Game table computer device and system

Abstract

Provided is a game table control technique that enables, for example, a card game to be performed quickly. A game table (100) includes a reading device (110) that reads card information, a computer device (120) that manages the progress of the game, and a notification device (130). The computer device 120 includes: a storage unit 121 that stores rule information for the card game; and a detection control unit 124 that detects an error regarding the distribution of the cards on the basis of the result of the comparison between the card information and the rule information, and records or outputs the detected error.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming table computer device and system. Background Art

[0002] Card games are widely played in entertainment facilities such as casinos. In a card game, the game proceeds as a dealer sequentially distributes cards on a game area on a gaming table, and a win - loss result is determined (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent Document

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid - Open No. 2003 - 070956 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The order in which a dealer distributes cards, the number and position of the cards, and other details are specified by game rules, laws, regulations, and other rules (hereinafter simply referred to as "rules"). The following problems have been pointed out as difficult problems. Since the win - loss result of the game depends on the cards distributed, if a dealer continues the game without realizing an error, an error in the distribution of the cards (for example, a violation of the rules regarding the order of card distribution or the number or position of the cards) may cause significant damage to users, casino operators, and other related parties. This creates a need to play the game carefully and ultimately hinders the rapid progress of the game.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above - described circumstances and relates to providing gaming table control technology that enables, for example, a card game to be played rapidly.

[0008] A gaming table computer device according to an aspect of the present invention manages the progress of a card game using a gaming table provided with a reading device configured to read card information on cards distributed in a game area. The computer device includes: a storage unit configured to store rule information regarding the card game; and a detection control unit configured to detect an error in the distribution of the cards based on a comparison result between the card information and the rule information, and record or output the detected error.

[0009] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, for example, a card game can be played rapidly. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a gaming table according to the present embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2It is a plan view showing an example of the outer top surface of the illustrated game table.

[0013] Figure 3 It is an enlarged view of the game area of the game table.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the computer device.

[0015] Figure 5A It is a diagram exemplarily showing a flowchart according to the first operation example.

[0016] Figure 5B It is a diagram exemplarily showing a flowchart according to the first operation example.

[0017] Figure 6A It is a diagram exemplarily showing a flowchart according to the second operation example.

[0018] Figure 6B It is a diagram exemplarily showing a flowchart according to the second operation example.

[0019] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing another aspect of the functional configuration of the computer device. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0020] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, elements having the same reference signs have the same or similar configurations.

[0021] <Term Explanation>

[0022] In this specification, the terms are defined as follows. A "game table" refers to a table on which various games are played in an entertainment facility. Generally, a croupier is designated for each table. In addition, two or more users can participate in the game at each table simultaneously.

[0023] A "croupier" refers to a person in an entertainment facility who controls the progress of a card game, for example, by distributing the cards used in the game.

[0024] A "user" refers to a person who visits an entertainment facility and participates in a card game.

[0025] A "specific card game" refers to a traditional card game in which users bet on the win or loss between the banker and the player. It is widely popular in gaming venues around the world because it is easy to play, and users only need to simply predict the winner of the game. The croupier distributes two or three trump cards to each of the banker and the player according to certain rules, and the winner is the one whose last digit of the total points of the distributed cards is close to 9.

[0026] ″Chip (tip)" refers to a virtual coin used by a user to express his or her prediction. A chip has a certain number of points or scores.

[0027] ″Placing a chip" means that a player declares a prediction and places a chip, specifically, places one or more chips in the chip placement area. For example, in a specific card game, this means predicting whether the dealer will win, whether the player will win, or whether the game will end in a draw, and placing a chip on this prediction.

[0028] ″Game area" refers to the area on the game table where each card is placed. In other words, this is the area where the dealer distributes each card during the game. For example, in a specific card game, the areas for placing cards on the dealer's side and the player's side are clearly marked on the game table.

[0029] ″Chip placement area" refers to the area on the game table where chips are placed. In other words, it is the area where a user places chips. For example, in a specific card game, the respective areas for placing chips according to the prediction that the dealer will win, the player will win, or the game will end in a draw are clearly marked on the game table.

[0030] A. This embodiment

[0031] Taking the game table for playing the specific card game, which is a traditional card game, as an example, the configuration of the game table according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0032] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the game table 100 according to this embodiment.

[0033] As Figure 1 shown, the game table 100 includes: a reading device 110 that reads the cards distributed by the dealer; a computer device 120 that manages the progress of the game; and a notification device 130 that is used to guide the dealer through the progress of the game and provide notifications about errors in the distribution of the cards.

[0034] Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of the external top surface of the game table 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the game area of the game table 100.

[0035] This game table 100 is, for example, a semi-circular table, provided with a game area 20 and two or more chip placement areas 30 where users place chips.

[0036] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the game area 20 is arranged on the gaming table 100, in front of the dealer seat section 11. Near the game area 20, there are provided a card box 25 for accommodating cards dealt by the dealer, a bonus chip container 26 for accommodating bonus chips, and a display unit 27 configured by a display or the like for the dealer to check the progress and results of the game.

[0037] In the game area 20, there are arranged a player area 21 for placing the player's side cards and a banker area 22 for placing the banker's side cards. A player-side notification lamp 130a is provided near the player area 21, and a banker-side notification lamp 130b is provided near the banker area 22. The player-side notification lamp (light-emitting unit) 130a and the banker-side notification lamp (light-emitting unit) 130b include, for example, LEDs and constitute a notification device 130. In the present embodiment, the notification device 130 is provided near the boundary between the game area 20 and the chip placement area 30, substantially in front of the dealer. This allows the dealer to check the information provided by the notification device 130 during the game without significantly changing the dealer's line of sight. However, the shape and position of the notification device 130 are not limited to the present embodiment and may be changed as needed considering the visibility from the dealer and the users. In the game area 20, what is arranged is not limited to the player area 21 and the banker area 22, and it is only necessary to arrange one or more card arrangement areas corresponding to the game selected from various games. In addition, it is only necessary to provide the notification device 130 in a manner corresponding to each area.

[0038] As an example, when the dealer should place cards on the player's side, the player-side notification lamp 130a lights up in white, and when the dealer should place cards on the banker's side, the banker-side notification lamp 130b lights up in white. When the dealer makes a mistake during the card dealing (i.e., an error regarding the card dealing), each of the notification lamp 130a and the notification lamp 130b blinks in red. Therefore, controlling the lighting of the player-side notification lamp 130a and the banker-side notification lamp 130b guides the dealer and the users participating in the game regarding when to deal the next card and notifies the dealer and the users of an error in the card dealing.

[0039] Refer again to Figure 2, facing the dealer seat portion 11, three user seat portions 12 are provided. On a gaming table 100, three chip - placing areas 30 are arranged corresponding to the number of the user seat portions 12. Although three chip - placing areas 30 are provided on a gaming table 10 in this embodiment, this configuration is not restrictive. In each of the chip - placing areas 30, a dealer pair area, a player pair area, a dealer area, a player area, and a tie area are arranged. The dealer pair area is an area for placing chips on the dealer side for pairs. The player pair area is an area for placing chips on the player side for pairs. The dealer area is an area for placing chips in the area where the dealer wins. The player area is an area for placing chips in the area where the player wins. The tie area is an area for placing chips in the tie area. The variations of the chip - placing areas are not limited to this.

[0040] Referring again to Figure 1 , the reading device 110 is a device that reads the card information on the cards distributed by the dealer. The reading device 110 is provided, for example, on the lower side of the table corresponding to the gaming area 20. The reading device 110 is configured with an infrared barcode reader or a similar device. On each card, a barcode is printed in special ink or other means, indicating the type of the card (the suit and number of the card, such as "hearts and A") and the front or back of the card. The reading device 110 reads the barcode on each card distributed by the dealer in the gaming area 20, and thus can read the card information including the type of the card, the front or back of the card, and the position of the card. The card information read by the reading device 110 is transmitted to the computer device 120.

[0041] The configuration capable of reading card information is not limited to the configuration using a barcode reader, but can be a configuration using an IC tag, a camera, etc. For example, the reading device 110 can extract the card information by reading the IC tag embedded in the card, or the reading device 110 can take an image of the card and perform pattern matching or similar processing.

[0042] Referring again to Figure 2 , on the portion between the corresponding chip - placing area 30 and the user seat portion 12 on the gaming table 10, a display unit 36 for each user to display the progress and result of the game, and a card reading unit 37 for reading the user's card are provided. The user's card is a medium that stores the user's identification data (ID) and game information. For example, it can store the points obtained from the games that have been played.

[0043] Referring again to Figure 1, the computer device 120 is, for example, a server computer or the like, and may include a control unit (including a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a network interface (not shown). The computer device 120 implements the functions of each unit by causing the control unit to temporarily load the program stored in the HDD onto the memory and causing the CPU to execute the program loaded onto the memory. Here, at least some units of the computer device 120 may be implemented by a plurality of computer devices interconnected via various networks. Additionally, at least some units of the computer device 120 may be implemented by distributed processing of a plurality of computer devices.

[0044] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the computer device 120.

[0045] As Figure 4 shown, the computer device 120 includes a storage unit 121, a first notification control unit 122, and a second notification control unit 123.

[0046] The storage unit 121 stores the rule information of the card game. Since it is assumed in this embodiment that the game is a specific card game, the storage unit 121 stores various sets of rule information required to correctly play the specific card game. In particular, the storage unit 121 stores rule information that specifies, for example, the order in which the dealer distributes two cards to the banker side and the player side, the conditions for distributing a third card to each side or either side of the banker side and the player side (referred to as the "third card rule"), the timing for flipping a face-down card face-up, the conditions for flipping a card face-up (e.g., the user with the highest bet in the game), and various rules stipulated to comply with laws and regulations.

[0047] The first notification control unit 122 detects an error regarding the distribution of cards, for example, based on the comparison result between the card information read by the reading device 110 and the rule information stored in the storage unit 121. When detecting an error regarding the distribution of cards, the first notification control unit 122 transmits a control command to cause the notification device 130 to provide a notification of the state in which the error has occurred. Here, "an error regarding the distribution of cards" means a mistake regarding the distribution of cards that causes the game not to be played correctly, such as an incorrect number of cards being distributed, placing a card in the incorrect position, or having a card face-up when it needs to be face-down. Specific detection operations for detecting an error regarding the distribution of cards are described below.

[0048] The second notification control unit 123 generates guidance information for guiding the croupier throughout the course of the game, for example, based on the comparison result between the card information read by the reading device 110 and the rule information stored in the storage unit 121. When generating the guidance information, the second notification control unit 123 transmits a control command to cause the notification device 130 to provide a notification of the guidance information. Here, "guiding the croupier throughout the course of the game" means guiding the croupier on, for example, where the next card should be dealt. Specific operations for guiding the croupier throughout the course of the game are described below. The guidance information itself may be pre-stored in the storage unit 121, and is generated by selecting corresponding information from the guidance information based on the comparison result between the card information read by the reading device 110 and the rule information stored in the storage unit 121.

[0049] The computer device 120 described above is connected to the gaming table 100 via wireless or wired communication, and thus can exchange information with the gaming table 100. The computer device 120 may be installed on the gaming table 100, or may be provided in an entertainment facility via a relay device such as a router. Obviously, the computer device 120 may also be provided outside the entertainment facility.

[0050] The gaming table 100 has other functions such as wirelessly powering rechargeable chips placed on the table surface, determining the number of chips placed by each user, and determining the legitimacy of the chips.

[0051] The operations for guiding the croupier throughout the course of the game and the operations for providing a notification of an error in the dealing of cards are described below by way of typical examples. It is assumed that the computer device 120 appropriately refers to the card information on the cards supplied by the reading device 110 and the rule information stored in the storage unit 121.

[0052] <First operation example (operation when dealing cards in a normal manner)>

[0053] Figure 5A and Figure 5B are exemplary diagrams showing the flowchart according to the first operation example.

[0054] In step S101, when the game starts, the computer device 120 first starts accepting placements in the placement chip area 30 on the gaming table 100. Each of the users selects one or more of the banker pair area, the player pair area, the banker area, the player area, and the tie area, and places chips on the selected one or more areas (see Figure 2 ).

[0055] In steps S102 and S103, when the computer device 120 receives a start specific card game instruction through the operation of the croupier on the button, the reading device 110 is activated. According to the instruction from the computer device 120, the reading device 110 starts to read the card information on the cards distributed in the game area 20.

[0056] In step S104, the computer device 120 lights the player side notification light 130a white, so as to guide the croupier to place a card (face down) on the player side. By seeing the player side notification light 130a lit white, the croupier recognizes that a card (face down) needs to be placed in the player area 21.

[0057] In step S105, the computer device 120 determines whether a card (face down) has been placed in the player area 21 by the croupier. When it is determined that no card (face down) has been placed in the player area 21 (″No″ in step S105), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S106, and when it is determined that a card (face down) has been placed in the player area 21 (″Yes″ in step S105), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S111.

[0058] In step S106, the computer device 120 determines whether no cards are placed in the dealer area 22. If no cards are placed in the dealer area 22 at this time (″Yes″ in step S106), the computer device 120 returns to step S105. Otherwise, or if any cards are placed in the dealer area 22 at this time (″No″ in step S106), the computer device 120 determines that the card distribution status is abnormal and proceeds to step S017.

[0059] In step S107, the computer device 120 causes the player side notification light 130a and the dealer side notification light 130b to flash red, and proceeds to step S108. By seeing the player side notification light 130a and the dealer side notification light 130b flashing red, the croupier recognizes that an error has occurred in the card distribution.

[0060] In step S108, the computer device 120 determines whether a card (face down) has been placed in the player area 21 by the croupier. When it is determined that no card (face down) has been placed in the player area 21 (″No″ in step S108), the computer device 120 returns to step S107 to continue providing notification of the error in the card distribution. Otherwise, or when it is determined that a card (face down) has been placed in the player area 21 (″Yes″ in step S108), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S109.

[0061] In step S109, the computer device 120 determines whether no playing cards are placed in the dealer area 22. If any playing cards are placed in the dealer area 22 at this time (″No″ in step S109), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing is still abnormal and returns to step S107 to continue providing a notice of error regarding the card dealing. Otherwise, or if no playing cards are placed in the dealer area 22 at this time (″Yes″ in step S109), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing has returned to normal and proceeds to step S110.

[0062] In step S110, the computer device 120 turns off the player - side notification lamp 130a and the dealer - side notification lamp 130b and proceeds to step S111. By seeing the player - side notification lamp 130a and the dealer - side notification lamp 130b turned off, the croupier recognizes that the error regarding the card dealing has been resolved.

[0063] In step S111, the computer device 120 lights the dealer - side notification lamp 130b in white, thereby guiding the croupier to place a playing card (face - down) in the dealer area 22. By seeing the dealer - side notification lamp 130b lit in white, the croupier recognizes that a playing card (face - down) needs to be placed in the dealer area 22.

[0064] In step S112, the computer device 120 determines whether a playing card (face - down) has been placed in the dealer area 22 by the croupier. When it is determined that no playing card (face - down) is placed in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S112), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S113, and when it is determined that a playing card (face - down) is placed in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S112), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S118.

[0065] In step S113, the computer device 120 determines whether a playing card (face - down) is placed in the player area 21. If a playing card (face - down) is placed in the player area 21 at this time (″Yes″ in step S113), the computer device 120 returns to step S112. Otherwise, or if no playing card (face - down) is placed in the player area 21 at this time (because no playing card (face - down) is placed in the player area 21, or two or more playing cards (face - down) are placed in the player area 21) (″No″ in step S113), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing is abnormal and proceeds to step S114.

[0066] In step S114, the computer device 120 causes the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b to blink red, and proceeds to step S115. By seeing the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b blink red, the croupier recognizes that an error has occurred regarding the card dealing.

[0067] In step S115, the computer device 120 determines again whether there is a card (face down) placed in the dealer area 22. When it is determined that there is no card (face down) placed in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S115), the computer device 120 returns to step S114 to continue providing notification of the error regarding the card dealing. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there is a card (face down) placed in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S115), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S116.

[0068] In step S116, the computer device 120 determines whether there is a card (face down) placed in the player area 21. If there is no card placed in the player area 21 at this time (″No″ in step S116), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing is still abnormal, and returns to step S114 to continue providing notification of the error regarding the card dealing. Otherwise, or if there is a card (face down) placed in the player area 21 at this time (″Yes″ in step S116), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing has returned to normal, and proceeds to step S117.

[0069] In step S117, the computer device 120 turns off the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b, and proceeds to step S118. By seeing the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b turned off, the croupier recognizes that the error regarding the card dealing has been resolved.

[0070] In step S118, the computer device 120 lights the player-side notification lamp 130a white, thereby guiding the croupier to place a card (face down) in the player area 21. Here, the croupier recognizes that the second card (face down) should be placed in the player area 21 because there is already a card (face down) placed in the player area 21.

[0071] In step S119, referring to the card information about the cards supplied by the reading device 110 and referring to the rule information, the computer device 120 determines whether two cards (face down) are placed in the player area 21 by the croupier. When it is determined that there are not two cards (face down) placed in the player area 21, the computer device 120 proceeds to step S120, and when it is determined that there are two cards (face down) placed in the player area 21, the computer device 120 proceeds to step S125.

[0072] In step S120, referring to the card information about the cards supplied by the reading device 110 and referring to the rule information, the computer device 120 determines whether one card (face down) is placed in the dealer area 22. If at this time one card (face down) is placed in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S120), the computer device 120 returns to step S118. Otherwise, or if at this time there is not one card (face down) placed in the dealer area 22 (because there is no card (face down) placed in the dealer area 22, or there are two or more cards (face down) placed in the dealer area 22) (″No″ in step S120), the computer device 120 determines that the state of card dealing is abnormal and proceeds to step S121.

[0073] In step S121, the computer device 120 causes the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b to blink in red and proceeds to step S122. By seeing the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b blink in red, the croupier recognizes that an error has occurred in the dealing of the cards.

[0074] In step S122, the computer device 120 determines again whether two cards (face down) are placed in the player area 21. When it is determined that there are not two cards (face down) placed in the player area 21 (″No″ in step S122), the computer device 120 returns to step S121 to continue providing notification of the error in the dealing of the cards. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are two cards (face down) placed in the player area 21 (″Yes″ in step S122), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S123.

[0075] In step S123, the computer device 120 determines whether a playing card has been placed (face down) in the dealer area 22. If no playing card is placed in the dealer area 22 at this time ("No" in step S123), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing is still abnormal and returns to step S121 to continue providing a notice of error regarding the card dealing. Otherwise, or if a playing card (face down) is placed in the dealer area 22 at this time ("Yes" in step S123), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing has returned to normal and proceeds to step S124.

[0076] In step S124, the computer device 120 turns off the player side notification light 130a and the dealer side notification light 130b, and proceeds to step S125. By seeing the player side notification light 130a and the dealer side notification light 130b turned off, the croupier recognizes that the error regarding the card dealing has been resolved.

[0077] In step S125, the computer device 120 lights the dealer side notification light 130b in white, thereby guiding the croupier to place a playing card (face down) in the dealer area 22. Here, the croupier recognizes that the second playing card (face down) should be placed in the dealer area 22 because a playing card (face down) has already been placed in the dealer area 22.

[0078] In step S126, the computer device 120 determines whether two playing cards have been placed (face down) in the dealer area 22 by the croupier. When it is determined that two playing cards (face down) are not placed in the dealer area 22 ("No" in step S126), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S127, while when it is determined that two playing cards (face down) are placed in the dealer area 22 ("Yes" in step S126), the computer system 120 proceeds to step S132.

[0079] In step S127, the computer device 120 determines again whether two playing cards (face down) are placed in the player area 21. If two playing cards (face down) are placed in the player area 21 at this time ("Yes" in step S127), the computer device 120 returns to step S126. Otherwise, or if two playing cards (face down) are not placed in the player area 21 at this time (because no playing card (face down) is placed in the player area 21, or only one playing card (face down) is placed in the player area 21) ("No" in step S127), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing is abnormal and proceeds to step S128.

[0080] In step S128, the computer device 120 causes the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b to blink in red, and proceeds to step S129. By seeing the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b blink in red, the croupier recognizes that an error has occurred regarding the distribution of the playing cards.

[0081] In step S129, referring to the card information about the playing cards supplied by the reading device 110 and referring to the rule information, the computer device 120 determines again whether there are two playing cards (face down) placed in the dealer area 22. When it is determined that there are not two playing cards (face down) placed in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S129), the computer device 120 returns to step S128 to continue notifying the error regarding the distribution of the playing cards. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are two playing cards (face down) placed in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S129), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S130.

[0082] In step S130, the computer device 120 determines again whether there are two playing cards (face down) placed in the player area 21. If there are not two playing cards placed in the player area 21 at this time (″No″ in step S130), then the computer device 120 determines that the state of the distribution of the playing cards is still abnormal, and returns to step S128 to continue notifying the error regarding the distribution of the playing cards. Otherwise, or if there are two playing cards (face down) placed in the player area 21 at this time (″Yes″ in step S130), then the computer device 120 determines that the state of the playing card distribution has returned to normal, and proceeds to step S131.

[0083] In step S131, the computer device 120 turns off the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b, and proceeds to step S132. By seeing the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b turned off, the croupier recognizes that the error regarding the distribution of the playing cards has been resolved.

[0084] In step S132, the computer device 120 determines whether it is possible to determine the win / loss result at this time (i.e., based on the two playing cards distributed to each of the player side and the dealer side), or whether it is necessary to distribute a third playing card to either or both of the dealer side and the player side based on the condition for distributing the third playing card (the so-called ″third card rule″).

[0085] When it is determined that it is possible to determine a winner based on two cards distributed to each of the player side and the dealer side, the computer device 120 refers to the rule information and the like to determine whether the dealer or the player wins the game or it is a draw, and ends the operation in the normal card distribution described above. Thereafter, an authorized user such as a user flips the distributed cards face up to reveal the win-loss result of the game. The win-loss result can be notified, for example, by the notification device 130, the display units 27, 36, and the like. For example, when the player wins, the computer device 120 lights the player side notification lamp 130a green, and when the dealer wins, the computer device 120 lights the dealer side notification lamp 130b green. In the case of a draw, for example, the computer device 120 can cause both the player side notification lamp 130a and the dealer side notification lamp 130b to flash green.

[0086] Otherwise, or when it is determined based on the third card rule included in the rule information that a third card needs to be distributed, the computer device 120 executes the second operation example described below. The following description assumes that two face-down cards distributed to each of the player side and the dealer side have been flipped face up.

[0087] <Second Operation Example (Operations When Distributing Cards Based on the Third Card Rule)>

[0088] Figure 6A And Figure 6B FIG. is an exemplary diagram showing a flowchart according to the second operation example.

[0089] In step S201, the computer device 120 determines based on the third card rule whether a third card needs to be distributed to the player side (that is, whether the third card needs to be placed in the player area 21). When it is determined that the third card needs to be placed in the player area 21 (″Yes″ in step S201), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S202, and when it is determined that the third card needs to be placed on the dealer side instead of the player side (″No″ in step S201), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S223.

[0090] <<If a third card needs to be distributed to the player side (″Yes″ in step S201)>>

[0091] In step S202, the computer device 120 lights the player side notification lamp 130a white, thereby guiding the croupier to place the third card (face down) in the player area 21. The croupier recognizes that the third card (face down) should be placed in the player area 21 by seeing the player side notification lamp 130a.

[0092] In step S203, the computer device 120 determines whether there are two face-up cards and one face-down card placed in the player area 21. When it is determined that there are two face-up cards and one face-down card in the player area 21 (″Yes″ in step S203), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S209. When it is determined that there are not two face-up cards and one face-down card in the player area 21 (″No″ in step S203), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S204.

[0093] In step S204, the computer device 120 determines whether there are two face-up cards placed in the dealer area 22. When it is determined that there are two face-up cards in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S204), the computer device 120 returns to step S203. Otherwise, or if there are not two face-up cards in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S204), the computer device 120 determines that the state of card dealing is abnormal and proceeds to step S205.

[0094] In step S205, the computer device 120 causes the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b to flash red and proceeds to step S206. By seeing the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b flashing red, the croupier recognizes that an error has occurred in the card dealing.

[0095] In step S206, the computer device 120 determines again whether there are two face-up cards and one face-down card placed in the player area 21. For example, if the croupier has recognized an error in the card dealing and a new card (face-down) has been placed in the player area 21, the computer device 120 determines that there are such cards in this area (″Yes″) and proceeds to step S207. If no card (face-down) has been newly placed in the player area 21 (″No″ in step S206), the computer device 120 determines that the state of the card dealing is still abnormal and returns to step S205 to continue notifying the error in the card dealing.

[0096] In step S207, the computer device 120 determines whether there are two face-up cards placed in the dealer area 22. If there are not two face-up cards placed in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S207), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing is still abnormal and returns to step S205 to continue providing a notice of error regarding the card dealing. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are two face-up cards in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S207), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing has returned to normal and proceeds to step S208.

[0097] In step S208, the computer device 120 turns off the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b, and proceeds to step S209. By seeing the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b turned off, the croupier recognizes that the error regarding the card dealing has been resolved.

[0098] In step S209, the computer device 120 determines whether a third card needs to be dealt to the dealer side based on the third card rule (i.e., whether a new card (face-down) needs to be placed in the dealer area 22). When it is determined that a third card needs to be dealt to the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S209), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S217. However, when it is determined that a third card does not need to be dealt to the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S209), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S210.

[0099] <<If a third card does not need to be dealt to the dealer side (″No″ in step S209)>>

[0100] In step S210, when the computer device 120 detects when the third card on the player side (i.e., the card newly placed face-down in the player area 21) is flipped face-up by the croupier, the computer device 120 proceeds to step S211. In the steps before step S210, the computer device 120 can, for example, light the player-side notification lamp 130a in blue to guide the croupier to flip the third card on the player side (face-down) face-up.

[0101] In step S211, the computer device 120 determines whether there are three face-up cards placed in the player area 21. If there are not three face-up cards placed in the player area 21 (″No″ in step S211), the computer device 120 returns to step S210. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are three face-up cards in the player area 21 (″Yes″ in step S211), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S212.

[0102] In step S212, the computer device 120 determines, based on the third card rule, whether a third card needs to be dealt to the dealer side (i.e., whether a new card (face down) needs to be placed in the dealer area 22). When it is determined that no third card needs to be dealt to the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S212), the computer device 120 ends the operation in the card dealing based on the third card rule. However, when it is determined that a third card needs to be dealt to the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S212), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S213.

[0103] <<If a third card needs to be dealt to the dealer side (″Yes″ in step S212)>>

[0104] In step S213, the computer device 120 causes the dealer side notification lamp 130b to light up white, thereby guiding the croupier to place the third card (face down) in the dealer area 22. By seeing the dealer side notification lamp 130b, the croupier recognizes that the third card (face down) should be placed in the dealer area 22.

[0105] In step S214, the computer device 120 determines whether there are two face-up cards and one face-down card in the dealer area 22. For example, if the croupier has newly placed a card (face down) in the dealer area 22, the computer device 120 determines that there are such cards in this area (″Yes″) and proceeds to step S215. When it is determined that no card (face down) has been newly placed in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S214), the computer device 120 returns to step S213 to continue guiding the card dealing.

[0106] In step S215, when the computer device 120 detects that the third card on the dealer side (i.e., the card newly placed face down in the dealer area 22) is flipped face up by the croupier, the computer device 120 proceeds to step S216. In the steps before step S215, the computer device 120 can, for example, cause the dealer side notification lamp 130b to light up blue, thereby guiding the croupier to flip the third card on the dealer side (face down) face up.

[0107] In step S216, the computer device 120 determines whether there are three face-up cards in the dealer area 22. If there are not three face-up cards in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S216), the computer device 120 returns to step S215. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are three face-up cards in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S216), the computer device 120 ends the operation in the card dealing based on the third card rule.

[0108] <<If it is necessary to distribute the third card to the dealer side (″Yes″ in step S209)>>

[0109] In step S217, the computer device 120 causes the dealer side notification lamp 130b to light up in white, thereby guiding the croupier to place the third card (face down) in the dealer area 22. By seeing the dealer side notification lamp 130b, the croupier recognizes that the third card (face down) should be placed in the dealer area 22.

[0110] In step S218, the computer device 120 determines whether there are two face-up cards and one face-down card in the dealer area 22. For example, if the croupier has newly placed a card (face down) in the dealer area 22, the computer device 120 determines that there are such cards in this area (″Yes″), and proceeds to step S219. When it is determined that no card (face down) has been newly placed in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S218), the computer device 120 returns to step S217 to continue guiding the distribution of the cards.

[0111] In step S219, when it is detected that the third card on the dealer side (i.e., the card newly placed face down in the dealer area 22) is flipped face up by the croupier, the computer device 120 proceeds to step S220. In the steps before step S219, the computer device 120 can, for example, cause the player side notification lamp 130a to light up in blue, thereby guiding the croupier to flip the third card on the player side (face down) face up.

[0112] In step S220, the computer device 120 determines whether there are three face-up cards in the player area 21. If there are not three face-up cards in the player area 21 (″No″ in step S220), the computer device 120 returns to step S219. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are three face-up cards in the player area 21 (″Yes″ in step S220), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S221.

[0113] In step S221, when it is detected that the third card on the dealer side (i.e., the card newly placed face down in the dealer area 22) is flipped face up by the croupier, the computer device 120 proceeds to step S222. In the steps before step S221, the computer device 120 can, for example, cause the dealer side notification lamp 130b to light up in blue, thereby guiding the croupier to flip the third card on the dealer side (face down) face up.

[0114] In step S222, the computer device 120 determines whether there are three face-up cards placed in the dealer area 22. If there are not three face-up cards placed in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S222), the computer device 120 returns to step S221. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are three face-up cards placed in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S222), the computer device 120 ends the operation in the card dealing based on the third card rule.

[0115] <<If it is not necessary to deal the third card to the player side (″No″ in step S201)>>

[0116] In step S223, the computer device 120 lights the dealer side notification lamp 130b in white, so as to guide the croupier to place the third card (face-down) in the dealer area 22. By seeing the dealer side notification lamp 130b, the croupier recognizes that the third card (face-down) should be placed in the dealer area 22.

[0117] In step S224, the computer device 120 determines whether there are two face-up cards and one face-down card placed in the dealer area 22. When it is determined that there are two face-up cards and one face-down card placed in the dealer area 22 (″Yes″ in step S224), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S2230. However, when it is determined that there are not two face-up cards and one face-down card placed in the dealer area 22 (″No″ in step S224), the computer device 120 proceeds to step S225.

[0118] In step S225, the computer device 120 determines whether there are two face-up cards placed in the player area 21. When it is determined that there are two face-up cards placed in the player area 21 (″Yes″ in step S225), the computer device 120 returns to step S224. Otherwise, or if there are not two face-up cards in the player area 21 (″No″ in step S204), the computer device 120 determines that the state of the card dealing is abnormal, and proceeds to step S226.

[0119] In step S226, the computer device 120 causes the player side notification lamp 130a and the dealer side notification lamp 130b to flash in red, and proceeds to step S227. By seeing the player side notification lamp 130a and the dealer side notification lamp 130b flashing in red, the croupier recognizes that an error has occurred in the card dealing.

[0120] In step S227, the computer device 120 again determines whether there are two face-up placed cards and one face-down placed card in the dealer area 22. For example, if the croupier has recognized an error regarding the card dealing and has newly placed one card (face-down) in the dealer area 22, the computer device 120 determines that there are such cards in this area ("Yes"), and proceeds to step S228. If no card (face-down) is newly placed in the dealer area 22 ("No" in step S227), the computer device 120 determines that the status regarding the card dealing is still abnormal, and returns to step S226 to continue notifying the error regarding the card dealing.

[0121] In step S228, the computer device 120 determines whether there are two face-up placed cards in the player area 21. If there are not two face-up placed cards in the player area 21 ("No" in step S228), the computer device 120 determines that the status regarding the card dealing is still abnormal, and returns to step S226 to continue providing the notification of the error regarding the card dealing. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are two face-up placed cards in the player area 21 ("Yes" in step S228), the computer device 120 determines that the status of the card dealing has returned to normal, and proceeds to step S229.

[0122] In step S229, the computer device 120 turns off the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b, and proceeds to step S230. By seeing the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b turned off, the croupier recognizes that the error regarding the card dealing has been resolved.

[0123] In step S230, when it is detected that the third card on the dealer side (i.e., the card newly placed face-down in the dealer area 22) is flipped face-up by the croupier, the computer device 120 proceeds to step S231. In the steps before step S230, the computer device 120 can, for example, light the dealer-side notification lamp 130b in blue, so as to guide the croupier to flip the third card on the dealer side (face-down) face-up.

[0124] In step S231, the computer device 120 determines whether there are three face-up placed cards in the dealer area 22. If there are not three face-up placed cards in the dealer area 22 ("No" in step S231), the computer device 120 returns to step S230. Otherwise, or when it is determined that there are three face-up placed cards in the dealer area 22 ("Yes" in step S231), the computer device 120 ends the operation in the card dealing based on the third card rule.

[0125] After ending the operation in the card dealing based on the third card rule, the computer device 120 determines the win-lose result of the game based on information such as rule information, and notifies the win-lose result through, for example, the notification device 130, the display units 27, 36, etc.

[0126] As described above, the gaming table 100 according to the present embodiment detects an error regarding the card dealing based on the comparison result between the card information read by the reading device 110 and the rule information stored in the storage unit 121, and notifies the state in which the error has occurred by using the notification device 130. This enables the croupier and the user participating in the game to immediately identify the error regarding the card dealing, so that the entertainment facility can operate reliably and fairly.

[0127] In addition, the gaming table 100 generates guidance information for correctly conducting the card game, and notifies this information to the croupier by using the notification device 130, and thus can prevent an error in the card dealing from occurring.

[0128] B. Others

[0129] The embodiments described above are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Each element included in the embodiments and the arrangement, material, conditions, shape, size, etc. of the elements are not limited to those presented exemplarily, but can be appropriately changed. Additionally, the configurations presented in different embodiments can be partially exchanged or combined. For example, although a traditional card game in the present embodiment is described exemplarily, the present embodiment can be applied to other card games.

[0130] Furthermore, the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b can be configured to emit light in different patterns for different types of errors regarding the card dealing. For example, the first notification control unit 122 can be configured to cause the corresponding notification lamp 130 to flash red if the number of dealt cards is inappropriate; and to cause the corresponding notification lamp 130 to flash yellow if the front and back of the cards are not properly facing up. Similarly, the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b can be configured to emit light in different patterns for different types of guidance regarding the card dealing. For example, if there are cards to be dealt, the second notification control unit 123 can cause the corresponding notification lamp 130 to light white, and when a card that needs to be placed face down needs to be flipped face up, the corresponding notification lamp 130 can be caused to light blue. It should be noted that the pattern of light emission includes illumination and flashing, the color of the light, the brightness level, or a combination of these patterns.

[0131] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the notification of the error-occurring state and the guiding information are provided by the player-side notification lamp 130a and the dealer-side notification lamp 130b. However, in addition to or instead of these lamps, they can also be provided by the display unit 27 on the dealer side. Alternatively, the error-occurring state and the guiding information can be notified by voice messages, sound effects, etc. from an audio system (sound notification unit) installed on the gaming table 100 and including a speaker, an amplifier, etc. In this case, different sound modes can be used for different types of errors regarding the card dealing and for different types of guiding regarding the card dealing. In addition, the sound notification can be output to headphones or another device so that only the croupier can be notified.

[0132] In addition, the notification device 130 can be used to immediately notify the detected error, or it can be logged in the storage unit 121 so that the notification can be output from the storage unit 121 for later viewing, tabulation, etc. In particular, as Figure 7 shown, a detection control unit 124 is provided in the computer device 120. The detection control unit 124 detects an error regarding the card dealing based on the comparison result between the card information and the rule information, and records or outputs the detected error. This configuration enables the acceleration of the process of the card game related to the casino operation, etc. Figure 4 and Figure 7 at least one of the functional modules (i.e., the storage unit 121, the first notification control unit 122, the second notification control unit 123, and the detection control unit 124) included in the computer device 120 of the gaming table 100 in

[0133] List of Reference Numerals

[0134] 100 Gaming table

[0135] 110 Reading device

[0136] 120 Computer device

[0137] 121 Storage unit

[0138] 122 First notification control unit

[0139] 123 Second notification control unit

[0140] 124 Detection control unit

[0141] 130 Notification device

[0142] 130a Player-side notification lamp

[0143] 130b Dealer side notification lamp

Claims

1. A gaming table computer device configured to manage the process of a card game using a gaming table provided with a reading device configured to read card information on cards distributed in a game area, the computer device comprising: A storage unit configured to store rule information regarding the card game; And A detection control unit configured to detect an error regarding the distribution of the cards based on a comparison result between the card information and the rule information, and record or output the detected error.

2. A gaming table computer device configured to manage the process of a card game using a gaming table provided with a reading device and a notification device, the reading device configured to read card information on cards distributed in a game area, the computer device comprising: A storage unit configured to store rule information regarding the card game; And A first notification control unit configured to detect an error regarding the distribution of the cards based on a comparison result between the card information and the rule information, and cause the notification device to provide a notification of the state in which the error has occurred.

3. The computer device according to claim 2, wherein the card information includes the front or back, position, and type of each of the cards.

4. The computer device according to claim 3, wherein The notification device includes a light-emitting unit and / or a sound notification unit provided in the game area, and The first notification control unit switches the light-emitting unit between different light-emitting modes and / or switches the sound notification unit between different sound modes for different types of the errors.

5. The computer device according to claim 3, wherein A plurality of card placement areas are provided for placing the cards, and The notification device is provided corresponding to each of the card placement areas.

6. A gaming table computer device configured to manage the process of a card game using a gaming table provided with a reading device and a notification device, the reading device configured to read card information on cards distributed in a game area, the computer device comprising: A storage unit configured to store rule information regarding the card game; And A second notification control unit configured to generate guidance information for guiding a croupier during the process of the card game based on a comparison result between the card information and the rule information, and cause the notification device to provide a notification of the guidance information.

7. The computer device according to claim 6, wherein The notification device includes a light-emitting unit and / or a sound notification unit provided in the game area, and The second notification control unit switches the light-emitting unit between different light-emitting modes and / or switches the sound notification unit between different sound modes for different types of the guidance.

8. A system includes a computer device and a server. The computer device is configured to manage the process of a card game using a gaming table provided with a reading device. The reading device is configured to read card information on cards distributed to a game area. The system includes, in at least one of the computer device and the server: a storage unit configured to store rule information regarding the card game; and a detection control unit configured to detect an error regarding the distribution of the cards based on a comparison result between the card information and the rule information, and record or output the detected error.

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