Cage system and chip management system

Abstract

To provide: a cage system for managing gaming chips in a cage in a casino; and a chip management system including the cage system.SOLUTION: In a casino hall, a cage system 501 is divided into a plurality of locations including a cashier room (vault, main bank room, F / C bank room, cashier room). Gaming chips each have an RFID tag that stores a chip ID. A cage system 1000 that manages movement of the gaming chips within a cage in the casino hall, includes: a chip reader that reads the chip IDs from the RFID tags of gaming chips that move among the plurality of locations within the cage; chip readers that read the chip IDs from the RFID tags of gaming chips that leave the cage for the casino hall; and a chip management database that records the chip IDs read by the chip readers as a movement history of the gaming chips.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of patent application number 2020-102729, filed in Japan on June 12, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002] The present invention relates to a cage system for managing gaming chips in a cage in a casino and a chip management system including the cage system. [Background technology]

[0003] A known system for managing gaming chips in casinos is a gaming chip tracing system that embeds an RFID tag that stores at least a gaming chip ID in the gaming chip and associates the gaming chip ID with a user ID to monitor which user owns which gaming chip.

[0004] There is also a known gaming chip security system that stores valid gaming chip IDs in a database, reads the gaming chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip within the casino (e.g., at a table), and compares it with the database to determine the validity or authenticity of the gaming chip (see, for example, JP 2019-5565 A). Summary of the Invention

[0005] Gaming chips are brought into the casino through a cage in the casino, and gaming chips to be discarded are also taken out from the cage. Conventional gaming chip tracing systems cannot necessarily monitor the movement of all gaming chips in the casino, including the movement of gaming chips inside the cage and between the cage and each location in the casino.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a cage system for monitoring the movement of gaming chips in a cage and between the cage and each location within a casino, and a gaming chip management system that includes the cage system and is used to manage gaming chips within a casino.

[0007] A cage system according to one aspect of the present invention is a cage system that manages the movement of gaming chips in a cage in a casino hall, the cage is divided into a plurality of locations including a cashier, the gaming chips have RFID tags that store chip IDs, and the cage system is configured to include a first reading means for reading the chip IDs from the RFID tags of the gaming chips that move between the plurality of locations, a second reading means for reading the chip IDs from the RFID tags of the gaming chips that leave the cage in the casino hall, and a recording means for recording the chip IDs read by the first reading means and the second reading means as a movement history of the gaming chips. This configuration allows the movement of gaming chips in the cage to be managed.

[0008] In the cage system described above, the recording means may record the destination and / or origin of the movement together with the chip ID in the movement history. With this configuration, it is possible to know whether the movement is being performed accurately.

[0009] The cage system may further include a management unit for determining whether or not a movement is appropriate based on the movement history. With this configuration, inappropriate movements can be detected.

[0010] In the above cage system, the management means may record in the recording means that a gaming chip having a movement history that does not match a predetermined possibility of a movement history is fraudulent or suspected of fraud.

[0011] The cage system may further include a third reader for reading the chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip entering the cage from the casino hall. With this configuration, the gaming chips in the cage can be completely managed.

[0012] In the cage system described above, the management means may issue an alert or record when the destination of the gaming chip leaving the casino hall is recorded in the movement history of the gaming chip leaving the casino hall and the gaming chip is not received at the destination. With this configuration, it is possible to detect that the movement from the cage to a predetermined location in the casino hall has not been completed normally.

[0013] In the cage system described above, the management means may issue the alert or record the event when the gaming chip is not received at the destination within a predetermined time. With this configuration, it is possible to determine that an abnormality exists when the movement is not completed within a predetermined time.

[0014] A chip management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes any one of the cage systems described above and a fourth reading means that is installed on a game table and reads the chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip. With this configuration, gaming chips in a casino hall including a cage can be managed.

[0015] In the chip management system, the management means may calculate the total amount of the gaming chips held by the players in the casino hall. With this configuration, the total amount of the casino's debts can be known in real time.

[0016] In the above chip management system, the management means may record date and time information in the movement history. With this configuration, the movement history can be recorded in more detail.

[0017] In the chip management system described above, the management means may detect any suspicious movement of the gaming chips based on the date and time information. With this configuration, various suspicious movements can be detected.

[0018] In the tip management system, the management means may record information about the staff involved in the movement in the movement history. With this configuration, if an inappropriate movement occurs, the staff involved can be identified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a casino according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming chip according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gaming chip management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a manner of movement of gaming chips according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the first method of managing the movement of gaming chips according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the second method of managing the movement of gaming chips according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fifth method of gaming chip movement management according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of movement management of gaming chips according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The cage system and gaming chip management system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or are substantially the same.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a casino according to an embodiment of the present invention. A casino hall 1 is equipped with a cage 10 and a plurality of game tables 42-45. The floor on which the game tables 42-45 are equipped may be divided into a VIP floor and a public floor. The cage 10 is a room that only security staff can enter. The cage 10 is divided into a vault 11, a main bank room 12, an F / C bank room 13, and a cashier room 14.

[0022] The vault 11 is provided with a gate 21 leading to the outside of the cage 10, a gate 22 is provided between the vault 11 and the main bank room 12, a gate 23 is provided between the main bank room 12 and the F / C bank room 13, a gate 24 is provided between the main bank room 12 and the cashier room 14, and the F / C bank room 13 is provided with a gate 24 leading to the casino hall 1 in which game tables 42-45 are placed. The cashier room 14 is provided with gates (windows) 26-28 leading to the casino hall 1. Each of the gates 21-25 may allow people and gaming chips to pass through, or only gaming chips may pass through, and a door for people to enter and exit may be provided separately from the gate. The windows 26-28 are open to an extent that gaming chips can be exchanged for cash.

[0023] A vault staff 31 is stationed in the vault 11, a main bank staff 32 is stationed in the main bank 12, an F / C bank staff 33 is stationed in the F / C bank room 13, and cashier staff 34-36 are stationed in the cashier room 14 corresponding to the windows 26-28.

[0024] In the casino hall 1, game tables 42-45 are installed, and one dealer 52-55 is arranged at each of the game tables 42-45. Although only four game tables are shown in the example of FIG. 1, in reality, more game tables are arranged in the casino hall 1. In addition, a pit manager 56 is arranged for each of the adjacent game tables 42.

[0025] In the example of FIG. 1, there are players 61 to 69 in the casino hall 1. The players in the casino hall 1 can purchase gaming chips or exchange gaming chips for cash through any of the windows 26 to 28, as in the case of the player 61 shown in FIG. 1. The players who have purchased gaming chips in the cage 10 can bet gaming chips at the game tables 42 to 45 and enjoy games. If the player loses a game, the dealer collects the gaming chips from the player, and if the player wins a game, the dealer reimburses the player according to the game rules and the bet amount. In this way, the gaming chips owned by the player increase or decrease depending on the game. If the player runs out of gaming chips, he or she can purchase gaming chips again (buy-in) in the cage 10. Also, when the player finishes playing, the player can exchange gaming chips for cash (buy-out) in the cage.

[0026] At the game tables 42 to 45, gaming chips are collected from players who lose a game, and gaming chips are paid to players who win a game. As a result, the number of gaming chips held by the dealer (casino) at the game table increases or decreases. When gaming chips are insufficient at the game table, the gaming chip transport staff 51 receives gaming chips from the gate 24 of the F / C bank room 13, transports them to the game table, and replenishes them at the game table. This replenishment of gaming chips to the table game is also called "fill". Also, when gaming chips become excessive at the game table, the gaming chip transport staff 51 transports gaming chips from the game table to the cage 10, and the gaming chips are stored in the F / C bank room 13 through the gate 24. This return of gaming chips from the game table to the cage 10 is also called credit.

[0027] In addition, when managing the movement history of gaming chips in the game hall 1, the movement source, movement destination, and places that may be between them are hereinafter referred to as locations. In the example of Figure 1, for example, each room and each game table in the cage 10 is called a location.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming chip according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a $100 gaming chip. The gaming chip 70 has a disk shape, and the face value ("$100" in the case of FIG. 1) is printed on both sides. Multiple layers are laminated in the thickness direction in the order of a white layer, a colored layer, and a white layer, and the sides have a striped pattern with a colored layer sandwiched between white layers. The color of the colored layer varies depending on the face value, and therefore the face value of the chip can be determined by distinguishing the color of the colored layer.

[0029] An RFID tag 71 is built into the gaming chip 70. The RFID tag 71 stores information on the chip ID and face value of the chip. The RFID tag 71 may be writable, and in this case, the RFID tag 71 may record information on the current location or owner of the gaming chip, and may also record the history of past locations or owners. The gaming chip 70 may be formed by pressing a plurality of plate materials together, or may be formed by resin molding.

[0030] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a chip management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The chip management system 1000 includes a cage system 501 and a plurality of table systems 502. A table system 502 is provided for each game table. The cage system 501 includes a chip management computer 100 and a chip management database 101 for managing chips in the cage 10 and the casino hall 1 in an integrated manner.

[0031] The cage system 501 also includes a vault computer 111 installed in the vault 11, and a vault card reader 112 and a vault chip reader 113 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also includes a main bank computer 121 installed in the main bank room 12, and a main bank card reader 122 and a main bank chip reader 123 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also includes an F / C bank computer 131 installed in the F / C bank room 13, and an F / C bank card reader 132 and an F / C bank chip reader 133 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also 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 chip reader 143 connected thereto.

[0032] The table system 502 includes a table computer 151, and connected thereto a table card reader 152, a table chip reader 153, a chip tray chip reader 154, and a plurality of bet area chip readers 155. Although only one table system 502 is shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of table systems 502 are provided corresponding to a plurality of game tables.

[0033] The vault computer 111, the main bank computer 121, the F / C bank computer 131, the cashier computer 141, the table computer 151, and the chip management database 101 are each connected to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100, the other computers, and the chip management database 101 may be connected to each other via a local network by wire or wirelessly. Alternatively, the chip management computer 101 and the chip management database 101 may be installed on a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) and connected to other computers via the wide area network. In other words, the chip management computer 100 and the chip management database 101 may be installed in the cloud, not in the casino.

[0034] An input device (not shown) is connected to each of the computers 100, 111, 121, 131, 141, and 151 to receive operational input from the corresponding staff. The input device is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a button, a touch pad, a touch panel, or a voice input device. Note that the functions of each computer may be consolidated in the chip management computer 100, leaving only these input devices and communication devices at the corresponding locations. In this case, various signals (for example, input signals input to the input devices, signals read by the chip reader, etc.) may be directly transmitted between the input devices, card readers, and chip readers at each location and the management computer 100.

[0035] The card readers 112, 122, 132, 142, 152 at each location read the staff ID or player ID from the ID card held by the staff or player. Specifically, the vault card reader 112, main bank card reader 122, and F / C bank card reader 132 read the staff ID from the ID card of the corresponding staff, and the cashier card reader 142 reads the staff ID from the ID card of the cashier staff, and also reads the player ID of the player who purchases gaming chips at the cashier or redeems gaming chips for cash. Also, the table card reader 152 reads the staff ID of the corresponding dealer, and reads the player ID of the player who will play.

[0036] The chip readers 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, 155 at each location read information from the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 and write information to the RFID tag 71. In particular, each chip reader 113, 123, 133, 143, 153 reads the RFID tag 71 when the gaming chip 70 moves from another location to the location in question and when the gaming chip moves from the location to another location (i.e., when the gaming chip 70 moves away from the location in question).

[0037] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates a game table 42. The game table 42 is provided with a plurality of play positions. The game table 42 is provided with a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the plurality of play positions on the table surface, a chip tray for accommodating dealer chips, a dealer area for reading and writing information to the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70, and an ID card area for reading the ID cards of the dealer and the player.

[0038] The chip tray is provided with a tray antenna 514 for reading the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 accommodated therein. Each of the multiple betting areas is provided with betting area antennas 515a to 515e inside the table surface for reading the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 placed there. The dealer area is provided with a dealer antenna 513 inside the table surface for reading the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 placed there. The ID card area is provided with an ID card antenna 512 inside the table surface.

[0039] Each of the antennas 512 to 515 is connected to the table computer 151 and transmits the read signal to the table computer 151. The table computer 151 obtains various information stored in the RFID tag 71 or the ID card by decoding the signal from each antenna.

[0040] Staff members at each location begin work after having their card IDs read by the corresponding card readers. The computer at each location transmits the read staff ID and the date and time to the tip management computer 100. The tip management computer 100 stores the staff IDs read by the card readers at each location in the tip management database 101 together with information on the location and date and time.

[0041] The chip management database 101 stores a player table, a chip table, a game table table, a staff table, and a movement history table. The player table stores registration information of the player. The player table stores a player ID, various player attributes, and player status such as VIP, suspect, blacklist, etc. for each player. The chip table stores a chip ID, face value, type, manufacturing information, and chip status such as valid, missing, stolen, invalid, etc. The game table table stores a table ID, game type, etc. The staff table stores a staff ID, various staff attributes, etc. The movement history table stores the location or holder history of the gaming chip 70.

[0042] (Gaming chip movement management) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the manner of movement of gaming chips according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 5, each location except the vault may have multiple sources of movement when gaming chips enter, and multiple destinations when gaming chips leave. The chip management system of this embodiment recognizes these movements. To this end, the following several methods can be adopted.

[0043] (First Method) In the first method, when a gaming chip 70 enters a computer at each location, the computer at that location specifies its origin and reports this specification to the chip management computer 100 together with the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that entered, and when a gaming chip 70 leaves a location, information on that location, i.e., the origin, and the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 are reported to the chip management computer 100.

[0044] For example, when the gaming chip 70 moves from the main bank chamber 12 to the F / C bank chamber 13, the main bank computer 121 reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the main bank chip reader 123, and reports to the chip management computer 100 that the gaming chip 70 is moving out of the main bank chamber 12 together with the read chip ID. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0045] Then, in the F / C bank room 13 which receives the gaming chip 70 from the main bank room 12, the F / C bank staff 33 operates an input device of the F / C bank computer 131 to input a specification that the gaming chip 70 is the gaming chip 70 which came from the main bank room 12 (the source), and reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the F / C bank chip reader 133. The F / C bank computer 131 reports to the chip management computer 100 the read chip ID and a specification that the destination is the main bank room 12. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0046] 6 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the first method of gaming chip movement management according to an embodiment of the present invention. The example in FIG. 6 shows the movement history of a gaming chip 70 with a chip ID of "24825". The chip management database 101 stores, as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70, the chip ID 601 of the gaming chip, entry / exit information 602, movement origin information 603, movement destination information 604, and date / time 605.

[0047] According to the first method, as shown in FIG. 6, for gaming chips 70 leaving a location, information on their origin is obtained (history H61), and for gaming chips 70 entering a location, information on their origin and destination is obtained (history H62). Therefore, based on history H61 and history H62, it can be confirmed that the gaming chips 70 have indeed left the main bank chamber 12 and been received in the F / C bank chamber 13.

[0048] (Second Method) In the second method, when a gaming chip 70 is sent out, the computer at each location specifies its destination and reports the specification to the chip management computer 100 together with the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 going out, and when a gaming chip 70 is received at each location, information on the location, i.e., the destination, and the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 are reported to the chip management computer 100.

[0049] For example, when gaming chips 70 are moved (credits) from table-4 to the F / C bank room 13, the dealer reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the table chip reader 153 of the game table, and operates the input device of the table computer 151 to specify the F / C bank room 13 as the destination (specify credits). The table computer 151 reports this chip ID, the F / C bank room 13 as the destination, and the table ID of table-4 as the source to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0050] When the gaming chip 70 is received at the destination F / C bank room 13, the F / C bank staff 33 reads the chip ID of this gaming chip 70 with the F / C bank chip reader 133. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip ID and the fact that the gaming chip 70 will be entering the F / C bank room 13 to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0051] 7 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the second method of gaming chip movement management according to an embodiment of the present invention. The example in FIG. 7 also shows the movement history of a gaming chip 70 with a chip ID of "24825". The chip management database 101 stores, as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70, the chip ID 601, entry / exit information 602, movement origin information 603, movement destination information 604, and date / time 605 of the gaming chip.

[0052] According to the second method, as shown in FIG. 7, for gaming chips 70 leaving a location, information on their origin and destination is obtained (history H71), and for gaming chips 70 entering a location, information on their destination is obtained (history H72). Based on history H71 and history H72, it can be confirmed that the gaming chips 70 have indeed left table-4 and been received in the F / C bank room 13.

[0053] (Third Method) The third method is a combination of the first and second methods. That is, in the computer of each location, when the gaming chips 70 come in, the source of the gaming chips 70 is specified, and when the gaming chips 70 go out, the destination of the gaming chips 70 is specified.

[0054] (Fourth Method) In the fourth method, the staff at each location uses an input device of the computer at each location to specify whether the gaming chip 70 is entering or leaving, and reports the specification together with the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 read by a chip reader to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the entry / exit information and location information in the chip management database 101 based on this report.

[0055] 8 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to the embodiment of the present invention. The chip management database 101 stores the chip ID 601, entry / exit information 602, location information 603, and date / time 604 of the gaming chip as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70.

[0056] According to the fourth method, as shown in FIG. 8, entry / exit information 602 and location information 603 are recorded, so that it is possible to confirm that the gaming chip 70 has indeed been exited from the vault 11 and received in the main bank room 12 based on the history H81 and the history H82.

[0057] (5th method) In the fifth method, only location information is recorded. That is, when the gaming chip 70 is in the location, the staff at each location reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the chip reader at that location and reports it to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report. The staff at each location may read the chip ID when the gaming chip 70 moves to that location, may read the chip ID when the gaming chip 70 moves from that location, or may read the chip ID at any timing.

[0058] 9 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fifth method of gaming chip movement management according to the embodiment of the present invention. The chip management database 101 stores the chip ID 601, location information 603, and date and time 604 of the gaming chip as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70.

[0059] According to the fifth method, location information 603 is also recorded as shown in FIG. 9, so that it is possible to confirm that the gaming chip 70 has indeed left the vault 11 and been received in the main bank room 12 based on the history 91 and the history 92.

[0060] It may be possible to determine which of the above-mentioned first to fifth methods is to be used for each combination of the origin and destination. For example, the fourth or fifth method may be used for the movement of the gaming chips 70 within the cage 11, the second method in which the destination is designated at the origin may be used for the movement from the F / C bank chamber 13 to the game table, and the first method in which the origin is designated at the destination may be used for the movement from the game table to the F / C bank chamber 13.

[0061] (Purchases and redemptions at the cashier) Furthermore, when gaming chips 70 are transferred from the cashier room 14 to a player (when a player purchases gaming chips 70 at the cashier), the cashier computer 141 reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the cashier chip reader 143, reads the player ID from the player's ID card with the cashier card reader 142, and reports the read chip ID together with the designation of the player to whom the chips are to be transferred to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0062] Then, when the gaming chips 70 are transferred from the player to the cashier room 14 (the player exchanges the gaming chips 70 for cash at the cashier), the cashier computer 141 reads the chip ID of the gaming chips 70 with the cashier chip reader 143, reads the player ID from the player's ID card with the cashier card reader 142, and reports the read chip ID together with the designation of the player from whom the chips were transferred to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0063] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the example of Fig. 10, player 5 purchases gaming chips 70 at cashier 2 (history H101, H102), and then player 5 exchanges the gaming chips 70 for cash at cashier 3 (history H103, H104). Note that when the first to third methods are used, the receipt / withdrawal information 602 may be set to N / A, and only the information on the transfer source (cashier) and transfer destination (player) may be recorded.

[0064] Also, for example, at the cashier, when the cashier staff receives a gaming chip 70 from a player, the cashier staff may specify that they will receive the gaming chip 70 and then use the cashier chip reader 143 to read the chip ID of the gaming chip 70, and when the cashier staff hands the gaming chip 70 over to the player, the cashier staff may specify that they will hand the gaming chip over and then use the cashier chip reader 143 to read the chip ID of the gaming chip 70.

[0065] This makes it possible to use one chip reader and clarify whether the gaming chip 70 whose chip ID has been read by that chip reader is entering or leaving that location. Also, when exchanging chips, it is possible to clearly distinguish between the gaming chip 70 received from the player and the gaming chip 70 given to the player and to specify the chip ID using the chip reader.

[0066] (Recovery and redemption) A player who has purchased gaming chips 70 can play a game at a game table. At this time, at the game table, first, the table card reader 152 equipped with the ID card antenna 512 reads the player's ID card. When the table card reader 152 reads the player's ID card, the play position of the player is specified. This makes it possible to recognize which player is in which betting area. Note that the betting area antennas 515a to 515e may be one or more antennas that group multiple betting areas together as one betting area without distinguishing between the player positions, and read the gaming chips 70 placed in the one betting area. Also, the betting area antenna may not be provided.

[0067] When a player loses a game at a table, the gaming chips 70 that he or she bets are collected. In this case, the chip tray antenna 514 reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 stored in the chip tray before collection, and reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 stored in the chip tray after collection. The table computer 151 compares the chip IDs of the chip tray before and after collection to recognize the chip ID of the gaming chips 70 newly brought to the chip tray (i.e., collected from the player).

[0068] The table computer 151 reports to the chip management computer 100 the chip ID read by the chip tray antenna 14 regarding the gaming chips 70 collected from the player, together with a designation that the gaming chips 70 are to be moved to the chip tray of the game table. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0069] In addition, when the table computer 151 can determine whether each gaming chip 70 betted should be collected by recognizing the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 and recognizing the game result using the bet area antennas 515a to 515e, and when it determines that the gaming chip 70 should be collected, the chip management database 101 may update the movement history of the gaming chip 70 to move from the player to the game table according to the determination. By such an update and the subsequent update to indicate that the gaming chip 70 has been accepted by the chip tray, it is possible to confirm whether the gaming chip 70 to be collected has been properly collected by the chip tray. In other words, when a movement history indicating that the gaming chip 70 should be collected is recorded with the entry / exit information 602 set to "OUT" and the location information 603 set to any player, but no movement history of acceptance by the chip tray is subsequently recorded, it becomes clear that the gaming chip 70 to be collected has not been properly collected.

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, the chip IDs read from the chip tray before and after collection are compared to ascertain the chip IDs newly brought into the chip tray through collection, but instead of this, a special collected chip area may be provided in the chip tray to temporarily accommodate the collected chip tray, and an antenna independent of other chip tray portions may be provided in the collected chip area to ascertain the chip IDs of the collected gaming chips 70.

[0071] Alternatively, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be collected may be identified by having the RFID 71 read by the dealer antenna during the movement of the gaming chip 70 from the betting area to the chip tray.

[0072] When a player wins a game, the gaming chips 70 are redeemed. The dealer first places the gaming chips 70 to be paid out to the player from the chip tray in the dealer area of ​​the game table. At this time, the dealer antenna 513 reads the chip ID from the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chips 70 in the dealer area. Since the table computer 151 knows which player is playing in each betting area, it can link the gaming chips 70 to be redeemed with the player who receives the redemption (the location information of the gaming chips 70 to be redeemed is set to the player).

[0073] It should be noted that the method of identifying the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed and linking it to a player is not limited to the above. For example, the table computer 151 may identify the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed by reading the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 contained in the chip tray before and after redemption, and link it to the player receiving the redemption.

[0074] Also, when the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed is placed in a betting area, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 may be read by the betting area antenna 515 of the betting area. In this case, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that was bet (linked to a player) is read together with the chip ID of the redeemed gaming chip 70 (linked to a dealer or casino), and the chip management computer 100 links the chip ID of the redeemed gaming chip 70 to the player that was linked to the chip ID of the bet gaming chip 70.

[0075] Also, an antenna and a reading area for reading the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed may be provided for each player position. Such an antenna and reading area may be installed between the betting area of ​​each player position and the dealer. In this case, since it is known which player is at each player position, the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed can be linked to the player ID. In this case, the dealer may first place the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed in the reading area of ​​the corresponding player position, have the antenna read therein, and then move the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed to the side of the betting chip in the betting area, or the corresponding player may take the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed that the dealer has placed in the reading area.

[0076] The table computer 151 reports the combination of the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed and the player ID of the player receiving the redemption to the chip management computer 100. In response to this report, the chip management computer 100 updates the transfer history in the chip management database 101 to indicate that the gaming chip 70 at the game table has been transferred to the player.

[0077] At the time of redemption, the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 removed from the chip tray may be read once by the dealer antenna to identify the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed.

[0078] In the above examples of Figs. 6 to 10, in each movement history of each gaming chip 70, not only location information but also the staff ID of the staff involved in the movement at that location may be recorded. In addition, in each movement history, status information of the gaming chip 70 such as "valid", "invalid", "missing", "suspicious", "unredeemable", "unplayable" may be recorded. Also, whether it is valid or invalid may be indicated by a flag. Furthermore, in the above examples of Figs. 6 to 10, each movement history record may have information on the face value of each gaming chip 70 as well as the chip ID of the gaming chip 70.

[0079] As described above, by reading the chip ID at each location, it is possible to record the movement history of each gaming chip 70 in the chip management database 101. This allows the chip management computer 100 to realize various functions described below.

[0080] (Time limit and destination error detection) In this function, the chip management computer 100 monitors the movement of the gaming chips 70 between the F / C bank room 13 and the game tables, and issues an alert if there is a problem. That is, the chip management computer 100 starts timing when it receives a report from the F / C bank computer 131 that a certain gaming chip 70 has left the F / C bank room 13 with a destination gaming table as the destination. Then, the chip management computer 100 may issue an alert if it does not receive a report from the table computer 151 of the destination gaming table within a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) that the gaming chips 70 have been received. This alert may be sent to the dealer of the game table, the pit manager who manages the game table, or the like. At this time, the chip management computer 100 may update the status of the gaming chips 70 in the chip management database 101 to "missing," "unredeemable," "unplayable," or the like.

[0081] Furthermore, when the chip management computer 100 receives a report from the F / C bank computer 131 that a gaming chip 70 has been designated as a destination and left the F / C bank room 13, the chip management computer 100 may also issue an alert if it receives a report from the table computer 151 of a game table other than the game table designated as the destination that the gaming chip 70 has been received. In this case, the chip management computer 100 may update the status of the gaming chip 70 in the chip management database 101 to "wrong destination", "cannot be exchanged for cash", "cannot be played", etc.

[0082] (Detection of inappropriate movements) In this function, the chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 and issues an alert if there is an inappropriate movement of the gaming chips 70. Movements of the gaming chips 70 are limited to the patterns shown in Fig. 5, and any other movement patterns are inappropriate. Therefore, every time the chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101, it determines whether the movement related to the update is appropriate or not.

[0083] For example, when the cage 10 has the configuration shown in Fig. 1, the gaming chips 70 are not moved directly from the vault 11 to the cashier room 14, and, for example, the gaming chips 70 that have not been moved from the cashier room 14 to a player are not collected at a game table. If such a movement history is discovered, the chip management computer 100 judges it to be an inappropriate movement. Also, if gaming chips 70 that should be in the possession of a certain player are converted into cash at the cashier by another player, the possibility of money laundering is suspected. In this way, the chip management computer 100 detects an inappropriate movement and issues an alert.

[0084] (Real-time player chip totals) In this function, the chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101, extracts only the gaming chips 70 held by any of the players in the latest information of the movement history, and calculates the total amount of these, thereby calculating the total amount of gaming chips 70 held by all players at that time, i.e., the casino's outstanding debt at that time.

[0085] In addition, the total amount of player chips may be calculated as the total amount of all gaming chips managed in the chip management database 101 minus the total amount of all gaming chips 70 in the cage 10 and the total amount of all gaming chips 70 on the game table.

[0086] (Central management of fills / credits) In this function, the chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 at each game table and detects the number of each denomination by referring to the chip management database 101. If there are gaming chips 70 of a denomination for which the number is insufficient, a notification may be issued to the F / C bank computer 131 in the F / C bank room 13 and the table computer 151 of the game table in question to replenish (fill) gaming chips 70 of that denomination. This notification specifies the number of gaming chips 70 of each denomination to be replenished, or the total amount of gaming chips 70 of each denomination to be replenished.

[0087] Furthermore, the chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 on each game table by referring to the chip management database 101, and detects the total number of gaming chips 70 on each game table. If the total number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number close to the upper limit that can be accommodated on the game table, a notification may be issued to the F / C bank computer 131 of the F / C bank room 13 and the table computer 151 of the game table to collect (credit) the gaming chips 70 from the table. This notification specifies the number of gaming chips 70 per denomination to be replenished, or the total amount of gaming chips 70 per denomination to be replenished.

[0088] Similarly, a notification may be issued regarding the movement of the gaming chips 70 within the cage 10. For example, when the number of gaming chips 70 is low in a window in the cashier room 14, a notification may be issued to the cashier computer 141 and the main bank computer 121 to urge them to replenish the gaming chips 70 in the cashier room 14.

[0089] In the above, a notification encouraging the user to move is issued to both the destination and the source, but instead, a notification may be issued to only one of the destination and the source. In a location that receives a notification encouraging the user to move, a staff member may instruct a computer of the location via an input device whether or not to accept the proposal to move, and if one of the destination and source locations accepts the proposal, the computer of the location may notify the other location of a command to move.

[0090] (Movement management of multiple gaming chips) In the above, a method of managing movement by updating the movement history in the chip management database 101 for each gaming chip 70 has been described, but when multiple gaming chips 70 move between locations, it is also possible to manage whether those multiple gaming chips 70 have moved without any excess or deficiency.

[0091] An example of a case where a plurality of gaming chips 70 are moved (filled) from the F / C bank room 13 to a game table will be described below. When gaming chips 70 are moved from the F / C bank room 13 to a predetermined game table, the F / C bank staff 33 reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 to be moved using the F / C bank chip reader 133 of the F / C bank room 13. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the chip IDs (origin chip IDs) of the plurality of gaming chips 70 related to the fill, and refers to the chip management database 101 based on the report to obtain the face value of the chip IDs to grasp the total amount of the gaming chips 70 related to the fill (origin total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 grasps the origin chip ID, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to the fill (origin total amount), and the origin total amount based on the information from the F / C bank computer 131.

[0092] When the gaming chips 70 are carried to the game table, the dealer reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 carried by the table chip reader of the game table, and the table computer 151 reports the multiple chip IDs that have been read to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the multiple chip IDs (destination chip IDs), and based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face value of the chip IDs and grasps the total amount of the gaming chips 70 related to the fill (destination total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 grasps the destination chip ID, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to the fill (destination total amount), and the destination total amount based on the information from the table computer 151.

[0093] The tip management computer 100 compares the source chip ID with the destination chip ID to determine whether they match exactly. The tip management computer 100 also compares the source total amount with the destination total amount to determine whether they match. The tip management computer 100 also compares the source total number of coins with the destination total number of coins to determine whether they match. If there is a mismatch in any of the above comparisons, the tip management computer 100 determines that the transfer was not performed correctly and issues an alert.

[0094] The case where multiple gaming chips 70 are moved from the game table to the F / C bank room 13 (credit) is as follows. When gaming chips 70 are moved from the game table to the F / C bank room 13, the dealer uses the table chip reader 153 of the game table to read the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 to be moved. The table computer 151 reports the read chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the chip IDs (origin chip IDs) of multiple gaming chips 70 related to credit, and refers to the chip management database 101 based on the report to obtain the face value of those chip IDs to grasp the total amount of gaming chips 70 related to credit (origin total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 grasps the origin chip ID, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to credit (origin total number), and the origin total amount based on the information from the table computer 151.

[0095] When the gaming chips 70 are carried to the F / C bank room 13, the F / C bank staff 33 reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 carried by the F / C bank chip reader 133, and the F / C bank computer 131 reports the multiple chip IDs read to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the multiple chip IDs (destination chip IDs) and, based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face value of the chip IDs and grasps the total amount of the gaming chips 70 related to credit (destination total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 grasps the destination chip ID, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to credit (destination total number), and the destination total amount based on the information from the F / C bank computer 131.

[0096] The tip management computer 100 compares the source chip ID with the destination chip ID to determine whether they match exactly. The tip management computer 100 also compares the source total amount with the destination total amount to determine whether they match. The tip management computer 100 also compares the source total number of coins with the destination total number of coins to determine whether they match. If there is a mismatch in any of the above comparisons, the tip management computer 100 determines that the transfer was not performed correctly and issues an alert.

[0097] In the above, the chip ID, the total amount, and the total number of chips are compared, but it is also possible to determine whether the transfer was performed correctly by comparing only one of them. The total amount and the total number of chips may be calculated and compared for each face value of the gaming chips 70. For example, the source total amount and destination total amount may be calculated as "$600 for $10 chips, $400 for $100 chips."

[0098] In addition, when a notification encouraging a transfer is sent from the chip management computer 100 to the transfer destination or transfer source, it is possible to determine whether the transfer was carried out accurately by comparing the notification with the total amount from the transfer source, the notification with the total amount from the transfer destination, the notification with the total number from the transfer source, or the notification with the total number from the transfer destination.

[0099] (Management of fills by increasing the amount at the gaming table) When gaming chips 70 are carried from the F / C bank room 13 to the game table and the gaming chips 70 are replenished (filled) to the game table, the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 carried to the game table are read by the F / C bank chip reader 133, and these chip IDs are reported from the F / C bank computer 131 to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 to calculate the total amount of the reported gaming chips 70 (total fill amount).

[0100] The chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 on the game table before the fill and calculates the total amount (existing total amount) by referring to the chip management database 101. Then, the chip management computer 100 adds the fill total amount to the calculated existing total amount to calculate the theoretical total amount of gaming chips 70 on the game table after the fill (theoretical post-fill total amount).

[0101] When gaming chips 70 are carried from the F / C bank room 13 to the game table, the table chip reader 153 of the game table reads the chip ID of the carried gaming chip 70, and the table computer 151 reports it to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 for the reported chip ID to obtain the face value, and calculates the actual total amount of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray (actual post-fill total amount).

[0102] In addition, if the game table is provided with a cabinet or has a double chip tray, i.e., if the game table has a place to store chips other than the chip tray, the table computer 151 calculates the total amount of gaming chips 70 on the entire game table, including the chip tray and such storage places (however, does not include the player's gaming chips placed in the betting area), as the actual post-fill total amount.

[0103] The chip management computer 100 compares the theoretical post-fill total amount with the actual post-fill total amount, and issues an alert if the two do not match. With this configuration, it is possible to check whether the gaming chips 70 are correctly increased at the game table by filling.

[0104] Furthermore, the F / C bank room 13 keeps track of the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 leaving the F / C bank room 13, and the game table also detects the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 moved from the F / C bank room 13, so that when the theoretical post-fill total amount does not match the actual post-fill total amount, it is possible to keep track of the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy. The chip management computer 100 changes the status of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy to a status such as "invalid," "cannot be exchanged for cash," or "cannot be played."

[0105] In the above, the theoretical total amount after fill was compared with the actual total amount after fill, but in addition to or instead of the amount (total amount) of the gaming chips 70, the number (total number) may be used to determine whether the fill was completed without any surplus or deficiency by comparing the theoretical total number of gaming chips 70 after fill at a game table (theoretical total number after fill) with the actual total number of gaming chips 70 after fill at the game table (actual total number after fill).

[0106] (Management of credits by deduction at gaming tables) When excess gaming chips 70 at a game table are carried from the game table to the F / C bank room 13 (credits), the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 carried toward the F / C bank room 13 are read by the table chip reader 153, and these chip IDs are reported from the table computer 151 to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 to calculate the total amount of the reported gaming chips 70 (total credits).

[0107] The chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 at the game table before the credit and calculates the total amount (existing total amount) by referring to the chip management database 101. Then, the chip management computer 100 calculates the theoretical total amount of the gaming chips 70 at the game table after the credit (theoretical post-credit total amount) by subtracting the credit total amount from the calculated existing total amount.

[0108] At the game table, when the gaming chips 70 are carried toward the F / C bank room 13, the chip tray chip reader 154 of the game table reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 stored at the game table, and the table computer 151 reports this to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 for the reported chip ID to obtain the face value, and calculates the actual total amount of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray (actual total amount after credit).

[0109] In addition, if the game table is provided with a cabinet or has a double chip tray, i.e., if the game table has a place for storing chips other than the chip tray, the table computer 151 calculates the total amount of gaming chips 70 on the entire game table, including the chip tray and such storage places (however, does not include the player's gaming chips placed in the betting area), as the total amount after actual credits.

[0110] The chip management computer 100 compares the theoretical post-credit total amount with the actual post-credit total amount, and issues an alert if the two do not match. With this configuration, it is possible to check whether the gaming chips 70 are correctly reduced by credits at the game table.

[0111] Furthermore, at the game table, the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 carried from the game table to the F / C bank room 13 are known, and the F / C bank room 13 also detects the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 moved from the game table, so that when the theoretical post-credit total amount does not match the actual post-credit total amount, it is possible to know the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy. The chip management computer 100 changes the status of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy to a status such as "invalid," "cannot be exchanged for cash," or "cannot be played."

[0112] In the above, the theoretical total amount after credits was compared with the actual total amount after credits, but in addition to or instead of the amount (total amount) of the gaming chips 70, the number (total number) may be used to determine whether the credits have been completed without any surplus or deficiency by comparing the theoretical total number of gaming chips 70 after credits at a game table (theoretical total number after credits) with the actual total number of gaming chips 70 after credits at the game table (actual total number after credits).

[0113] In the above, the gaming chips 70 carried to the F / C bank room 13 are read by the table chip reader 153 to grasp the total credit amount, and the theoretical post-credit total amount is calculated by subtracting the total credit amount from the existing total amount (the total amount of gaming chips 70 on the game table before credit is executed), but instead of this, the following may be done. That is, when the chip management computer 100 issues a notice to the game table to prompt credit, and the game table executes credit in response to this notice, the total amount or the total number of gaming chips 70 related to credit specified in this notice (either may be specified for each face value) may be set as the total credit amount, and this total credit amount may be subtracted from the existing total amount to calculate the theoretical post-credit total amount. When the chip management computer 100 calculates the theoretical credit total amount, it compares this theoretical post-credit total amount with the actual post-credit total amount (the total amount of actual gaming chips 70 after credit on the game table) in the same manner as above to check whether the specified amount or number of gaming chips 70 have been removed from the game table for credit.

[0114] (Verification according to staff work shifts) The cage 10 has a locked door to prevent arbitrary intrusion of people, and staff can enter and exit the cage by satisfying security conditions. Similar entry and exit security is also implemented between each room in the cage 10. Staff working in the cage 10 are required to authenticate when entering and leaving the cage 10 or their assigned room. When authenticating a staff member to leave, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether there has been any inappropriate movement of the gaming chips 70 since the staff member entered the room. The chip management computer 100 works in conjunction with the locking system, and does not permit the staff member to leave if there has been any inappropriate movement of the gaming chips 70.

[0115] Similarly, at a game table, when a dealer leaves the game table, the dealer designates the end of his / her shift and has his / her ID card read by the table card reader 152. At this time, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether there has been any inappropriate movement of the gaming chips 70 since the dealer arrived at the game table, and issues an alert if there has been any inappropriate movement. When a dealer is replaced, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether the gaming chips 70 that should be at the game table are indeed there after the dealer leaves the table and before the next dealer arrives at the table, that is, whether the dealer leaving the table has not taken the gaming chips 70 out of the game table, and issues an alert if there is a problem.

[0116] In addition, in the game table, the gaming chips 70 may be stored in a place other than the chip tray. For example, the chip tray may be doubled, and the refill gaming chips 70 may be stored in the lower chip tray, or the refill gaming chips 70 may be stored in a cabinet provided in the game table. In these cases, it is desirable that the game table also includes an antenna for reading the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 stored in this way, and that the table computer 151 can always read the RFID tags 71 of all the gaming chips 70 on the game table.

[0117] (Monitoring inappropriate player purchases / cash redemptions) In this function, the chip management computer 100 verifies the history of purchase and redemption of gaming chips for each player, and issues an alert if there is any suspicious behavior. For example, if there is a purchase of gaming chips 70 of a predetermined amount or more and a redemption of gaming chips 70 of a predetermined amount or more within a predetermined time, an alert is issued for such behavior as suspicious behavior. Also, if gaming chips 70 are purchased and then are about to be redeemed without being used at a game table, and the amount of the redemption is a predetermined amount or more, an alert is issued for such behavior as suspicious behavior. Alternatively, for a player who has purchased gaming chips 70 of a predetermined amount or more within a predetermined time, an alert is issued for such behavior as suspicious behavior.

[0118] (Enable / disable in cage) The gaming chip 70 may be activated in the cage 10. This ensures security even if the gaming chip 70 is stolen between the time it is manufactured and the time it is brought into the cage 10, as such gaming chip 70 is not activated and cannot be used. For this reason, the chip management database 101 has a table that stores the chip IDs of valid gaming chips 70, and the chip management computer 100 refers to the table and verifies whether the chip ID is valid each time the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 is read by a cashier or a chip reader at a game table.

[0119] Also, when the gaming chips 70 are to be discarded, the gaming chips 70 are invalidated within the cage 10 before being taken out of the cage 10. As a result, even if the gaming chips 70 taken out of the cage 10 for disposal are stolen, such gaming chips 70 cannot be used by the cashier or at the table, ensuring security.

[0120] (Unregistered Player) Even an unregistered player can purchase gaming chips 70 and use the gaming chips 70 to play games at a game table. A common anonymous player ID is used for unregistered players. This allows the gaming chips 70 to be traced without interruption even if they are moved to an unregistered player while moving from one location to another from when the gaming chips 70 leave the cage 10 until when they return to the cage 10.

[0121] (others) A display device may be provided in the cashier's window to display the total amount of the gaming chips 70 and the confirmation result of validity. The cashier staff places the gaming chips 70 to be given to the player or received from the player in the cashier chip reader 143. The cashier chip reader 143 reads out the face value and status stored in the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 (usually multiple). The cashier computer 141 displays the total value obtained by adding up the face values ​​read by the cashier chip reader 143 on the display device. In addition to the total amount, the number of gaming chips 70 of each denomination may also be displayed.

[0122] Furthermore, if the read RFID tags 71 include gaming chips 70 with invalid status, the cashier computer 141 displays an error on the display device, and if the statuses of all gaming chips 70 are valid, the cashier computer 141 displays a pass on the display device or displays nothing. In addition to the status, the cashier computer 141 may also display whether there has been any inappropriate movement history up to that point. This allows the cashier staff and the player to agree that the gaming chips to be given to the player or received from the player are valid, and to hand over the gaming chips 70 only after the cashier staff and the player have agreed on the total amount.

[0123] In the above embodiment, when the chip reader at each location reads the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70, the chip management computer 100 may verify whether the read chip ID is the chip ID of a valid chip, thereby confirming the validity of the chip ID, and may issue an alert if there is a problem. For this purpose, a table of valid chip IDs is recorded in the chip management database 101, and the chip management computer 100 refers to this table to verify whether the chip ID read at each location is valid. The chip ID may be encrypted.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the chip management computer 100 may, in addition to or instead of issuing an alert, flag the relevant player, gaming chip 70, or movement history record as an anomaly and record the time of the anomaly.

[0125] The configuration of the rooms in the cage 10 is not limited to that described above, and the number and arrangement of the rooms may be arbitrary. The game tables may be tables for playing baccarat, blackjack, or other card games, and may include locations for playing other games such as roulette in addition to the game tables.

[0126] Each of the above computers includes a processor and a memory, and the processor executes a computer program stored in the memory to perform the above operations. The program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory storage medium, or may be provided to the computer in the form of a download. Furthermore, communication between the computers may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each card reader reads an ID card to identify staff members and players at each location, but instead of an ID card, staff members and players may be identified by biometric authentication such as a fingerprint, a face image, an iris, or a voiceprint.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the movement of gaming chips 70 between locations is managed using each room in the cage 10 and the game table as examples of locations, but examples of locations are not limited to these. For example, a chip tray at a game table where a dealer stores collected chips and pays out redemption chips from there, a cabinet at a table for storing gaming chips, and when the chip tray is configured in two tiers, the upper and lower chip trays can each be a location in the above embodiment, and the movement of gaming chips 70 between each location can be managed in a similar manner to that described above.

[0128] For example, the chip ID, total amount, and / or total number of gaming chips 70 taken out of a cabinet of a certain game table may be grasped, and an alert may be issued if the chip ID, total amount, and / or total number are not moved to a chip tray of the same game table within a predetermined time. Also, for example, in a certain double chip tray, it may be confirmed that gaming chips 70 taken out of a lower chip tray have been moved to an upper chip tray, or that gaming chips 70 taken out of an upper chip tray have been moved to a lower chip tray.

[0129] Furthermore, when a fill is performed, the gaming chips 70 brought from the F / C bank room 13 to the game table are read using the dealer antenna 513, the betting area antenna 515, or the tray antenna 514. The chip tray is provided with a button to recognize the start and end of the fill operation, and the gaming chips 70 on the chip tray before the fill are compared with the gaming chips 70 on the chip tray after the fill, and the gaming chips 70 increased by the fill are recognized as the filled gaming chips 70.

[0130] When crediting, the gaming chips 70 carried to the F / C bank room 13 are read by the dealer antenna 513, the betting area antenna 515, or the chip tray antenna 514. The chip tray is provided with a button to recognize the start and end of a credit operation, and the gaming chips 70 on the chip tray before crediting are compared with the gaming chips 70 after crediting, and the gaming chips 70 that have been reduced by crediting are recognized as gaming chips 70 to be credited.

[0131] The chip management computer 100 may be capable of outputting the chip inventory (chip ID) of each location (cage, chip tray, etc.). The chip management computer 100 may be capable of specifying a past point in time and outputting the inventory at that point in time.

[0132] Also, an alert may be issued when a suspicious gaming chip (a flagged gaming chip) is about to be cashed in by the cashier.

[0133] The chip management database 101 may also be capable of storing the cash conversion history of each player. The chip management computer 100 may also be capable of outputting the chip ID that the player should possess.

[0134] Information such as chip set, casino information, location information, and redemption possibility may be written to the RFID tag 71. Alternatively, such information may be associated with the chip ID and stored in the chip management database 101. When the RFID tag 71 is read at a certain location, the chip management computer 100 or a computer at each location may check whether the gaming chip 70 is one that should be at that location based on such information.

[0135] Also, a set (chip set) of gaming chips 70 that can be used and the type of gaming chips may be set for each area. For example, when an RFID tag 71 is read at a certain game table, the table computer 151 or the chip management computer 100 checks whether the chip set is to be used at that game table.

[0136] A flag may be set in association with the chip ID for gaming chips 70 that have been used for a certain number of years. Gaming chips 70 that have been used for a certain number of years can be located and collected. If a player has gaming chips 70 that have been used for a certain number of years, a signal is output when the chip ID is detected by the cashier or game table.

[0137] When a player who has possibly stolen gaming chips 70 sits at a table, the table computer 151 or the chip management computer may issue a warning to a staff member (a supervisor). In order to prevent money laundering, the cashier computer 141 or the chip management computer 100 detects chips that are purchased but not played and then redeemed for cash.

[0138] When cashing or purchasing chips for an amount equal to or greater than a threshold is performed, the cashier associates the player's photograph with the chip ID. Also, a unique ID is assigned to anonymous players (players without a member card) to trace their chips. Also, for anonymous players, a photograph of the face may be taken when purchasing chips, and the face image may be associated with a player ID and registered in the chip management database 101, and the player ID may be identified by facial recognition at each location thereafter (table, cashier, etc.). The chip management computer 100 may invalidate the status of all chips associated with players on the blacklist.

[0139] When a player without a member card bets gaming chips 70 at a game table, the chip management computer 100 records the play in the chip management database 101 by linking it to a unique ID issued on the spot and / or a player ID linked to the gaming chips 70. At this time, the play may be linked to an ID obtained by a facial image or facial recognition. Also, if the member card is recognized later, the play record may be recorded by linking it to the member card ID retroactively. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1. Casino Hall 10 Cage 11. Vault 12 Main Bank Room 13 F / C Bank Room 14 Cashier's Room Gates 21-28 31~36 Staff 42~45 Game Table 52~55 Dealer 61~69 Player 70 Gaming Chips 71 RFID tags 1000 Chip Management System 501 Cage System 502 Table System 100 Chip Management Computer 101 Chip Management Database 111 Vault Computer 112 Vault Card Reader 113 Vault Chip Reader 121 Main Bank Computer 122 Main bank card reader 123 Main Bank Chip Reader 131 F / C Bank Computer 132 F / C bank card reader 133 F / C Bank Chip Reader 141 Cashier Computer 142 Cashier card reader 143 Cashier Chip Reader 151 Table Computer 152 Table Card Reader 153 Table Chip Reader 154 Chip Tray Reader 155 Betting Area Chip Reader

Claims

1. A movement management system for managing the movement of gaming chips in a casino hall, comprising: a storage device that stores status information of the gaming chip in a changeable manner; A management device that manages the movement of the gaming chips from a source to a destination; When the gaming chip starts to move, the source device reads the gaming chip and reports the issuance to the management device, a destination reader that reads the gaming chip at the destination when the gaming chip has finished moving and reports receipt to the management device; Equipped with The management device starts timing in response to receiving the issuance report from the source reading device, and if the receipt report is not received from the destination reading device by the time a predetermined time has elapsed from the time the timing was started, the management device changes the status information of the gaming chip related to the move stored in the memory device, thereby disabling the gaming chip related to the move.

2. 2. The mobility management system according to claim 1, wherein the management device further issues an alert if the receipt report is not received from the destination reading device by the time a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the clocking was started.

3. The gaming chip includes an RFID tag that stores a chip ID, the storage device stores the status information for each chip ID; the source reader and the destination reader read the chip ID stored in the RFID tag of the gaming chip, The management system according to claim 1 , wherein the management device manages the passage of the predetermined time from the start of the clocking for each of the chip IDs.

4. Location information is assigned to the source reading device and the destination reading device, The move management system of claim 3, wherein the management device acquires from the move source reading device the location information of the move source reading device together with the chip ID of the gaming chip related to the move, associates the chip ID and the location information and stores them in the storage device, and acquires from the move destination reading device the location information of the move destination reading device together with the chip ID of the gaming chip related to the move, associates the chip ID and the location information and stores them in the storage device.

5. The mobility management system according to claim 1 , wherein the management device ends the time measurement in response to receiving the receipt report.

6. The movement management system according to claim 1 , wherein the movement source is a cage that stores the gaming chips.

7. The movement management system according to claim 1 , wherein the movement destination is a game table where a game using the gaming chip is played.

8. The movement management system according to claim 1 , wherein the movement source is a game table where a game using the gaming chip is played.

9. The movement management system according to claim 1 , wherein the movement destination is a cage that stores the gaming chips.

Images