Counter system and game coin management system

Abstract

A counter system for monitoring movement of game coins in a counter is provided. The counter (10) is divided into a plurality of locations including the receptacles (14). The game coin (70) has an RFID tag (71) in which a game coin ID is stored. A counter system (501) for managing the movement of game coins in a counter (10) of a casino hall (1) is provided with: a game coin reader (123) for reading a game coin ID from an RFID tag (71) of a game coin (70) moving between a plurality of positions in the counter (10); game coin readers (133, 143) for reading a game coin ID from an RFID tag (71) of a game coin (70) removed from the counter (10) to the casino hall (1); and game coin readers (123, 133, 143) to be read by the game coin readers (123, 133, 143). And a coin management database (101) in which the read coin ID is recorded as a movement history of the coin (70).

Description

[0001] Divisional application

[0002] This application is a divisional application of the patent with the application date of June 8, 2021, patent application number 202180041856.1, and the invention name being Counter System and Game Coin Management System.

[0003] Cross-references between related applications

[0004] This application claims the benefit of patent application No. 2020-102729 filed in Japan on Jun. 12, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to a counter system for managing game coins in a counter in an entertainment venue and a game coin management system comprising the counter system. Background Art

[0006] As a system for managing casino coins, a coin tracking system is known in which an RFID tag storing at least a coin ID is embedded in a coin, and the coin ID is associated with a user ID to monitor which user holds which coin.

[0007] In addition, a game coin security system is also known: a valid game coin ID is pre-stored in a database, and the game coin ID is read from the RFID tag of the game coin in the entertainment venue (for example, a table) and compared with the database to determine the validity or authenticity of the game coin (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2019-5565). Summary of the Invention

[0008] Game coins are brought into the casino through the casino counters, and discarded game coins are also taken out of the counters. Existing game coin tracking systems are not necessarily able to monitor all game coin movements within the casino, including those within the counters and between the counters and various locations within the casino.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention provides a counter system for monitoring the movement of game coins in a counter and the movement between the counter and various locations in a casino, and a game coin management system including the system and for managing game coins in a casino.

[0010] A counter system according to one embodiment of the present invention manages the movement of game coins within a counter in a casino hall. The counter is divided into multiple locations, including a cash register. The game coins have RFID tags storing their IDs. The counter system comprises: a first reader for reading the game coin IDs from the RFID tags of the game coins moved between the multiple locations; a second reader for reading the game coin IDs from the RFID tags of the game coins removed from the counter to the casino hall; and a recording mechanism for recording the game coin IDs read by the first and second readers as a movement history of the game coins. This configuration enables the management of the movement of game coins within the counter.

[0011] In the above-mentioned counter system, the recording means records the movement destination and / or movement source together with the medal ID in the movement history. According to this structure, it is possible to grasp whether the movement is performed correctly.

[0012] The counter system further includes a management unit that determines whether the movement is appropriate based on the movement history. This configuration enables detection of inappropriate movement.

[0013] In the above-mentioned counter system, for the gaming coins having a movement history record that does not match the pre-set possibility of the movement history record, the management agency may record it as cheating or suspected of cheating in the recording agency.

[0014] In the above-mentioned counter system, a third reading mechanism is further provided, which reads the game coin ID from the RFID tag of the game coin put into the counter from the casino hall. According to this structure, the game coins in the counter can be fully managed.

[0015] In the above-mentioned counter system, when the movement history of the game coins moved to the casino hall records the movement destination, if the game coins are not received at the movement destination, the management agency can issue an alarm or record it. According to this structure, it is possible to detect whether the movement from the counter to the specified location in the casino hall has not been completed normally.

[0016] In the above-mentioned counter system, when the game coin is not received at the moving destination within the prescribed time, the management agency can issue the alarm or record it. According to this structure, when the movement is not completed within the prescribed time, it can be determined that there is an abnormality.

[0017] A gaming coin management system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: any of the aforementioned counter systems; and a fourth reader disposed at a gaming table for reading the gaming coin ID from the RFID tag attached to the gaming coin. This configuration enables management of gaming coins within a casino hall including a counter.

[0018] In the above-mentioned game coin management system, the management agency can calculate the total amount of the game coins held by players in the casino hall. According to this structure, the total amount of debt of the casino can be grasped in real time.

[0019] In the above-mentioned game coin management system, the management agency can record the information of date and time in the movement history record. According to this structure, the movement history record can be recorded in more detail.

[0020] In the above-mentioned gaming coin management system, the management unit can detect suspicious movement of the gaming coins based on the date and time information. According to this structure, various suspicious movements can be detected.

[0021] In the above-mentioned game coin management system, the management agency can record information of the staff related to the movement in the movement history record. According to this structure, when there is an inappropriate movement, the staff related to the inappropriate movement can be identified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the overall structure of an entertainment venue according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A perspective view of a game coin according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 A block diagram showing the structure of a gaming coin management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the structure of a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 A diagram illustrating a movement state of a gaming coin according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 A diagram showing an example of data in a game coin management database updated by the first method for managing the movement of game coins according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 A diagram showing an example of data in a game coin management database updated by the second method for managing the movement of game coins according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 A diagram showing an example of data in a game coin management database updated by the fourth method for managing the movement of game coins according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 9 A diagram showing an example of data in a game coin management database updated by a fifth method for managing movement of game coins according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 10 This figure shows an example of data in a coin management database updated by the fourth coin movement management method according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, the counter system and the game coin management system involved in the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the structural elements of the following embodiments include elements that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art or are substantially the same.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure of an entertainment venue according to an embodiment of the present invention. The entertainment venue hall 1 is equipped with a counter 10 and multiple game tables 42-45. The game pools with game tables 42-45 are divided into VIP pools and public pools. The counter 10 is a room accessible only to security personnel. It is divided into a safe 11, a main bank room 12, a F / C bank room 13, and a cashier's office 14.

[0034] The safe 11 has an entrance 21 connecting to the exterior of the counter 10. An entrance 22 is provided between the safe 11 and the main bank room 12. An entrance 23 is provided between the main bank room 12 and the front / closed door bank room 13. An entrance 25 is provided between the main bank room 12 and the cashier's office 14. The front / closed door bank room 13 has an entrance 24 connecting to the casino lobby 1, where gaming tables 42-45 are located. The cashier's office 14 has entrances (windows) 26-28 connecting to the casino lobby 1. Each entrance 21-25 can be used for both people and gaming coins, or for only gaming coins. Doors for people entering and exiting are separate from the entrances. Windows 26-28 open to allow the purchase of gaming coins.

[0035] The safe deposit box 11 is staffed with a safe deposit box staff 31 , the main bank 12 is staffed with a main bank staff 32 , the F / C bank room 13 is staffed with a F / C bank staff 33 , and the teller room 14 is staffed with teller staff 34 - 36 corresponding to the windows 26 - 28 .

[0036] The casino hall 1 is provided with game tables 42 to 45, and each game table 42 to 45 is provided with a dealer 52 to 55. Figure 1 In the example shown in FIG. 4 , only four game tables are shown, but in reality, more game tables are configured in the casino hall 1. In addition, a plurality of adjacent game tables 42 are provided with a game table manager 56.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In the example, there are players 61 to 69 in Casino Hall 1. Figure 1 Like player 61 shown in FIG. , players purchase game tokens through any of windows 26-28. Players who purchase game tokens at counter 10 can place their game tokens on gaming tables 42-45 to participate in the game. If a player loses the game, the game tokens are returned to the dealer. If a player wins the game, the dealer will compensate the player according to the game rules and the amount placed. In this way, the number of game tokens held by the player increases or decreases through the game. If a player runs out of game tokens, they can purchase more game tokens (buy-in) at counter 10.

[0038] At the game tables 42 to 45, game coins are collected from players who lose the game, and game coins are paid to players who win the game. As a result, the game coins held by the dealer (casino) at the game table increase or decrease. If there are insufficient game coins on the game table, the game coin transport staff 51 receives the game coins from the entrance 24 of the F / C bank room 13 and transports them to the game table to replenish the game table. The act of replenishing game coins in table games like this is called "filling". In addition, if there are an excess of game coins on the game table, the game coin transport staff 51 transports the game coins from the game table to the counter 10, and the game coins are kept in the F / C bank room 13 through the entrance 24. The act of returning game coins from the game table to the counter 10 like this is called "crediting".

[0039] It should be noted that when managing the movement history of game coins in the game hall 1, the movement source, the movement destination, and the places that may exist between them are referred to as "locations" in the following. Figure 1 In the case of the example of , for example, each room and each game table in the counter 10 is referred to as a "location".

[0040] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a gaming coin according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The game coin 70 has a disc shape and has a face value ( Figure 1In the case of a coin, it is "100 points." Multiple layers are stacked in the order of white layer, colored layer, and white layer in the thickness direction. A striped pattern is formed on the side surface, with colored layers sandwiched between white layers. The color of the colored layer varies depending on the denomination, so the denomination of the coin can be determined by distinguishing the color of the colored layer.

[0041] The game coin 70 has an internal RFID tag 71. The RFID tag 71 stores the game coin's ID and face value. It should be noted that the RFID tag 71 can be a writable RFID tag, in which case the current location of the game coin and even information about its owner can be recorded on the RFID tag 71. In addition, the RFID tag 71 can also record past locations and even the owner's history. The game coin 70 can be constructed by crimping multiple sheet materials or by resin molding.

[0042] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a game coin management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game coin management system 1000 includes a counter system 501 and multiple table systems 502. Table systems 502 are located at each gaming table. The counter system 501 includes a game coin management computer 100 and a game coin management database 101 for centrally managing game coins stored at the counter 10 and within the casino hall 1.

[0043] The teller system 501 also includes a safe computer 111 installed in the safe 11, a safe card reader 112, and a safe token reader 113 connected to the safe computer 111. Furthermore, the teller system 501 includes a main bank computer 121 installed in the main bank room 12, a main bank card reader 122, and a main bank token reader 123 connected to the main bank computer 121. Furthermore, the teller system 501 includes an F / C bank computer 131 installed in the F / C bank room 13, an F / C bank card reader 132, and an F / C bank token reader 133 connected to the F / C bank computer 131. Furthermore, the teller system 501 includes a cashier computer 141 installed in the cashier room 14 corresponding to each of the windows 26 to 28, and a cashier card reader 142 and a cashier token reader 143 connected to the cashier computer 141.

[0044] The desktop system 502 includes a desktop computer 151, a desktop card reader 152 connected to the desktop computer 151, a desktop game coin reader 153, a game coin tray game coin reader 154, and a plurality of placement area game coin readers 155. Figure 3 Although only one table system 502 is shown in the figure, multiple table systems 502 can be provided corresponding to multiple game tables.

[0045] The safe deposit computer 111, the main bank computer 121, the F / C bank computer 131, the cashier computer 141, the desktop computer 151 and the game coin management database 101 are connected to the game coin management computer 100 respectively. It should be noted that the game coin management computer 100 and other computers and the game coin management database 101 can be connected via a local network by wired or wireless. Alternatively, the game coin management computer 101 and the game coin management database 101 can be arranged on a wide area network (for example, the Internet) and be connected to other computers via a wide area network. That is, the game coin management computer 100 and the game coin management database 101 can be arranged in the cloud instead of being arranged in a casino.

[0046] Each computer 100, 111, 121, 131, 141, 151 is connected to an unillustrated input device for receiving input operations by corresponding staff. Input devices are, for example, keyboards, mice, buttons, touch pads, touch panels, and voice input devices. It should be noted that, by only leaving these input devices and communication devices in corresponding positions, the functions of each computer can be integrated into the game coin management computer 100. In this case, various signals (for example, input signals input to the input devices, signals read by the game coin reader, etc.) can be directly transmitted between the input devices, card readers, game coin readers, and the management computer 100 at each position.

[0047] Card readers 112, 122, 132, 142, and 152 at each location read staff IDs or player IDs from ID cards held by staff members or players. Specifically, the vault card reader 112, main bank card reader 122, and F / C bank card reader 132 read staff IDs from their respective staff ID cards, while the teller card reader 142 reads staff IDs from teller ID cards, allowing for the purchase of gaming coins at the cashier machine. Furthermore, the tabletop card reader 152 reads the staff ID of the dealer and the player ID of the player playing the game.

[0048] The coin readers 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 155 at each location read information from the RFID tag 71 of the coin 70 and write information to the RFID tag 71. Specifically, each coin reader 113, 123, 133, 143, and 153 reads the RFID tag 71 when the coin 70 is moved to that location from another location, and when the coin is moved from that location to another location (i.e., when the coin 70 leaves that location).

[0049] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the structure of a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4, a game table 42 is shown. The game table 42 is provided with a plurality of play positions. The game table 42 has a plurality of placement areas corresponding to the play positions, a coin tray for storing the dealer's game coins, a dealer area for reading and writing information from RFID tags 71 of game coins 70, and an ID card area for reading the dealer's and player's ID cards.

[0050] The coin tray is equipped with a tray antenna 514 for reading the RFID tags 71 of the coins 70 stored in the coin tray. Each of the multiple storage areas is equipped with storage area antennas 515a to 515e within the tabletop for reading the RFID tags 71 of the coins 70 placed therein. The dealer area is equipped with a dealer antenna 513 within the tabletop for reading the RFID tags 71 of the coins 70 placed therein. The ID card area is equipped with an ID card antenna 512 within the tabletop.

[0051] Each of the antennas 512 to 515 is connected to the desktop computer 151, and transmits the read signals to the desktop computer 151. The desktop computer 151 decodes the signals from the antennas to obtain various information stored in the RFID tag 71 or the ID card.

[0052] The staff assigned to each position reads their card ID with the corresponding card reader and starts working. The computer at each position transmits the staff ID read and the date and time to the game coin management computer 100. The game coin management computer 100 stores the staff ID read by the card reader at each position together with the information of the position, date and time in the game coin management database 101.

[0053] The coin management database 101 stores a player table, a coin table, a table of game tables, a staff table, and a movement history table. The player table stores player login information. In addition to storing each player's ID and various player attributes, the player table also stores player statuses such as VIP, suspect, and blacklisted. The coin table stores coin IDs, denominations, types, and manufacturing information, as well as coin statuses such as valid, whereabouts unknown, stolen, and invalid. The table table stores table IDs, game types, and other information. The staff table records staff IDs and various staff attributes. The movement history table records the location of the coin 70 and even the history of its owner.

[0054] (Mobile management of game currency)

[0055] Figure 5 FIG is a diagram showing the movement state of the game coins involved in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5As shown, at each position except the safe, when there is a game coin to put back, there is the possibility of moving from multiple mobile sources, and when moving out, there is also the possibility of moving to multiple mobile destinations. The game coin management system of this embodiment identifies these movements. For this reason, the following methods can be adopted.

[0056] (First method)

[0057] In the first method, in the computer at each location, when a game coin 70 is put back, the computer at that location specifies its moving source and reports the designation together with the game coin ID of the put-back game coin 70 to the game coin management computer 100. When the game coin 70 is moved out of each location, the information of the location, i.e., the moving source, and the game coin ID of the game coin 70 are reported to the game coin management computer 100.

[0058] For example, when a game coin 70 is moved from the main bank room 12 to the F / C bank room 13, the main bank computer 121 reads the game coin ID of the game coin 70 through the main bank game coin reader 123, and reports the fact that the game coin has been moved from the main bank room 12 together with the read game coin ID to the game coin management computer 100. In response to this report, the game coin management computer 100 updates the game coin management database 101.

[0059] Then, in the F / C bank room 13, which has received the game coin 70 from the main bank room 12, the F / C bank staff 33 operates the input device of the F / C bank computer 131 to input that the game coin 70 was removed from the main bank room 12 (the source of transfer), and reads the game coin ID of the game coin 70 using the F / C bank game coin reader 133. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the designation that the transfer source is the main bank room 12, along with the read game coin ID, to the game coin management computer 100. In response to this report, the game coin management computer 100 updates the game coin management database 101.

[0060] Figure 6 This figure shows an example of data in the game coin management database updated by the first method for managing the movement of game coins according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 In the example shown, the movement history of the game coin 70 with the game coin ID "24825" is shown. As the movement history information of the game coin 70, the game coin management database 101 stores the game coin ID 601, entry and exit information 602, movement source information 603, movement destination information 604, and date and time information 605 of the game coin.

[0061] According to the first method, Figure 6As shown, for the game coins 70 moved out of the position, the information of its movement source (historical record H61) is obtained, and for the game coins 70 placed in the position, the information of its movement source and movement destination (historical record H62) is obtained. Therefore, based on the historical records H61 and the historical records H62, it can be confirmed that the game coins 70 are indeed moved out from the main bank room 12 and then received by the F / C bank room 13.

[0062] (Second method)

[0063] In the second method, in the computer at each location, when the game coin 70 is moved out, the moving destination is specified on the computer at that location, and the specification is reported to the game coin management computer 100 together with the game coin ID of the moved game coin 70. When the game coin 70 is placed in each location, the information of the location, i.e., the moving destination, and the game coin ID of the game coin 70 are reported to the game coin management computer 100.

[0064] For example, when moving a coin 70 from a table 4 to the F / C bank room 13 (depositing it), the dealer reads the coin ID of the coin 70 using the tabletop coin reader 153 of the gaming table, operates the input device of the desktop computer 151, and designates the F / C bank room 13 as the destination of the move (designating the deposit). The desktop computer 151 reports the table ID of the table 4, which is the source of the move, along with the coin ID and the F / C bank room 13, which is the destination of the move, to the coin management computer 100. In response to this report, the coin management computer 100 updates the coin management database 101.

[0065] When a game coin 70 is received in the F / C bank room 13, the F / C bank staff 33 uses the F / C bank game coin reader 133 to read the game coin ID of the game coin 70. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read game coin ID and the fact that the game coin has been placed in the F / C bank room 13 to the game coin management computer 100. In response to this report, the game coin management computer 100 updates the game coin management database 101.

[0066] Figure 7 This figure shows an example of data in the game coin management database updated by the second method for managing the movement of game coins according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The example also shows the movement history of the game coin 70 with the game coin ID "24825". As the movement history information of the game coin 70, the game coin management database 101 stores the game coin ID 601, entry and exit information 602, movement source information 603, movement destination information 604, and date and time 605 of the game coin.

[0067] According to the second method, Figure 7As shown, for the game coins 70 moved out of the position, the information of its moving source and moving destination (historical record H71) is obtained, and for the game coins 70 placed in the position, the information of its moving destination (historical record H72) is obtained. Therefore, based on the historical records H71 and the historical records H72, it can be confirmed that the game coins 70 are indeed moved out from the table 4 and then received by the F / C bank room 13.

[0068] (Third Method)

[0069] The third method is a combination of the first method and the second method. That is, in the computer at each position, when the game coin 70 is put in, its moving source is specified, and when the game coin 70 is taken out, its moving destination is specified.

[0070] (Fourth Method)

[0071] In the fourth method, the staff at each location uses the input device of the computer at each location to specify whether the game coin 70 is to be removed or put in, and reports this specification together with the game coin ID of the game coin 70 read by the game coin reader to the game coin management computer 100. Based on this report, the game coin management computer 100 updates the entry and exit information and location information of the game coin management database 101.

[0072] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing an example of data in a game coin management database updated using the fourth method for managing the movement of game coins according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game coin management database 101 stores the game coin ID 601, entry and exit information 602, location information 603, and date and time 604 of the game coin as movement history information for the game coin 70.

[0073] According to the fourth method, Figure 8 As shown, since the entry and exit information 602 and the location information 603 are recorded, it is possible to confirm based on the historical records H81 and H82 that the game coins 70 are indeed removed from the safe 11 and then received by the main bank room 12.

[0074] (Fifth Method)

[0075] In the fifth method, only the position information is recorded. That is, when a game coin 70 is present at that location, the staff at each location uses the game coin reader at that location to read the game coin ID of the game coin 70 and report it to the game coin management computer 100. The game coin management computer 100 updates the game coin management database 101 in response to the report. The staff at each location can read the game coin ID when the game coin 70 moves to that location, can read the game coin ID when the game coin 70 moves out of that location, or can read the game coin ID at any time.

[0076] Figure 9 1 is a diagram showing an example of data in a game coin management database updated using the fifth method for managing the movement of game coins according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game coin management database 101 stores the game coin ID 601, location information 603, and date and time 604 of the game coin as movement history information of the game coin 70.

[0077] According to the fifth method, Figure 9 As shown, since the position information 603 is recorded, it is also possible to confirm based on the historical records 91 and 92 that the game coins 70 are indeed removed from the safe 11 and then received by the main bank room 12.

[0078] The decision to use any of the first through fifth methods described above can be made based on each combination of the movement source and the movement destination. For example, the fourth or fifth method may be used to move game tokens 70 within the counter 11. The second method, in which the movement source is specified as the movement destination, may be used to move tokens from the F / C cashier room 13 to the gaming table. The first method, in which the movement source is specified as the movement destination, may be used to move tokens from the gaming table to the F / C cashier room 13.

[0079] (Purchase and Exchange in Cashier)

[0080] Furthermore, when a game coin 70 is moved from the cashier's office 14 to a player (a player purchases a game coin 70 at a cash register), the cashier computer 141 reads the game coin ID of the game coin 70 via the cashier's game coin reader 143, reads the player ID from the player's ID card via the cashier's card reader 142, and reports the designation of the player as the transfer destination along with the read game coin ID to the game coin management computer 100. In response to this report, the game coin management computer 100 updates the game coin management database 101.

[0081] When a game coin 70 is moved from a player to the cashier's office 14, the cashier computer 141 reads the game coin ID of the game coin 70 via the cashier game coin reader 143, reads the player ID from the player's ID card via the cashier card reader 142, and reports the designation of the player as the source of the transfer along with the read game coin ID to the game coin management computer 100. In response to this report, the game coin management computer 100 updates the game coin management database 101.

[0082] Figure 10 This figure shows an example of data in the game coin management database updated by the fourth method for managing the movement of game coins according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10In the example, player 5 purchases 70 game coins at cash register 2 (historical records H101 and H102). Subsequently, player 5 exchanges these 70 game coins at cash register 3 (historical records H103 and H104). It should be noted that in the first through third methods, the deposit and withdrawal information 602 only records the source (cash register) and destination (player) information as N / A.

[0083] In addition, for example, at a cashier machine, when receiving a game coin 70 from a player, the cashier staff can use the cashier game coin reader 143 to read the game coin ID of the game coin 70 based on the designation of receipt of the game coin 70, and when handing the game coin 70 to the player, the cashier game coin reader 143 can read the game coin ID of the game coin 70 based on the designation of handing over the game coin 70.

[0084] Thus, using a coin reader, it is possible to clearly identify whether a coin 70 whose coin ID is read by the coin reader is placed in or removed from that position. Furthermore, when exchanging coin, it is possible to clearly distinguish between a coin 70 received from a player and a coin 70 delivered to a player, and to identify the coin ID using the coin reader.

[0085] (Recovery and repayment)

[0086] Players who purchase game tokens 70 can play games on the gaming table. First, the player's ID card is read by a tabletop card reader 152 equipped with an ID card antenna 512. When the tabletop card reader 152 reads the player's ID card, the player's playing position is specified. This allows identification of which player is in which placement area. It should be noted that the placement area antennas 515a-515e can be one or more antennas that unify multiple placement areas into a single placement area without distinguishing between individual player positions, and read the game tokens 70 placed in that single placement area. Alternatively, placement area antennas may not be provided.

[0087] When a player loses the game at the table, the game coins 70 placed thereon are collected. In this case, the game coin tray antenna 514 reads the game coin IDs of the game coins 70 stored in the game coin tray before collection, and also reads the game coin IDs of the game coins 70 stored in the game coin tray after collection. The desktop computer 151 compares the game coin IDs of the game coins 70 stored in the game coin tray before and after collection to identify the game coin IDs of the game coins 70 newly added to the game coin tray (i.e., collected from the player).

[0088] The table computer 151 specifies that the game coins 70 collected from the player are moved to the game coin tray of the gaming table and reports the game coin ID read by the game coin tray antenna 14 to the game coin management computer 100. The game coin management computer 100 updates the game coin management database 101 in response to this report.

[0089] It should be noted that by utilizing the placement area antennas 515a-515e to identify the game coin IDs of the placed game coins 70 and to identify the game results, the desktop computer 151 can determine whether each placed game coin 70 should be recycled. If it is determined that the game coin 70 should be recycled, based on this determination, the game coin management database 101 can update the movement history of the game coin 70, recording the situation in which the game coin 70 was taken out from the player and moved to the game table. This update and subsequent updates to the situation in which the game coin 70 was received by the game coin tray can confirm whether the game coin 70 that should be recycled has actually been received by the game coin tray. In other words, regardless of whether there is a movement history record that records the entry and exit information 602 as "OUT" and the position information 603 as a player that should be recycled, as long as there is no subsequent movement history record recorded for the game coin 70 that was received by the game coin tray, it is clear that the game coin 70 that should be recycled was not correctly recycled.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, by comparing the game coin IDs read from the game coin trays before and after recycling, the game coin IDs newly taken into the game coin tray through recycling can be grasped. However, as an alternative, a recycling game coin area for temporarily storing recycled game coin trays can be specially provided on the game coin tray, and an antenna independent of other game coin tray parts can be provided in the recycling game coin area to grasp the game coin IDs of the recycled game coins 70.

[0091] Alternatively, the recovered gaming coins 70 may be moved from the placement area to the gaming coin tray by reading the RFID 71 via the dealer antenna, thereby determining the gaming coin ID of the recovered gaming coin 70 .

[0092] If a player wins the game, they receive a refund of their game coin 70. The dealer places the game coin 70 to be paid from the coin tray to the player on the dealer's area of ​​the gaming table. At this point, the dealer antenna 513 reads the coin ID from the RFID tag 71 attached to the game coin 70 in the dealer's area. Because the desktop computer 151 knows which player is currently playing in each placement area, it can associate the refunded game coin 70 with the player receiving it (using the location information of the refunded game coin 70 as the player).

[0093] It should be noted that the method for determining the game coin ID of the repaid game coins 70 and associating it with the player is not limited to the above method. For example, the desktop computer 151 can determine the game coin ID of the repaid game coins 70 by reading the game coin ID of the game coins 70 stored in the game coin tray before and after the repayment, and associate it with the player who receives the repayment.

[0094] Furthermore, when the redeemed game coin 70 is placed in the placement area, the game coin ID of the game coin 70 can be read by the placement area antenna 515 of the placement area. In this case, the game coin ID of the redeemed game coin 70 (associated with the dealer or even the casino) can be read at the same time as the game coin ID of the placed game coin 70 (associated with the player), and the game coin management computer 100 associates the game coin ID of the redeemed game coin 70 with the player associated with the game coin ID of the placed game coin 70.

[0095] Furthermore, an antenna and a reading area for reading the RFID tag 71 of the returned game coin 70 can be installed at each player's position. Such an antenna and reading area can be located between the placement area at each player's position and the dealer. Even in this case, since the player at each player's position is known, it is still possible to associate the returned game coin 70 with the player ID. In this case, the dealer first uses the antenna to read the returned game coin 70 at the reading area at the corresponding player's position. Then, the dealer moves the returned game coin 70 to the side of the placement area where the game coins are placed. The dealer then instructs the corresponding player to remove the returned game coin 70 placed in the reading area.

[0096] The desktop computer 151 reports the combination of the coin ID of the redeemed coin 70 and the player ID of the player receiving the redemption to the coin management computer 100. In response to the report, the coin management computer 100 updates the movement history record of the coin 70 on the gaming table being moved to the player in the coin management database 101.

[0097] Even at the time of redemption, for the coin 70 taken out from the coin tray, the RFID tag 71 can be temporarily read by the dealer antenna to identify the coin ID of the redeemed coin 70.

[0098] It should be noted that in the above Figures 6 to 10 In the example of , in each movement history record of each game coin 70, not only the position information but also the staff ID of the staff at that position and related to the movement can be recorded. In addition, in each movement history record, the status of "valid", "invalid", "whereabouts unknown", "suspicious", "unplayable" and so on can be recorded as the status information of the game coin 70. In addition, a mark can be used to indicate whether it is valid or invalid. And, in the above Figures 6 to 10 In the example of FIG. 5 , each movement history record may include not only the coin ID of each coin 70 but also information on its face value.

[0099] As described above, by reading the medal ID at each position, the movement history of each medal 70 can be recorded in the medal management database 101. Thus, the medal management computer 100 can realize various functions described below.

[0100] (Time limit and detection of movement destination errors)

[0101] In this function, the coin management computer 100 monitors the movement of a coin 70 between the F / C bank room 13 and a gaming table, and issues an alarm if any issues arise. Specifically, the coin management computer 100 sets the destination of a coin 70 to any gaming table and starts counting when the F / C bank computer 131 receives a report of removal from the F / C bank room 13. Furthermore, the coin management computer 100 may issue an alarm if it fails to receive a report from the desktop computer 151 of the gaming table serving as the destination within a specified timeframe (e.g., 5 minutes) indicating that the coin 70 has been received. This alarm may be sent to the dealer of the gaming table, the table manager who manages the gaming table, or the like. At this point, the coin management computer 100 may update the status of the coin 70 in the coin management database 101 to, for example, "whereabouts unknown" or "unplayable."

[0102] Furthermore, if the coin management computer 100 designates a game coin 70 as a destination and receives a report from the F / C bank computer 131 that the coin 70 has been removed from the F / C bank room 13, then the coin management computer 100 may issue an alarm if a report is received from the tabletop computer 151 of a game table other than the designated destination that the coin 70 has been received. In this case, the coin management computer 100 may update the status of the coin 70 in the coin management database 101 to, for example, "Destination Error" or "Unplayable."

[0103] (Detection of inappropriate movement)

[0104] In this function, the game coin management computer 100 refers to the game coin management database 101 and issues an alarm when there is an inappropriate movement of the game coin 70. The movement of the game coin 70 is limited to Figure 5 Thus, the token management computer 100 determines whether the movement associated with the update is appropriate each time the token management database 101 is updated.

[0105] For example, at the counter 10 there is Figure 1 In the illustrated configuration, if a game coin 70 is not moved directly from the safe 11 to the cashier's office 14, and if, for example, a game coin 70 that was not moved from the cashier's office 14 to a player is not recovered at the gaming table, but a movement history is found, the game coin management computer 100 determines that the move is inappropriate. Furthermore, if a game coin 70 held by a player is exchanged for another player at a cashier's machine, suspicious behavior may be suspected. In such cases, the game coin management computer 100 detects the inappropriate move and issues an alarm.

[0106] (Real-time total amount of player game currency)

[0107] In this function, the game coin management computer 100 refers to the game coin management database 101, and thus extracts only the game coins 70 held by any player in the latest information of the mobile history record, calculates the total amount of these game coins, and thus calculates the total amount of game coins 70 held by all players at that moment, that is, it has the function of calculating the debt balance of the casino at that moment.

[0108] Furthermore, the total amount of the player's gaming chips can be calculated as the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of all gaming chips 70 on the counter 10 and the total amount of all gaming chips 70 on the gaming table from the total amount of all gaming chips managed by the gaming chip management database 101 .

[0109] (Central management of replenishment / deposit)

[0110] In this function, the coin management computer 100 retrieves the coin 70 from each gaming table by referencing the coin management database 101 and detecting the number of coins of each denomination. Furthermore, if there are insufficient coins 70 of a denomination, a notification can be sent to the F / C bank computer 131 in the F / C bank room 13 and the tabletop computer 151 at the gaming table to replenish the denomination of coin 70 (replenishment). This notification specifies the number of coins 70 of each denomination to be replenished, or the total amount of coins 70 of each denomination to be replenished.

[0111] Furthermore, the coin management computer 100 refers to the coin management database 101 to retrieve the coin 70 on each gaming table and detect the total number of coin 70 on that table. If the total number of coin 70 exceeds a predetermined number close to the upper limit of the table's storage capacity, a notification is issued to the F / C bank computer 131 in the F / C bank room 13 and the table computer 151 at the gaming table to withdraw (deposit) the coin 70 from the table. This notification specifies the number of coin 70 to be replenished for each denomination, or the total amount of coin 70 to be replenished for each denomination.

[0112] In addition, notifications can also be issued regarding the movement of game coins 70 within the counter 10. For example, when the number of game coins 70 in a window of the cashier's room 14 decreases, a notification urging the cashier's room 14 to replenish the game coins 70 can be issued to the cashier computer 141 and the main bank computer 121.

[0113] It should be noted that, in the above description, a notification urging movement is issued to both the destination and the source. However, instead, the notification may be issued to only one of the destination and the source. At the location receiving the notification urging movement, a worker may instruct the computer at that location via an input device whether to accept the movement suggestion. If the computer at that location accepts the suggestion at either the destination or the source, the computer at that location may notify the other location of the movement command.

[0114] (Mobile management of multiple game coins)

[0115] In the above, the method of performing movement management by updating the movement history records of each game coin 70 in the game coin management database 101 is described, but when multiple game coins 70 move between locations, it is possible to manage whether these multiple game coins 70 have been moved without any omission.

[0116] The following describes the process of moving multiple game coins 70 from the F / C bank room 13 to a gaming table (replenishing the game coins). When moving game coins 70 from the F / C bank room 13 to a designated gaming table, the F / C bank staff 33 uses the F / C bank game coin reader 133 in the F / C bank room 13 to read the game coin IDs of the game coins 70 to be moved. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read game coin IDs to the game coin management computer 100. The game coin management computer 100 stores the game coin IDs of the multiple game coins 70 replenished (source game coin IDs) and, based on the report, references the game coin management database 101 to obtain the face values ​​of these game coin IDs and thereby determine the total amount of game coins 70 replenished (source total amount). Thus, based on the information from the F / C bank computer 131, the game coin management computer 100 determines the source game coin IDs, the total number of game coins 70 replenished (source total amount), and the source total amount.

[0117] If the game coins 70 are transported to the game table, the dealer uses the tabletop game coin reader of the game table to read the game coin IDs of the transported game coins 70, and the desktop computer 151 reports the multiple game coin IDs read to the game coin management computer 100. While storing these multiple game coin IDs (destination game coin IDs), the game coin management computer 100 refers to the game coin management database 101 based on the report, obtains the face value amounts of these game coin IDs, and grasps the total amount of the game coins 70 replenished (destination total amount). Thus, based on the information from the desktop computer 151, the game coin management computer 100 grasps the destination game coin IDs, the total number of game coins 70 replenished (destination total number), and the destination total amount.

[0118] The game coin management computer 100 compares the mobile source game coin ID with the mobile destination game coin ID and determines whether they are completely consistent. In addition, the game coin management computer 100 compares the mobile source total amount with the mobile destination total amount and determines whether they are consistent. Further, the game coin management computer 100 compares the mobile source total number with the mobile destination total number and determines whether they are consistent. If any one of the above comparisons is inconsistent, the game coin management computer 100 determines that the movement is not correct and issues an alarm.

[0119] The situation (deposit) of making multiple game coins 70 move from the game table to the F / C bank room 13 is as follows. When the game coins 70 are moved from the game table to the F / C bank room 13, the dealer uses the tabletop game coin reader 153 of the game table to read the game coin ID of the game coins 70 to be moved. The desktop computer 151 reports the read game coin ID to the game coin management computer 100. While storing the game coin IDs (movement source game coin IDs) of the multiple game coins 70 deposited, the game coin management computer 100, based on the report, refers to the game coin management database 101, obtains the face value amounts of these game coin IDs, and grasps the total amount of the game coins 70 deposited (movement source total amount). Thus, the game coin management computer 100 grasps the movement source game coin ID, the total number of game coins 70 deposited (movement source total number), and the movement source total amount based on the information from the desktop computer 151.

[0120] Once the game coins 70 are transported to the F / C bank room 13, the F / C bank staff 33 uses the F / C bank game coin reader 133 to read the game coin IDs of the transported game coins 70. The F / C bank computer 131 then reports the multiple game coin IDs it has read to the game coin management computer 100. While storing these multiple game coin IDs (destination game coin IDs), the game coin management computer 100 references the game coin management database 101 based on the report to obtain the face value of these game coin IDs and thereby grasp the total amount of game coins 70 deposited (destination total amount). Thus, based on the information from the F / C bank computer 131, the game coin management computer 100 grasps the destination game coin IDs, the total number of game coins 70 deposited (destination total amount), and the destination total amount.

[0121] The game coin management computer 100 compares the mobile source game coin ID with the mobile destination game coin ID and determines whether they are completely consistent. In addition, the game coin management computer 100 compares the mobile source total amount with the mobile destination total amount and determines whether they are consistent. Further, the game coin management computer 100 compares the mobile source total number with the mobile destination total number and determines whether they are consistent. If there is inconsistency in any one of the above-mentioned comparisons, the game coin management computer 100 determines that the movement is not correctly performed and sounds an alarm.

[0122] It should be noted that, although the game coin ID, total amount, and total number of coins are all compared in the above description, it is also possible to compare only any one of these to determine whether the move has been performed correctly. Furthermore, the total amount and total number of coins can be calculated for each denomination of the game coins 70 and compared. For example, the total amount of the move source and the total amount of the move destination can be calculated as, for example, "a 10-point game coin totals 600 points, and a 100-point game coin totals 400 points."

[0123] In addition, when a notification urging movement is issued from the game coin management computer 100 to the destination or source of movement, it can be determined whether the movement has been performed correctly by comparing the notification with the total amount of the source of movement, the notification with the total amount of the destination of movement, the notification with the total number of the source of movement, and the notification with the total number of the destination of movement.

[0124] (Based on the increase in the amount of the game table)

[0125] When game coins 70 are transported from the F / C bank room 13 to a game table and replenished (replenished) to the game table, the F / C bank game coin reader 133 reads the game coin IDs of the game coins 70 transported to the game table, and the F / C bank computer 131 reports these game coin IDs to the game coin management computer 100. The game coin management computer 100 calculates the total amount of the reported game coins 70 (replenished total amount) by referring to the game coin management database 101.

[0126] The game coin management computer 100 extracts the game coins 70 on the gaming table before the replenishment and calculates the total amount (the existing total amount) by referring to the game coin management database 101. Furthermore, the game coin management computer 100 adds the calculated existing total amount to the replenishment total amount to calculate the theoretical total amount of the game coins 70 on the gaming table after the replenishment (theoretical total amount after replenishment).

[0127] When game coins 70 are brought in from the F / C bank room 13 at the game table, the tabletop game coin reader 153 of the game table reads the game coin ID of the brought game coin 70 and reports it to the game coin management computer 100 via the tabletop computer 151. The game coin management computer 100 refers to the reported game coin ID in the game coin management database 101, obtains the face value, and calculates the actual total amount of game coins 70 in the game coin tray (the total amount after actual replenishment).

[0128] It should be noted that the game table is provided with two layers of cabinets or game coin trays, that is, when the game table has a place for storing game coins other than the game coin trays, the desktop computer 151 calculates the total amount of game coins 70 (however, excluding the game coins placed by players in the placement area) of the entire game table including the game coin trays and such a storage place as the actual total amount after replenishment.

[0129] The game coin management computer 100 compares the total amount after theoretical replenishment and the total amount after actual replenishment, and sounds an alarm when the two do not match. According to this structure, it is possible to confirm whether the game coins 70 on the game table have been correctly increased due to replenishment.

[0130] Furthermore, the F / C bank room 13 keeps track of the coin IDs of all game coins 70 that have left the F / C bank room 13. Even at the gaming table, the coin IDs of all game coins 70 removed from the F / C bank room 13 can be detected. Therefore, if the theoretical total amount after replenishment differs from the actual total amount after replenishment, the coin IDs of the game coins 70 causing the discrepancy can be determined. The coin management computer 100 changes the status of the game coins 70 causing the discrepancy to, for example, "invalid" or "unplayable."

[0131] It should be noted that, although the theoretical total amount after replenishment is compared with the actual total amount after replenishment in the above, the number of game coins (total number) can also be used on the basis of the amount (total amount) of game coins 70, or the number of game coins (total number) can be used instead of the amount (total amount) of game coins 70 to compare the theoretical total number of game coins 70 after replenishment on the game table (theoretical total number after replenishment) and the actual total number of game coins 70 after replenishment on the game table (actual total number after replenishment), so as to determine whether the replenishment has been completed without any omission.

[0132] (Deposit management based on reduction of the gaming table)

[0133] When excess game coins 70 on the game table are transported from the game table to the transport F / C bank room 13 (deposited), the game coin IDs of the game coins 70 transported to the F / C bank room 13 are read by the tabletop game coin reader 153, and these game coin IDs are reported from the tabletop computer 151 to the game coin management computer 100. The game coin management computer 100 refers to the game coin management database 101 to calculate the total amount of the reported game coins 70 (the total amount deposited).

[0134] The game coin management computer 100 refers to the game coin management database 101, extracts the game coins 70 on the game table before the deposit, and calculates the total amount (the existing total amount). The game coin management computer 100 then deducts the deposited total amount from the calculated existing total amount to calculate the theoretical total amount of game coins 70 on the game table after the deposit (theoretical total amount after deposit).

[0135] When game coins 70 are transported from a gaming table to the F / C bank room 13, the game coin reader 154 on the game coin tray of the gaming table reads the game coin ID of the game coin 70 stored on the gaming table and reports it to the game coin management computer 100 via the desktop computer 151. Based on the reported game coin ID, the game coin management computer 100 references the game coin management database 101 to obtain the face value amount and calculates the actual total amount of game coins 70 in the game coin tray (the total amount after actual deposit).

[0136] It should be noted that when the game table is provided with two layers of cabinets or game coin trays, that is, when there is a place for storing game coins other than the game coin trays on the game table, the desktop computer 151 calculates the total amount of game coins 70 (however, excluding the game coins placed by players in the placement area) of the entire game table including the game coin trays and such a storage place as the total amount after actual deposit.

[0137] The game coin management computer 100 compares the total amount after theoretical deposit and the total amount after actual deposit, and sounds an alarm when the two are inconsistent. According to this structure, it is possible to confirm whether the game coins 70 on the game table have been correctly deducted due to deposit.

[0138] Furthermore, at the gaming table, the coin IDs of all gaming coins 70 transported from the gaming table to the F / C bank room 13 are known. Even within the F / C bank room 13, the coin IDs of all gaming coins 70 removed from the gaming table can be detected. Therefore, if the theoretical deposited total amount and the actual deposited total amount are inconsistent, the coin IDs of the gaming coins 70 causing the inconsistency can be known. The gaming coin management computer 100 changes the status of the gaming coins 70 causing the inconsistency to, for example, "invalid" or "unplayable."

[0139] It should be noted that, in the above, the theoretical total amount after deposit and the actual total amount after deposit are compared, but the number of coins (total number) can also be used on the basis of the amount (total amount) of game coins 70, or the amount (total amount) of game coins 70 can be used instead of the number (total number) to compare the theoretical total number of game coins 70 after deposit on the gaming table (theoretical total number after deposit) and the actual total number of game coins 70 after deposit on the gaming table (actual total number after deposit) to determine whether the deposit has been completed without any omission.

[0140] In addition, in above-mentioned, read the game coin 70 that is carried from F / C bank room 13 with tabletop game coin reader 153, thereby grasp deposit total amount, deduct deposit total amount from existing total amount (total amount of the game coin 70 on the front game table that is deposited), calculate theoretical deposit total amount, but also can be replaced by as described below.That is, the game coin management computer 100 sends the notification that urges to deposit to the game table, when the game table responds to this notification and deposits, the total amount or total number (all can be specified according to each denomination amount) of the game coin 70 that is specified, deposited in this notification is used as deposit total amount, this deposit total amount is deducted from existing total amount, calculate theoretical deposit total amount.If calculate theoretical deposit total amount, then the game coin management computer 100 compares this theoretical deposit total amount and actual deposit total amount (after the deposit on the game table, the actual total amount of the game coin 70), confirms whether the game coin 70 of the amount specified or number leaves from the game table in order to deposit.

[0141] (Inspection in response to staff work shift)

[0142] In order to prevent the staff from breaking in arbitrarily, the counter 10 should be locked so that the staff can enter or exit the room when they meet the security conditions. In addition, the same security of entering or exiting the room is also implemented between the rooms in the counter 10. The staff working in the counter 10 requires authentication when entering and leaving the counter 10 or even the room at the post. When the staff is executed to leave the room, the game coin management computer 100 checks whether there is no movement of inappropriate game coins 70 since the staff entered the room. The game coin management computer 100 cooperates with the locking system and is not allowed to leave the room when there is inappropriate movement of game coins 70.

[0143] In addition, at the game table, also similarly, when the dealer leaves the game table, after specifying the end of work, the dealer causes the desktop card reader 152 to read his or her ID card. At this time, the game coin management computer 100 checks whether there has been any inappropriate movement of the game coins 70 since the dealer arrived at the game table, and sounds an alarm if there has been any inappropriate movement. In addition, when the dealer is handing over a shift, the game coin management computer 100 checks whether the game coins 70 that should be present at the game table are indeed present between the time the dealer leaves the table and the time the next dealer arrives at the table, that is, checks whether the dealer who left the table did not take the game coins 70 away from the game table, and sounds an alarm if there is any problem.

[0144] It should be noted that on the gaming table, game coins 70 can also be stored in locations other than the game coin tray. For example, if the game coin tray is configured as a two-tiered system, replenished game coins 70 can be stored in the lower tier. Replenished game coins 70 can also be stored in a cabinet provided with the gaming table. In these cases, the gaming table also includes an antenna for reading the RFID tags 71 of the stored game coins 70 as described above. Preferably, the desktop computer 151 is capable of constantly reading the RFID tags 71 of all game coins 70 on the gaming table.

[0145] (Monitoring of improper player purchases / redeems)

[0146] In this function, the coin management computer 100 checks the purchase and exchange history of each player's coins and issues an alert if any suspicious activity occurs. For example, if a player purchases or exchanges a prescribed amount of game coins 70 or more within a specified timeframe, such activity is considered suspicious and an alert is issued. Furthermore, if a player attempts to exchange a purchased coin 70 for an amount exceeding the prescribed amount without using it at the gaming table, such activity is also considered suspicious and an alert is issued. Alternatively, if a player purchases a prescribed amount of game coins 70 or more within a specified timeframe, such activity is considered suspicious and an alert is issued.

[0147] (Enable / disable the counter)

[0148] The game coins 70 can be validated inside the counter 10. Thus, if a game coin 70 is stolen between being manufactured and being carried into the counter 10, such a game coin 70 cannot be used because it has not been validated, thereby ensuring safety. To this end, the game coin management database 101 has a table storing the game coin IDs of valid game coins 70. Whenever a game coin reader at a cashier machine or a gaming table reads the game coin ID of a game coin 70, the game coin management computer 100 checks the table to see if the game coin ID is valid.

[0149] Furthermore, even when the game coins 70 are discarded, they can be invalidated inside the counter 10 and then taken out of the counter 10. Thus, even if the game coins 70 taken out of the counter 10 for discarding are stolen, they cannot be used at a cash register or a gaming table, thereby ensuring safety.

[0150] (Unregistered Player)

[0151] Even unregistered players can purchase game tokens 70 and use them to play games at the gaming tables. Unregistered players use a common anonymous player ID. This allows for uninterrupted tracking of game tokens 70 as they move from the counter 10 to the counter 10, even if they move to unregistered players.

[0152] (other)

[0153] A display device that displays the total amount of game coins 70 and the validity confirmation result can be provided at the cashier's window. The cashier staff places the game coins 70 handed to the player or the game coins 70 received from the player into the cashier game coin reader 143. The cashier game coin reader 143 reads the face value and status stored on the RFID tags 71 of the game coins 70 (usually multiple). The cashier computer 141 displays the total value obtained by summing up the face values ​​read by the cashier game coin reader 143 on the display device. It should be noted that in addition to the total amount, the number of game coins 70 of each face value can also be displayed.

[0154] Furthermore, if the RFID tag 71 read contains a non-valid game coin 70, the cashier computer 141 displays an error message on the display device. If all game coins 70 are valid, the display device displays a qualified message or displays nothing. Furthermore, the cashier computer 141 can display not only the status but also whether there has been any inappropriate movement history to date. Thus, the cashier computer 141 can process the payment of game coins 70 based on the consensus reached between the cashier staff and the player on whether the game coins handed to or received from the player are valid game coins and the total amount thereof.

[0155] In the above-described embodiment, when the RFID tag 7 of a game coin 70 is read by the game coin reader at each location, the game coin management computer 100 can confirm the validity of the game coin ID by verifying whether the read game coin ID is the game coin ID of a valid game coin, and issue an alarm if there is any problem. To this end, the game coin management database 101 pre-records a table of valid game coin IDs, and the game coin management computer 100 refers to this table to verify whether the game coin ID read at each location is valid. It should be noted that the game coin ID can be encrypted.

[0156] In the above embodiment, the coin management computer 100 may, in addition to issuing an alarm, or as an alternative thereto, mark an abnormality in the record of the corresponding player, coin 70, or movement history and record the time.

[0157] In addition, the structure of the room of counter 10 is not limited to the structure described in the above description, and the number of rooms and the configuration of the rooms can be arbitrary. In addition, the game table can be a table for playing card games, and it is also possible to include a position for playing other games such as roulette on the basis of the game table.

[0158] Each of the above-mentioned computers includes a processor and memory, and the processor performs the above-mentioned operations by executing a computer program stored in the memory. The program can be provided to the computer via a non-transitory storage medium or can be provided to the computer in a downloadable form. Furthermore, communication between the computers can be wired or wireless. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, while ID cards are read by each card reader to identify staff members or players at each location, staff members or players can be identified using biometrics such as fingerprints, facial images, irises, or voiceprints in place of ID cards.

[0159] It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, as examples of locations, the movement of game coins 70 between management locations is described by taking the rooms and game tables within the counter 10 as examples, but the examples of locations are not limited to this. For example, the locations in the above embodiment may be: a game coin tray on the game table where the dealer collects the recovered game coins and pays the refunded game coins, a cabinet on the table for storing game coins, and each game coin tray on the upper and lower layers when the game coin trays are configured as two layers, and the movement of game coins 70 between the locations may be managed in the same manner as described above.

[0160] For example, the game coin ID, total amount, and / or total number of game coins 70 removed from a cabinet at a particular game table can be determined, and an alarm can be issued if the game coin ID, total amount, and / or total number of game coins 70 remain unmoved from the game coin tray of the same game table within a specified time. Furthermore, for example, in a two-tiered game coin tray, it can be confirmed that a game coin 70 removed from the lower tier game coin tray has moved to the upper tier game coin tray, or vice versa.

[0161] Furthermore, when replenishing, the game coins 70 carried to the gaming table from the F / C bank room 13 are read using the dealer antenna 513, the placement area antenna 515, or the tray antenna 514. The game coin tray is equipped with a button that can detect the start and end of the replenishment operation. The game coins 70 in the game coin tray before replenishment are compared with the game coins 70 in the game coin tray after replenishment, and the game coins 70 increased by replenishment are recognized as replenished game coins 70.

[0162] When making a deposit, the game coins 70 conveyed to the F / C bank room 13 are read by the dealer antenna 513, the storage area antenna 515, or the game coin tray antenna 514. The game coin tray has a button that can identify the start and end of the deposit operation, and the game coins 70 in the game coin tray before the deposit are compared with the game coins 70 after the deposit, and the game coins 70 reduced by the deposit are identified as the deposited game coins 70.

[0163] The coin management computer 100 can output the inventory (coin ID) of coins at each location (counter, coin tray, etc.) The coin management computer 100 can also specify a past time and output the inventory at that time.

[0164] In addition, an alarm can be sounded when a suspicious game coin (a game coin marked with a mark) is tried to be exchanged at a cash register.

[0165] In addition, the game coin management database 101 can be capable of storing the exchange history of each player. In addition, the game coin management computer 100 can be capable of outputting the game coin ID that the player should hold.

[0166] The RFID tag 71 may contain information such as the game coin group, casino information, location information, and redemption availability. Alternatively, this information may be stored in association with the game coin ID in the game coin management database 101. When an RFID tag 71 is read at a certain location, the game coin management computer 100 or a computer at each location can check whether the game coin 70 is present at that location based on this information.

[0167] In addition, the group (game coin group) and game coin type of game coins 70 that can be used can be set for each area. For example, when the RFID tag 71 is read at a certain game table, the desktop computer 151 or the game coin management computer 100 checks whether it is a game coin group that should be used at the game table.

[0168] A gaming coin 70 that has been used for a fixed number of years can be marked and associated with its gaming coin ID. The gaming coin 70 that has been used for a fixed number of years can be located and recovered. When a player holds a gaming coin 70 that has been used for a fixed number of years, a signal is output when the cashier or gaming table detects the gaming coin ID.

[0169] When the player holding the game coin 70 that may be stolen arrives at the table, desktop computer 151 or game coin management computer can issue a warning to staff (monitor). Cashier computer 141 or game coin management computer 100 detect the game coin that does not participate in the game and exchanges after purchase, to prevent suspicious behavior.

[0170] At the cash register, when exchanging or purchasing game coins for an amount above a threshold value, the player's photo and the game coin ID are associated. In addition, a unique ID is also attached to anonymous players (players who do not hold a membership card) to track game coins. In addition, for anonymous players, when purchasing game coins, the face is photographed, the player ID is associated with the facial image and pre-registered in the game coin management database 101. Afterwards, at each location (table, cash register, etc.), the player ID can be determined by facial recognition. The game coin management computer 100 can all be set to invalid by the state of the game coins associated with the blacklisted players.

[0171] When a player who does not hold a membership card places a game coin 70 on the game table, the game coin management computer 100 associates the unique ID issued on the spot and / or the player ID associated with the game coin 70, and records the game in the game coin management database 101. At this time, the ID based on facial image or facial recognition can be associated with the game record. In addition, if the membership card is later identified, the game record can be associated with the membership card ID by retroactively recording and recording.

[0172] Explanation of symbols:

[0173] 1Casino Lobby

[0174] 10 counters

[0175] 11 Vault

[0176] 12 Main Banking Room

[0177] 13F / C Bank Room

[0178] 14 Cashier's Office

[0179] Entrances 21-28

[0180] 31-36 people

[0181] 42-45 game tables

[0182] 52-55 Dealer

[0183] 61-69 players

[0184] 70 game coins

[0185] 71RFID tags

[0186] 1000 game coins management system

[0187] 501 counter system

[0188] 502 Desktop System

[0189] 100 game coins management computer

[0190] 101 Game Coin Management Database

[0191] 111 Vault Computer

[0192] 112 Vault Card Reader

[0193] 113 Vault Coin Reader

[0194] 121 Main Bank Computer

[0195] 122 Main Bank Card Reader

[0196] 123 Master Bank Game Coin Reader

[0197] 131F / C Bank Computer

[0198] 132F / C bank card reader

[0199] 133F / C Bank Game Coin Reader

[0200] 141 Cashier Computer

[0201] 142 Teller Card Reader

[0202] 143 Cashier Game Coin Reader

[0203] 151 Desktop Computers

[0204] 152 desktop card reader

[0205] 153 Tabletop Game Coin Reader

[0206] 154 game coin tray reader

[0207] 155 Placement Area Game Coin Reader.

Claims

1. A game coin management system, which is a game coin management system for managing the movement of game coins in the counter and the casino hall, wherein: The game coin has an RFID tag storing the game coin ID. The game currency management system has: a first reading mechanism for reading the game coin ID from the RFID tag of the game coin accommodated in a game coin tray, the game coin tray being mounted on each of a plurality of game tables in the casino hall; a second reading mechanism for reading the game coin ID from the RFID tag of the game coin on the counter; a database for managing information on at least the locations or owners of the gaming coins in the casino hall and at the counter; as well as a management agency that updates the database based on at least the reading result of the first reading agency and the reading result of the second reading agency, The management agency refers to the database to grasp the game coins held by the players. The management agency calculates the total amount of the gaming coins held by the player as an amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of the gaming coins on the counter and the total amount of the gaming coins on the plurality of gaming tables from the total amount of the gaming coins managed by the database.

2. The game coin management system according to claim 1, wherein: The management agency understands the total amount of the game coins held by the player based on the increase or decrease in the total amount of the game coins in the counter and the increase or decrease in the total amount of the game coins in the game coin tray.

3. The game coin management system according to claim 1, wherein: The management agency calculates the total amount of gaming coins held by the players as the debt balance of the casino.

4. The game coin management system according to claim 3, wherein: The management agency understands the coin IDs of the coins held by the players based on the increase and decrease of the coin IDs of the coins in the counter and the increase and decrease of the coin IDs of the coins in the coin tray.

5. The game coin management system according to claim 1, wherein: The management agency refers to the database and identifies the gaming coins used for cheating or suspected of cheating based on the historical records of the locations or holders of the gaming coins, that is, the movement history records.

6. The game money management system according to claim 5, wherein: The management agency records the game coins having movement history records that do not match the pre-set movement history record probability as the game coins used for cheating or suspected of cheating in the database.

7. The game money management system according to claim 5, wherein: The management agency records the movement destination and / or movement source together with the coin ID in the database as the movement history record.

8. The game coin management system according to claim 1, wherein: The management unit outputs an alarm when the coin ID read by the first reading unit is not recorded in the database as the coin ID of a valid coin.

9. The game money management system according to claim 1, wherein: The game coin management system further includes a desktop computer that identifies the game coin ID of the game coin taken into the game coin tray by comparing the game coin IDs of the game coins in the game coin tray read by the first reading mechanism at different times.

10. The game money management system according to claim 1, wherein: The game coin management system further includes a desktop computer that identifies the game coin ID of the game coin taken out from the game coin tray by comparing the game coin IDs of the game coins in the game coin tray read by the first reading mechanism at different times before and after.

11. The game money management system according to claim 7, wherein: In the case where the movement destination is recorded in the movement history of the gaming coins moved out to the casino hall, the management agency issues an alarm or makes a record if the gaming coins are not received at the movement destination.

12. The game money management system according to claim 11, wherein: When the gaming coins are not received at the destination within a predetermined time, the management agency issues the alarm or makes the record.

13. The game money management system according to claim 1, wherein: The gaming coin management system further includes a third reading mechanism, which is provided at the gaming table and reads the gaming coin ID from the RFID tag of the gaming coin placed on the tabletop of the gaming table.

14. The game money management system according to claim 5, wherein: The management agency records the date and time information as the movement history record.

15. The gaming coin management system according to claim 14, wherein: The management agency detects suspicious movement of the gaming coins based on the date and time information.

16. The gaming coin management system according to claim 5, wherein: The management agency records information of staff members related to the movement as the movement history record.

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