Inspection system and register system

Abstract

To provide an inspection system capable of detecting presence of an article in which an RF tag cannot be read in the inspection system for inspecting an article, such as valuables, by using an RFID.SOLUTION: An inspection system that inspects commodities 9 in which a type can be specified according to a weight difference and inspects the commodities 9 having an RF tag 8 recording information on the commodities 9 has an RF reader 1 for reading information on the commodities 9 from the RF tag 8 of the commodities 9 on a mount table, and a management control device 3 for grasping a total weight of the commodities 9 on the mount table by using a measurement result of a weight measuring device 2 for measuring and recording the weight of the commodities 9. The management control device 3 has a function of grasping the weight of the commodities 9 on the mount table on the basis of a specification-purpose weight of the commodities 9 from information obtained from the RF reader 1, and measuring the total weight of the commodities 9 on the mount table by using a measurement result of the weight measuring device 2, comparing a calculation-purpose weight of the commodities 9 with the total weight of the commodities 9 obtained from a measurement result, and estimating whether the total number of the commodities 9 matches.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection system for inspecting articles such as valuable items, and a cash register system including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cash register system using RFID has been proposed. In this cash register system, a commodity as a valuable item is provided with an RF tag, and an RF reader is provided on the checkout counter. The RF tag stores information for identifying the commodity and price information. By reading the RF tag of the commodity with the RF reader on the checkout counter, the amount (price) of the commodity can be specified. Further, by using RFID, even when there are a plurality of commodities, the RF tags thereof can be read collectively by the RF reader. Therefore, compared with the conventional method of specifying the price of each commodity by reading the barcode of each commodity, the total amount can be specified much faster.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, when the RF tag attached to the commodity is malfunctioning, when the information in the RF tag is illegally rewritten, or when for some reason the commodity is not provided with an RF tag, etc., the price of the commodity that the purchaser is trying to purchase cannot be grasped by the RF reader. Further, when there are a plurality of commodities for which the RF tags are to be read collectively, the store clerk may not be able to grasp the fact that there is a commodity for which the RF tag cannot be read by the RF reader. Therefore, if one tries to specify the total amount relying only on RFID and there is a commodity for which the RF tag cannot be read, the specified amount will be less than the original total amount, resulting in a loss for the store side.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection system that can detect that there is an article for which an RF tag cannot be read in an inspection system for inspecting articles such as valuable items using RFID.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an inspection apparatus for determining whether the weight of a valuable item calculated from the information read from an RF tag matches the actual weight of the valuable item.

[0006] An inspection system according to an aspect of the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting a valuable item having an RF tag recording information of the valuable item, where the valuable item is identifiable by its type based on a weight difference, the inspection system including: an RF reader for reading the information of the valuable item from the RF tag of the valuable item placed on a table; a weight measuring device for measuring and recording the weight of the valuable item; and a management control device for grasping the total weight of the valuable item on the table using the measurement result of the weight measuring device, the management control device grasping the weight of the valuable item on the table based on the weight of the valuable item according to the standard from the information obtained from the RF reader, measuring the total weight of the valuable item on the table using the measurement result of the weight measuring device, comparing the calculated weight of the valuable item obtained from the RF reader with the total weight of the valuable item obtained from the measurement result of the weight measuring device, and having a function of estimating whether the total number of valuable items matches.

[0007] With this configuration, since the weight grasped based on the information of the RF tag is compared with the actual weight measured by the weight measuring device, if there are valuable items that cannot be read by the RF tag, their weights will not match. Therefore, when there are valuable items that cannot be read by the RF tag, their presence can be detected.

[0008] In the above inspection system, the information of the RF tag may include the weight information of the valuable item, and the management control device may have a function of grasping the weight of the valuable item on the table from the weight information obtained from the RF reader.

[0009] With this configuration, the management control device can directly grasp the weight of the valuable item according to the standard from the RF tag.

[0010] In the above inspection system, the management and control device may be configured to determine the weight of each type of valuable item on the platform based on the information from the RF reader, and to identify the total weight of the valuable items on the platform by using the measurement result of the weighing device. The management and control device may further be configured to determine the excess weight of the total weight of the valuable items obtained from the measurement result of the weighing device relative to the sum of the weights of each type of valuable item obtained from the RF reader.

[0011] With this configuration, when the weight determined based on the information of the RF tag does not match the actual weight measured by the weighing device, the excess of the actual weight measured by the weighing device can be determined.

[0012] In the above inspection system, the management and control device may be configured to identify, based on the excess weight, the type of valuable item that causes the discrepancy between the sum of the weights of each type of valuable item obtained from the RF reader and the total weight of the valuable items obtained from the measurement result of the weighing device, or the type of valuable item that does not cause the discrepancy.

[0013] With this configuration, since the management and control device determines the weight of each type of valuable item, by determining the excess weight of the total weight measured by the weighing device, it is possible to identify which type of valuable item has its RF tag read and which type of valuable item does not have its RF tag read.

[0014] In the above inspection system, the management and control device may be configured to determine the total value of the valuable items on the platform based on the information from the RF reader.

[0015] With this configuration, since the total value of the valuable items on the platform is determined, accounting processes can be performed using this total value.

[0016] An inspection system according to another aspect of the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting a valuable item equipped with an RF tag, including an RF reader for reading information of the valuable item from the RF tag provided on the valuable item, a weighing device for measuring the weight of the valuable item, and a management control device for grasping the total weight of the valuable item using the measurement result of the weighing device. The management control device obtains the weight of the valuable item based on the information read by the RF reader, compares the obtained weight with the weight measured by the weighing device, and determines whether the two are the same.

[0017] With this configuration, since the weight obtained from the RF tag is compared with the weight measured by the weighing device, it can be grasped that there is a valuable item for which the RF tag cannot be read when the two do not match.

[0018] In the above inspection system, the management control device may obtain the price of the valuable item based on the information read by the RF reader and output the obtained price information.

[0019] With this configuration, since the price information is output, accounting processing of the valuable item can be performed using the output price information.

[0020] In the above inspection system, the price information of the valuable item may be stored in the RF tag of the valuable item, and the management control device may obtain the price of the valuable item according to the information read by the RF reader.

[0021] With this configuration, the price information can be directly read from the RF tag.

[0022] In the above inspection system, information for specifying the type of the valuable item may be stored in the RF tag of the valuable item, and the inspection system may further include a storage device that stores in association information for specifying the type of the valuable item and the price of that type. The management control device may obtain the price of the valuable item by referring to the storage device and reading out the price associated with the information read by the RF reader device.

[0023] With this configuration, by referring to the storage device based on the information stored in the RF tag, the price of the valuable item can be obtained.

[0024] Still another aspect of the present invention is a cash register system, which has a configuration including the above inspection system and a cash register device that performs accounting processing based on the price information output by the management control device.

[0025] With this configuration, it is possible to inspect that all valuable items are equipped with valid RF tags using RFID and a weighing device, and to perform accounting processing using the price information stored in the RF tags.

[0026] An inspection system according to still another aspect of the present invention includes an RF reading means for reading an RF tag of the object placed at a predetermined location, a detecting means for detecting at least the number of the objects placed at the predetermined location by a method other than RFID, and an alarm means for generating an alarm when the number of the objects whose RF tags are read by the RF reading means does not match the number detected by the detecting means.

[0027] With this configuration, an alarm can be generated when an article having no valid RF tag is placed at a predetermined location.

[0028] In the above inspection system, the detecting means may be a weighing device that measures the weight of the object placed at a predetermined location, and may detect at least the number of the objects placed at the predetermined location based on the weight.

[0029] With this configuration, the number of objects can be detected based on weight.

[0030] In the inspection system described above, the warning means may grasp the weight of each of the objects placed at a predetermined location based on the information of the RF tag read by the RF reading means, and compare the grasped weight with the weight measured by the weighing device, thereby determining whether the number of the objects from which the RF tag is read by the RF reading means matches the number detected by the detection means.

[0031] With this configuration, it is possible to determine a discrepancy in number based on weight and generate a warning.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples of implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described below. In implementing the present invention, specific configurations according to the embodiments may be appropriately adopted.

[0034] <<First Embodiment>> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cash register in a store to which the cash register system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. At the store cash register, a store clerk S and a customer C face each other with an accounting table T in between. The customer C places the merchandise 9, which is a valuable item to be purchased, on the mounting table 21 of the accounting table T and requests the store clerk S to perform accounting processing. By adopting the cash register system of the present embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the need for the store clerk S and to realize a self-service cash register without staff.

[0035] In the accounting table T, a weighing device 2 is embedded in the accounting table T so that the mounting table 21 is substantially flush with the surface of the accounting table T. Inside the mounting table 21, an RF antenna 11 of an RF reader 1 as an RF reading device is embedded. Note that the RF antenna 11 may be provided at the lower part of the mounting table 21 or at other locations, as long as it can read the RF tag 8 of the merchandise 9 on the mounting table 21.

[0036] A cash register device 5 is installed on the accounting table T. The RF reader 1 including the RF antenna 11, the weighing device 2 including the mounting table 21, and the cash register device 5 are each connected to a management control device 3. The management control device 3 is a computer, which receives information from the RF reader 1 and the weighing device 2 and outputs information to the cash register device 5. Further, a storage device 4 is connected to the management control device 3.

[0037] Based on the information from the RF reader 1 and the weighing device 2, the management control device 3 calculates the price of the merchandise placed on the mounting table 21 and outputs it to the cash register device 5. The cash register device 5 performs accounting processing according to the price information obtained from the management control device 3. Therefore, the total amount of the merchandise can be provided to the cash register device 5 without the store clerk S having to scan the barcodes of the merchandise 9 one by one.

[0038] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vending system including the inspection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vending system 100 includes an inspection system 10 and a vending machine 5. The inspection system 10 includes an RF reader 1, a weighing device 2, a management control device 3, and a storage device 4. As described above, the RF reader 1, the weighing device 2, and the storage device 4 are each connected to the management control device 3. The inspection system 10 is a system that inspects a product 9 as an inspection target. The type of the product 9 can be specified by the weight difference. The product 9 is provided with an RF tag 8 that records information about the product 9.

[0039] The RF reader 1 reads information about the product 9 from the RF tag 8 of the product 9 placed on the mounting table 21. When there are a plurality of products 9 placed on the mounting table 21, the RF reader 1 can read the RF tags 8 of those plurality of products collectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the RF reader 1 includes an RF antenna 11 and a reader main body 12.

[0040] The RF antenna 11 transmits radio waves or a magnetic field to the RF tag 8 and receives radio waves or a magnetic field from the RF tag 8. The reader main body 12 reads the information stored in the RF tag 8 by extracting information from the radio waves or magnetic field received from the RF tag 8 by the RF antenna 11. The reader main body 12 outputs the read information to the management control device 3 and records it in the recording device 4.

[0041] The weighing device 2 includes a mounting table 21 and a measurement processing device 22. When a product 9 is placed on the mounting table 21 and the mounting table 21 is pushed down or deformed by the self-weight of the product 9, the measurement processing device 22 measures the amount of depression or deformation as the weight of the product 9. The measurement processing device 22 outputs the measurement result (weight information) to the management control device 3 and records it in the recording device 4.

[0042] The management control device 3 obtains the weight of the product 9 based on the information read by the RF reader 1, compares the obtained weight with the weight measured by the weighing device 2, and determines whether the two match. For this purpose, the management control device 3 first grasps the total weight of the product 9 on the mounting table 21 using the measurement result of the weighing device 2. Also, the management control device 3 grasps the weight of the product 9 on the mounting table 21 based on the standard weight of the product 9 from the information obtained from the RF reader 1.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the information stored in the RF tag according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the RF tag 8, information on the standard weight of the product 9 to which it is attached and information on the price of the product 9 are stored. Note that the RF tag 8 may store other information related to the product, for example, information indicating the type of the product, information indicating the expiration date, and the like.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the processing in the management control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 4, a total of five products 9, namely, three products 9a of type a and two products 9b of type b, are placed on the mounting table 21. Each product 9a, 9b is provided with an RF tag 8. In the RF tag 8 of the product 9a, information on the weight wa and the price pa is stored, and in the RF tag 8 of the product 9b, information on the weight wb and the price pb is stored. Note that the weight wa and the weight wb are different.

[0045] The management control device 3 grasps the weight of each type of product 9 on the mounting table 21 and its total Wrf based on the standard weight of the product 9 from the weight information obtained from the RF reader 1. In the case of the example of FIG. 4, in the RF reader 1, information on three weights wa and two weights wb is obtained from the five products 9, and the management control device 3 acquires this information and obtains their total weight (Wrf = 3 × wa + 2 × wb). Also, the management control device 3 measures the total weight of the product 9 on the table using the measurement result of the weighing device 2. In the example of FIG. 4, in the measurement processing device 22, the total weight W of the five products 9 is obtained, and the management control device 3 acquires this information and grasps the total weight W of the product 9.

[0046] The management control device compares the calculated weight Wrf of the product 9 obtained from the RF reader 1 with the total weight W of the product 9 obtained from the measurement result of the weighing device 2, and obtains the excess weight (W - Wrf) of the total weight W. When the excess weight of this total weight W is zero or within a predetermined allowable error from zero, the management control device 3 estimates that the total number of products 9 matches. Note that the allowable error is set to be sufficiently smaller than the minimum weight of the product.

[0047] On the other hand, if there is a product 9 that does not have a valid RF tag 8 among the products 9, the calculated weight Wrf of the product 9 obtained from the RF reader 1 and the total weight W of the product 9 obtained from the measurement result of the weighing device 2 will not match (the excess weight of the total weight W will exceed the allowable error), and the management control device 3 estimates that the total number of products 9 with the RF tag 8 read by the RF reader 1 does not match the total number of products 9 whose weight is measured by the weighing device 2.

[0048] Further, when the excess weight exceeds the allowable error, the management control device 3 identifies the type of product 9 that causes the discrepancy between the total weight of each type of product 9 obtained from the RF reader 1 and the total weight W of the product 9 obtained from the measurement result of the weighing device 2 based on the excess weight (W - Wrf), or the type of product 9 that does not cause the discrepancy.

[0049] In the case of the example in FIG. 4, for example, when the excess weight (W - Wrf) is wa, it can be seen that a valid RF tag 8 is not attached to any one of the products 9a of type a. Also, for example, when the excess weight (W - Wrf) is (wa + wb), it can be seen that a valid RF tag 8 is not attached to any one of the products 9a of type a and any one of the products 9b of type b.

[0050] The management control device 3 further ascertains the total amount of the products 9 on the mounting table 21 from the price information obtained from the RF reader 1. As described above, the price information of the respective products 9 is stored in the RF tags 8 attached to the products 9, and since the management control device 3 obtains the price information of the respective products 9 from the RF reader 1, the total amount can be ascertained by calculating the sum of these. In the case of the example in FIG. 4, in the RF reader 1, information on three prices pa and two prices pb is obtained from five products 9, and the management control device 3 obtains this information and calculates their sum (P = 3×pa + 2×pb).

[0051] When the total number of products 9 read by the RF reader 1 using the RF tags 8 matches the total number of products 9 whose weight has been measured by the weight measuring device 2, the management control device 3 outputs the calculated total amount P to the cash register device 5. When the total number of products 9 read by the RF reader 1 using the RF tags 8 does not match the total number of products 9 whose weight has been measured by the weight measuring device 2, instead of outputting the total amount P to the cash register device 5, the management control device 3 outputs an alarm. At this time, the management control device 3 functions as an alarm means. The alarm is output in a manner that can be perceived visually, auditorily, or the like. The alarm means may be, for example, a lamp, a buzzer, or the like.

[0052] When the cash register device 5 obtains the information on the total amount P from the management control device 3, it performs accounting processing according to that amount. If a conventional barcode reader is connected to the cash register device 5 and there are products 9 for which the price cannot be ascertained by RFID, accounting processing may be performed by barcode reading as before for all products 9.

[0053] As described above, according to the checkout system 100 of the present embodiment, by attaching the RF tag 8 to the product 9, the prices of the products can be grasped collectively using RFID in the accounting table T. At the same time, information for specifying the weight of the product 9 is stored in the RF tag 8, and the actual weight of the product is also measured. By comparing the theoretically obtained total weight from the RF tag 8 with the total weight obtained by actual weighing, the presence of products without a valid RF tag 8 can be grasped. Therefore, it is possible to avoid losses to the product seller due to omission of recording the price of the product 9 without a valid RF tag 8.

[0054] <<Second Embodiment>> In the first embodiment, information on the standard weight and price of the product 9 is stored in the RF tag 8 attached to the product 9. However, the information on the standard weight and price of the product 9 may not be stored in the RF tag 8. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information stored in the RF tag of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, information for specifying the type of the product 9 is stored in the RF tag 8 attached to the product 9. In the following description, parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the processing in the management control device of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 6, as in the example of FIG. 4, a total of five products 9, namely, three products 9a of type a and two products 9b of type b, are placed on the mounting table 21. Each of the products 9a and 9b is provided with an RF tag 8. Information of type a is stored in the RF tag 8 of the product 9a, and information of type b is stored in the RF tag 8 of the product 9b.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, information on the type, weight, and price of each product 9 is stored in the storage device 4 in association with each other. In the case of the example of FIG. 6, in the storage device 4, for the product 9a of type a, type a, weight wa, and price pa are stored in association with each other, and for the product 9b of type b, type b, weight wb, and price pb are stored in association with each other.

[0057] The RF reader 1 collectively reads the RF tags 8 of the products 9 placed on the mounting table 21. In the case of the example in FIG. 6, information on 3 types a and 2 types b are read from 5 products 9. The management control device 3 acquires this information, refers to the storage device 4, and reads out the weight and price associated with the information read by the RF reader 1. In the case of the example in FIG. 6, the management control device 3 refers to the storage device 4 to acquire the weight wa and price pa for the product 9a of type a, and the weight wb and price pb for the product 9b of type b.

[0058] For the product 9a, since the management control device 3 has obtained information from the RF reader 1 that there are 3 of type a, it multiplies the weight wa and price pa of type a by 3 respectively. For the product 9b, since it has obtained information from the RF reader 1 that there are 2 of type b, it multiplies the weight wb and price pb of type b by 2 respectively, and calculates the respective totals for the weight and price, that is, the total weight Wrf and the total amount P.

[0059] Similar to the first embodiment, the management control device 3 compares the total weight Wf grasped based on the reading of the RF tag 8 with the actual total weight W of the products obtained from the weighing device 2. If they match, it is presumed that the total number of products 9 detected by the RF reader 1 matches the total number of products 9 weighed by the weighing and measuring device 3, and that valid RF tags 8 are attached to all the products 9, and the total amount P is output to the cash register device 5. On the other hand, if they do not match, it is presumed that there are products 9 without valid RF tags 8 attached, and an alarm is output. The details are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0060] As described above, also in the register system 100 of the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, by attaching the RF tag 8 to the product 9, the prices of the products can be grasped collectively using RFID in the accounting table T. At the same time, information for specifying the weight of the product 9 is stored in the RF tag 8, and the actual weight of the product is also measured. By comparing the theoretically obtained total weight from the RF tag 8 with the total weight obtained by actual weighing, the presence of products without a valid RF tag 8 can be grasped. Therefore, it is possible to avoid losses to product sellers due to omission of recording the prices of products 9 without a valid RF tag 8.

[0061] (Modifications of the First and Second Embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, products sold in a store are exemplified as examples of valuable items, but valuable items are not limited to these. For example, they may be gaming tokens exchanged for cash and given to customers at a casino facility. Further, the inspection system of the present invention is also applied to general articles other than valuable items as inspection targets.

[0062] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the RF tag 8 attached to the product 9 stores information on weight and price (first embodiment) or information for specifying the type (second embodiment). However, both information on weight and price and information for specifying the type may be stored. Information on weight and information for specifying the type may be stored, and information for specifying the type and price information may be stored in the storage device 4 in association with each other. Alternatively, information on price and information for specifying the type may be stored, and information for specifying the type and weight information may be stored in the storage device 4 in association with each other.

[0063] Also, in the above-described embodiment, in order to detect an article without a valid RF tag, the weight measuring device 2 for measuring the weight of the product 9 is employed as a means for detecting the presence of the article by means other than RFID. However, the means for detecting the presence of the article by means other than RFID is not limited to the weight measuring device 2.

[0064] For example, an article may be detected using a camera and an image recognition device. In this case, the camera captures an image of the article placed at the RFID reading position, and the image recognition device discriminates the type of the article by performing image recognition on the captured image. On the other hand, information for specifying the type of the article is also stored in the RF tag. The management control device 3 detects the presence of an article having no valid RF tag based on whether the type of the article discriminated by the image recognition device matches the type of the article detected by RFID (in the case of a plurality of articles, for the combination thereof).

[0065] <<Third Embodiment>> The third embodiment relates to an inspection system and an inspection device for inspecting gaming tokens, and particularly to an inspection system and an inspection device for inspecting a plurality of gaming tokens housed in a case.

[0066] Gaming tokens used in a casino or the like are manufactured in a factory, transported to the casino, stored in a storage, and then moved from the storage to a cashier or a game table on the floor. However, it is necessary to prevent the gaming tokens from being stolen or replaced with counterfeits during this process of transportation, storage, and movement. For this purpose, a case for housing the gaming tokens is used. By sealing the case after housing a plurality of gaming tokens, it becomes possible to detect a situation where the gaming tokens have been withdrawn from the case after sealing.

[0067] As gaming tokens, those having a built-in wireless tag storing identification information and type information and provided with optically readable code information indicating the identification information and type information on the side surface are known (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-66172).

[0068] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-66172 discloses a system using gaming currency. This system calculates the number of gaming currency placed on the bet board of the gaming table based on the identification information stored in the wireless tag, and also calculates the number of gaming currency based on the identification information provided on the side surface, and collates them. Thereby, when illegal gaming currency is used on the game table, it can be detected.

[0069] However, since the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-66172 calculates the number of bet (placed on the bet board) gaming currency to detect fraud, even with this system, it is not possible to inspect a plurality of gaming currency stored in a case in the state of being stored in the case and detect illegal gaming currency.

[0070] Therefore, a third embodiment aims to provide an inspection system and an inspection device capable of inspecting a plurality of gaming currency stored in a case in the state of being stored in the case.

[0071] The inspection system according to the first aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency having at least first currency information and second currency information, wherein the second currency information is provided on the side surface of the gaming currency in an optically readable form, and includes a case for storing a plurality of gaming currency stacked, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming currency stored in the case. The inspection device includes a first reading device for acquiring the first currency information of the gaming currency stored in the case, a second reading device for optically reading the side surface of the gaming currency stored in the case to acquire the second currency information, and using the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the second currency information acquired by the second reading device, a determination unit for determining the authenticity, damage or number of each value of all the gaming currency existing in the case to determine the pass or fail of the plurality of gaming currency stored in the case.

[0072] With this configuration, since both the first reading unit and the second reading unit acquire the first currency information and the second currency information from the game currency stored in the case, it is possible to inspect the game currency in the state of being stored in the case. Further, since two pieces of information, namely the first currency information and the second currency information, are acquired from the game currency for inspection, it is possible to surely determine pass or fail.

[0073] In the inspection system of the second aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system of the first aspect, the first currency information and the second currency information in the common game currency include common information, and the determination unit, when the common information portions of the plurality of the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the plurality of the second currency information acquired by the second reading device do not match, determines that the plurality of game currencies stored in the case are unqualified.

[0074] With this configuration, when there is an illegal game currency in the case in which the common information portions of the first currency information and the second currency information do not match, the determination unit can determine that the game currency stored in the case is unqualified.

[0075] For example, when common identification information is recorded on the wireless tag and the side surface, if the plurality of identification information read from the plurality of wireless tags and the plurality of identification information read from the plurality of side surfaces do not completely match, it is unqualified. Also, when the value of the game currency is recorded on the wireless tag and the side surface, if the number of each value read from the wireless tag and the number of each value read from the side surface do not match, it is unqualified.

[0076] In the inspection system of the third aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system of the first aspect, both or one of the first currency information and the second currency information includes individual identification information for individually identifying the game currency.

[0077] In the inspection system according to the fourth aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to the first aspect, the second currency information includes information represented by a specified color indicating the value of the gaming currency, and is information indicating the value of the gaming currency in the specified color.

[0078] In the inspection system according to the fifth aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to the third aspect, both the first currency information and the second currency information include individual identification information. When the individual identification information of the plurality of first currency information acquired by the first reading device does not match the individual identification information of the plurality of second currency information acquired by the second reading device, it is determined that the plurality of gaming currencies housed in the case are nonconforming.

[0079] With this configuration, when there are illegal gaming currencies in the case for which the individual identification information of the first currency information does not match the individual identification information of the second currency information, the determination unit can determine that the gaming currencies housed in the case are nonconforming.

[0080] In the inspection system according to the sixth aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to the first aspect, the inspection system further includes a storage unit that stores the individual identification information of at least the first currency information or the second currency information of the plurality of gaming currencies to be housed in the case. The determination unit determines that the plurality of gaming currencies housed in the case are nonconforming when the individual identification information of the plurality of first currency information acquired by the first reading device or the individual identification information of the plurality of second currency information acquired by the second reading device does not match the individual identification information of the first currency information or the second currency information stored in the storage unit.

[0081] With this configuration, when there are illegal gaming currencies in the case for which the first currency information or the second currency information is inaccurate, the determination unit can determine that the gaming currencies housed in the case are nonconforming.

[0082] For example, when individual identification information expressed in characters is recorded on a wireless tag and individual identification information expressed in numbers is recorded on the side surface, the storage unit also stores, for each case, a plurality of pieces of individual identification information expressed in characters for the wireless tag and a plurality of pieces of individual identification information expressed in numbers for the side surface. When the plurality of pieces of individual identification information read from the plurality of wireless tags do not match the plurality of pieces of individual identification information stored in the storage unit for the wireless tag of that case, or when the plurality of pieces of individual identification information read from the plurality of side surfaces do not match the plurality of pieces of individual identification information stored in the storage unit for the side surface of that case, it is determined as nonconforming.

[0083] The inspection system according to the seventh aspect of the third embodiment further includes a storage unit that stores the correspondence relationship between the first currency information and the second currency information in the inspection system according to the first aspect. The determination unit determines that the plurality of pieces of first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the plurality of pieces of second currency information acquired by the second reading device do not conform to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit, and determines that the plurality of gaming coins housed in the case are nonconforming.

[0084] With this configuration, when there are gaming coins with an inaccurate correspondence relationship between the first currency information and the second currency information in the case, it can be determined as nonconforming.

[0085] For example, when identification information is recorded on a wireless tag and a value is recorded on the side surface, the storage unit stores, for each piece of identification information, a value assigned thereto. For the plurality of pieces of identification information read from the plurality of wireless tags, the number of each value is obtained by referring to the storage unit. When the number of each value read from the side surface does not match this, it is determined as nonconforming. Conversely, the same applies when a value is recorded on the wireless tag and identification information is recorded on the side surface. In these cases, the storage unit does not need to store which case contains which gaming coins with identification information.

[0086] In the inspection system according to the eighth aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, when the number of the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the second currency information acquired by the second reading device is not a predetermined number, the determination unit determines that a plurality of game coins housed in the case are non-conforming.

[0087] With this configuration, when game coins are withdrawn from the case or when game coins are added to the case, the determination unit can determine that the game coins housed in the case are non-conforming.

[0088] For example, when the number of coins that can be housed in the case is 100, if either the first currency information read from the wireless tag or the second currency information read from the side is not 100, it is determined as non-conforming.

[0089] In the inspection system according to the ninth aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the game coin includes color information indicating the value of the game coin in the second currency information, and includes value information for identifying the value of the game coin in the first currency information. When the color information and the value information of the first currency information do not match, the determination unit determines that a plurality of game coins housed in the case are non-conforming.

[0090] In the inspection system according to the tenth aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to the ninth aspect, the second currency information further includes value information of the game coin in addition to the color information. When the value of the game coin indicated by the color information in the second currency information does not match both or one of the value information of the second currency information and the value information of the first currency information, the determination unit determines that a plurality of game coins housed in the case are non-conforming.

[0091] In the inspection system according to the eleventh aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the game coin has a wireless tag having the first currency information.

[0092] The inspection system according to the twelfth aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein at least one or both of the first currency information and the second currency information include group information indicating the group to which the game currency belongs, and the group is a group divided by the value, manufacturing time, manufacturer, and / or the game arcade where the game currency is used of the game currency.

[0093] The inspection system according to the thirteenth aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the tenth aspect, wherein the determination unit determines that a plurality of game currencies housed in the case are unqualified when at least one of the color information, the value information of the first currency information and the second currency information, common information, or individual identification information does not match.

[0094] The inspection system according to the fourteenth aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the tenth aspect, wherein the determination unit determines the number of each value of the plurality of game currencies housed in the case or the total value of the values of all the game currencies based on the color information, the first currency information, or the value information of the second currency information.

[0095] The inspection system according to the fifteenth aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the first aspect, wherein the second currency information includes information represented by a designated color indicating the value of the game currency on the side surface of the game currency, and is information indicating the value of the game currency in the designated color. The second reading device includes a camera that photographs the side surfaces of a plurality of game currencies housed in the case, and an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the designated color of each of the plurality of game currencies and specifies the value of the plurality of game currencies according to the identified designated color.

[0096] With this configuration, the determination unit can determine pass or fail using the information on the value of the game currency.

[0097] In the inspection system according to the 16th aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to the 15th aspect, the designated color representing the second currency information is sandwiched in the thickness direction of the gaming currency by a common color that is commonly applied to gaming currencies with different values on the side surface of the gaming currency.

[0098] With this configuration, even when a plurality of gaming currencies are stacked in the case, the identification unit can identify the types of the plurality of gaming currencies in the case by extracting the designated color sandwiched between the common colors from the side image.

[0099] The inspection system according to the 17th aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the 1st aspect, wherein the second currency information is notation information optically readable and written on the side surface, and the second reading device includes a camera that photographs the side surfaces of a plurality of gaming currencies loaded and stored in the case, and an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the notation information of each of the plurality of gaming currencies and identifies the second currency information of each of the plurality of gaming currencies according to the identified notation information.

[0100] With this configuration, the determination unit can determine pass or fail using the notation information of the gaming currency.

[0101] The inspection system according to the 18th aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the 17th aspect, wherein the notation information is written with an infrared reaction ink that emits light in response to infrared rays or an infrared absorption ink that absorbs infrared rays, and the camera is an infrared camera.

[0102] With this configuration, it is possible to make the identification information attached to the side surface invisible under natural light.

[0103] The inspection system according to the 19th aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the 17th aspect, wherein the notation information is written with an ink that emits light in response to ultraviolet rays, and the inspection device further includes an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates the side surfaces of a plurality of gaming currencies stored in the case with ultraviolet rays.

[0104] With this configuration, it is also possible to make the identification information attached to the side invisible under natural light.

[0105] The inspection system according to the 20th aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the first aspect, wherein the case is sealed with a seal that is broken when the accommodated gaming currency is taken out, and the inspection device further includes a detection unit that detects the unbroken seal, and the determination unit determines that a plurality of gaming currencies accommodated in the case are non-conforming when the unbroken seal is not detected by the detection unit.

[0106] With this configuration, when the seal is broken, the determination unit can determine that the gaming currency accommodated in the case is non-conforming.

[0107] The inspection system according to the 21st aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the first aspect, wherein the case has a light-transmitting portion, and the second reading device optically reads the side surface of the gaming currency accommodated in the case through the light-transmitting portion.

[0108] With this configuration, the second currency information can be read while the case is closed.

[0109] The inspection system according to the 22nd aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the 21st aspect, wherein the light-transmitting portion is formed of a transparent member.

[0110] With this configuration, a sealed structure can be achieved for the case including the light-transmitting portion.

[0111] The inspection system according to the 23rd aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system according to the first aspect, wherein the inspection device includes a case receiving portion for receiving the case.

[0112] With this configuration, by placing the case in the case receiving portion, the first currency information and the second currency information can be read.

[0113] In the inspection system according to the 24th aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to the 21st aspect, the case is portable.

[0114] With this configuration, it is possible to inspect the gaming currency in the case at any point in the process of moving the case from the factory to the table or the cashier.

[0115] In the inspection system according to the 25th aspect of the third embodiment, in the inspection system according to the 1st aspect, the case is a two-stage chip float or chip tray that holds the gaming currency on the game table.

[0116] An inspection system according to the 26th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency having a designated color representing a value and notation information optically readable on a side surface, and includes a case for storing a plurality of gaming currency stacked, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming currency stored in the case. The inspection device includes a camera for photographing a side surface of the gaming currency stored in the case, an identification unit for analyzing an image photographed by the camera to identify the designated color and the notation information of each of the plurality of gaming currency, and a determination unit for determining the pass or fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the designated color and the notation information identified by the identification unit.

[0117] With this configuration, since the identification unit identifies the designated color and the notation information for the gaming currency stored in the case, it is possible to inspect the gaming currency in the state stored in the case. In addition, since the inspection is performed by identifying two pieces of information, the designated color and the notation information, from the side surface of the gaming currency, it is possible to surely determine the pass or fail.

[0118] The inspection system according to the 27th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system that inspects gaming currency with a wireless tag storing currency information and having a specified color representing value on its side surface, and includes a case for storing a plurality of gaming currency stacked thereon, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming currency stored in the case. The inspection device includes a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the gaming currency stored in the case to obtain the currency information, a camera that photographs the side surface of the gaming currency stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the specified color of each of the plurality of gaming currency, and a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit and the specified color identified by the identification unit.

[0119] With this configuration, the reading unit obtains currency information from the gaming currency stored in the case, and the identification unit also identifies the specified color for the gaming currency stored in the case, so that it is possible to inspect the gaming currency in the state of being stored in the case. In addition, since the inspection is performed by specifying two pieces of information, currency information and specified color, from the side surface of the gaming currency, it is possible to surely determine the pass / fail.

[0120] The inspection device according to the 28th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection device that inspects a plurality of gaming currency with a wireless tag storing first currency information and having second currency information optically readable on its side surface, and stacked and stored in a case. The inspection device includes a first reading device that reads the wireless tags of the plurality of gaming currency stored in the case to obtain the first currency information, a second reading device that optically reads the side surfaces of the plurality of gaming currency stored in the case to obtain the second currency information, and a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the first currency information obtained by the first reading device and the second currency information obtained by the second reading device.

[0121] With this configuration, since both the first reading unit and the second reading unit acquire the first currency information and the second currency information from the game currency stored in the case, it is possible to inspect the game currency in the state of being stored in the case. Further, since two pieces of information, namely the first currency information and the second currency information, are acquired from the game currency for inspection, it is possible to surely determine the pass / fail.

[0122] The inspection device according to the 29th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection device that inspects a plurality of game currencies stored in a case with a designated color representing value and optically readable notation information provided on the side surface, and includes a camera that photographs the side surfaces of the plurality of game currencies stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the designated color and the notation information of each of the plurality of game currencies, and a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the game currency for each case based on the designated color and the notation information identified by the identification unit.

[0123] The inspection device according to the 30th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection device that inspects a plurality of game currencies stored in a case with a designated color representing value provided on the side surface and incorporates a wireless tag storing currency information, and includes a reading unit that reads the wireless tags of the plurality of game currencies stored in the case to acquire the currency information, a camera that photographs the side surfaces of the plurality of game currencies stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the designated color of each of the plurality of game currencies, and a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the game currency for each case based on the currency information acquired by the reading unit and the designated color identified by the identification unit.

[0124] The inspection system according to the 31st aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency incorporating a wireless tag storing currency information, and includes a case for storing a plurality of gaming currencies stacked thereon, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming currencies stored in the case. The inspection device includes a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the gaming currency stored in the case to acquire currency information, a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the currency information acquired by the reading unit, and a storage unit that stores the currency information of the plurality of gaming currencies to be stored in the case. The determination unit determines that the plurality of gaming currencies stored in the case are non-conforming when the plurality of currency information acquired by the reading unit does not match the currency information stored in the storage unit.

[0125] The inspection device according to the 32nd aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection device for inspecting a plurality of gaming currencies incorporated with a wireless tag storing currency information and stored in a case in a stacked manner, and has a configuration including a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the plurality of gaming currencies stored in the case to acquire currency information, and a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the currency information acquired by the reading unit.

[0126] According to the third embodiment, since both the first reading unit and the second reading unit acquire the first currency information and the second currency information from the gaming currency stored in the case, it is possible to inspect the gaming currency in the state of being stored in the case. In addition, since the inspection is performed by acquiring two pieces of information, the first currency information and the second currency information, from the gaming currency, it is possible to surely determine the pass / fail.

[0127] Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0128] <Configuration of Inspection System> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection system in the third embodiment. The inspection system 41 includes a case 4100 for accommodating gaming coins in a stacked state, and an inspection device 4200 for inspecting a plurality of gaming coins accommodated in the case 4100 while they are accommodated in the case 4100.

[0129] The case 4100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of a transparent resin. The case 4100 accommodates disc-shaped gaming coins C in a stacked state. Five columns for accommodating 20 gaming coins C are formed in the case 4100, and a total of 100 gaming coins C can be accommodated. The case 4100 is portable while accommodating the gaming coins C. The case 4100 consists of a separable upper part 4101 and a lower part 4102. By separating the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102, it is possible to accommodate the gaming coins C in the case 4100 and take out the gaming coins C from the case 4100.

[0130] The inspection device 4200 consists of a receiving part 4210 and a main body part 4220. The inspection device 4200 can receive the case 4100 at this receiving part 4210. The receiving part 4210 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper surface and front surface as a whole, and is formed by left and right side walls 4211, a bottom 4212, and a back wall 4213, and has a width, height, and depth in which the case 4100 just fits.

[0131] The main body part 4220 is provided on the back side of the back wall 4213 of the receiving part 4210, and includes an RFID reader 4221, a computer 4222, and a display part 4223. The main body part 4220 is further provided with an infrared camera 4225 and a visible light camera 4226. The infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 are attached to the tip of an arm 4227 so as to photograph the side surfaces of the gaming coins C accommodated in the case 4100 from the upper surface side of the case 4100 accommodated in the receiving part 4210.

[0132] The computer 4222 is connected to an RFID reader 4221, a display unit 4223, an infrared camera 4225, and a visible light camera 4226. An RFID antenna 4224 is connected to the RFID reader 4221. The RFID antenna 4224 extends from the RFID reader 4221 and spirally extends within the left and right side walls 4211. That is, a spiral RFID antenna 4224 is laid inside each of the left and right side walls 4211, and each RFID antenna 4224 is connected to the RFID reader 4221.

[0133] The display unit 4223 is composed of a liquid crystal panel. Note that a touch sensor may be provided on this liquid crystal panel, and the display unit 4223 may be configured as a touch panel.

[0134] <Configuration of Gaming Coins> FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a gaming coin C in the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the gaming coin C in the third embodiment. The gaming coin C includes a designated color layer 4501 characterized by a designated color in the middle, and common color layers 4502 characterized by a common color on both sides (top and bottom in FIG. 9) in the thickness direction of the middle designated color layer 4501, and a stripe pattern is formed on the side surface (in the thickness direction).

[0135] An RFID tag 4503 is inserted as a wireless tag between the designated color layer 4501 and one of the common color layers 4502 of the gaming coin C. The RFID tag 4503 stores, as coin information of the gaming coin C, for example, individual identification information for individually identifying (uniquely specifying) the gaming coin C and information on its value (type). A transparent layer 4504 is provided on the outermost layer of the gaming coin C. That is, the gaming coin C has a designated color layer 4501 as an intermediate layer, common color layers 4502 sandwiching the designated color layer 4501 from both sides, and transparent layers 4504 as the outermost layers on both sides.

[0136] The gaming currency C is formed by stacking plastic materials of five elongated strip-shaped layers (in the order of the transparent layer 4504, the common color layer 4502, the designated color layer 4501, the common color layer 4502, and the transparent layer 4504). At this time, RFID tags 4503 are arranged at predetermined intervals between the designated color layer 4501 and one of the common color layers 4502. The five-layer plastic material is thermocompression-bonded, and then punched into a circular or rectangular shape, etc. by pressing or the like so that one gaming currency C contains one RFID tag 4503. When punching by pressing, the dimensions of the die and punch of the mold for punching are designed so that the outer end of the outermost transparent layer 4504 is subjected to R processing (round corners).

[0137] Note that the transparent layer 4504 may be formed by applying varnish to the surface after thermocompression-bonding the three layers consisting of the designated color layer 4501 and the two common color layers 4502. Also, the designated color layer 4501 and the two common color layers 4502 do not have to be separate members. After being integrally formed, the designated color layer 4501 and the common color layer 4502 may be formed by applying the designated color (and the common color) to the side surface by inkjet printing or the like.

[0138] The designated color layer 4501 represents the value (type) of the gaming currency C with color (designated color). That is, by making the color of the designated color layer 4501 different colors (red, green, yellow, blue, etc.) for each value of the gaming currency C, the value of the gaming currency C (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) can be specified by checking the color of the designated color layer 501 that can be optically read from the side surface of the gaming currency C. A common color (common color) is given to the common color layer 4502 for gaming currencies C with different values. The common color is preferably a lighter color than any of the designated colors, and is white in this embodiment.

[0139] On the side of the gaming currency C, code information 4505 representing the currency information of the gaming currency C is further marked on the side (specifically, the common color layer 4502 of the side). This code information 4505 expresses information by the arrangement of a plurality of signs (which may also be referred to as marks, and are square signs in this embodiment). While the designated color layer 4501 represents information (the value of the gaming currency C) in color, since the code information 4505 represents information by signs marked on the side, it can be called notation information. Other examples of notation information include a plurality of character strings, number sequences, barcodes, etc.

[0140] The code information 4505 of this embodiment is repeatedly marked at a 60-degree cycle in the circumferential direction of the gaming currency C. As a result, the code information 4505 will include complete code information 4505 within a range of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction no matter from which direction in the circumferential direction the side of the gaming currency C is observed. Note that the repetition period of the gaming currency C is not limited to 60 degrees, and it is sufficient that it is repeatedly marked at least three times at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0141] The code information 4505 is marked with invisible ink. In this embodiment, as the invisible ink, an infrared absorption ink (specifically, carbon black) that absorbs infrared rays is used and printed by inkjet printing. Since only the printed part of the code information 4505 does not reflect infrared rays, by photographing the side of the gaming currency C with an infrared camera 4225, the code information 4505 will stand out. Note that the infrared camera 4225 may be equipped with an infrared lamp to irradiate the side of the gaming currency C to be photographed with infrared rays in order to clearly make the printed part stand out.

[0142] Note that the invisible ink is not limited to infrared absorption ink, and for example, it may be an infrared reaction ink that fluoresces in response to infrared rays or a UV ink that fluoresces in response to ultraviolet rays. When using UV ink, instead of the infrared camera 4225, a ultraviolet camera is used, and further, a black light for irradiating the side of the gaming currency C with ultraviolet rays is used to make the UV ink fluoresce.

[0143] Furthermore, on the surface X of the common color layer 4502 of the gaming token C, there is a label (mark) m' made of UV ink or carbon black ink. This label m' indicates the authenticity of the gaming token C. When ultraviolet light (or infrared light) is applied, the label m' becomes visible, and the genuine one is represented by the combination of its shape and number. The outermost layer is thermally pressed or coated (applied) with a transparent layer 4504 so as to cover the surface printing 4506 (such as 100 points) for identifying the gaming venue and the label m'. The transparent layer 4504 is embossed or varnished to prevent the gaming tokens C from sticking to each other and to improve the slipperiness.

[0144] The edge of the outermost transparent layer 4504 with the printing 4506 (such as 100 points) is subjected to R processing (R) to prevent the surface of the common color layer 4502 from being deformed and appearing on the side surface during the punching process of the gaming token C. Also, it prevents the sharp edge of the gaming token C from damaging the remaining hand or other gaming tokens C. The designated color layer 4501 may be formed by one or more colored layers. Furthermore, metal or ceramic for increasing the weight may be installed in the layer within the layers of the designated color layer 4501. Also, the RFID tag 4503 may be punched out in a part of the designated color layer 4501, or a space may be provided between the designated color layer 4501 and the common color layer 4502 and it may be built in there.

[0145] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing a plurality of game coins C housed in a case 4100 with an infrared camera 4225 and a visible light camera 4226. In this case, the case 4100 may be a two-stage chip float (the upper movable tray portion in a two-stage chip tray) or a chip tray that holds the game coins C on a game table. Even if the game coins C are stacked vertically in the case 4100 as shown in FIG. 10, the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 can photograph the code information 4505. Also, by counting the specified color layers 4501 vertically, it is possible to count the number of game coins C. Even if it is a two-stage type, by expanding each stage, it becomes possible to photograph the sides of all the game coins C housed in the case 4100 with the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226.

[0146] In the present embodiment, the code information 4505 is represented by the arrangement of a plurality of rows and columns of signs m. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the code information 4505. As shown in FIG. 11, the upper and lower signs m form a pair to constitute one code element. In the example of FIG. 11, one code information 4505 is composed of 10-digit code elements. As shown in FIG. 11, there are 4 patterns of one code element formed by pairing the upper and lower signs m, and since 4 types of information can be expressed by one code element, the code information 4505 composed of 10-digit code elements can express 4 to the 10th power types of information. The horizontal Y shape of the 10-digit code element is an orientation discrimination mark Y for discriminating the orientation of the code information 4505.

[0147] <Configuration of inspection device> FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inspection apparatus 4200. The inspection apparatus 4200 includes, in addition to the RFID reader 4221, computer 4222, display unit 4223, RFID antenna 4224, infrared camera 4225, and visible light camera 4226 shown in FIG. 7, a barcode reader 4228 and a communication unit 4229. The computer 4222 is composed of a processor, a memory, etc. (not shown), and when the processor executes an inspection program, an identification unit 4230 and a determination unit 4231 are configured.

[0148] The RFID reader 4221, RFID antenna 4224, and RFID tag 4503 embedded in the gaming currency C constitute an RFID system. The currency information of the gaming currency C stored in the RFID tag 4503 embedded in the gaming currency C is non - contact read by the RFID reader 4221 and used for processing in the computer 4222.

[0149] The infrared camera 4225 includes an infrared transmission filter that transmits only infrared rays and captures an infrared image. The infrared image generated by the shooting of the infrared camera 4225 is transmitted to the computer 4222 and used for the processing of the identification unit 4230. The visible light camera 4226 captures an image of light in the visible region. The visible light image generated by the shooting of the visible light camera 4226 is also transmitted to the computer 4222 and used for the processing of the identification unit 4230. As shown in FIG. 7, the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 are directed from above the case 4100 toward the case 4100, and capture the sides of a plurality of gaming currencies C in the case 4100 through the upper part 4101 of the case 4100.

[0150] The barcode reader 4228 reads the barcode BC attached to the case 4100 and acquires case identification information described later. The display unit 4223 displays the determination result of the determination unit 4231 of the computer 4222. The communication unit 4229 performs data communication with the production management device 4302 installed in the factory F and the usage management device 4303 installed in the game arcade P.

[0151] <Configuration of the Case> FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the case 4100. The case 4100 is composed of an upper part 4101 and a lower part 4102 combined. In the present embodiment, the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102 are made of a transparent resin. As described above, since the inspection apparatus 4200 of the present embodiment has the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 (hereinafter simply referred to as the camera) installed above the receiving part 210, at least the upper surface of the case 4100 needs to transmit light. That is, in the case 4100, the part located between the camera when it is received by the receiving part 4210 of the inspection apparatus 4200 needs to be a light-transmitting part that transmits light. In the present embodiment, although the case 4100 has a sealed structure composed of the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102, the light-transmitting part may be in a perforated state.

[0152] As described above, the case 4100 has a shape in which five columns in which 20 game coins C are stacked and accommodated are formed in parallel. In the example of FIG. 13, the cross section of each column is polygonal (octagonal) so as to generally follow the shape of the game coin C accommodated in the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102.

[0153] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the modified case 4100', and FIG. 15 is a plan view of this case 4100'. The case 4100' is also composed of an upper part 4101' made of a transparent resin and a lower part 4102. In this modified example, the upper surface of the upper part 4101' facing the camera is formed as a flat surface. By making the surface facing the camera flat in this way, as shown in FIG. 15, no linear shadow due to the corners of the polygonal cross section of the case 4100' is reflected in the camera, and in the image analysis of the captured image of the camera, the information on the side surface of the game coin C can be accurately identified.

[0154] <Usage Mode of the Inspection System> FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of the usage mode of the inspection system 41 along with the circulation of the game currency C. The game currency C is manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 4301 in the factory F (s1), and is stored in cases 4100 in units of 100 (s2). After the cases 4100 store the game currency C, they are sealed by a sealing tape in the factory F. Further, a barcode BC indicating case identification information for uniquely identifying this case 4100 is attached to the side surface of the case 4100 (s3).

[0155] At this time, the case identification information of the barcode BC attached to the case 4100 is input to the production management apparatus 4302 in the factory F (s4). Further, the case 4100 storing the game currency C is subjected to the inspection apparatus 4200, the currency information (details will be described later) given to the game currency C is read, and a pass / fail inspection is performed. Then, the currency information read from the game currency C stored in the case 4100 is sent to the production management apparatus 4302 (s5), and is associated with the case identification information in the production management apparatus 4302. Note that the production management apparatus 4302 may be a personal computer.

[0156] The case 4100 that has passed the inspection in the inspection apparatus 4200 in the factory F is transported from the factory F to the game arcade P (s6). The case 4100 is first stored in the storage R in the game arcade P (s7). An inspection apparatus 4200 is installed in the storage R, and the case 4100 received from the factory F is inspected by this inspection apparatus 4200.

[0157] On the other hand, the case identification information and the currency information associated therewith are transmitted from the production management apparatus 4302 in the factory F to the usage management apparatus 4303 in the game arcade P. The usage management apparatus 4303 includes a storage unit that acquires the case identification information and the currency information associated therewith from the production management apparatus 4302 for each of the plurality of cases 4100 storing the game currency C, and stores them for each case 4100. Note that the usage management apparatus 4303 may be a personal computer.

[0158] In the inspection by the inspection device 4200 of the storage vault R, the inspection is performed using the information stored in this usage management device 4303. The case 4100 that has passed the inspection in the storage vault R is transported to the game table T (s9), or transported to the cashier CA (s10). The game table T and the cashier CA are also each equipped with the inspection device 4200, and the case 4100 containing the gaming currency C is inspected by those inspection devices 4200 with the seal intact. Also, at the game table T and the cashier CA, the case 4100 containing the used gaming currency C is also inspected, and the inspection device 4200 is also used for that inspection. In the inspections by the three inspection devices 4200 in the game arcade P, the case identification information transmitted from the production management device 4302 and stored in the usage management device 4303 and the currency information associated therewith are referred to.

[0159] <Configuration of the Stored Information> FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the content of the information generated by the production management device 4302, transmitted to the usage management device 4303, and stored in the usage management device 4303. The information is generated for each case 4100, and for each case identification information (Ca1, Ca2, Ca3,...), the currency information of a plurality (100 pieces in this embodiment) of gaming currencies C stored in the case 4100 is associated.

[0160] As the currency information, the RFID tag 4503 stores information consisting of a combination of individual identification information (aa, ab, ac,..., du, dv) that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C and information (r, r, r,..., b, b) that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C. The notation information on the side stores information consisting of a combination of individual identification information (00001, 00002, 00003,..., 00099, 00100) that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C and information (1, 1, 1,..., 2, 2) that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C. The color information on the side stores information (red, red, red,..., blue, blue) that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C.

[0161] The information stored in this RFID tag 4503 is information that can be electromagnetically read by the RFID reader 4221, which corresponds to the first currency information of this embodiment. The notation information and color information provided on the side are information that can be optically read and correspond to the second currency information of this embodiment.

[0162] <Configuration of the information to be read> FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the content of information respectively acquired by the barcode reader 4228, RFID reader 4221, infrared camera 4225, and visible light camera 4226 from one case 4100 in the inspection apparatus 4200. From the RFID reader 4221, an English character string stored in the RFID tag 4503 incorporated in a plurality of gaming coins C is read. From the infrared camera 4225, a numerical string which is notation information written on the side is read. Also, from the visible light camera 4226, the color of the side is read. The identification unit 4230 analyzes the numerical string (image) read from the infrared camera 4225 to identify the numbers, specifies the information consisting of the numerical string, and specifies the designated color from the image of the side read from the visible light camera 4226.

[0163] Here, the notation information and the information on the designated color on the sides of the plurality of gaming coins C can be acquired according to the arrangement order of the gaming coins C in the case 4100, but the information acquired from the plurality of RFID tags 4503 cannot be acquired according to the arrangement order of the gaming coins C. That is, it is impossible to specify from which gaming coin C the information of the RFID tag 4503 is obtained.

[0164] <Pass / fail determination method> Next, a method for determining pass or fail in the computer 4222 of the inspection device 4200 will be described. As described above, the identification unit 4230 identifies the currency information stored in the RFID tag 4503 of the plurality of gaming coins C housed in the case 4100 based on the reading result of the RFID reader 4221, analyzes the infrared image obtained by the infrared camera 4225 to identify the currency information indicated by the notation information, and analyzes the visible light image obtained by the visible light camera 4226 to identify the color of the designated color layer 4501. The determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity, damage, or number of each value of all the gaming coins present in the case based on this information, and determines the pass or fail of the case 4100. In the following description, the currency information stored in the RFID tag 4503 is referred to as first currency information, and the notation information provided on the side of the gaming coin C and the information on the color of the designated color layer 4501 are referred to as second currency information.

[0165] (First pass / fail determination method) In the first pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 19, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same gaming coin C are set to the same information. In the example of FIG. 19, the first currency information is information composed of the individual identification information and value information of each gaming coin C, and the same content is written on the side in the form of notation information as the second currency information.

[0166] The RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming coin C and outputs it to the identification unit 4230. The infrared camera 4225 captures an image of the side of the gaming coin C, and the identification unit 4230 identifies the second currency information. In this case, in the identification unit 4230, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information is unclear.

[0167] The determination unit 4231 compares the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230. When they completely correspond one-to-one, that is, when all the first currency information matches any of the second currency information without duplication, the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100 is determined to be qualified. When the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 do not completely match, the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100 is determined to be unqualified.

[0168] When the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 do not completely match, it may be the case that any of the game currency C stored in the case 4100 is a counterfeit, or the RFID tag 4503 or the side surface of any of the game currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity and damage of all the game currency C existing in the case 4100, and thereby determines the pass / fail of the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100.

[0169] (Second pass / fail determination method) Also in the second pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 290, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game currency C are the same information. In the example of FIG. 20, the first currency information is the information on the value of each game currency C, and each game currency C is given a designated color as the second currency information in the designated color layer 4501 on the side surface.

[0170] The RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 4230. The visible light camera 4226 captures an image of the side surface of the game currency C, and the identification unit 4230 analyzes this image to identify the second currency information (the color of the designated color layer 4501).

[0171] In this case, in the identification unit 4230, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information is unknown. Also, there are overlapping ones among the plurality of first currency information, and there are also overlapping ones among the plurality of second currency information. In the first currency information and the second currency information in FIG. 20, "r" represents red, "b" represents blue, "y" represents yellow, and "g" represents green, respectively.

[0172] When the number of each specified color (red, blue, yellow, green) in the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 is the same as the number of each specified color (red, blue, yellow, green) in the plurality of second currency information, the determination unit 4231 determines it as qualified, and when they do not match, it determines it as unqualified.

[0173] When the number of each specified color in the first currency information does not match the number of each specified color in the plurality of second currency information, it may be the case that any of the game currency C stored in the case 4100 is a counterfeit, or the side surface of any of the game currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 4231 determines the pass / fail of the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100 by determining the number of each value of all the game currency C existing in the case 4100.

[0174] (Third pass / fail determination method) In the third pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 21, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game currency C are different information. In the example of FIG. 21, in the RFID tag 4503 of the game currency C, information of an English character string is stored as the first currency information, and notation information of a numeric string is indicated as the second currency information on the side surface of the game currency C.

[0175] The RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 4230, and the infrared camera 4225 photographs the side surface of the game currency C, and the identification unit 4230 identifies the second currency information. In this case, in the identification unit 4230, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information is unknown.

[0176] The use management device 4303 stores first currency information and second currency information in association with the case identification information of this case 4100. The determination unit 4231 compares the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the use management device 4303, and determines whether they completely correspond one-to-one. Further, the determination unit 4231 compares the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the use management device 4303, and determines whether they completely correspond one-to-one.

[0177] When the determination unit 4231 determines that the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 and the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the use management device 4303 completely correspond one-to-one, that is, when the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 does not overlap and matches any of the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the use management device 4303, and when the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 and the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the use management device 4303 completely correspond one-to-one, that is, when the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 does not overlap and matches any of the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the use management device 4303, the plurality of gaming coins C accommodated in the case 4100 are determined to be qualified. When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match, or when any of the plurality of second currency information does not match, the plurality of gaming coins C accommodated in the case 4100 are determined to be unqualified.

[0178] If any of the plurality of first currency information does not match the stored information, or if any of the plurality of second currency information does not match the stored information, it may be the case that any of the game currency C stored in case 4100 is counterfeit, or the RFID tag 4503 or the side surface of any of the game currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity and damage of all the game currency C present in case 4100, and thereby determines the pass / fail of the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100.

[0179] (Fourth pass / fail determination method) In the fourth pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 22, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game currency C are different information. In the example of FIG. 22, the RFID tag 4503 of the game currency C stores information in the form of an English character string as the first currency information, and the designated color layer 4501 on the side surface of the game currency C is colored with a designated color corresponding to the value as the second currency information.

[0180] The RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 4230. The visible light camera 4226 captures an image of the side surface of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 4230. The identification unit 4230 analyzes this captured image to identify the designated color, which is the second currency information. In this case, in the identification unit 4230, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information is unknown.

[0181] The usage management device 4303 stores first currency information and second currency information in association with the case identification information of this case 4100. The determination unit 4231 compares the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, and determines whether they completely correspond one-to-one. Further, the determination unit 4231 compares the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, and determines whether the numbers match for each designated color.

[0182] When the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 and the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303 completely correspond one-to-one, and the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 and the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303 all match, the determination unit 4231 determines that the case 4100 is qualified. When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match, or when any of the numbers of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information does not match, the determination unit 4231 determines that the plurality of gaming currency C stored in the case 4100 is unqualified.

[0183] When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match the stored information, or when any of the numbers of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information does not match, it is possible that any of the gaming currency C stored in the case 4100 is counterfeit, or that the RFID tag 4503 or the side surface of any of the gaming currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity, damage, and number of each value of all the gaming currency C existing in the case 4100, and determines the pass / fail of the plurality of gaming currency C stored in the case 4100.

[0184] (Fifth pass / fail determination method) In the fifth pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 23, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same gaming currency C are different information. In the example of FIG. 23, in the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C, individual identification information consisting of a numerical sequence is stored as the first currency information, and on the side surface of the gaming currency C, information on the value of the gaming currency C is given in the form of the designated color of the designated color layer 4501 as the second currency information.

[0185] The RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 4230. The visible light camera 4226 captures an image of the side surface of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 4230. The identification unit 4230 analyzes this captured image to identify the designated color that is the second currency information. In this case, in the identification unit 4230, the correspondence relationship between a plurality of first currency information and a plurality of second currency information is unknown.

[0186] The use management device 4303 stores the correspondence relationship between the first currency information and the second currency information. In the example of FIG. 23, the individual identification information that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C and the designated color of the designated color layer 4501 on the side surface, that is, the information on the value of the gaming currency C, are associated with each other, and the value of the gaming currency C can be known by specifying the individual identification information. In the case of this example, the use management device 4303 does not need to store the combination of the first currency information and the second currency information for each case identification information. In other words, in this example, it is possible to inspect the gaming currency C housed in the case 4100 without using the case identification information.

[0187] The determination unit 4231 specifies the first currency information corresponding to the first currency information identified by the identification unit 4230 from the first currency information stored in the use management device 4303, and specifies the second currency information, that is, the value, associated with the first currency information. The determination unit 4231 performs this for all the first currency information identified by the identification unit 4230, so that it is possible to obtain the number of each value in the plurality of second currency information extracted from the use management device 4303 for one case.

[0188] The determination unit 4231 compares the number of each value thus obtained with the number of each value in the second currency information identified for the case 4100 from the identification unit 4230. When the numbers of all values match, the determination unit 4231 determines that the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100 is qualified. When the number of any value does not match, the determination unit 4231 determines that the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100 is unqualified.

[0189] In the case where the number of each value in the plurality of second currency information extracted from the usage management device 4303 does not match the number of each value in the second currency information identified for the case 4100 from the identification unit 4230, it is considered that any of the game currency C stored in the case 4100 is counterfeit, or the RFID tag 4503 or the side surface of any of the game currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity, damage, and the number of each value of all the game currency C existing in the case 4100, thereby determining the pass / fail of the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100.

[0190] Although not shown in the figure, even when the value of the game currency C is stored as the first currency information and the individual identification information of the game currency C is stored as the second currency information, the pass / fail can be determined in the same manner as above.

[0191] As described above, the first to fifth pass / fail determination methods have been explained. However, the determination unit 4231 may adopt a combination of the above pass / fail determination methods. In addition to the above pass / fail determination methods, when the numbers of the first currency information and the second currency information read from the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100 are not both a predetermined number (100 in this embodiment), the determination unit 4231 may determine that the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 4100 is unqualified.

[0192] The above-described first and second pass / fail determination methods are pass / fail determination methods that can be executed without using the information stored in the usage management device 4303 installed in the game parlor P, and are suitable for execution by the inspection device 4200 in the factory F. The third to fifth pass / fail determination methods are pass / fail determination methods that use the information stored in the usage management device 4303 installed in the game parlor P and are suitable for execution by the inspection device 4200 in the game parlor P. However, the inspection device 4200 in the game parlor P may adopt the first or second pass / fail determination method. When all the inspection devices 4200 in the game parlor P adopt a pass / fail determination method that does not use the information stored in the usage management device 4303, such as the first or second pass / fail determination method, the usage management device 4303 can be omitted.

[0193] Also, the inspection device 4200 in the game parlor P also inspects the case 4100 containing the used game currency C. In this case, the first, second, or fifth pass / fail determination method that does not require storing the information of the game currency that should be stored in the case can be adopted.

[0194] Also, in the above embodiment, the game currency C had individual identification information and / or value information as the first currency information and / or the second currency information. Here, the individual identification information is information that uniquely identifies each game currency C, while the value information is information that can overlap among a plurality of game currencies C and can also be referred to as information indicating the group to which each game currency belongs (group information). In this embodiment, as the group information of the belonging group, instead of or in addition to the value, for example, information on the manufacturing date, manufacturer, and / or the game parlor where the game currency is used can also be adopted.

[0195] That is, both the first currency information and the second currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the gaming currency, both the first currency information and the second currency information may include group information indicating the group to which the gaming currency belongs, the first currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the gaming currency, and the second currency information may include group information of the group to which the gaming currency belongs, or the first currency information may include group information of the group to which the gaming currency belongs, and the second currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the gaming currency.

[0196] <Result display of pass / fail judgment> FIGS. 24 and 25 are diagrams showing examples of a pass / fail result display screen indicating the result of the pass / fail judgment in the judgment unit 4231. These pass / fail result display screens are generated by the computer 4222 based on the result of the pass / fail judgment in the judgment unit 4231 and are displayed on the display unit 4223. FIG. 24 shows an example of the display screen in the case of passing, and FIG. 25 shows an example of the display screen in the case of failing.

[0197] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the pass / fail result display screen 4800 includes a total detection number 4801 which is the number of combinations of the first currency information and the second currency information read by the identification unit 4230 from the gaming currency C, the number 4802 of correct gaming currency C, and the number 4803 of incorrect gaming currency C.

[0198] The computer 4222 sets the larger of the number of the first currency information and the number of the second currency information as the total detection number 4801. For example, if 100 gaming currency C are accommodated in the case 4100 and 1 of them does not have the RFID tag 4503 inside, the identification unit 4230 can identify 100 pieces of the second currency information from a plurality of gaming currency C, but only 99 pieces of the first currency information can be obtained. In this case, the computer 4222 sets 100, which is the larger of the first currency information and the second currency information, as the total detection number 4801.

[0199] In the case of the above-described first or second pass / fail determination method, the computer 4222 sets the number of combinations of the first currency information and the second currency information determined to match each other as the number 4802 of correct game currency C, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct game currency C from the total detected number 4801 as the number 4803 of illegal game currency C.

[0200] In the case of the above-described third or fourth pass / fail determination method, the computer 4222 sets the smaller of the number of first currency information for which the correspondence relationship with the first currency information stored in the use management device 4303 is confirmed and the number of second currency information for which the correspondence relationship with the second currency information stored in the use management device 4303 is confirmed as the number 4802 of correct game currency C, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct game currency C from the total detected number 4801 as the number 4803 of illegal game currency C.

[0201] In the case of the above-described fifth pass / fail determination method, the computer 4222 sets the number of second currency information for which the correspondence relationship with the second currency information stored in the use management device 4303 is confirmed as the number 4802 of correct game currency C, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct game currency C from the total detected number 4801 as the number 4803 of illegal game currency C.

[0202] The pass / fail result display screen 4800 includes a currency information display unit 4804 that displays the currency information read by the identification unit 4230 from the game currency C. In the currency information display unit 4804, when the currency information stored in the use management device 4303 is read, or when the first currency information and the second currency information match, the currency information is displayed in color, and the currency information that is stored in the use management device 4303 but not read is displayed in white (see FIG. 43).

[0203] Further, on the pass / fail result display screen 4800, when currency information that is not stored in the use management device 4303 is read, or when the first currency information and the second currency information do not match, the currency information is displayed outside the currency information display unit 4804 as illegal currency information 4805.

[0204] <Modification Example> (RFID Antenna of the Inspection Device) FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a modification example of the RFID antenna 4224 of the inspection device 4200. In FIG. 26, illustration of the arm 4227, the infrared camera 4225, and the visible light camera 4226 is omitted. In the above-described embodiment, the RFID antenna 4224 was built in the left and right side walls 4211, but the RFID antenna 4224 may be built in the bottom 4213. Also in this case, the RFID antenna 4224 is arranged in a spiral shape inside the bottom 4213.

[0205] (Game Currency) FIG. 27 is a side view of a game currency C' of a modification example. In the game currency C of the above-described embodiment, the designated color layer 4501 was sandwiched by the common color layer 4502, but in the example of FIG. 27, the game currency C' is configured such that the center is the common color layer 4502 and both sides (upper and lower) thereof are the designated color layers 4501. In the example of FIG. 27, individual identification information represented by a 7-digit numerical sequence is marked (printed) on the side of the game currency C' as code information 4505'. In the example of FIG. 27, the code information 4505' which is the marking information is marked on the central common color layer 502. The code information 4505' in this case can express 10^7 types of information.

[0206] Furthermore, either the code information 4505 expressed by the presence or absence of the mark m, which was described for the game currency C of the above-described embodiment, or the code information 4505' of the numerical sequence illustrated in FIG. 27 may be marked on the side of the game currency C. In this case, the code information 4505 by the mark m and the code information 4505' of the numerical sequence may be printed with different inks. For example, the code information 4505 by the mark m may be printed with infrared-reactive ink, and the code information 4505' by the numerical sequence may be printed with ultraviolet-reactive ink. In this case, an infrared camera and an ultraviolet camera may be prepared to photograph the side of the game currency C, and the code information 4505 by the mark m may be read by the infrared camera, and the code information 4505' by the numerical sequence may be read by the ultraviolet camera.

[0207] FIG. 28 is a side sectional view of a game currency C'' of another modified example. The game currency C'' has a multilayer structure in which a plurality of plastic layers of different colors are laminated, and at least an intermediate designated color layer (colored layer) 4501 is provided, and common color layers (white or light-colored layers) 4502 are laminated on both sides of the intermediate designated color layer 4501. It is desirable that the color of the common color layer 4502 is lighter than the color of the designated color layer 4501. Thus, in the game currency C'', by having the designated color layer 4501 and laminating the common color layers 4502 on both sides of the intermediate designated color layer 4501, as shown in FIG. 29, a stripe pattern in the lamination direction is formed on the side surface, and by changing the color of the designated color layer 4501 (such as red, green, yellow, or blue), the types (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) of the game currency C'' can be specified.

[0208] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of stacked game currencies C'', FIG. 30 is a side view of the game currency C'', and FIG. 31 is a plan view of the game currency C''. As shown in FIG. 29, the game currency C'' has printing 4507 (such as 100 points) indicating the type (value) of the game currency C'' applied to the surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) of the common color layer 4502, a transparent layer 4504 is provided on the outermost layer, and thermal pressure bonding is performed between each layer to form at least a five-layer structure. These game currencies C'' use an elongated plastic material, and in the elongated state, thermal pressure bonding is performed between each layer (designated color layer 4501, common color layer 4502, transparent layer 4504) to form a closely adhered state (such as a five-layer structure), and then it is punched into a circular or rectangular shape by a press or the like. When punching by a press, the dimensions of the die and punch of the mold for punching are designed so that R processing (round corners) is applied to the ends of the outermost transparent layer 4504.

[0209] Furthermore, on the surface of the common color layer 4502 of the gaming token C'', a label m'' made of UV ink or carbon black ink is provided. This label m'' indicates the authenticity of the gaming token C''. When ultraviolet rays (or infrared rays) are applied, the label m'' becomes visible, and the genuine one is represented by the combination of its shape and number. A transparent layer 4504 is thermally pressed or coated (applied) on the outermost layer so as to cover the printing 4507 and the mark m'. This transparent layer 4504 is embossed to prevent the gaming tokens C'' from adhering to each other.

[0210] The edge of the outermost transparent layer 4504 with the printing 4507 (such as 100 points) is subjected to R processing (R), which prevents the surface of the common color layer 4502 from being deformed and appearing on the side surface during the punching process of the gaming token C''. In addition, the gaming token C'' prevents its sharp edge from damaging the remaining hand or other gaming tokens C''.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 28, the designated color layer 4501 may be formed by a plurality of layers (three layers in FIG. 28) colored with the designated color. Since the plurality of layers (three layers in FIG. 28) colored with the designated color are thermally pressed together, the three-layer structure is not visible as shown in FIG. 28. FIG. 28 represents the three layers of the designated color layer 4501 for explanatory purposes. Furthermore, a partial cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the designated color layer 4501, and the RFID tag 4503 is built therein.

[0212] As shown in FIGS. 28, 29, and 30, the gaming tokens C, C', and C'' have a stacked multi-layer structure, and stripe patterns in the stacking direction are clearly formed on the side surfaces. Therefore, compared with conventional chips, it becomes possible to easily and accurately measure the color (type of gaming token) and the number of the designated color layer 4501 by image analysis. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing stacked gaming tokens. As shown in FIG. 32, by photographing the side surface of the gaming token C with the visible light camera 4226, the designated color layer 4501 can be clearly identified. Further, if an artificial intelligence-utilizing computer or control system or deep learning (structure) technology is used for this image analysis, the analysis and determination of the image can be made more accurate. Since an artificial intelligence-utilizing computer or control system or deep learning (structure) technology is already known and available to those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0213] (Detection of seal) As described above, the case 4100 is sealed with a sealing tape after accommodating a predetermined number of gaming tokens C. The seal is broken when the accommodated gaming tokens are opened so as to be removable. The detection device 4200 may include a detection unit that detects an unbroken seal attached to the case 4100. The detection unit may detect the seal optically or magnetically. In this case, when the detection unit does not detect an unbroken seal, the determination unit 4231 determines that the plurality of gaming tokens C accommodated in the case 4100 are non-conforming.

[0214] (Arrangement of components of inspection device) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, all the components of the inspection device 4200 were arranged in one device, but these may be arranged dispersedly. For example, a part or all of the computer 4222, the display unit 4223, and the communication unit 4224 may be realized by a personal computer connected to the inspection device 4200. The dispersedly arranged components may be communicably connected by wire or wirelessly, or may be connected via a network such as the Internet therebetween.

[0215] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the infrared camera 4225 and / or the visible light camera 4226 and the arm 4227 may be separated from the inspection device 4200, and these cameras may be connected to the computer 4222. FIG. 33 shows an example in which only one of the infrared camera 4225 or the visible light camera 4226 is provided separately from the inspection device 4200, and FIG. 34 shows an example in which the infrared camera 4225 is provided separately from the inspection device 4200 and the visible light camera 4225 is provided integrally with the inspection device 4200. In addition to the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226, an ultraviolet camera may be provided as a third camera together with an ultraviolet lamp, or any of the cameras in FIGS. 33 and 34 may be an ultraviolet camera with an ultraviolet lamp.

[0216] (Currency information) In the above embodiment, currency information is stored in the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C, code information 4505 as currency information is also indicated on the side surface, and the designated color of the designated color layer 4501 on the side surface is also treated as currency information representing the value of the gaming currency C. One gaming currency C had these three pieces of currency information. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the gaming currency C may have only two of these pieces of currency information. If the gaming currency C has two pieces of currency information, the first to fifth pass / fail determination methods can be executed.

[0217] Also, in the above first to fifth pass / fail determination methods, two pieces of currency information are used. However, when the gaming currency C has three pieces of currency information, the determination unit 4231 may perform pass / fail determination using these three pieces of currency information.

[0218] (Display unit) In the above embodiment, an example in which the display unit 4223 is configured by a liquid crystal panel has been described. However, the display unit 4223 may simply be a lamp indicating only pass / fail, or may be a lamp that digitally displays only the total detection number 4801, the number 4802 of correct gaming currencies C, and the number 4803 of incorrect gaming currencies C.

[0219] (Calculation of total value) As described above, the determination unit 4231 in the above embodiment can identify the number of each value of the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 4100. Therefore, the determination unit 4231 may further calculate the total value of the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 4100 based on the number of each value. The calculated total amount may be displayed on the pass / fail result display screen (see FIGS. 24 and 25) displayed on the display unit 4233.

[0220] <<Fourth Embodiment>> The fourth embodiment relates to an inspection system and an inspection device for inspecting game currency, and particularly relates to an inspection system and an inspection device for inspecting game currency incorporating a wireless tag or counting the number of pieces.

[0221] As game currency, those incorporating a wireless tag storing identification information and type information are known (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-246103).

[0222] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-246103 discloses game currency having a structure in which a wireless tag cannot be easily removed. As a result, a structure in which defects of the wireless tag are less likely to occur is realized.

[0223] However, when reading the number of game currency disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-246103 by means of a wireless tag, the number of game currency is calculated based on the read wireless tag information. Therefore, when the wireless tag incorporated in the game currency is broken or when no wireless tag is incorporated, currency information cannot be obtained, and a difference occurs between the actual number of game currency and the number of game currency calculated by reading the wireless tag. This is the problem.

[0224] Therefore, an object of the present embodiment is to provide an inspection system and an inspection device that can detect when the wireless tag is broken.

[0225] The inspection system of the first aspect of the fourth embodiment is an inspection system that inspects while storing gaming currency with a built-in wireless tag storing currency information in a case with a limited maximum storage number, having a color or display representing value on the outer surface. The gaming currency is stored in the case that can accommodate the gaming currency stacked in the thickness direction to form a row, and a reading device that reads the wireless tag of the gaming currency in the case and acquires the currency information of the gaming currency. The currency information acquired by the reading device is compared and determined with the maximum number that the case itself can store, and when the number of gaming currency obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device is different from the maximum number that can be stored, a determination unit that determines an abnormality of the gaming currency in the case. It is an inspection system provided with.

[0226] Furthermore, the determination unit compares and determines the physical characteristics of the case itself or the physical information of the gaming currency obtained from physical measurement means other than the reading device with the number of physical information of the gaming currency obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device, and when the two do not match, it has a function of determining that there is an abnormal gaming currency in any of the gaming currency stored in the case and outputting this.

[0227] Furthermore, the physical information is the number or height obtained optically, or the weight obtained by weighing.

[0228] Furthermore, the inspection system may further have a wireless tag information database that can inquire about the information of the wireless tag built in the gaming currency, and the determination unit may be configured to detect an abnormality of the inspection target gaming currency by collating the currency information of the gaming currency read by the reading device with the wireless tag information database.

[0229] Furthermore, when the determination unit determines that there is an abnormal gaming currency among any of the gaming currencies in the case, the determination unit may have a function of comparing and determining the information of the wireless tags of all the gaming currencies in the case with the information database of the wireless tags registered in advance, and specifying the presence of an abnormal wireless tag that does not exist in the information database of the wireless tags.

[0230] Furthermore, when the determination unit determines that there is an abnormal gaming currency among any of the gaming currencies in the case, the determination unit may have a function of specifying that there is an abnormal gaming currency from which information cannot be obtained from the wireless tag among any of the gaming currencies in the case.

[0231] Furthermore, the determination unit may have a function of analyzing the information of the wireless tag acquired by the reading device and emitting a signal when there are two or more gaming currencies in the case from which the information obtained from the wireless tag is the same.

[0232] Furthermore, the information database of the wireless tags is an information database of the wireless tags of the gaming currencies stored or used in the game hall, The determination unit may have a function of analyzing the information of the wireless tag acquired by the reading device and emitting a signal when the information obtained from the wireless tag is the same as the information of the wireless tags of the gaming currencies existing in other places in the game hall.

[0233] The inspection device according to the second aspect of the fourth embodiment is an inspection device that inspects gaming currency having a color or display representing a value on the outer surface while incorporating a wireless tag storing currency information, an inspection table capable of inspecting the gaming currency in a state where the maximum stacking number is limited with the gaming currency forming a column in the stacking direction, a reading device that reads the wireless tags of the columnar gaming currency and acquires the currency information of the columnar gaming currency, Compare and determine the currency information acquired by the reading device with the maximum stackable number of the inspection table itself, and determine the abnormality of the game currency existing on the inspection table when the number of game currency obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device is different from the maximum stackable number. A determination unit; It is provided with.

[0234] Furthermore, when the currency information of the game currency acquired by the reading device does not match the physical information of the game currency, the determination unit may be configured to determine that there is an abnormal game currency among the game currencies existing on the inspection table and output this.

[0235] Furthermore, the physical information may be the number or height obtained optically, or the weight obtained by weighing.

[0236] Furthermore, the inspection device may further have an information database of a wireless tag capable of querying the information of the wireless tag incorporated in the game currency, and the determination unit may collate the currency information of the game currency read by the reading device with the information database of the wireless tag to detect the abnormality of the game currency to be inspected on the inspection table. It may be a configuration.

[0237] Furthermore, when the determination unit determines that there is an abnormal game currency among the game currencies on the inspection table, the determination unit compares and determines the information of the wireless tags of all the game currencies on the inspection table with the information database of the wireless tags registered in advance to identify the presence of abnormal wireless tags that do not exist in the information database of the wireless tags. It may be a configuration with a function.

[0238] Furthermore, when the determination unit determines that there is an abnormal game currency among the game currencies in the case, the determination unit may be configured to identify that there is an abnormal game currency from which information cannot be obtained from the wireless tag among any of the game currencies in the case.

[0239] Furthermore, the determination unit may be configured to analyze the information of the wireless tag acquired by the reading device and issue a signal when two or more gaming coins having the same information obtained from the wireless tag are present in the case.

[0240] Furthermore, the wireless tag information database is a database of the information of the wireless tags of the gaming coins stored or in use in the game arcade. The determination unit may be configured to analyze the information of the wireless tag acquired by the reading device and issue a signal when the information obtained from the wireless tag is the same as the information of the wireless tags of the gaming coins existing in other locations in the game arcade.

[0241] According to the present embodiment, since the gaming coins are stored in a container with a fixed storage capacity and the number is determined, it is possible to perform an inspection to detect if the wireless tag is broken.

[0242] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0243] <Configuration of the inspection system> FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inspection system according to the fourth embodiment. The inspection system 51 includes a case 5100 for accommodating gaming coins in a stacked state, and an inspection device 200 for inspecting a plurality of gaming coins stacked and accommodated in the case 5100 while they are accommodated in the case 5100.

[0244] The case 5100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of a transparent resin. The case 5100 accommodates the disc-shaped game tokens C in a stacked state. Five columns 5100C for accommodating 20 game tokens C are formed in the case 5100, and a total of 100 game tokens C can be accommodated. The case 5100 is portable when accommodating the game tokens C. The case 5100 consists of a separable upper part 5101 and a lower part 5102. By separating the upper part 5101 and the lower part 5102, it becomes possible to accommodate the game tokens C in the case 5100 and take out the game tokens C from the case 5100.

[0245] The inspection device 5200 consists of a receiving part 5210 and a main body part 5220. The inspection device 5200 can receive the case 5100 at this receiving part 5210. The receiving part 5210 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper surface and front surface as a whole, and is formed by the left and right side walls 5211, the bottom 5212, and the back wall 5213, and has a width, height, and depth in which the case 5100 just fits.

[0246] The main body part 5220 is provided on the back side of the back wall 5213 of the receiving part 5210 and includes a reading device 5221, a determination part 5222, and a display part 5223.

[0247] The reading device 5221 and the display part 5223 are connected to the determination part 5222. A wireless tag antenna 5224 is connected to the reading device 5221. The wireless tag antenna 5224 extends from the reading device 5221 and extends in a spiral shape within the left and right side walls 5211. That is, a spiral wireless tag antenna 5224 is laid inside each of the left and right side walls 5211, and each wireless tag antenna 5224 is connected to the reading device 5221.

[0248] The display part 5223 is composed of a liquid crystal panel. A touch sensor may be provided on this liquid crystal panel, and the display part 5223 may be configured as a touch panel.

[0249] <Configuration of the inspection device> FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inspection apparatus 5200. The inspection apparatus 5200 includes, in addition to the reading device 5221, the determination unit 5222, the display unit 5223, and the wireless tag antenna 5224 shown in FIG. 35, a barcode reader 5228 and a communication unit 5229. Further, the determination unit 5222 is configured by a processor, a memory, etc. (not shown), and when the processor executes an inspection program, an identification unit 5230 and an identification content determination unit 5231 are configured.

[0250] The reading device 5221, the wireless tag antenna 5224, and the wireless tag 5503 embedded in the game currency C constitute a wireless tag system. The currency information of the game currency C stored in the wireless tag 5503 embedded in the game currency C is non - contact read by the reading device 5221 and used for the processing in the determination unit 5222.

[0251] The barcode reader 5228 reads the barcode BC attached to the case 5100 to obtain case identification information. The display unit 5223 displays the determination result of the identification content determination unit 5231 of the determination unit 222. The communication unit 5229 performs data communication with the production management device 5302 installed in the factory F and the information database 5303 installed in the game arcade P.

[0252] <Configuration of the case> FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the case 5100. The case 5100 is configured by combining an upper part 5101 and a lower part 5102. In the present embodiment, the upper part 5101 and the lower part 5102 are made of a transparent resin. Note that in the present embodiment, the case 5100 has a sealed structure composed of the upper part 5101 and the lower part 5102, but the light - transmitting part may be in a perforated state.

[0253] As described above, the case 5100 has a shape in which five columns 5100C, each accommodating 20 gaming coins C stacked on top of each other, are formed in parallel. In the example of FIG. 37, the cross-section of each column is polygonal (octagonal) so as to roughly follow the shape of the gaming coin C accommodated in the upper part 5101 and the lower part 5102. Each column 5100C is shaped such that it cannot accommodate 21 or more gaming coins C.

[0254] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a modified case 5100', and FIG. 39 is a plan view of this case 5100'. The case 5100' also consists of an upper part 5101' made of transparent resin and a lower part 5102. In this modification, the upper surface of the upper part 5101' facing the camera is formed as a flat surface. By making the surface facing the camera flat in this way, as shown in FIG. 39, no linear shadow due to the corners of the polygonal cross-section of the case 5100' is reflected in the camera, and in the image analysis of the captured image of the camera, the information on the side surface of the gaming coin C can be accurately identified.

[0255] (Gaming Coin) FIG. 40 is a side cross-sectional view of the gaming coin C of the present embodiment. The gaming coin C has a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of plastic layers of different colors are laminated, and at least a specified color layer (coloring layer) 5501 is provided in the middle, and common color layers (white or light-colored layers) 5502 are laminated on both sides of this middle specified color layer 5501.

[0256] As shown in FIG. 40, the specified color layer 5501 may be formed by a plurality of layers (three layers in FIG. 58) colored with the specified color. Since the plurality of layers (three layers in FIG. 40) colored with the specified color are thermally pressure-bonded to each other, the three-layer structure is not visible as shown in FIG. 40, and FIG. 40 represents the three layers of the specified color layer 5501 for explanatory purposes. Further, a partial cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the specified color layer 5501, and the wireless tag 5503 is built therein.

[0257] The inspection system 51 inspects the gaming currency C that incorporates a wireless tag 5503 storing currency information and has a color 5501 or display 5507 representing value on its outer surface, while the gaming currency C is stored in a case 5100 with a limited maximum storage number. The gaming currency C is stored in the case 5100 that can accommodate the gaming currency C stacked in the thickness direction so that the gaming currency C forms a column. A reading device 5221 reads the wireless tag 5503 of the gaming currency C in the case 5100 and acquires the currency information of the gaming currency C. A determination unit 222 compares and determines the currency information acquired by the reading device 5221 with the maximum number that the case 5100 itself can store (set to a maximum of 100 in this embodiment), and determines an abnormality of the gaming currency C in the case 5100 when the number of the gaming currency C obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device 5221 is different from the maximum storage number (100 pieces).

[0258] The inspection system 51 further has an information database 5303 of the wireless tag 5503 that can query the information of the wireless tag 5503 incorporated in the gaming currency C. The determination unit 5222 is configured to collate the currency information of the gaming currency C read by the reading device 5221 with the information database 5303 of the wireless tag 5503 to detect an abnormality of the inspection target gaming currency C. The information database 5303 stores in advance the information of all the wireless tags 5503 of the gaming currency used in the casino.

[0259] When the determination unit 5222 determines that there is an abnormal gaming currency C among the gaming currency C in the case 5100, the determination unit 5222 compares and determines the information of the wireless tags 5503 of all the gaming currency C in the case 5100 with the information database 5303 of the wireless tag 5503 registered in advance, and has a function of identifying the existence of an abnormal wireless tag 5303 that does not exist in the information database of the wireless tag 5503.

[0260] When the determination unit 5222 determines that there is an abnormal gaming currency C among the gaming currency C in the case 5100, the determination unit 5222 has a function of identifying that there is an abnormal gaming currency C from which information cannot be obtained from the wireless tag 5503 in any of the gaming currency C in the case 5100.

[0261] When it is determined that there is an abnormal gaming currency C as described above, the display unit 5223 displays the abnormality.

[0262] As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the win / loss result display screen 5800 includes the total detection number 5801, which is the number of pieces of information of the wireless tag 5503 read by the identification unit 5230 from the gaming currency C, and the number of pieces of illegal gaming currency C, 5803.

[0263] FIGS. 42 and 43 are diagrams showing examples of win / loss result display screens indicating the results of determination of abnormalities in gaming currency by the identification content determination unit 5231. These win / loss result display screens are generated by the determination unit 5222 based on the results of determination of abnormalities in gaming currency by the identification content determination unit 5231 and are displayed on the display unit 5223. FIG. 42 shows an example of a display screen in the case of passing, and FIG. 43 shows an example of a display screen in the case of failing.

[0264] FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an inspection device 5400 of another modification example. The inspection device 5400 inspects a gaming currency C that incorporates a wireless tag 5503 storing currency information and has a color 5501 or a display 5507 representing a value on the outer surface. An inspection table 5427 on which the gaming currency C can be inspected in a state where the gaming currency C is stacked in the thickness direction to form a column and the maximum stacking number is limited, a reading device 5421 that reads the wireless tag 5531 of the columnar gaming currency C and acquires the currency information of the columnar gaming currency C, and the currency information acquired by the reading device 5421 is compared and determined with the maximum stackable number of the inspection table 5427 itself (set to a maximum of 20 pieces in this embodiment), and when the number of gaming currency C obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device 5421 is different from the maximum stackable number (20 pieces), a determination unit 5422 that determines an abnormality of the gaming currency C present on the inspection table 5427.

[0265] The inspection device 5400 includes a number control plate 5425 that limits the maximum stacking number in a state where the gaming currency C forms a column.

[0266] The inspection device 5400 is provided with an optical sensor 5426, which determines the physical number of individual game coins C. When the coin information of the game coin acquired by the reading device 5421 does not match the physical information of the game coin C, the determination unit 5422 has a function of determining that there is an abnormal game coin C among any of the game coins C present on the inspection table 5427 and outputting the same.

[0267] <Usage mode of the inspection system> FIG. 45 is a diagram for explaining an example of the usage mode of the inspection system 1 along with the circulation of the game coin C. The game coin C is manufactured by the manufacturing device 5301 of the factory F (s1), and 100 pieces are stored in the case 5100 at a time (s2). After the case 5100 stores the game coin C, it is sealed by a sealing seal at the factory F. Further, a barcode BC indicating case identification information for uniquely identifying this case 5100 is attached to the side surface of the case 5100 (s3).

[0268] At this time, the case identification information of the barcode BC attached to the case 5100 is input to the production management device 5302 of the factory F (s4). Further, the case 5100 storing the game coin C is subjected to the inspection device 5200, the coin information (details will be described later) given to the game coin C is read, and a pass / fail inspection is performed. Then, the coin information read from the game coin C stored in the case 5100 is sent to the production management device 5302 (s5), and is associated with the case identification information by the production management device 5302. Note that the production management device 5302 may be a personal computer.

[0269] The case 5100 that has passed the inspection in the inspection device 5200 of the factory F is transported from the factory F to the game arcade P (s6). The case 5100 is first stored in the storage R at the game arcade P (s7). An inspection device 5200 is installed in the storage R, and the case 5100 received from the factory F is inspected by this inspection device 5200.

[0270] On the one hand, case identification information and the associated currency information are transmitted from the manufacturing management device 5302 of the factory F to the information database 5303 of the gaming hall P. The information database 5303 includes a storage unit that acquires, for each of a plurality of cases 5100 containing the gaming currency C, the case identification information and the associated currency information from the manufacturing management device 5302 and stores them for each case 5100. Note that the information database 5303 may be a personal computer.

[0271] In the inspection by the inspection device 5200 in the storage R, the inspection is performed using the information stored in this information database 5303. The cases 5100 that pass the inspection in the storage R are transported to the game table T (s9) or to the cashier CA (s10). The game table T and the cashier CA also each include an inspection device 5200, and the cases 5100 containing the gaming currency C are inspected by those inspection devices 5200 with the seals intact. Also, at the game table T and the cashier CA, inspections of the cases 5100 containing the used gaming currency C are also performed, and the inspection device 5200 is also used for that inspection. In the inspections by the three inspection devices 5200 in the gaming hall P, the case identification information transmitted from the manufacturing management device 5302 and stored in the information database 5303 and the associated currency information are referred to.

[0272] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the gaming currency C had identification information and / or value information as wireless tag information. Here, the identification information is information that uniquely identifies each gaming currency C, whereas the value information is information that can overlap among a plurality of gaming currencies C and can also be referred to as information (group information) indicating the group to which each gaming currency belongs. In the present embodiment, as the group information of the group to which it belongs, instead of or in addition to the value, for example, information on the manufacturing date, manufacturer, and / or the gaming hall where it is used of the gaming currency can also be adopted.

[0273] That is, the wireless tag information may include identification information for identifying the game currency, and may also include group information indicating the group to which the game currency belongs.

[0274] (Detection of seal) As described above, the case 5100 is sealed with a sealing seal after storing a predetermined number of game currencies C. The seal is broken when the stored game currency is opened so that it can be taken out. The detection device 5200 may include a detection unit that detects an unbroken seal attached to the case 5100. The detection unit may detect the seal optically or magnetically. In this case, when the detection unit does not detect an unbroken seal, the identification content determination unit 5231 determines that the plurality of game currencies C stored in the case 5100 are unacceptable.

[0275] (Arrangement of components of inspection device) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 36, all components of the inspection device 5200 were arranged in one device, but these may be arranged dispersedly. For example, part or all of the determination unit 5222, the display unit 5223, and the communication unit 5224 may be realized by a personal computer connected to the inspection device 5200. The dispersedly arranged components may be communicably connected by wire or wirelessly, and may be connected via a network such as the Internet in between.

[0276] (Display unit) In the above embodiment, an example in which the display unit 5223 is configured by a liquid crystal panel has been described, but the display unit 5223 may be simply a lamp indicating only pass or fail, or may be a lamp that digitally displays only the total detection number 5801, the number 5802 of correct game currencies C, and the number 5803 of incorrect game currencies C.

[0277] (Calculation of total value) As described above, the identification content determination unit 5231 in the above embodiment can specify the number of each value of the plurality of game coins C stored in the case 5100. Therefore, the identification content determination unit 5231 may further calculate the total value of the plurality of game coins C stored in the case 5100 based on the number of each value. The calculated total amount may be displayed on the pass / fail result display screen (see FIGS. 42 and 43) displayed on the display unit 5233.

[0278] <<Fifth Embodiment>> Conventionally, inspection systems that embed RF tags (wireless tags) inside game coins to inspect the authenticity of game coins are known. In these inspection systems, when a game coin that cannot read the RF tag or the information read from the RF tag is not predetermined information (typically a counterfeit game coin or a game coin with a broken RF tag, hereinafter referred to as an "illegal game coin") is detected, this is recorded in a recording device or an alarm is issued by an alarm device.

[0279] However, game coins are exchanged between the dealer (casino) and the player. When the casino inspects the game coins it holds and discovers an illegal game coin, it is inconvenient not to know from which player it was passed to the casino side.

[0280] Therefore, in the present embodiment, an inspection system is provided that can detect that an illegal game coin is an illegal game coin when it is passed from the player to the dealer or as soon as possible after it is passed.

[0281] For this purpose, an inspection system according to an aspect of the present embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency with an embedded RF tag, and includes an accommodating means for accommodating a dealer's gaming currency in a casino game, an RF reading means for reading RF tags of a plurality of the gaming currency accommodated in the accommodating means, a detecting means for detecting at least the number of the plurality of gaming currency accommodated in the accommodating means at regular time intervals or constantly by a method other than RFID, and an alarming means for generating an alarm when the number of gaming currency read by the RF reading means does not match the number of gaming currency detected by the detecting means.

[0282] With this configuration, the RF reading means detects the number of gaming currency accommodated in the accommodating means, the detecting means detects the number of gaming currency accommodated in the accommodating means at regular time intervals or constantly by a method other than RFID, and when they do not match, the alarming means generates an alarm. Therefore, when counterfeit gaming currency is accommodated in the accommodating means or within a certain time after being accommodated, the alarming means can generate an alarm. Note that the RF reading means may also read the RF tags at regular time intervals or constantly.

[0283] The detecting means may detect whether there is a change in the number of the gaming currency accommodated in the accommodating means. The alarming means may compare the number of gaming currency detected by the detecting means with the number of gaming currency read by the RF reading means when it is detected by the detecting means that there is a change in the number of gaming currency, and determine whether the two match.

[0284] The accommodating means may be used to accommodate the gaming currency recovered by the dealer from the player in a casino game. With this configuration, counterfeit gaming currency can be detected when the dealer recovers gaming currency from the player.

[0285] The detecting means may detect the presence of each of the plurality of gaming currency accommodated in the accommodating means by a method other than RFID.

[0286] The housing means may be configured to stack and house the plurality of game coins in a predetermined stacking direction, and the detection means may include a plurality of photosensors arranged along the stacking direction in order to detect each of the plurality of game coins stacked and housed by the housing means.

[0287] The housing means may have a groove extending in the stacking direction, the plurality of photosensors may be arranged in a plurality of rows along the stacking direction, and the game coins may be detected by the photosensors arranged in different rows in the stacking order.

[0288] The housing means may have a plurality of rows of grooves extending in the stacking direction, and the RF reading means may read the RF tag for each of one row or a plurality of rows of the grooves.

[0289] The detection means may include a plurality of photosensors for detecting each of the plurality of game coins housed in the housing means.

[0290] The detection means may detect the number of the plurality of game coins housed in the housing means by optically reading the plurality of game coins housed in the housing means. Such a detection means may be, for example, an optical scanner that scans the stacked game coins in the stacking direction.

[0291] The housing means may house the plurality of game coins so as to stack from a predetermined reference position, and the detection means may detect the number of the plurality of game coins housed in the housing means by measuring the distance from a predetermined observation position to the game coin farthest from the predetermined reference position.

[0292] With this configuration, the number of the plurality of game coins stacked in the housing means can be detected based on the height (length) in the stacking direction of the plurality of game coins stacked in the housing means. Such a detection means may be, for example, a distance sensor installed at the tip in the stacking direction and measuring the distance to the game coin farthest from the reference position.

[0293] The RF reading means reads the RF tag at a first time interval, and may read the RF tags of a plurality of gaming coins including the newly accommodated gaming coins within the first time interval after newly accommodating gaming coins in the accommodating means. The detecting means detects the number of the plurality of gaming coins accommodated in the accommodating means at a second time interval, and may detect the number of the plurality of gaming coins including the newly accommodated gaming coins within the second time interval after newly accommodating gaming coins in the accommodating means.

[0294] With this configuration, when new gaming coins are added to the accommodating means, the RF tag is read within the first time interval and the number is detected within the second time interval. Therefore, at the latest within the longer of the first time interval and the second time interval after new gaming coins are added to the accommodating means, the reading of the RF tag and the detection of the number by means other than RFID are completed, and an alarm can be generated as necessary. Thus, when the dealer accommodates the gaming coins recovered from the player according to the result of the game in the accommodating means, the inspection of those gaming coins can be performed immediately when the gaming coins are recovered from the player.

[0295] An inspection system according to another aspect of the present embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins used in a game performed on a table, and includes an accommodating means installed on the table for accommodating a plurality of gaming coins that increase or decrease for each game, and an inspection means for inspecting the gaming coins that increase or decrease for each game within the accommodating means.

[0296] An inspection system according to still another aspect of the present embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins with built-in RF tags, and includes an accommodating means capable of accommodating a predetermined number of gaming coins, an RF reading means for reading the RF tags of a plurality of the gaming coins accommodated in the accommodating means, and an alarm means for generating an alarm when the number of the gaming coins whose RF tags are read by the RF reading means does not match the predetermined number.

[0297] With this configuration, with the gaming tokens in a state where the number of tokens that can be accommodated in the accommodating means is accommodated, the RF tag is read by the RF reading means, and by comparing it with the accommodatable number, gaming tokens for which the RF tag cannot be read can be detected and an alarm can be generated.

[0298] When the number of the gaming tokens is less than the predetermined number, a dummy coin incorporating the RF tag that is accommodated in the accommodating means together with the gaming tokens so as to reach the predetermined number together with the gaming tokens may be further provided.

[0299] With this configuration, when inspecting gaming tokens whose number is less than the number that can be accommodated (accommodatable number) by the accommodating means, by accommodating the dummy coins for the insufficient amount in the accommodating means, when the ideal value of the number of RF tags to be read by the RF reading means does not match the accommodatable number, an alarm can be generated.

[0300] The inspection system of the present embodiment is not limited to an inspection system for inspecting gaming tokens, and can be applied as an inspection system for inspecting any valuable item incorporating an RF tag. In this case, the valuable item inspection system includes a valuable item assigned a unique ID that can be individually identified, a table for using the valuable item, a tray for holding the valuable item on the table, a determination means for specifying the number of the valuable items held in the tray using the unique ID, a detection means for generating an image by photographing the valuable items on the table including at least the tray and detecting at least the number of the valuable items based on the image, a storage means for storing the number detected by the detection means, and an inspection means for inspecting the relationship between the number determined by the determination means and the number detected by the detection means.

[0301] The inspection system of this embodiment is not limited to an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency, and can be applied as an inspection system for inspecting any object with an embedded RF tag. In this case, the inspection system includes an RF reading means for reading the RF tag of the object placed at a predetermined location, a detection means for detecting at least the number of the objects placed at the predetermined location by a method other than RFID, and an alarm means for generating an alarm when the number of the objects whose RF tags are read by the RF reading means does not match the number detected by the detection means.

[0302] Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following description is merely illustrative, and the present embodiment is not limited to the following examples. The gaming currency used in the inspection system of this embodiment has an embedded RF tag that stores information (tag information) such as its type and identification information. As the gaming currency used in this embodiment, any of the gaming currencies C described in the third to fourth embodiments can be adopted. By reading the RF tag embedded in the gaming currency with an RF reader described later, the tag information stored in the RF tag can be read.

[0303] FIG. 46 is a plan view of a gaming currency tray for storing gaming currency. The gaming currency tray 617 is formed with a plurality of grooves 6171 for storing the gaming currency C stacked in the thickness direction thereof. The grooves 6171 are formed in a semi-tube shape so as to accommodate the disc-shaped gaming currency C. Each groove 6171 can accommodate 40 pieces of the gaming currency C, and 14 grooves 6171 are formed in the gaming currency tray 617 in parallel with each other in the vertical direction.

[0304] A plurality of photosensors 6173 are embedded on both the right and left sides of the inner wall of each groove 6171. Although not shown in FIG. 46, an antenna of an RF reader is embedded inside each groove 6171. The gaming currency tray 617 is embedded and used in front of the dealer position on the casino game table.

[0305] FIG. 47 is a diagram showing the antenna of the RF reader (hereinafter referred to as the "RF antenna") 6172. The RF antenna 6712 is provided inside or at the bottom of the game currency tray 671 corresponding to each groove 6171. Note that FIG. 47 shows only four grooves, but the same applies to the other grooves 6171.

[0306] In the example of FIG. 47, one RF antenna 6172 is provided for one groove 6171. The RF antenna 6172 performs wireless communication with the RF tag built in the game currency C accommodated in the corresponding groove 6171 and reads RF information from the RF tag. Note that a radio wave shielding wall may be provided between adjacent grooves 6171 so that each RF antenna 6172 does not read the RF tag of the game currency C accommodated in the adjacent groove 6171.

[0307] FIG. 48 is an enlarged plan view and a cross-sectional view in the front direction of the groove 6171. The game currency C is stacked in the longitudinal direction of the groove 6171 and accommodated in the groove 6171. In the example of FIG. 48, one groove 6171 can accommodate 40 game currencies C.

[0308] A plurality of photosensors 6713 are embedded on the right side and the left side of the inner wall of the semi-circular cross-section of the groove 6171 so that the sensing surface is flush with the inner wall. The photosensor 6713 is a reflection type photosensor, and when the sensing surface is blocked by the game currency C when the game currency C is accommodated in the groove 6171, the game currency C is detected.

[0309] On the right side and the left side of the inner wall, a plurality of photosensors are arranged at intervals corresponding to the thickness of two game currencies C. In this example, since one groove 6171 can accommodate 40 game currencies C as described above, 20 photosensors 6173 are provided on the right side and 20 photosensors 6173 are provided on the left side.

[0310] The columns of the plurality of photosensors 6173 on the right side and the columns of the plurality of photosensors 6173 on the left side are provided with a displacement in their arrangement direction by the thickness of one gaming currency C. Therefore, the plurality of gaming currencies C stacked and accommodated in the groove 6171 are detected by the photosensors 6173 arranged in different columns in the stacking order. Specifically, the gaming currency C accommodated at the lowermost position of the groove 6171 is detected by the lowermost photosensor 6173 on the right side, the second gaming currency from the bottom is detected by the lowermost photosensor 6173 on the left side, the third gaming currency C from the bottom is detected by the second photosensor 6173 from the bottom on the right side, the fourth gaming currency C from the bottom is detected by the second photosensor 6173 from the bottom on the left side, and in this way, the photosensor 6183 on the right side and the photosensor 6173 on the left side alternately detect the gaming currency C in order from the bottom.

[0311] By alternately arranging the plurality of photosensors 6173 in different columns in this way, it is possible to arrange the plurality of photosensors 6173 for reading each of the plurality of gaming currencies C stacked and accommodated in the groove 6171 in the thickness direction, one by one.

[0312] FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system. As shown in FIG. 49, the inspection system 600 includes an RF reader 6100 having an RF antenna 6172, a plurality of photosensors 6173, an inspection / warning unit 6200 connected to the RF reader 6100 and the plurality of photosensors 6173, and a storage unit 6300 connected to the inspection / warning unit 6200. The inspection / warning unit 6200 is configured by a computer having a processor and a memory, and is realized by the processor executing the inspection / warning program of the present embodiment.

[0313] The RF reader 6100 receives radio waves from the RF tag of the gaming currency C with the RF antenna 6172 and reads the information (tag information) stored in the RF tag. The RF reader outputs the read tag information to the inspection and warning unit 6200. As shown in FIG. 47, the inspection system 600 is provided with a plurality of RF antennas 6172, and these plurality of RF antennas 6172 may be connected to one RF reader 6100, or a plurality of RF readers 6100 corresponding to the plurality of RF antennas 6172 may be provided.

[0314] The plurality of photo sensors 6173 are each connected to the inspection and warning unit 6200 and transmit sensing information to the inspection and warning unit 6200. The sensing information of each photo sensor 6173 is information indicating the presence or absence of the gaming currency C.

[0315] The inspection and warning unit 6200 compares the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 with the number of detection information of the gaming currency C obtained from the plurality of photo sensors 6173. In this case, the inspection and warning unit 6200 may determine whether the tag information is genuine and compare only the number of tag information determined to be genuine with the number of detection information of the photo sensor 6173.

[0316] If a genuine RF tag is built into all of the plurality of gaming currencies housed in the gaming currency tray 617, the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 should match the number of gaming currencies C detected by the photo sensor 6173. Therefore, the inspection and warning unit 6200 determines whether these numbers match, and generates an alarm if they do not match.

[0317] The generated alarm is output in a manner that can be perceived by a person by an alarm means (not shown). For example, when the alarm means is a speaker, the inspection and warning unit 6200 generates a signal for outputting a predetermined alarm sound from the speaker as an alarm. When the alarm means is a lamp, the inspection and warning unit 6200 generates a signal for lighting the lamp as an alarm.

[0318] The RF reader 6100 reads tag information at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of 1 second). Also, the photosensor 6173 also performs detection at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of 2 seconds). Note that the RF reader 6100 and the photosensor 6173 may always perform reading and detection.

[0319] Also, the RF reader reads tag information at predetermined time intervals or always, and the inspection / warning unit 6200 determines whether there is a change in the read multiple tag information. When a change occurs, detection may be performed by the photosensor 6173 according to the control of the inspection / warning unit 6200. Conversely, a plurality of photosensors 6173 may perform detection of the game currency C at predetermined time intervals or always, and the inspection / warning unit 6200 determines whether the number of the detected game currency C changes. When a change occurs, the RF reader 6100 may read tag information according to the control of the inspection / warning unit 6200.

[0320] When an alarm is generated by the inspection / warning unit 6200, the alarm means immediately outputs the alarm. As a result, if illegal game currency is stored in the game currency tray 617, an alarm will be output within a predetermined time or immediately. Therefore, it can be grasped that the illegal game currency has been brought in by one of the players who are playing at the table at that time. Also, it is possible to temporarily stop the subsequent game to prevent further use of illegal game currency. In some cases, it is also possible to identify the player who brought in the illegal game currency among the players playing at that table.

[0321] The inspection / warning unit 6200 records the results of the inspection (comparison) and the generated alarm together with the date and time information in the recording unit 6300.

[0322] FIG. 50 is a plan view showing another example of a game currency tray. In the example of FIG. 50, in addition to a plurality of vertical grooves (stock grooves) 6171 for accommodating game currency C, a horizontal groove (recovery groove) 6174 for accommodating game currency C recovered by the dealer from the player is provided above them. Further, in the example of FIG. 50, no photosensor 6173 is provided in the stock groove 6171, and the photosensor 6173 is embedded in the recovery groove 6174 in the same arrangement as in FIG. 48, and an RF antenna 6172 (not shown) is embedded under the recovery groove 6174.

[0323] The number of game currency C accommodated in the recovery groove 6174 increases or decreases for each game. Therefore, by providing the photosensor 6173 and the RF antenna 6172 in the recovery groove 6174 and making the inspection interval sufficiently short, it is possible to inspect the game currency C immediately after being recovered from the player for each game. If counterfeit game currency is detected, it is possible to identify the person who possessed it or interrupt the game. In addition, when a certain number or more or the maximum number of game currency C that can be accommodated are accommodated in the recovery groove 6174, some or all of them may be transferred to the stock groove 6171.

[0324] FIG. 51 is a plan view showing still another example of a game currency tray. In the example of FIG. 51, a recovery groove 6175 is provided vertically at the right end. Then, a photosensor 6173 and an RF antenna 6172 (not shown) are provided in this recovery groove 6175.

[0325] FIG. 52 is a plan view showing still another example of a game currency tray. In the example of FIG. 52, the vertical grooves are divided into upper and lower two-stage grooves 6176 and 6177 that can each accommodate 20 game currency C. Each groove 617 can accommodate 20 game currency C. In each groove 617, photosensors 6173 are provided alternately on both the left and right sides in the same manner as in the example of FIG. 46. According to the game currency tray 617 of this example, since the number of game currency C to be stacked is small, it is possible to avoid an increase in the deviation between the stacked game currency C and the photosensor 6173.

[0326] Also in the examples of FIGS. 51 and 52, since the photosensor 6173 and the RF antenna 6172 are provided in the recovery groove, it is possible to inspect the gaming currency C immediately after recovery.

[0327] FIG. 53 is a diagram showing another configuration of the RF antenna. In the above-described fifth embodiment, one RF antenna is provided for one groove 6171. However, as shown in FIG. 53, one RF antenna 6172 may be configured and arranged to read the RF tag of the gaming currency C accommodated in a plurality of grooves 6171.

[0328] In the above-described fifth embodiment, in order to inspect the gaming currency C, it is determined whether the number of gaming currency C for which the RF tag is read by the RF reader 6100 matches the number of gaming currency C detected by physical means other than RFID, thereby detecting counterfeit gaming currency having no RF tag or a damaged RF tag. And, as means for physically detecting the number of gaming currency C by means other than RFID, a plurality of photosensors 6173 for detecting the presence or absence of gaming currency one by one are used.

[0329] However, the means for physically detecting the number of gaming currency C by means other than RFID is not limited to a plurality of photosensors. Other examples of the detection means will be described below.

[0330] FIG. 54 is a diagram showing one groove of a gaming currency tray using a line sensor as the detection means. As shown in FIG. 54, a slit 6178 extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove 6171 is formed at the bottom of the inner wall of the groove 6171, and a line sensor 6179 is provided along the slit 6178 below the slit 6178. The pixel pitch in the longitudinal direction of the line sensor 6179 is set to be smaller than the thickness of the gaming currency C (the number of pixels in the longitudinal direction of the line sensor 6179 is set to be sufficiently larger than the number of gaming currency C accommodated in the groove 6171).

[0331] FIG. 55 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. 54. The line sensor 6179 is connected to the inspection / warning unit 6200. The line sensor 6179 acquires a line image by performing imaging. The line sensor 6179 outputs the acquired line image to the inspection / warning unit 6200. The inspection / warning unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C accommodated in the groove 6171 by determining how far down the game coins C are from the bottom based on the line image.

[0332] The inspection / warning unit 6200 performs an inspection by comparing the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 with the number of game coins C detected from the line image, and generates an alarm if those numbers do not match. The recording unit 6300 records the results of the inspection and the generated alarms in the inspection / warning unit 6200.

[0333] FIG. 56 is a diagram showing one groove of a game coin tray using a scanner as a detection means. As shown in FIG. 56, a slit 6178 extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove 6171 is formed at the bottom of the inner wall of the groove 6171, and a rail 6181 is provided along the slit 6178 below the slit 6178. The scanner is configured by moving the imaging element 6180 on this rail 6181.

[0334] FIG. 57 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. 56. The imaging element 6180 is connected to the inspection / warning unit 6200. The imaging element 6180 performs imaging while moving along the rail 6178, and outputs the information on the position on the rail and the captured image at that position to the inspection / warning unit 6200. The inspection / warning unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C accommodated in the groove 6171 by determining the presence or absence of game coins C for a plurality of captured images obtained by the imaging element 6180 while moving in one direction from one end to the other end on the rail 6181.

[0335] FIG. 58 is a diagram showing one groove of a game coin tray using a laser rangefinder as a detection means. As shown in FIG. 58, a laser rangefinder 6182 is provided at the upper end of the groove 6171. The laser of the laser rangefinder 6182 is set to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the groove 6171. When game coins C are accommodated in the groove 6171 by being stacked in order from the bottom, the laser emitted from the laser rangefinder 6182 is reflected by the surface of the uppermost game coin C and returns to the laser rangefinder 6182. Therefore, the laser rangefinder 6182 measures the distance from the observation position (the upper end of the groove 6171) to the game coin C that is the farthest from the reference position (the game coin C stacked at the top) with the lower end of the groove 6171 as the reference position.

[0336] FIG. 59 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. 58. The laser rangefinder 6182 is connected to the inspection and warning unit 6200 and outputs the measured distance to the inspection and warning unit 6200. Since the measured distance becomes smaller as the number of game coins C accommodated in the groove 6171 increases, the inspection and warning unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C accommodated in the groove 6171 based on the distance measured by the laser rangefinder 6182.

[0337] FIG. 60 is a diagram showing one groove of a game tray using a weighing scale as a detection means. As shown in FIG. 21, the groove 6171 is placed on the weighing scale 6183. When game coins C are accommodated in the groove 6171, the weight measured by the weighing scale 6183 increases.

[0338] FIG. 61 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. 60. The weighing scale 6183 is connected to the inspection and warning unit 6200 and outputs the measured weight to the inspection and warning unit 6200. Since the measured weight becomes larger as the number of game coins C accommodated in the groove 6171 increases, the inspection and warning unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C accommodated in the groove 6171 based on the weight measured by the weighing scale 6183.

[0339] In the above examples, in each case, a detection means for detecting the number of game coins C accommodated in the groove 6171 by means other than RFID is provided, but this detection means may not be provided. Since the maximum number of game coins C that can be accommodated in the groove 6171 is determined, if the RF tag is read with the groove 6171 filled with the maximum number of game coins C, the number of game coins C physically present at that time is known as the maximum number.

[0340] Therefore, the inspection / warning unit 6200 can detect counterfeit game coins that do not have an RF tag built-in or have a damaged RF tag by comparing the number of game coins C for which tag information has been read by the RF reader with the known maximum number.

[0341] However, it is not always possible to always accommodate the maximum number of game coins C in the groove 6171 for inspection. Therefore, a spacer as a dummy coin may be used to fill the empty portion of the groove 6171. As the spacer, in addition to those having the same shape (disc shape) as the game coin C, those having the same shape (cylindrical shape) as a plurality of stacked game coins C may be prepared.

[0342] FIG. 62 is a diagram showing a state in which the empty space in the groove is filled with spacers. This groove 6171 can accommodate 40 game coins C (the maximum accommodation number is 40), and 30 game coins C are accommodated in this groove 6171. In order to fill the empty space for 10 coins, one spacer 6184 for 5 coins, one spacer 6184 for 3 coins, and two spacers 6184 for 1 coin are accommodated in the groove 6171.

[0343] The spacer 6184 has RF tags built in according to the number of coins. For example, the spacer 6184 for 5 coins has 5 RF tags built in, the spacer 6184 for 3 coins has 3 RF tags built in, and the spacer 6184 for 1 coin has 1 RF tag built in.

[0344] Therefore, assuming that all 30 game coins C stored in the groove 6171 are genuine, the RF reader 6100 will read 40 tag information including the RF tag built into the spacer 6184. If the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 does not match this predetermined value, that is, the number of game coins C that can be accommodated in the groove 6171, the inspection and warning unit 6200 determines that there are counterfeit game coins and generates an alarm.

[0345] FIG. 63 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. 62. As described above, in the example of FIG. 62, a detection means is not necessary. However, when an inspection is performed at an arbitrary timing, there may be an empty space in the groove 6171, and the RF reader 6100 may not be able to read a predetermined number of tag information, resulting in the generation of an alarm. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 63, a switch 6185 for instructing the inspection and warning unit 6200 to perform an inspection is provided. The switch 6185 generates an ON signal when pressed.

[0346] The switch 6185 is connected to the inspection and warning unit 6200 and outputs an ON signal to the inspection and warning unit 6200. When the inspection and warning unit 6200 receives the ON signal from the switch 6185, it instructs the RF reader 6100 to execute a reading.

[0347] When the dealer collects the game coins C from the player who lost the game, he stores them in the groove 6171, stores the spacer 6184 in the empty space, and when there is no empty space in the groove 6171, presses the switch 6185. Then, the RF reader 6100 executes the reading of the RF tag, and the inspection and warning unit 6200 performs an inspection by determining whether the number of the read tag information matches the predetermined value.

[0348] In the fifth embodiment, a system for inspecting game coins used in a casino game has been described. However, the object to be inspected may be a valuable item other than the game coin C. Further, although the RF tag is embedded in the game coin, a unique ID that can be individually identified by other methods may be attached.

[0349] Also, in the fifth embodiment, various means for detecting the number of gaming coins C by means other than RFID have been described. However, the means for detecting the number of gaming coins C may be any means that can detect the number while allowing players and dealers to recognize them as gaming coins C, including counterfeit gaming coins. For example, as in the example described below, it may be a means for photographing the gaming coins C stored in the gaming coin tray 617 with a camera and detecting the number based on the image.

[0350] Furthermore, the inspection system may inspect objects other than valuable items.

[0351] FIG. 64 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inspection system for inspecting an object incorporating an RF tag. The inspection system 6001 includes a table B for placing an object. The object placed on the table B is photographed by a camera 6400, and a photographed image is generated. The camera 6400 is connected to the inspection / warning unit 6200, and the photographed image is output to the inspection / warning unit 6200. The inspection / warning unit 6200 includes a neural network learned by deep learning, and detects the number of objects by recognizing the number of objects in the photographed image using this neural network.

[0352] Also, the table B incorporates an RF antenna 6172. The RF tag incorporated in the object placed on the table B transmits radio waves to the RF antenna 6172, and the RF reader 6100 reads the tag information.

[0353] The inspection / warning unit 6200 compares the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 with the number of objects recognized by the neural network, and generates an alarm when the two do not match. In this way, the camera 6400, which is a means other than RFID, detects the number of objects whose authenticity is unknown but exist. On the other hand, by reading the RF tags of those objects and comparing the number of the read tag information with the number detected by the camera 6400, it is possible to detect objects for which RF tag information cannot be read.

Claims

1. An inspection system for inspecting valuable items with RF tags that record information on the valuable items, where the types of the valuable items can be identified by weight differences, comprising: an RF reader for reading information on the valuable item from the RF tag of the valuable item placed on the table; a weight measuring device for measuring and recording the weight of the valuable item; a management control device for grasping the total weight of the valuable items on the table using the measurement result of the weight measuring device, having: The management control device grasps the weight of the valuable items on the table based on the standard weight of the valuable items from the information obtained from the RF reader, measures the total weight of the valuable items on the table using the measurement result of the weight measuring device, compares the calculated weight of the valuable item obtained from the RF reader with the total weight of the valuable item obtained from the measurement result of the weight measuring device, and has a function of estimating whether the total number of valuable items matches. An inspection system.

2. An inspection system for inspecting valuable items according to Claim 1, wherein: the information of the RF tag includes the weight information of the valuable item; the management control device has a function of grasping the weight of the valuable items on the table from the weight information obtained from the RF reader. An inspection system.

3. An inspection system for inspecting valuable items according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein: the management control device grasps the weight of the valuable items on the table for each type from the information from the RF reader, specifies the total weight of the valuable items on the table using the measurement result of the weight measuring device, and grasps the excess weight of the total weight of the valuable items obtained from the measurement result of the weight measuring device with respect to the sum of the weights of the valuable items of each type obtained from the RF reader. An inspection system having a function.

4. An inspection system for inspecting valuable items according to Claim 3, wherein: the management control device has a function of specifying the type of the valuable item that causes the discrepancy between the sum of the weights of the valuable items of each type obtained from the RF reader and the total weight of the valuable items obtained from the measurement result of the weight measuring device based on the excess weight, or the type of the valuable item that does not cause the discrepancy. An inspection system.

5. An inspection system for inspecting valuable items according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein: the management control device has a function of grasping the total amount of the valuable items on the table from the information from the RF reader. An inspection system.

6. An inspection system for inspecting valuable items with RF tags, comprising: An RF reader for reading information of the valuable item from the RF tag provided on the valuable item, A weight measuring device for measuring the weight of the valuable item, A management control device for grasping the total weight of the valuable item by using the measurement result of the weight measuring device, and having, The management control device obtains the weight of the valuable item based on the information read by the RF reader, compares the obtained weight with the weight measured by the weight measuring device, and determines whether the two match, an inspection system.

7. The management control device obtains the price of the valuable item based on the information read by the RF reader and outputs information on the obtained price. The inspection system according to claim 6.

8. The RF tag of the valuable item stores information on the price of the valuable item, The management control device obtains the price of the valuable item according to the information read by the RF reader. The inspection system according to claim 7.

9. The RF tag of the valuable item stores information for specifying the type of the valuable item, The inspection system further includes a storage device for storing in association information for specifying the type of the valuable item and the price of the type, The management control device obtains the price of the valuable item by referring to the storage device and reading out the price associated with the information read by the RF reader. The inspection system according to claim 7.

10. The inspection system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, A cash register device for performing accounting processing based on the price information output by the management control device, A cash register system provided with.

11. RF reading means for reading the RF tag of the object placed at a predetermined location, Detection means for detecting at least the number of the objects placed at the predetermined location by a method other than RFID, Alarm means for generating an alarm when the number of the objects read by the RF reading means does not match the number detected by the detection means, An inspection system provided with.

12. The detection means is a weight measuring device for measuring the weight of the object placed at a predetermined location, and detects at least the number of the objects placed at the predetermined location by weight. The inspection system according to claim 11.

13. The warning means grasps the weight of each of the objects placed at a predetermined location based on the information of the RF tag read by the RF reading means, and compares the grasped weight with the weight measured by the weight measuring device, thereby determining whether the number of the objects from which the RF tag is read by the RF reading means matches the number detected by the detection means. The inspection system according to claim 12.

Images