Cheating detection system of amusement ground

Abstract

The invention provides a novel system for detecting cheating behaviors in games on a game site, or errors and cheating behaviors when placing game coins and actuarial. A cheating detection system for detecting cheating behavior in a game in which coin collection and repayment are performed in accordance with a win / loss result is provided with: a camera (2) for capturing an image of coin (9) stored in a coin tray (17) of a dealer (5); an image analysis device (12) that analyzes the image captured by the camera (2) and detects the amount of game coins (9) stored in the game coin tray (17); a card issuing device (13) for determining the result of winning and losing the game; and a control device (14) that detects a cheating behavior by comparing a win-loss result of the game with the amount of the game coins (9) stored in the game coin tray (17) before and after the collection and repayment of the game coins.

Description

[0001] Divisional Application

[0002] This application is a divisional application of a patent with an application date of August 2, 2016, a patent application number of 201680045982.3, and an invention title of a cheating detection system for a game arcade.

[0003] Reference of Related Applications

[0004] This application claims the rights of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-163213 filed in Japan on August 3, 2015, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-206735 filed in Japan on October 1, 2015, and incorporates the content of this application by reference herein. Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to a system for detecting cheating behavior in games at a game arcade, or errors and cheating behavior during the placement and settlement of game coins. Background Art

[0006] In game arcades such as casinos, various cheating prevention measures are being attempted. The game arcade is equipped with surveillance cameras for monitoring cheating behavior, and based on the images obtained by the surveillance cameras, it determines cheating in games, and cheating such as the recovery and repayment of game coins different from the winning and losing results, to prevent cheating.

[0007] On the other hand, in order to grasp the number and total amount of game coins placed, a method has been proposed to attach a wireless IC (RFID) tag to each game coin to grasp the amount of game coins.

[0008] In the card game monitoring system described in International Publication No. 2015 / 107902, by performing image analysis on the change of game coins, it determines whether the game coins placed on the game table are recovered or repaid according to the winning and losing results, and monitors cheating behavior. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a new system that detects cheating behavior in games at a game arcade, or errors and cheating behavior during the placement and settlement of game coins.

[0011] Solutions to the Problems

[0012] A cheating detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a cheating detection system in a gaming house having a plurality of gaming tables, and includes: a game recording device that records the state of a game played on the gaming table as an image by a camera; an image analysis device that performs image analysis on the recorded image of the game state; a win / loss result determination device that determines the win / loss result of each game on the gaming table; and a control device that uses the image analysis result of the image analysis device and the win / loss result determined by the win / loss result determination device to detect cheating behavior in the game played on the gaming table. The control device grasps the position, type, and number of game coins placed by each player by means of the image analysis device, and also grasps the total amount of game coins in the game coin tray of the dealer on the gaming table. From the total amount of game coins in the game coin tray before the settlement of each game, plus or minus the increase or decrease amount of game coins in the game obtained by calculating based on the position, type, and number of game coins placed by all players in the game and the win / loss result of the game obtained by the win / loss result determination device, the expected total amount of game coins in the game coin tray after the settlement at the end of the game is compared with the actual total amount of game coins in the game coin tray at the end of the game obtained by the image analysis device to determine whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

[0013] Alternatively, in the above cheating detection system, the control device grasps the position, type, and number of game coins placed by each player by means of the image analysis device. When the collection of all the lost game coins placed by each player is completed, the control device grasps the actual total amount of game coins in the game coin tray, and compares the expected total amount of game coins in the game coin tray, which is obtained by adding the increase amount of the game coin tray in the game to the total amount of game coins in the game coin tray before the settlement of each game according to the position, type, and number of game coins placed by the losing players, with the actual total amount of game coins in the game coin tray to determine whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

[0014] Alternatively, in the above cheating detection system, the control device compares the expected total amount of game coins in the game coin tray, which is obtained by adding the increase amount of the game coin tray in the game to the total amount of game coins in the game coin tray before the settlement of each game according to the position, type, and number of game coins placed by the losing players, with the actual total amount of game coins in the game coin tray. If it is determined that there is no difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount, and when comparing the expected total amount in the game coin tray after the settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of game coins in the game coin tray at the end of the game obtained by the image analysis device and it is determined that there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount, it is determined that there is a payment error, and a payment error signal notifying the payment error is generated.

[0015] Alternatively, in the above cheating detection system, in the game coin tray, there is a recycled game coin tray for recycling and temporarily storing the game coins placed by the losing players. The image analysis device and the control device compare the expected amount of the game coins in the recycled game coin tray calculated based on the position, type, and number of the game coins placed by the losing players with the actual total amount of the game coins in the recycled game coin tray, and determine whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount in the recycled game coin tray.

[0016] Alternatively, in the above cheating detection system, the actual total amount of the game coins in the game coin tray after settlement at the end of the game obtained by the image analysis device is at any one of the following times:

[0017] 1) When the repayment of the won game coins ends;

[0018] 2) When the cards used in the game are recycled and discarded in the discarded area of the table;

[0019] 3) When a specified button attached to the win / loss result determination device is pressed;

[0020] 4) When the sign indicating win / loss is restored.

[0021] Alternatively, in the above cheating detection system, in order to analyze the record of the game in which the difference occurs in the game recording device when the control device determines that the actual total amount of the game coins grasped in the game coin tray of the dealer on the gaming table does not correspond to the increase or decrease amount of the game coins calculated based on the game coin amounts placed by all players and the win / loss result of the game, the game recording device is configured to assign an index or time to the acquired image, or to be able to identify and reproduce the game coin recycling scene or payment scene.

[0022] Alternatively, in the above cheating detection system, the image analysis device or the control device is configured to be able to obtain information on the type, number, and position of the game coins placed even when multiple game coins placed on the gaming table are partially or entirely hidden due to the blind spot of the camera.

[0023] Alternatively, in the above cheating detection system, the control device is configured to be able to perform the following operations:

[0024] 1) Grasp the position, type, and number of the game coins placed at each playing position on the gaming table, compare the win / loss history of each player obtained from the win / loss result of each game and the amount of the game coins obtained with the statistical data of past games, and extract it as an abnormal situation, or

[0025] 2) Compare the state where the amount of game coins placed when losing at the playing position on the gaming table is less than the amount of game coins placed when winning with the statistical data of past games, and extract it as an abnormal situation.

[0026] Also in the above cheating detection system, the control device can determine the player at the playing position extracted as the difference or abnormal situation with the help of the image analysis device.

[0027] Also in the above cheating detection system, the control device has a warning function of notifying the existence of the specific player to another gaming table when the determined player leaves the seat and takes a seat at another gaming table.

[0028] Also in the above cheating detection system, the control device also has a function of determining at least one of the following:

[0029] 1) In each game, during the period from the start of drawing cards or from the start operation of the dealer's game to before the game winning or losing result is displayed by the card distribution device, whether there is no change in game coins.

[0030] 2) After each game, during the period when the dealer recovers the game coins placed by the loser among the game participants, whether the loser does not take the game coins.

[0031] 3) After each game, during the period when the dealer recovers the game coins placed by the loser among the game participants, whether additional game coins are added.

[0032] 4) After each game, whether the dealer pays for the position of the game coins placed by the winner among the game participants.

[0033] 5) After each game, whether the winner among the game participants takes the placed game coins and the paid game coins.

[0034] Also in the above cheating detection system, the winning or losing result determination device is a card distribution device that distributes cards on the gaming table, or a control device that determines the winning or losing result of each game based on the information of the image analysis device that reads the cards distributed on the gaming table with a camera.

[0035] Effect of the Invention

[0036] According to the cheating detection system of the present invention, it is possible to detect cheating in the recovery and repayment of game coins according to the game winning or losing result.

[0037] Moreover, in the system according to the present invention, even if a card is bent due to repeated squeezing by a player in a card game or the like, the rank and suit of the card can be determined by image analysis. For dead angles and overlapping game coins, the total amount and position can also be grasped. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram showing an overall outline of a cheating detection system in a game arcade having a plurality of game tables according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2A FIG. are perspective views of game coins respectively showing examples of different overlapping states of the game coins grasped in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2B FIG. are perspective views of game coins respectively showing examples of different overlapping states of the game coins grasped in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3A FIG. is a diagram showing the detailed situation of the game coin tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 3B FIG. is a diagram showing another example of the game coin tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4 FIG. is an enlarged view of a mark explaining the dirt on the card grasped in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 5 FIG. is a top view showing the front side of the logo according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 6 FIG. is a top view showing the back side of the logo according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 7 FIG. is a top view showing an overall outline of a cheating detection system for a certain card game according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 8 FIG. is a top view showing an outline of the progress state of a certain card game in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 9 FIG. is an explanatory diagram showing the situation of the recovery of game coins won by the casino side by the dealer in a certain card game.

[0049] Figure 10 FIG. is an explanatory diagram showing the situation of the payment by the dealer to the winning guest (game participant) in a certain card game according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 11 This is an explanatory diagram showing the situation of a winning guest (game participant) in a certain card game according to the second embodiment of the present invention receiving game currency and making a payment.

[0051] Figure 12A This is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the object of image analysis for the recovery of game currency won by the casino side by the dealer in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 12B This is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the object of image analysis for the recovery of game currency won by the casino side by the dealer in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 12C This is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the object of image analysis for the recovery of game currency won by the casino side by the dealer in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 13 This is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the object of image analysis for the cheating recovery of game currency in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 14A This is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the object of image analysis for the recovery of game currency won by the game participant side in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 14B This is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the object of image analysis for the recovery of game currency won by the game participant side in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 14C This is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the object of image analysis for the recovery of game currency won by the game participant side in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 14D This is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the object of image analysis for the recovery of game currency won by the game participant side in the cheating detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 15 This is a side sectional view of the card dispensing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing an example of a card according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 17It is a top view of the main part in a state where the card guiding part of the card issuing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is partially cut off.

[0062] Figure 18A It is a side sectional view of the main part showing a card issuing restriction device that restricts the entry and exit of cards in the card storage part of the card issuing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 18B It is a side sectional view of the main part showing a modified example of a card issuing restriction device that restricts the entry and exit of cards in the card storage part of the card issuing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 19 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the output waveforms of sensors and marks in the card issuing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiment

[0065] (First Embodiment)

[0066] In a gaming venue such as a casino, game coins are piled up high on the gaming table. However, for the IC tag reading device provided under the gaming table, there is a problem that the total amount cannot be accurately read. If the sensitivity of the reading device is increased, there is a problem that game coins placed in different positions (winning or losing depending on the position left or right) are totaled, and the total amount of game coins at each position cannot be grasped. Moreover, for the shooting from the camera, there is a problem that a dead angle is formed due to the camera's viewing angle, or it is blocked due to overlap, so that the total amount of game coins cannot be grasped.

[0067] Moreover, although it is often carried out in a certain card game, there is the following problem: due to the player's squeezing of the cards (the behavior of bending the cards with the backs facing up and looking at the face size of the cards little by little while expecting), the cards are bent, and through image analysis from the camera, the face size and suit of the cards cannot be determined.

[0068] Moreover, there is also a new problem: the sophistication of cheating on the gaming table. On this gaming table, cheating based on an advanced placement method that cannot be detected simply by detecting a relatively large winning amount, etc., cannot be discovered by tracking the camera and the winning amount. Moreover, cheating behavior based on collusion between the dealer and the player cannot be sufficiently prevented by the existing technology.

[0069] To solve the above various problems, the cheating detection system for a gaming venue having a plurality of gaming tables according to the first embodiment

[0070] is a cheating detection system in a gaming venue having a plurality of gaming tables, and includes:

[0071] A game recording device that records the progress of a game played on the gaming table, including the dealer and players, as an image through a camera;

[0072] An image analysis device that performs image analysis on the recorded image of the progress of the game;

[0073] A card dealing device that determines and displays the winning and losing results of each game on the gaming table; and

[0074] A control device that uses the image analysis result of the image analysis device and the winning and losing results determined by the card dealing device to detect cheating behavior during the game on the gaming table.

[0075] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the card dealing device is configured as follows: it can read the face value of the dealt cards, and the control device is configured as follows: it can compare the information on the face value of the cards obtained by the image analysis device from the images of the cards dealt on the gaming table with the information on the face value of the cards read by the card dealing device to determine whether they are consistent.

[0076] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the image analysis device or the control device is an artificial intelligence utilization type or deep learning structure that can obtain information on the face value of the cards from the cards dealt on the gaming table and bent or soiled by the players.

[0077] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the control device grasps the position, type, and number of game coins placed by each player with the help of the image analysis device, and determines whether the recovery of the lost game coins placed by each player and the payment for the won game coins are correctly made by analyzing the image of the progress of the game with the help of the image analysis device.

[0078] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the image analysis device or the control device is an artificial intelligence utilization type or deep learning structure that can obtain information on the type, number, and position of the game coins placed even when multiple game coins placed on the gaming table are partially or entirely hidden due to the blind spot of the camera.

[0079] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the control device is an artificial intelligence utilization type or deep learning structure that can calculate and compare the amount of game coins grasped in the game coin tray of the dealer on the gaming table according to the winning and losing results of the game, and determine whether the amount has increased or decreased corresponding to the recovery of the lost game coins placed by each player and the payment for the won game coins after the game ends and is settled.

[0080] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the control device is an artificial intelligence effective utilization type or deep learning structure that can grasp the positions and amounts of game coins placed at each playing position on the gaming table, compare the win-loss history of each player obtained from the win-loss results of each game and the amount of game coins obtained with the statistical data of past games, and extract it as an abnormal situation.

[0081] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the control device is an artificial intelligence effective utilization type or deep learning structure that can compare the state where the amount of game coins placed when losing at a playing position on a certain gaming table is less than the amount of game coins placed when winning with the statistical data of past games and extract it as an abnormal situation.

[0082] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the control device is a structure of an individual player that can determine, by means of the image analysis device, the playing position where an abnormal situation is extracted or a win of a specified amount or more is achieved.

[0083] In addition, in the cheating detection system, the control device has a warning function of notifying the other gaming table of the presence of the specific player when the determined player leaves the seat and takes a seat at another gaming table.

[0084] According to the cheating detection system of the present embodiment, even if the card is bent due to repeated squeezing by the player in a certain card game or the like, the card face size and suit of the card can be determined by image analysis, and the total amount and position of the game coins in the dead corners and overlapping areas can also be grasped.

[0085] Hereinafter, the overall outline of the cheating detection system in a game arcade having a plurality of gaming tables according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in further detail. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the overall outline of the system. The cheating detection system in a game arcade having a plurality of gaming tables 4 includes: a game recording device 11 that records the progress state of the game played on the gaming table 4, including the player 6 and the dealer 5, as an image by a plurality of cameras 2; an image analysis device 12 that performs image analysis on the recorded image of the progress state of the game; and a card issuing device 3 that determines and displays the win-loss results of each game on the gaming table 4. The card issuing device 3 is a so-called electronic shoe used by those skilled in the art, and is configured to pre-program the rules of the game, be able to read the information of the issued card C, and determine the win-loss of the game. For example, in a certain card game, for the win of player B, the win of player P, and a draw (tie), it is basically determined by the card face size of 2 - 3 cards, and the determination result (win-loss result) is displayed by the result display lamp 13.

[0086] This cheating detection system also has a control device 14, which compares the actual card face size of the cards based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device 12 with the winning or losing results determined by the card dispensing device 3, and detects cheating behaviors (such as the inconsistency between the total card face size of the dispensed cards and the winning or losing results) occurring on the gaming table 4. The card dispensing device 3 is structured as follows: it can read the card face size (A, 2-10, J, Q, K) and suit (hearts, spades, etc.) of the cards C manually dispensed by the dealer 5. The control device 14 is structured as follows: it can compare the information on the card face size and suit obtained by the image analysis device 12 (using artificial intelligence) from the images of each card dispensed on the gaming table 4 (captured by the camera 2) with the information on the cards and suits read by the card dispensing device 3 to determine whether they are consistent. The image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 in this cheating detection system are structured as a single unit or integrally include a computer, a program, and a memory composed of multiple structures.

[0087] The image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 have an artificial intelligence utilization type or deep learning structure that can obtain information on the card face size of the cards C even if they are dispensed on the gaming table 4 and are bent or soiled by the player 6. As for the soiled card C, Figure 4 as shown, there is a situation where it is difficult to distinguish whether it is a club or a spade. Even in such a case, through the analysis and determination of images using an artificial intelligence utilization type computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology, it is possible to distinguish the suit. Moreover, even if the card is bent due to the player repeatedly squeezing the card in a certain card game, etc., through self-learning of multiple image deformation examples, etc., using an artificial intelligence utilization type computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology, it is possible to identify the suit and card face size of the card before deformation. The artificial intelligence utilization type computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology are already well-known and can be used by those skilled in the art, so detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0088] Specifically, the control device 14 with an artificial intelligence utilization type or deep learning structure can, through the camera 2 and the image analysis device 12, grasp which position (P, or B, or PAIR) on the placement area 8 each player 6 places the game coins 9, the type of the placed game coins 9 (different amounts of values are assigned to each color of the game coins 9), and the number of coins. The game coins 9 not only have the situation of being arranged and overlapping vertically, but also have the situation of Figure 2A being staggered and overlapping as shown. In this case, when the camera 2 is in the Figure 2A direction of the arrow X shown (or when the orientation of the game coins 9 is a blind spot relatively), as Figure 2BIn this way, it is conceivable that the game coins 9 cannot be seen (entering a blind spot). A computer or control system that effectively utilizes artificial intelligence, and deep learning (structure) technology can use self-learning functions, etc., to identify the concealment of the game coins 9 caused by blind spots (a situation where a part of a single game coin is concealed, or the entire game coin is concealed), and accurately grasp the number, etc. In this way, since it is possible to grasp which position (P, or B, or PAIR) on the placement area 8 the game coins 9 are placed, the types of the placed game coins 9 (different amounts of values are assigned to each color of the game coins 9), and the number, in each game, according to the winning or losing result of the game determined by the card distribution device 3, the control device 14 determines whether the recovery of the lost game coins placed by each player 6 (shown by the arrow L) and the payment of the won game coins to the winning player 6W (9W) are correctly carried out by analyzing the image of the game progress state with the help of the image analysis device 12.

[0089] The control device 14 can use the image analysis device 12 to analyze and grasp the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 of the dealer 5 on the gaming table 4. After the game ends and is settled, it can compare and calculate whether the amounts corresponding to the recovery of the lost game coins 9 placed by each player 6 and the payment of the won game coins to the winning player 6W (9W) are in line with the winning or losing result of the game, and increase or decrease the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17. Regarding the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17, even if it is always grasped by means such as RFID, whether the increased or decreased amount is correct is determined by the control device 14 by analyzing the image of the game progress state with the help of the image analysis device 12. These also effectively utilize the artificial intelligence effective utilization type or deep learning structure.

[0090] In this example, since cheating or errors are detected based on the winning or losing result of the game, the information on which type of game coins 9 are placed in what number at which position (P, or B, or PAIR) on the placement area 8, and the increased or decreased amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 after the recovery of the lost game coins and the repayment of the won game coins 9, even if the change of the game coins 9 after the game ends, that is, the placed game coins 9 are moved to the player side or the dealer side, cheating or errors can be detected.

[0091] Here, for example, in the case of a certain card game, it is possible to determine the winning or losing result of the game according to the rules of the card game by reading the face value of the card C successively released by the card dispensing device 3 in the game. Moreover, by using the camera 2 to photograph the gaming table 4 and using the image analysis device 12 to analyze the image, and by comparing the analysis result with the rules of the game by the control device 14, it is also possible to determine the winning or losing result of the game. In this case, the camera 2, the image analysis device 12, and the control device 14 constitute a winning or losing result determination device. Information on which type of game coin 9 and how many coins each player at each playing position 7 places at which position (P, or B, or PAIR) in the placement area 8 can be obtained by using the camera 2 to photograph the game coins 9 placed in the placement area 8 and having the image analysis device 12 analyze the image for each playing position 7.

[0092] Moreover, for the increase or decrease amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 before and after the recovery of the lost game coins 9 and the repayment of the won game coins 9, it can be calculated by comparing the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 before the recovery of the lost game coins 9 and the repayment of the won game coins 9 with the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 after the recovery of the lost game coins 9 and the repayment of the won game coins 9. The total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 before the recovery of the lost game coins 9 and the repayment of the won game coins 9, and the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 after the recovery of the lost game coins 9 and the repayment of the won game coins 9 can be detected by using the camera 2 to photograph the game coin tray 17 containing the game coins 9 respectively and having the image analysis device 12 analyze the image. Alternatively, the total amount of the game coins 9 stored in the game coin tray 17 can be detected by embedding an RFID indicating its amount in the game coin 9 and setting an RFID reader on the game coin tray 17.

[0093] For example, let the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 before the start of the game be Bb, and the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 after the end of the game and after the recovery of the lost game coins and the repayment of the won game coins be Ba. Additionally, in this game, the total amount of the game coins 9 placed in all playing positions 7 in the P area is bp, the total amount of the game coins 9 placed in all playing positions 7 in the B area is bb, and the total amount of the game coins 9 placed in all playing positions 7 in the draw area is bt. For example, when the winning or losing result of this game is that B wins, Ba - Bb = bp - bb + bt should hold. Or, the total amount Ba of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 after the end of the game should be (Bb + bp - bb + bt). If this is not the case, it can be determined that there is cheating or an error in the recovery or repayment of the game coins.

[0094] Figure 3A This is a diagram showing the detailed situation of the game coin tray of the present embodiment. Figure 3B This is a diagram showing other examples of the game coin tray. In the game coin tray 17, a recovered game coin tray 171 and a repayment game coin tray 172 are provided. The recovered game coin tray 171 recovers and temporarily stores the game coins 9L placed by the losing player 6L, and the repayment game coin tray 172 stores the game coins 9W to be repaid. The image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 grasp the position, type, and number of the game coins 9L placed by the losing player 6L, and calculate the increased amount of the game coins 0L in this game (the required amount of the game coins 9 in the recovered game coin tray 171). Furthermore, the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 grasp the actual total amount of the game coins 9 in the recovered game coin tray 171 after recovery, and determine whether there is a difference by comparing the corresponding total amount and the actual total amount.

[0095] In addition, by using the game coins 9 in the repayment game coin tray 172 for repaying the game coins 9W of the winning player 6W, sufficient time can be ensured for the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 to grasp the actual total amount of the game coins 9 in the recovered game coin tray 171 after recovery.

[0096] The gaming table 4 is provided with a waste area 41 and / or a waste slit 42 for discarding the cards C used in the game. At the end of each game, the cards C used in this game are recovered and discarded by being placed in the waste area 41 or the waste slit 42 on the gaming table 4.

[0097] The gaming table 4 is further provided with a sign 43 indicating the win or loss of the game. Figure 5 This is a top view showing the front of the sign. Figure 6 This is a top view showing the back of the sign. In a certain card game, two types of signs are used: a sign 43a indicating that the P player wins and a sign 43b indicating that the B player wins. When the game result comes out, the dealer 5 flips over the sign of the winning side between the P player and the B player. Thus, it is easy to clearly show the win or loss of the game on the table. After the recovery and repayment of the game coins 9 are completed, the dealer 5 restores the sign that has been flipped over. By restoring the sign, it also means that the state where the next game can start is achieved.

[0098] As described above, in the present embodiment, the control device 14 calculates the income and expenditure of game coins for each game based on the amount of game coins placed on the gaming table 4 and the winning or losing result of the game, and verifies the increase in the balance of the game coins in the game coin tray 17 after the game. If the control device 14 detects a difference in this verification, it issues an alarm or adds a record indicating this situation to the record of the video captured by the camera 2. The casino operator can investigate the cause of the difference by checking the video.

[0099] In the cheating detection system of the present embodiment, the total amount of game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 before the settlement of each game is added to or subtracted from the increase or decrease amount of the game coins in the game calculated based on the position, type, and number of game coins 9 placed by all players 6 in the game and the winning or losing result of the game obtained by the winning or losing result determination device, and the total amount of game coins 9 that should be in the game coin tray 17 after the settlement at the end of the game is compared with the actual total amount of game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 at the end of the game obtained by the image analysis device 12 to determine whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0100] The control device 14 grasps the position, type, and number of game coins placed by each player with the help of the image analysis device 12, and when the collection of all the game coins placed by the losing players is completed, grasps the actual total amount of the game coins in the game coin tray, and compares the total amount of the game coins in the game coin tray before the settlement of each game, which is obtained by adding the increase amount of the game coin tray 17 in the game based on the position, type, and number of the game coins placed by the losing players, with the actual total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 to determine whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0101] When the control device 14 compares the total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 before the settlement of each game, which is obtained by adding the increase amount of the game coin tray 17 in the game based on the position, type, and number of the game coins 9 placed by the losing players, with the actual total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17, and determines that there is no difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount, and then compares the total amount that should be in the game coin tray 17 after the settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of the game coins 9 in the game coin tray 17 at the end of the game obtained by the image analysis device 12 and determines that there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount, it determines that there is a payment error and generates a payment error signal notifying the payment error.

[0102] In the game coin tray 17, there is a recovered game coin tray 171 that recovers and temporarily stores the game coins 9 placed by the losing players. The image analysis device 12 compares the total amount of game coins 9 that should be in the recovered game coin tray 171, which is obtained by adding the increase in the number of game coins 9 in this game calculated based on the position, type, and number of the game coins 9L placed by the losing players, with the actual total amount of the game coins 9 in the recovered game coin tray 171, and determines whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0103] When the control device 14 determines that there is a difference between the actual total amount of the game coins 9 grasped in the game coin tray 17 of the dealer 5 of the gaming table 4 and the increase or decrease amount of the game coins calculated based on the amounts of game coins placed by all players and the win-lose result of this game, the game recording device 11 can analyze the record of the game in which the above difference occurs. The game recording device 11 is configured to assign an index or time to the acquired image, or to be able to identify and reproduce the recovery scene or payment scene of the game coins 9.

[0104] In this way, the control device 14 obtains the total amount of the game coins in the game coin tray 17 after settlement at the end of the game with the help of the image analysis device 12. However, the judgment after settlement in this case is at the moment when any one of the following 1) to 4) occurs:

[0105] 1) When the repayment of the won game coins 9 ends;

[0106] 2) When the cards C used in this game are recovered and discarded in the discard area 41 or discard slot 42 of this table;

[0107] 3) When a specified button attached to the win-lose result determination device is pressed;

[0108] 4) When the sign 43 indicating win or loss is restored.

[0109] Moreover, the control device 14 is an artificial intelligence effective utilization type or deep learning structure as follows: it can grasp the positions (the positions where P, or B, or PAIR are placed) and amounts (types and numbers) of the game coins placed at each playing position 7 of the gaming table 4, compare the win-loss history records of each player 6 obtained from the win-loss results of each game and the amounts of the game coins obtained (the winning amounts) with the statistical data of many (big data) past games, and extract them as abnormal conditions (set by the casino). Typically, it is a device with a control device 14 of an artificial intelligence effective utilization type or deep learning structure as follows: the generation of a winning amount of a certain amount (1 million points) or more, or the state where the amount of game coins placed when losing at a playing position 7 of a certain gaming table 4 is small while the amount of game coins placed when winning is large continues in multiple games, which is compared with the statistical data (big data, etc.) of past games, and this can be extracted as an abnormal condition.

[0110] Furthermore, the control device 14 (integrated with the image analysis device 12) of this cheating detection system is a structure capable of determining an individual player 6 at the playing position 7 where an abnormal condition is extracted or a win of a specified amount or more is achieved. For the determination of such a player 6, in the image analysis device 12, the face image is obtained through feature point extraction, etc., and the identity number (ID, etc.) is assigned to determine it. Moreover, the control device 14 has a warning function of notifying the existence of the specific player to another gaming table when the determined player 6 leaves the seat and takes a seat at another gaming table. Specifically, it notifies the manager or the person in charge of each table (it can also be the dealer) who manages each gaming table 4 to prevent more abnormal phenomena.

[0111] Also, in the above example, it is also possible not to determine an individual player 6, but to monitor the win-loss history records and the amounts of the game coins obtained (the winning amounts) for each playing position 7. In this case, although it is not possible to track the player 6 when the player 6 leaves the seat, it is possible to detect abnormal conditions such as the state where the amount of game coins placed when losing at a specific playing position 7 of a gaming table 4 is small while the amount of game coins placed when winning is large continues in multiple games. Moreover, when such a playing position 7 is detected, cheating or errors are suspected at that playing position 7. And by verifying the video of that playing position 7, cheating or errors can be discovered.

[0112] Specifically, the camera 2 is set to photograph at least the game coins 9 placed in the placement area 8 of the gaming table 4. The image analysis device 12 analyzes the images captured by the camera 2, and for each user position 7, detects on which position (P, B, or draw) of the placement area 8 the game coins are placed and the amount of the placed game coins. Moreover, the card issuing device 3 functions as a win / loss result determination device to determine the win / loss result of the game. The control device 14 records (monitors) the win / loss history and the amount of game coins obtained (game coin acquisition amount) for each playing position 7 based on the position (P, B, or draw) in the placement area 8 where the game coins 9 are placed and the win / loss result of the game. In addition, for the win / loss history and the game coin acquisition amount, only either one of them may be recorded. When the comparison between the history of the win / loss record and / or the game coin acquisition amount and the statistical data of many (big data) past games is an abnormal situation (set by the casino), the control device 14 determines the player position 7 as a playing position suspected of cheating.

[0113] In the case where cheating is suspected for a certain player position 7, the cheating detection system may generate an alarm (light, sound, or vibration) in such a way that at least the dealer can detect it at that time point. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the continuation of cheating behavior by interrupting subsequent games, etc. at least at the venue. Additionally, information indicating the situation where cheating is suspected may be added to the video captured and recorded by the camera 2. Thereby, the cause of the suspected cheating behavior can be investigated by confirming the video.

[0114] (Second Embodiment)

[0115] In most table games played in a casino or other gaming establishment, there is a certain card game. These games use a standard deck of 52 playing cards, and playing cards are distributed from a card issuing device equipped with multiple pre-shuffled decks (from 6 to 9 or 10 decks) to the gaming table, and the win / loss is determined based on the number (rank) of the distributed cards and the game rules.

[0116] For the distribution of cards from the card issuing device and the settlement of the placement amounts for the guests (game participants), it is carried out by the dealer in charge of the gaming table, etc. In a casino or other gaming establishment, attempts are being made to prevent errors and cheating behavior in the settlement of the placement amounts for the guests (game participants).

[0117] In the card game monitoring system described in International Publication WO2015 / 107902, a monitoring camera is used to read the changes in game coins and check whether the placement amounts are paid to the winners.

[0118] Regarding the placement of guests in a certain card game and the calculation of the amount placed by the dealer for the guests (game participants), there are the following problems: It is impossible to detect the time when these are carried out, who places the game currency, or whether it has been taken away, so it is impossible to grasp whether these are correct.

[0119] To solve the above various problems, the cheating detection system of the second embodiment is a cheating detection system for a game arcade having a game table, and includes:

[0120] A game monitoring device that uses a camera to monitor the progress of the game being played on the game table;

[0121] An image analysis device that performs image analysis on the image obtained by the camera;

[0122] A card distribution device that determines and displays the winning and losing results of each game on the game table; and

[0123] A control device that uses the analysis result of the image analysis device in each game to determine the position of the game currency placed by the game participant on the game table, and uses the winning and losing results to determine the winners and losers among the participants in each game;

[0124] The control device further has a function of determining at least one of the following:

[0125] 1) In each game, during the period from the start of card drawing or from the dealer's game start operation until the winning and losing results of the game are displayed by the card distribution device, whether there is no change in the game currency,

[0126] 2) After each game, during the period when the dealer recovers the game currency placed by the loser among the game participants, whether there is no change in the game currency caused by someone other than the dealer,

[0127] 3) After each game, during the period when the dealer recovers the game currency placed by the loser among the game participants, whether game currency is added,

[0128] 4) After each game, whether the dealer pays for the position of the game currency placed by the winner among the game participants,

[0129] 5) After each game, whether the winner among the game participants takes the placed game currency and the paid game currency.

[0130] Furthermore, the control device can also be configured to detect changes in the hands of the dealer and game participants, changes in the game currency, or changes in the hands and game currency by using the analysis result of the image analysis device, so as to determine at least one of the above 1) to 5).

[0131] Furthermore, the control device may also be configured to determine whether the amount of game currency paid by the dealer to the winner is correct based on the amount placed by the winner among the game participants.

[0132] Furthermore, the cheating detection system of the game may also include a monitor or a lamp that receives the determination result and issues a warning or displays it.

[0133] According to the cheating detection system of the present embodiment, regarding the placement made by a guest in a certain card game and the settlement of the placement amount by the dealer for the guest (game participant), it is possible to detect the time when these are performed, who places the game currency, or whether it has been taken away, and to detect and warn or display errors and cheating behaviors, thereby preventing recurrence.

[0134] Before entering the detailed description of the present embodiment, the process of a certain card game conducted in a gaming establishment such as a casino will be described. Also, in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals for description.

[0135] As Figure 7 shown, at the gaming table 4, a guest (game participant / player) 6 and a dealer 5 are sitting face to face on the playing positions (chairs) 7. Moreover, the guest (game participant) 6 places (hereinafter, referred to as "placement") on which of the P player (PLAYER) and the B banker (BANKER) wins, or a tie occurs, as the winning or losing result of a certain card game by arranging game currency 9 in the placement area 8 in front of him / her. In addition, the dealer 5 times the placement made by the guest (game participant) 6 to end, shouts "No More Bet (placement acceptance ended)", and makes a movement such as moving the hand horizontally (the state shown in Figure 7 ). In a certain card game, during the period from shouting "No More Bet (placement acceptance ended)", starting from the drawing of the cards or the dealer 5 performing the game start operation, until the winning or losing result of the game is displayed by the card distribution device 3, the guest (game participant) 6 cannot move the game currency, place additional game currency, or retrieve the placed game currency.

[0136] After that, the game cards 1 are drawn one by one from the card distribution device 3 onto the gaming table 4 with their backs facing up. First, 4 cards are drawn, as Figure 8As shown in ① to ④ below, the first card belongs to P (PLAYER), the second card belongs to B (BANKER), the third card belongs to P (PLAYER), and the fourth card belongs to B (BANKER), and they are arranged in the front areas 10 (P area 10P and B area 10B) as seen from the dealer 5 on the gaming table 4. Moreover, according to the face value (number) of the first to fourth cards 1 and the conditions in the detailed rules of a certain card game, the dealer 5 draws the fifth card 1 and the sixth card 1, and these belong to P (PLAYER) or B (BANKER). Then, according to the face value (number) of the first to fourth (and optionally the fifth and sixth) cards 1 and the detailed rules of a certain card game, the win or loss of the game is determined. Here, in the card dealing device 3, the rules of the game are pre-programmed, and the information (face value (number) and suit) of the dealt cards 1 can be read to determine the win or loss of the game. It is determined whether the win or loss determination result (win or loss result) determined by the card dealing device 3 is consistent with the win or loss result determined by the dealer or the like as described above.

[0137] Hereinafter, an overview of the entire cheating detection system in the game at the casino according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 7 It is a diagram showing an overview of the entire system. The cheating detection system in the game at the casino includes: a game recording device 11 that records the progress state of the game conducted on the gaming table 4, including the guests (game participants) 6 and the dealer 5, as an image by the camera 2; an image analysis device 12 that performs image analysis on the recorded image of the game progress state; and a card dealing device 3 that has a function of determining and displaying the win or loss result of each game on the gaming table 4. The card dealing device 3 is a so-called electronic shoe that has been used by those skilled in the art, and is configured to pre-program the rules of the game, be able to detect the moment when the dealer 5 deals the cards 1 at the start of each game, and read the information (face value (number) and suit) of each dealt card 1 to determine the win or loss of the game. For example, in a certain card game, for the win of the B side, the win of the P side, and a draw (tie), they are basically determined by the face value of 2 - 3 cards, and the determination result (win or loss result) is displayed by the display lamp 13.

[0138] The control device 14 of this cheating detection system has a game coin detection function. This game coin detection function uses the analysis results of the image analysis device 12 in each game to determine on which placement area 8, the P side or the B side, of the gaming table 4 the guest 6 (game participant) placed the game coin 9. Regarding the position and total amount of the game coins 9 (on which placement area 8, the P side or the B side, the game coins 9 were placed), it is conceivable that in cases such as when the game coins 9 are staggered and overlapped, or when they fall into a blind spot when viewed from the position of the camera 2, etc., they usually cannot be read. The control device 14 is configured to be able to identify the concealment of the game coins 9 caused by blind spots (such as the partial concealment of one game coin or the overall concealment of the game coins) by using an existing artificial intelligence effective utilization type computer or control system, self-learning functions of deep learning (structure) technology, etc., and accurately grasp the position, number, etc. Moreover, the structure for detecting the position and type in the placement area 8 of the game coins 9 is not limited to this. For example, it can also be configured to detect by reading the ID embedded in the game coins.

[0139] As described above, the control device 14 can, with the help of the camera 2 and the image analysis device 12, grasp the position (the position placed on P, or B, or PAIR), type (the game coins 9 are assigned different amount values according to each color), and number of the game coins 9 placed by each player 6, and can detect which guest 6 placed on P (in the case where there are multiple guests 6 who placed on P, which guest 6 placed the highest amount), and which guest 6 placed on B (in the case where there are multiple guests 6 who placed on B, which guest 6 placed the highest amount). The image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 in this cheating detection system are configured integrally or compositely to include a computer, program, and memory composed of multiple structures.

[0140] The control device 14 is structured as follows: It can compare the information on the card size and suit obtained by the image analysis device 12 from the images of the respective cards 1 distributed on the gaming table 4 (using the camera 2) with the information on the card size and suit read by the card distribution device 3 to determine whether they are consistent. According to the win-loss results of the games determined by the card distribution device 3 in each game, the control device 14 analyzes the images of the game progress status by means of the image analysis device 12 to determine whether the recovery of the lost game coins 9 placed by the guests (game participants) 6 and the payment of the won game coins to the winning guests (game participants) 6 are correctly carried out according to the win-loss results of the games.

[0141] According to the rules of a certain card game, the control device 14 has the functions shown in the following 1) to 5), which are the characteristic functions of the invention of this application, and determines whether cheating in violation of the rules has occurred. That is,

[0142] 1) In each game, using the information obtained by the image analysis device 12 with the camera 2, monitor (as shown in Figure 8 ) whether there is no change in the game coins 9 during the period from the signal of drawing the starting card obtained from the card dispensing device 3 or from the game start operation performed when the dealer 5 presses the start button 4s until the winning or losing result of the game is displayed by the card dispensing device 3.

[0143] 2) After each game, using the information obtained by the image analysis device 12 with the camera 2, monitor (as shown in Figure 9 ) whether the loser 6 among the game participants 6 has not taken the game coins 9 fraudulently during the period when the dealer 5 collects the game coins 9 placed by the loser.

[0144] 3) After each game, using the information obtained by the image analysis device 12 with the camera 2, monitor whether a person other than the dealer 5 (the winner or the loser) has added the won game coins 9W or has not re - placed the game coins 9 on the winning side where none were placed during the period when the dealer 5 collects the game coins 9 placed by the loser among the game participants.

[0145] 4) After each game, using the information obtained by the image analysis device 12 with the camera 2, monitor whether the dealer 5 has correctly placed the paid game coins 9W at the position of the game coins 9 placed by the winner 6W among the game participants 6 (as shown in Figure 10 ).

[0146] 5) After each game (the dealer 5 operates the card dispensing device 3 and displays the winning or losing result on the display lamp 13), using the information obtained by the image analysis device 12 with the camera 2, monitor whether the winner 6W among the game participants 6 has taken the placed game coins 9 and the paid game coins 9W (as shown in Figure 11 ).

[0147] The control device 14 analyzes the information obtained by the image analysis device 12 with the camera 2 as follows. That is, by using the analysis result of the image analysis device 12, it detects the movement of the hands of the dealer 5 and the game participants 6, the change in the game coins, or the change in the hands and the game coins to perform the monitoring of 1) to 5). However, in this basic analysis, at least it is necessary to know who has taken the game coins 9. Hereinafter, the method of this analysis will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14 below.

[0148] Analysis of the case where the dealer 5 takes the game coins 9 placed by the game participant 6L (FIG. 12).

[0149] The dealer 5 retrieves the game coins 9 placed by the losing game participant 6L in the game. By analyzing the information obtained by the image analysis device 12 using the camera 2, it is monitored whether the retrieval is indeed carried out. First, through image analysis, the change of the placed game coins 9 from the existing state ( Figure 12A ) to the non-existing state ( Figure 12C ) is detected. Then, the image ( Figure 12B ) during the period when the game coins 9 change from the existing state to the non-existing state is analyzed. In the image ( Figure 12B ) during the period when the game coins 9 change from the existing state to the non-existing state, it is analyzed from which side the hand 5h extends (from above in FIG. 12 or otherwise). In the case where it extends from above (or the hand appears from above and then moves upward), the hand 5h is determined to be that of the dealer 5. When the hand extends from other directions, it is determined as cheating. Cheating is detected according to such rules.

[0150] During the period when the dealer 5 retrieves the game coins 9 placed by the losing game participant 6L in the game, it is monitored whether others take the lost game coins 9 without cheating (FIGS. 12 and 11). For the image during the period when the game coins 9 change from the existing state to the non-existing state, as Figure 13 shown, for the analysis of the situation where the losing player 6L among the game participants 6 takes the game coins, it is detected by image analysis that the hand 6h extends or moves from below (originally from above) of Figure 13 . This is determined as the hand 6h other than the dealer 5 taking the game coins 9, and this is determined as the existence of cheating.

[0151] Analysis of the situation where the dealer 5 correctly pays (places) the game coins 9W for the won game coins 9 and the winning player 6W among the game participants 6 takes them. First, for the won game coins as Figure 14A shown, the game coins 9W are repaid according to the game rules as Figure 14B shown. The change from the state shown in Figure 14A to the state shown in Figure 14B is detected, and at the same time, it is detected by image analysis whether the hand is the hand 5h of the dealer 5. Then, according to the game rules, the control device 4 checks whether, as Figure 14C shown, the hand 6h of the winning player 6W among the game participants 6 extends (moves) to the same placement area, and then all the game coins 9 disappear ( Figure 14D state), so as to determine whether there is no cheating.

[0152] Furthermore, the control device 4 is configured to determine whether the amount of game coins paid by the dealer 5 to the winner is correct according to the amount placed by the winner 6W among the game participants 6. Below, a specific example is shown. For the position and total amount of game coins 9 (which placement area 8 on the P side or the B side is the game coin 9 placed), it can be imagined that the game coins 9 are staggered and overlapped, or fall into a dead angle from the position of the camera 2, etc., and usually cannot be read. The control device 14 is configured to use a computer or control system based on an existing artificial intelligence effective utilization type, a self-learning function of deep learning (construction) technology, etc., which can identify the concealment of game coins 9 due to a dead angle (the situation of partial concealment of a game coin, or the situation of the overall concealment of the game coin), accurately grasp the position and number of pieces, etc. In addition, the structure for detecting the position 8 and type in the placement area 8 of the game coin 9 is not limited to this, for example, it can also be configured to detect by reading the ID embedded in the game coin.

[0153] As described above, the control device 14 can grasp the position 8 (the position for P, B, or PAIR), type (the game coins 9 are assigned different amounts of value for each color) and number of game coins 9 placed by each player 6 through the camera 2 and the image analysis device 12, and can detect which guest 6 placed the coin on P (if there are multiple guests 6 placing the coin on P, which guest 6 placed the highest amount), and which guest 6 placed the coin on B (if there are multiple guests 6 placing the coin on B, which guest 6 placed the highest amount).

[0154] Furthermore, the control device 14 of the cheating detection system of this game analyzes the information obtained by the image analysis device 12 using the camera 2 according to the rules of a certain card game by the above-mentioned method, and performs monitoring. The monitoring shown in 1) to 5) above is performed to determine whether cheating that violates the rules is not performed. When cheating is detected, the card issuing detection device 14C lights up the abnormal display lamp 16 respectively set in the card issuing device 3 or the game table 4, and outputs the detection of cheating to the casino management department, etc. 15 via wireless or wired. It is also possible to further have a monitor or lamp in other places that receives the judgment result and issues a warning or display.

[0155] As described above, cheating behavior is detected by the control device 14, and a display signal is sent to the display light 13 or the abnormal display light 16 of the card issuing device 3 at the time of detection or at an appropriate time. However, in addition to issuing a warning, the card issuing device 3 can also start the card issuing prevention function after the cheating or error is detected to prevent the issuance of the card 1.

[0156] Below, use Figures 15 to 19An embodiment of the card dispensing device 3 used in the table game system of the present invention will be described. The card dispensing device 3 includes: a card storage unit 102 that stores a plurality of shuffled game cards 1s; a card guiding unit 105 that guides the shuffled game cards 1 when the dealer 5 or the like manually draws the shuffled game cards 1 one by one from the card storage unit 102 to the game table 4; an opening 106 for taking out the card 1 guided by the card guiding unit 105; a card detection unit (card detection sensors 22 and 23) that detects the extraction of the shuffled game card 1 when the shuffled game card 1 is drawn; a card reading unit 108 that reads information indicating at least the number (card face size) of the shuffled game card 1; a control unit 109 that determines the win or loss of the card game based on the number (card face size) of the shuffled game cards 1 sequentially read by the card reading unit 108; a result display lamp 13 that displays the win or loss result determined by the control unit 109; a dispensing restriction device 30 that is provided at the opening 106 and restricts the entry and exit of the card 1 into and out of the card accommodation unit 102; and a management control unit 114 that has the same functions as the control device 14, and these are integrated and have the following functions: in the case where the control device 14 detects an error or cheating behavior of the dealer during the game, at the time point after the detection of the error or cheating behavior or at a specified time, prevent the extraction of cards from the card dispensing device 3 again.

[0157] Next, use Figure 17 , 16 The dispensing restriction device 30 that restricts the entry and exit of the card 1 into and out of the card accommodation unit 102 will be described. The dispensing restriction device 30 is provided on the card guide 107 of the card guiding unit 105, and the card guiding unit 105 guides the card 1 taken out one by one from the opening 106 in front of the card accommodation unit 102 onto the game table 4. The dispensing restriction device 30 has the following structure: when the card 1 passes through the slit 33 between the guiding covers of the card guiding unit 105 and the card guide 107, the locking member 34 presses the card 1 to prevent the entry and exit of the card 1 in the slit 33. The locking member 34 uses a driving unit 35 such as an electromagnetic solenoid or a piezoelectric element to move in two states: a position (restriction position) where the card 1 can be pressed and a passable position where the card 1 can pass, as shown by the arrow m. The driving unit 35 is controlled by the control unit 109 directly or indirectly connected to the control device 14 by wire or wirelessly, so that the locking member 34 moves between the position where the card 1 is pressed and the passable position where the card 1 can pass. In the control unit 109, the rules of a certain card game are programmed and stored in advance.

[0158] Next, use Figure 18BA modified example of the card dispensing restricting device 30 will be described. The card dispensing restricting device 40 in the modified example has the following structure: when the card 1 passes through the slit 33 between the card guiding portion 105 and the card guide 107 (guide cover), the locking member 36 projects into the slit 33 to prevent the movement of the card 1. The locking member 36 is moved in the manner shown by the arrow m by a driving portion 37 such as an electromagnetic solenoid or a piezoelectric element, so as to be able to take two states: a position (restricting position) for preventing the movement of the card 1 and a passable position allowing the card 1 to pass through. The driving portion 37 is controlled by a control portion 109 connected to the control device 14 to move the locking member 36 between the two states of the position for preventing the movement of the card 1 and the passable position allowing the card 1 to pass through.

[0159] Next, the details of the code reading portion 108 that reads the code 52 indicating the number (value, card face size) of the card 1 when the card 1 is manually drawn out from the card storage portion 102 will be described. Figure 17 It is a top view of the main part of the card dispensing device 3. In the figure, the code reading portion 108 is provided in the card guiding portion 105, and the card guiding portion 105 guides the cards 1 taken out one by one manually through the opening 106 in front of the card accommodating portion 102 onto the game table 4. The card guiding portion 105 is an inclined surface, and card guides 107 that also serve as sensor covers are installed at both side edge portions. Moreover, each of the two card guides 107 can be detached and attached by screws or the like (not shown). When the card guide 107 is removed, the sensor group 115 of the code reading portion 108 is exposed. The sensor group 115 is composed of four sensors, which are composed of two ultraviolet light sensing sensors (UV sensors) 20, 21 and object detection sensors 22, 23.

[0160] The object detection sensors 22, 23 are fiber optic sensors for detecting the presence or absence of the card 1 and can detect the movement direction of the card 1. The object detection sensor 22 is located on the upstream side along the movement direction of the card 1 of the card guiding portion 105, and the other object detection sensor 23 is located on the downstream side. As shown in the figure, the two object detection sensors 22, 23 are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side sandwiching the UV sensors 20, 21. The UV sensors 20, 21 are equipped with LEDs (ultraviolet LEDs) that emit ultraviolet light and detectors. On the card 1, a mark M of the code 52 is printed with ultraviolet light emitting ink that emits a color when irradiated with ultraviolet light. When ultraviolet light (near ultraviolet light) irradiates the card 1, the reflected light of the mark M of the code 52 of the card 1 is detected by the detector. The UV sensors 20, 21 are connected to the code reading portion 108 and the control portion 109 through cables. In the code reading portion 108, based on the output signals of the detectors of the UV sensors 20, 21, the combination of the marks M is determined, and the number (card face size) corresponding to each code 52 is determined.

[0161] For the code reading unit 108, based on the detection signals of the object detection sensors 22 and 23, the control unit 109 controls the start and end of the reading of the UV sensors 20 and 21. Moreover, the control unit 109 also determines whether the card 1 has passed through the card guiding unit 105 normally based on the detection signals of the object detection sensors 22 and 23. As Figure 19 shown, the quadrilateral marks M indicating the size (number) and suit (such as hearts or spades) of the card are arranged in two columns and four rows at the edge of the card 1. When the UV sensors 20 and 21 detect the mark M, an ON signal is output. In the code reading unit 108, the relative relationship between the two signals input from the two UV sensors 20 and 21 is determined. Thus, in the code reading unit 108, the code is determined based on the relative differences between the two marks M detected by the two UV sensors 20 and 21, and the number (card size) and type (suit) of the corresponding card 1 are determined.

[0162] In Figure 19 the relationship between the code 52 and the output of the ON signals of the two UV sensors 20 and 21 is shown. Based on the comparison result of the relative changes in the output of the ON signals of the UV sensors 20 and 21, a specified combination of the mark M can be determined. As a result, if there are 4 combinations of the marks M in the upper and lower two columns and they are printed in 4 columns, 4 to the 4th power, a total of 256 kinds of codes can be formed. Each of the 52 kinds of cards of the game cards is assigned to one of the 256 kinds of codes and stored as a look-up table through a memory or a program. The code reading unit 108 is configured to determine the number (card size) and type (suit) of the card 1 according to a preset look-up table (not shown) by determining each code 52. In addition, since the 256 kinds of codes and the 52 kinds of cards can be associated in a free combination manner and stored through the look-up table, the combination is complex, and the combination of the 256 kinds of codes and the 52 kinds of cards can be changed according to time and place. It is preferably printed with a paint that becomes visible by receiving ultraviolet light at a position that does not overlap with the type notation and index 103 of the card.

[0163] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 are devices having an artificial intelligence effective utilization type or a deep learning structure. Specifically, however, for the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14, the Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm, the Convolutional Neutral Network (CNN), deep learning, machine learning, or the like can be used to perform image analysis and the above various controls. These technologies are technologies for performing image recognition on a captured image to recognize an object contained in the image. In particular, in recent years, deep learning technologies that multiply layers of neural networks have been used to recognize objects with high precision. In this deep learning technology, generally, layers are overlapped in multiple stages between the input layer and the output layer of the neural network to recognize an object with high precision. Among this deep learning technology, in particular, the convolutional neural network has attracted attention because it has higher performance than recognizing an object based on existing image feature amounts.

[0164] In the convolutional neural network, an object image with a label is learned, and the main object contained in the object image is recognized. When there are multiple main objects in the learning image, they are specified by a region rectangle, and a label is assigned to the image corresponding to the specified region for learning. Furthermore, in the convolutional neural network, it is also possible to determine the main object in the image and the position of the object.

[0165] If the convolutional neural network is further described, in the object recognition process, by performing edge extraction processing and the like on the object image to be recognized, candidate regions are extracted based on local features. Then, the candidate regions are input into the convolutional neural network, and on the basis of extracting feature vectors, classification is performed to obtain the candidate region with the highest credibility among the classified regions as the recognition result. The credibility is a quantity indicating the similarity between a certain image region and the main body of the image learned together with the label, and how much higher it is than the similarity of other levels.

[0166] In addition, devices having an artificial intelligence effective utilization type or a deep learning structure are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,361,577, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016-171336, U.S. Publication No. 2015-036920, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-110232, etc. These descriptions are incorporated into this specification by reference.

[0167] As described above, various embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, of course, the above-described embodiments can be modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention, and the devices of the present embodiment can be appropriately modified according to the needs in the applicable game.

[0168] Explanation of Symbols

[0169] 1 Game Card

[0170] 1s Multiple Shuffled Game Cards

[0171] 2 Surveillance Camera

[0172] 3 Card Distributing Device

[0173] 4 Game Table

[0174] 5 Dealer

[0175] 6 Guest (Game Participant / Player)

[0176] 7 Chair

[0177] 8 Placing Area

[0178] 9 Game Coin

[0179] 10 Area

[0180] 10P P Area

[0181] 10B B Area

[0182] 11 Game Recording Device

[0183] 12 Image Analysis Device

[0184] 13 Result Display Lamp

[0185] 14 Control Device

[0186] 14C Card Distribution Detection Device

[0187] 15 Output (Abnormality Judgment Result, etc.)

[0188] 16 Abnormality Display Lamp

[0189] 30 Distribution Limiting Device

[0190] 33 Slit

[0191] 34 Locking Component

[0192] 35 Driving Part

[0193] 36 Locking Component

[0194] 37 Driving Part

[0195] 40 Distribution Limiting Device

[0196] 102 Card Accommodating Part

[0197] 103 Index

[0198] 105 Card guiding part

[0199] 106 Opening part

[0200] 107 Card guiding

[0201] 109 Control part

[0202] 112 Side monitor.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a game played on the tabletop of a gaming table, The system includes: At least one camera configured to capture an image of the desktop; and A computing device in communication with the at least one camera, the computing device configured to: Receive in real time the image of the desktop captured by the at least one camera; Analyze in real time at least one captured image of the desktop to identify the presence of a game object on the desktop; Based on the identification of the presence of the game object on the desktop, determine whether the game object is a game object that triggers the start of a game by comparing at least one visual feature of the game object with stored configuration data associated with game objects that define a specified start game trigger; In response to determining that the game object identified as present on the desktop is a game object that triggers the start of a game, determine that a game start event has occurred and record a timestamp of the game event; and Send game event data to a server, the game event data including an indicator of the game start event and the timestamp of the game event.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The computing device is further configured to: Analyze in real time at least one captured image of the desktop to identify that there are no game objects on the desktop that trigger the start of a game; In response to identifying that there are no game objects on the desktop that trigger the start of a game, determine that a game end event has occurred and record a timestamp of another game event; and Send game event data to the server, the game event data including an indicator of the game end event and the timestamp of the other game event.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, Determining whether the game object is a game object that triggers the start of a game includes: Preprocessing the at least one captured image to obtain a preprocessed image; Identifying at least one contour in the preprocessed image; and Comparing the at least one contour with at least one contour criterion to determine whether the at least one contour is associated with a game object that triggers the start of a game.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein, Comparing the at least one contour with at least one contour criterion includes comparing the area defined by the at least one contour with a predetermined area corresponding to the expected size of a game object that triggers the start of a game.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein, Comparing the at least one contour with at least one contour criterion includes comparing the number of vertices defined by the at least one contour with a predetermined number of vertices corresponding to the expected number of vertices of a game object that triggers the start of a game.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein, Comparing the at least one contour with at least one contour criterion includes comparing the cosine of the angle between the joining edges defined by the at least one contour with a predetermined value.

7. A method for monitoring a game played on the tabletop of a gaming table, the method includes: The computing device in communication with the at least one camera receives in real time the image of the desktop captured by the at least one camera; Analyze in real time at least one captured image of the desktop to identify the presence of a game object on the desktop; Based on the recognition of the presence of the game object on the desktop, determine whether the game object is a game object that triggers the start of the game by comparing at least one visual feature of the game object with the stored configuration data related to the game object that specifies the start game start trigger; In response to determining that the game object recognized as present on the desktop is a game object that triggers the start of the game, determine that the game start event has occurred and record the timestamp of the game event; And Send game event data from the computing device to the server, the game event data including an indicator of the game start event and the timestamp of the game event.

8. The method according to claim 7, further includes: Analyze at least one captured image of the desktop in real time to identify that there are no game objects on the desktop that trigger the start of the game; In response to any game object that triggers the start of the game being recognized as not present on the desktop, determine that the game end event has occurred and record the timestamp of the game event; And Send game event data from the computing device to the server, the game event data including an indicator of the game end event and the timestamp of the game event.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein, Determining whether the game object is a game object that triggers the start of the game includes: Preprocess the at least one captured image to obtain a preprocessed image; Identify at least one contour in the preprocessed image; and Compare the at least one contour with at least one contour criterion to determine whether the at least one contour is related to a game object that triggers the start of the game.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Preprocessing the at least one captured image to obtain a preprocessed image includes performing Canny edge detection processing on the at least one captured image.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, Preprocessing the at least one captured image to obtain a preprocessed image includes dilating the output of the Canny edge detection processing to remove any holes between edge segments.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Comparing the at least one contour with at least one contour criterion includes comparing the area defined by the at least one contour with a predetermined area, the predetermined area corresponding to the expected size of the game object that triggers the start of the game.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Comparing the at least one contour with at least one contour criterion includes comparing the number of vertices defined by the at least one contour with a predetermined number of vertices, the predetermined number of vertices corresponding to the expected number of vertices of the game object that triggers the start of the game.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Comparing the at least one contour with at least one contour criterion includes comparing the cosine of the angle between the joining edges defined by the at least one contour with a predetermined value.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Preprocessing the at least one captured image to obtain a preprocessed image includes performing global thresholding processing on the at least one captured image.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Preprocessing the at least one captured image to obtain a preprocessed image includes performing erosion processing on the at least one captured image to remove objects smaller than a predetermined size.

17. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The game object that triggers the start of the game is a card.

18. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The game object that triggers the start of the game is a mobile station or a location marker.

19. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The image of the desktop is a color image, a grayscale image, or an infrared image.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to claim 7.

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