacks in which the probability of containing the fraudulent gaming chip is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value as chip stacks containing the fraudulent gaming chip, in cases where the chip stack containing the fraudulent gaming chip cannot be specified as one. Claim 19 In claim 1, the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores type-specific information for specifying the type of the gaming chip, the type of the gaming chip corresponds to the amount of the gaming chip, and the chip determination means determines the amount of the chip stack based on the type-specific information, an organic table system. Claim 20 An organic table system according to claim 1, further comprising a player-specification means for specifying a player playing a game on the organic table, wherein the chip determination means further specifies a player corresponding to the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means. Claim 21 An organic table system according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores chip identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip, the bat area includes a bat area formed for each of a plurality of player positions, a database storing player identification information for identifying the chip identification information and the player in relation to the chip identification information, a player identification means for identifying the player identification information of a player playing in the plurality of player positions, and an alert means for outputting an alert when the player identification information identified by the player identification means is not related to the chip identification information of the gaming chip identified in the database as being in the player position where the player is playing. Claim 22 A system for reading an item containing an RFID tag at a predetermined location, wherein a plurality of designated areas are arranged at the predetermined location, and the system comprises: a reading means including a plurality of antennas formed at a plurality of locations at the predetermined location to read the RFID tag of the item within a reading range, wherein the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas have an overlapping area, and thereby the RFID tag of the item placed in the overlapping area is read by the plurality of antennas associated with the overlapping area; an imaging means for generating an image including a group of items consisting of one or more items placed at the predetermined location by photographing the plurality of designated areas at the predetermined location; an image recognition means for recognizing the location of the group of items at the predetermined location and the type and number of items constituting the group of items by analyzing the image; and, when the same RFID tag is read by the plurality of antennas, estimating the area where the item containing the RFID tag is placed based on a combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas, and based on the result of the estimation and the result of recognizing the group of items by the image recognition means. A system having a determination means for correlating the group of items recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means.

Images