Game token coin and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide a game token coin capable of relatively stably reading a plurality of RFID tags built into a plurality of stacked game token coins even when the plurality of game token coins are stacked in an arbitrary direction in the game token coin incorporating the RFID tag by security parts.SOLUTION: A game token coin 100 includes security parts 50 and receiving parts 10 for receiving the security parts 50. The security parts 50 have a diameter smaller than those of the receiving parts 10, a structure in which a plurality of plastic layers are laminated, an RFID tag 42, and a visible printing layer 201 that shows a kind or an ID of the game token coin 10. The receiving parts 10 have a recessed portion 11 for receiving the security parts 50 on a surface. A depth of the recessed portion 11 is 25% or more of a thickness of the game token coin 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming substitute currency including a security part and a receiving part for receiving the security part, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a game arcade, as a substitute for currency, for example, gaming substitute currencies such as gaming chips and plaques are used. The gaming substitute currency is plate-shaped with two parallel planes (surfaces), and its outer contour is, for example, circular or rectangular. As a gaming substitute currency, a type of gaming substitute currency in which a central part is embedded in the central part of the surface is known. By making the materials of the central part and the receiving part outside thereof different (for example, making the central part made of ceramic and the receiving part made of resin), a high-class feeling can be given to the appearance of the gaming substitute currency.

[0003] Also, in such a gaming substitute currency having a central part, a gaming substitute currency with an embedded RFID tag is known in which a security element such as an RFID tag is provided on the inner surface of the central part and the central part is fixed to the receiving part (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-section of a conventional gaming substitute currency with an embedded RFID tag. The gaming substitute currency 500 includes a receiving part 510 formed by molding resin. Concave portions are formed at the centers of both surfaces of the receiving part 510. Central parts 520 and 530 are fitted into these concave portions, respectively. The bottom of the concave portion and the central parts 520 and 530 are adhered with an adhesive, respectively.

[0005] The RFID tag 550 is arranged in the recessed part on one side (the upper side in the example of FIG. 9), and is sandwiched between the bottom of the recessed part and the central part 521, so that it will be built into the gaming token 500. Information for uniquely identifying the gaming token 500 (identification information), information regarding the manufacture of the gaming token 500 (date of manufacture, manufacturing factory, production line), and other information are recorded in the RFID tag 550.

[0006] The information stored in such an RFID tag 550 is read by using an RFID reader in the game arcade. As is well known, the RFID reader generates an electromagnetic wave from an antenna to communicate with the RFID tag non - contact and read the information stored in the RFID tag. Alternatively, instead of the RFID reader, an RFID reader / writer may be used. The RFID reader / writer can not only read the information stored in the RFID tag, but also write information to the writable area of the RFID tag.

[0007] These information can be used to guarantee the security of the gaming token 500, that is, to find out counterfeit gaming tokens that do not contain an RFID tag storing appropriate information. For this reason, the RFID tag 550 and the central part 521 for holding the RFID tag inside the gaming token 500 so that it cannot be taken out are combined and called the security part 520.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] In a game arcade, there are cases where an RFID reader needs to collectively read a plurality of RFID tags respectively embedded in a plurality of stacked gaming tokens. For example, when gaming tokens are stored in a chip tray, they are stacked in the thickness direction. In this case where the RFID reader reads the RFID tags of the gaming tokens in the chip tray, it is necessary to simultaneously read the RFID tags of the plurality of stacked gaming tokens. Also, when betting gaming tokens on a table, usually a plurality of gaming tokens are stacked for betting. In this case when reading them with an RFID reader, it is also necessary to simultaneously read the RFID tags of the plurality of stacked gaming tokens.

[0010] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a stacked state of conventional gaming tokens each having an embedded RFID tag. As shown in FIG. 10, when a security part 520 is provided on one surface side of a gaming token 500, when such gaming tokens 500 are stacked in an arbitrary orientation, as shown in FIG. 10, in the plurality of stacked gaming tokens 500, the distances between a plurality of RFID tags 550 respectively embedded in two adjacent gaming tokens 500 are not uniform, and the difference in those distances becomes relatively large. Then, the reading or writing of the RFID tags 550 by electromagnetic waves becomes unstable.

[0011] Note that by adopting an appearance design that can distinguish the surface on which the security part 520 is embedded from the surface on the opposite side, and when stacking, stacking them while checking the front and back so that the orientations are aligned, the distances between adjacent RFID tags 550 can be made uniform. However, it is obvious that such an operation is troublesome.

[0012] On the other hand, as a conventional gaming chip, one with a configuration as shown in FIG. 11 is also known. This gaming chip 500' incorporates a capsule 551 with an RFID tag 550 as a security part, provides a receiving part 510 around this capsule 551, and forms a recess by providing a step between the receiving part 510 and the capsule 551. Then, the central parts 520 and 530 are attached to this recess to complete the gaming chip 500'.

[0013] According to such a gaming chip 500', when the gaming chips 500' are stacked as described above, there is little deviation of the RFID tag 550, and there is no problem of unstable reading or writing. However, such a gaming chip 500' needs to accommodate the RFID tag 550 inside the capsule 551, which incurs costs in the process for this and also has a poor yield.

[0014] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a gaming token with an RFID tag incorporated by a security part, which can relatively stably read a plurality of RFID tags incorporated in the plurality of stacked gaming tokens even when the plurality of gaming tokens are stacked in an arbitrary orientation.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming token that can ensure security at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0016] The substitute gaming currency according to one aspect of the present invention is a substitute gaming currency including a security part and a receiving part for receiving the security part, wherein the security part has a shape with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the receiving part, has a structure in which a plurality of plastic layers are laminated, has an RFID tag, and has a visible printing layer indicating the type or ID of the substitute gaming currency, and the receiving part has a recessed portion on the surface for receiving at least one of the security parts, and the depth of the recessed portion is 25% or more of the thickness of the substitute gaming currency.

[0017] With this configuration, since the depth of the recessed portion for receiving the security part in the receiving part is 25% or more of the thickness of the substitute gaming currency, the RFID tag can be arranged closer to the center in the thickness direction of the substitute gaming currency as compared with the conventional substitute gaming currency. Therefore, even when a plurality of substitute gaming currencies are stacked in an arbitrary orientation, the difference in the distance between the RFID tags can be made relatively small, and the reading of the RFID tags can be stabilized.

[0018] The RFID tag may be arranged at a position less than 25% above and below the center in the thickness direction of the substitute gaming currency.

[0019] With this configuration, even when a plurality of substitute gaming currencies are stacked in an arbitrary orientation, the difference in the distance between the RFID tags becomes relatively small, and the reading of the RFID tags is stabilized.

[0020] The RFID tag may be arranged between the plurality of plastic layers.

[0021] With this configuration, even if the security part is taken out from the receiving part, the RFID tag cannot be easily taken out, and the security is improved.

[0022] The RFID tag may be provided on the inner surface of the security part.

[0023] This configuration facilitates manufacturing.

[0024] The RFID tag may store information related to the type or ID of the substitute gaming currency represented by the printing.

[0025] With this configuration, by reading the RFID tag, the type or ID of the substitute gaming currency can be identified.

[0026] The RFID tag may store information related to the appearance of the receiving part.

[0027] With this configuration, by reading the RFID tag, information related to the appearance can be obtained.

[0028] The security part may be configured by thermocompression bonding the plastic layers.

[0029] With this configuration, a structure in which a plurality of plastic layers are laminated by a thermocompression bonding method can be realized.

[0030] The security part may be configured by adhering the plastic layers with an adhesive.

[0031] With this configuration, a structure in which a plurality of plastic layers are laminated by an adhesive bonding method can be realized.

[0032] A substitute gaming currency according to another aspect of the present invention has a receiving part having a first recessed portion with a first depth on one surface and a second recessed portion with a second depth deeper than the first depth on the other surface, a first part fitted into the first recessed portion, a second part fitted into the second recessed portion, and an RFID tag disposed at a position deeper than the first depth of the second recessed portion.

[0033] With this configuration, the RFID tag will be placed closer to the center in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency. As a result, even when a plurality of gaming substitute currencies are stacked in an arbitrary orientation, the difference in distance between the RFID tags becomes relatively small, and the reading of the RFID tags becomes stable.

[0034] The specific gravity of the second part may be greater than the specific gravity of the first part.

[0035] With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the balance of the weight in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency.

[0036] The specific gravity of the second part may be smaller than the specific gravity of the receiving part.

[0037] Even with this configuration, it is possible to adjust the balance of the weight in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency.

[0038] The receiving part is configured to include a weight member inside, and the weight member may have a specific gravity greater than that of the members other than the weight member constituting the receiving part.

[0039] With this configuration, the weight of the gaming substitute currency can be adjusted, and the balance of the weight in the thickness direction can be balanced according to the position of the weight member.

[0040] The weight member may be arranged at a position offset from the center in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency and / or may have an asymmetric shape in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency, thereby mitigating the weight imbalance caused by the security part.

[0041] With this configuration, it is possible to balance the weight in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency using the weight member.

[0042] A gaming substitute currency according to another aspect of the present invention is a gaming substitute currency including a receiving part having a recessed portion on at least one surface, and a security part having an RFID tag and fitted into the recessed portion, wherein a depth of the recessed portion is 25% or more of a thickness of the receiving part, and the RFID tag is disposed at a position less than 25% above and below a center in a thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency.

[0043] With this configuration, since the RFID tag is disposed at a position less than 25% above and below the center in the thickness direction of the receiving part, even when a plurality of gaming substitute currencies are stacked in an arbitrary orientation, a difference in distances between the RFID tags can be made relatively small, and reading of the RFID tags can be stabilized.

[0044] A gaming substitute currency according to another aspect of the present invention is a gaming substitute currency including a receiving part having a recessed portion on at least one surface, and a security part fitted into the recessed portion, wherein the security part has a laminated structure including a plurality of plastic layers and has a configuration in which an RFID tag is incorporated between the layers.

[0045] With this configuration, a gaming substitute currency with an incorporated RFID tag can be configured simply by attaching the security part having the laminated structure to the recessed portion of the receiving part.

[0046] A method for manufacturing a gaming substitute currency according to one aspect of the present invention includes a step of manufacturing a receiving part having a recessed portion by molding, a step of manufacturing a security part by integrating a plurality of plastic layers with an RFID tag sandwiched therebetween, and a step of adhering the security part to the recessed portion.

[0047] Thereby, a gaming substitute currency with an incorporated RFID tag can be configured simply by attaching the security part having the laminated structure to the recessed portion of the receiving part.

[0048] Another aspect of the method for manufacturing gaming tokens of the present invention includes a step of manufacturing a receiving part having a recessed portion by molding, a step of manufacturing a laminated structure by integrating a plurality of plastic layers, and a step of bonding the recessed portion and the laminated structure with an RFID tag sandwiched therebetween.

[0049] With this configuration, security parts can be easily manufactured, and gaming tokens incorporating RFID tags can be easily manufactured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] The gaming token according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a disc-shaped gaming chip will be described as the gaming token of the embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited by the following embodiment. For example, the shape of the gaming token may be a rectangular plate, or other shapes. Also, the gaming token may be a plaque. Further, the components in the following embodiment include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0052] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming token according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming token 100 is plate-shaped and has two parallel surfaces (front surface and back surface). Also, the gaming token 100 is disc-shaped. The gaming token 100 has center parts 20 and 30 in the center of the receiving part 10 in plan view (circular) (see FIG. 2 for the center part 30). The center parts 20 and 30 are also called decals.

[0053] Although not shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of values or types are defined for the gaming token 100, and it has a different appearance for each value or type. For example, the value or type may be represented by the color of the receiving part 10. Also, for example, a band pattern may be provided on the circumferential side surface of the receiving part 10, and the value or type may be represented by the color of the band. Further, numbers indicating the value are marked on the surfaces of the center parts 20 and 30. Also, the ID (for example, identification code, identification number) of the gaming token 100 may be marked on the appearance of the gaming token 100 in a visible or invisible manner in the normal usage situation.

[0054] In particular, as will be described later, the central part 20 may have information related to security as a component that constitutes the security part 50 together with the laminated structure 40 described later. For example, the central part 20 may have an ID (e.g., identification code, identification number) for uniquely identifying the gaming token 100, information indicating the value or type of the gaming token 100, information for determining authenticity, etc., expressed in a code format or other format. The information indicated on the central part 20 may be printed with ink that is visible when observed under visible light, or may be printed using ink that is visible when observed under special light (e.g., UV ink that is visible under ultraviolet light, infrared absorption ink that is visible under infrared light, etc.).

[0055] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the cross-section of a gaming token according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The gaming token 100 includes a receiving part 10 and two central parts 20 and 30 respectively provided on both sides of the receiving part 10. The diameters of the central parts 20 and 30 are smaller than the diameter of the receiving part 10 and are surrounded by the outer peripheral part of the receiving part 10.

[0056] Inside the central part 20, a laminated structure 40 is arranged, and the central part 20 and the laminated structure 40 constitute a security part 50. The laminated structure 40 has a configuration in which an RFID tag 42 is sandwiched between two plastic layers 41 and 43. The plastic layer 41 is made of a white PETG resin (hereinafter referred to as "white PETG"), and the plastic layer 43 is made of a transparent PETG resin (hereinafter referred to as "transparent PETG"). The plastic layer 41 and the plastic layer 43 are heat-sealed with the RFID tag 42 sandwiched therebetween to form a laminated structure 40 incorporating the RFID tag 42. Note that the RFID tag 42 is recessed into the plastic layer 41 and the plastic layer 43 and held inside when the plastic layer 41 and the plastic layer 43 are heat-sealed. Note that the plastic layer 41 may be other colored or transparent, and the plastic layer 43 may be white or other colors. Also, the plastic layers 41 and 43 are not limited to PETG resin and may be other materials such as A-PET.

[0057] In the center of the two surfaces (front surface and back surface) of the receiving part 10, recessed portions 11 and 12 are respectively formed, and the security part 50 and the central part 30 are respectively received in these recessed portions 11 and 12, so that a game substitute coin 100 having a flat surface with no substantial step between the receiving part 10, the central part 20, and the central part 30 is formed on the front surface and the back surface of the game substitute coin 100. The receiving part 10 is manufactured by molding resin. Instead of this, the receiving part 10 may be manufactured by laminating a plurality of plastic layers, or may be manufactured with clay, ceramic, metal, or other materials.

[0058] In the example of FIG. 2, a radial gap is shown between the security part 50 and the recessed part 11 of the receiving part 10 in order to clearly distinguish the security part 50 from the receiving part 10. However, actually, the dimensional design of the recessed part 11 and the security part 50 is carried out so that such a gap is substantially absent. The same applies to the gap between the central part 30 and the recessed part 12 of the receiving part 10. Actually, the dimensional design of the recessed part 12 and the central part 30 is carried out so that there is no gap shown in FIG. 2.

[0059] The central parts 20 and 30 are each printed on the surface that becomes the inner side when received by the receiving part 10, and printing layers 201 and 301 made of ink are formed by this printing. The central parts 20 and 30 are each transparent, and the printing layers 201 and 301 are visible from the outside of the gaming substitute coin 100 through the transparent central parts 20 and 30.

[0060] The laminated structure 40 is adhered (fixed) to the bottom of the deeper recessed part 11 of the receiving part 10 by the adhesive sheet 51. Further, the central part 20 is adhered to the front surface of the laminated structure 40 with an adhesive.

[0061] The thickness of the central part 20 is 0.2 to 0.4 mm, and in this embodiment, it is 0.3 mm. The thickness of the plastic layer 41 is 0.8 to 1.2 mm, and its specific gravity is 2.00 to 2.30. In this embodiment, the thickness is 1.0 mm and the specific gravity is 2.13. The RFID tag 42 is a printed RFID tag, and its thickness is 0.08 to 0.12 mm. In this embodiment, it is 0.1 mm. The thickness of the plastic layer 43 is 0.12 to 0.18 mm, and in this embodiment, it is 0.15 mm.

[0062] That is, in the laminated structure 40 that holds the RFID tag 43 inside, the thickness of the outer plastic layer 41 is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the inner plastic layer 43. With this configuration, as will be described later, the RFID tag 42 can be arranged closer to the center in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute coin 100.

[0063] The combined thickness of the security part 50 and the adhesive sheet 51 is 1.4 to 1.8 mm, and in this embodiment it is 1.55 mm. The specific gravity of the security part 50 is greater than that of the central part 30 and less than that of the receiving part 10.

[0064] The thickness of the adhesive sheet 51 is about 0.05 mm. The depth of the deep recessed portion 11 for receiving the security part 50 is 1.600 to 1.800 mm, and in this embodiment it is 1.675 mm. Therefore, the security part 50 with a total thickness of 1.55 mm is adhered to this recessed portion 11 by the adhesive sheet 51 with a thickness of 0.05 mm, so that the surface of the security part 50 and the surface of the receiving part 10 are substantially flat, and the surface of the security part 50 is about 0.075 mm lower than the surface of the receiving part 10.

[0065] The central part 30 is made of transparent PETG and has a printing layer 301 on its upper surface (inner surface). The thickness of the central part 30 is 0.2 to 0.4, and in this embodiment it is 0.3 mm. The central part 30 is adhered to the bottom of the recessed portion 12 of the receiving part 10 by an adhesive sheet 52 having adhesiveness on both sides. Since the central part 30 is transparent, the printing of the printing layer 301 is visible from the outside of the gaming substitute coin 100 through the central part 30.

[0066] The thickness of the adhesive sheet 52 is about 0.5 mm. The depth of the shallow recessed portion 12 for receiving the central part 30 is 0.45 mm. Therefore, the central part 30 with a thickness of 0.3 mm is adhered to this recessed portion 12 by the adhesive sheet 52 with a thickness of 0.05 mm, so that the surface of the central part 30 and the surface of the receiving part 10 are substantially flat, and the surface of the central part 30 is about 0.1 mm lower than the surface of the receiving part 10.

[0067] The depth of the recessed portion 11 for receiving the security part 50 is preferably 25% to 65% of the thickness of the game substitute currency 100, more preferably 40% to 55%, and is 50% in this embodiment.

[0068] The thickness of the game substitute currency 100 is 3.35 mm. Therefore, the recessed portion 11 of the receiving part 10 for receiving the security part 50 is half of the thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the receiving part 10 (that is, the thickness of the game substitute currency), and the bottom of the recessed portion 11 is located at the center in the thickness direction of the receiving part 10. In this way, the recessed portion 11 is formed deep enough, and in the security part 50 received therein, the RFID tag 42 is disposed offset toward the center in the thickness direction of the game substitute currency 100, so that the position of the RFID tag 42 in the thickness direction of the game substitute currency 100 will be closer to the center in the thickness direction of the game substitute currency 100.

[0069] The offset amount of the RFID tag 42 from the center in the thickness direction of the game substitute currency 100 is preferably small, specifically preferably 0.4 mm or less, more preferably 0.375 mm or less. In this embodiment, the offset amount is about 0.25 mm. This offset amount is preferably 0% to 25% of the thickness of the game substitute currency 100, more preferably 0% to 10%, and is about 7.5% in this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a line 71 indicating the center in the thickness direction of the game substitute currency 100 and a line 72 indicating the position where the offset amount is 25%.

[0070] Various types of information are recorded on the RFID tag 42. Fixed information such as information obtained from the appearance of the game substitute currency 100 (for example, value or type information) and the ID of the game substitute currency 100 (for example, identification code, identification number, etc.) is recorded on the RFID tag 42. Information related to the information (for example, value or type, ID, etc.) represented by the printing layers 201 and 301 may be recorded on the RFID tag 42. The RFID tag 42 may have a rewritable area that can be rewritten by an RFID reader / writer. Variable information such as the history of the owner of the game substitute currency 100 is recorded in the rewritable area.

[0071] When security information is indicated on the central part 20, the security information and the information recorded on the RFID tag 42 may be associated in a database. Such a game substitute currency 100 can be inspected for ID, authenticity, and other inspections using an inspection device when reading the RFID tag 42 at a table or other location, or when conducting inspections exclusively. The inspection device can read the security information indicated on the central part 20, read the RFID tag 42, and collate them in a database to inspect the game substitute currency 100.

[0072] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of the game substitute currency according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A printed RFID tag 42 is sandwiched between a transparent PETG sheet that becomes the plastic layer 43 of the laminated structure 40 and a white PETG sheet that becomes the plastic layer 41, and they are thermocompression bonded and punched out in a circular shape to form the laminated structure 40. The laminated structure 40 and the central part 20 are integrated to form the security part 50 by adhering the plastic layer 41 of the laminated structure 40 and the printing layer 201 of the central part 20 with an adhesive.

[0073] The receiving part 10 is manufactured by molding resin. The circular security part 50 formed as described above is adhered to the bottom of the deeper recessed part 11 of the receiving part 20 with an adhesive sheet 51 having adhesiveness on both sides.

[0074] Also, similarly for the central part 30, by printing on a transparent PETG sheet and cutting it out in a circular shape, the central part 30 having the printed layer 301 is formed. The circular central part 30 thus formed is adhered to the bottom of the shallower recessed part 12 with an adhesive sheet 52 having adhesiveness on both sides.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a plurality of gaming tokens according to the first embodiment of the present invention are stacked. As described above, in this embodiment, the offset amount of the RFID tag 42 from the center in the thickness direction of the gaming token 100 is relatively small. Therefore, as is clear when comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 10, even when a plurality of gaming tokens 100 are stacked in an arbitrary orientation, the difference in the distance between adjacent RFID tags 42 becomes relatively small. Thereby, even when the RFID reader reads a plurality of stacked gaming tokens 100 collectively, the reading can be stabilized.

[0076] According to this embodiment, instead of the idea of incorporating an RFID tag inside the capsule shown in FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 9, while following the configuration of fitting and adhering a central part called a decal to the receiving part, a configuration of incorporating an RFID tag in such a central part is adopted, so that the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Further, in the conventional structure shown in FIG. 9, the RFID tag was exposed by peeling off the decal, whereas in the gaming token 100 of this embodiment, the RFID tag 40 is incorporated inside a security part (corresponding to the central part of the prior art in FIG. 9) installed in the recess of the receiving part 10. Therefore, even if the central part 20 or the security part 50 is peeled off, the RFID tag 42 will not be exposed, and thus security can be ensured.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the laminated structure 40 is formed by thermocompression bonding a plurality of plastic layers. Instead of this, the laminated structure 40 may be formed by bonding a plurality of plastic layers with an adhesive. Further, instead of the laminated structure 40, a part that holds the RFID tag 42 may be manufactured by insert molding using the RFID tag 42 as an insert part.

[0078] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the cross-section of the gaming substitute coin according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the central part 20 having the printing layer 201 on the lower surface and the plastic layer 41 are bonded with an adhesive, and the RFID tag 42 is disposed on the lower surface thereof, thereby constituting the security part 50'. That is, in the present embodiment, the RFID tag 42 is provided on the inner surface of the security part 50'.

[0079] The central part 20 is made of transparent PETG, and its thickness is 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, and is 0.25 mm in the present embodiment. The plastic layer 41 is made of white PETG, and its thickness is 0.7 to 0.8 mm, and is 0.76 mm in the present embodiment. The RFID tag 42 is a printed RFID tag, and its thickness is 0.08 to 0.12 mm, and is 0.1 mm in the present embodiment. The security part 50 is 1.0 to 1.2 mm in total, and is 1.11 mm in the present embodiment.

[0080] The thickness of the adhesive sheet 51 is about 0.075 mm. The depth of the deep recessed part 11 for receiving the security part 50' is 1.260 to 1.300 mm, and is 1.285 mm in the present embodiment. Therefore, by bonding the security part 50' having a thickness of 1.11 mm to the recessed part 11 with the adhesive sheet 51 having a thickness of 0.075 mm, the surface of the security part 50' and the surface of the receiving part 10 become almost flat, and the surface of the security part 50' is about 0.1 mm lower than the surface of the receiving part 10.

[0081] The depth of the recessed portion 11 for receiving the security part 50 is approximately 38% of the thickness of the gaming substitute currency 100. In this way, since the recessed portion 11 is formed to be sufficiently deep, in the security part 50 received therein, the RFID tag 42 is disposed offset toward the center in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency 100, so that the position of the RFID tag 42 in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency 100 will be closer to the center in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency 100.

[0082] As described above, it is preferable that the offset amount of the RFID tag 42 from the center in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency 101 is small. In this embodiment, the offset amount is about 0.515 mm. This offset amount is approximately 15.4% of the thickness of the gaming substitute currency 100.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of the gaming substitute currency according to the second embodiment of the present invention. First, a central part 20 of transparent PETG having a printing layer 201 on the lower surface (inner surface) and a plastic layer 41 of white PETG are adhered with an adhesive to form a laminated structure. The receiving part 10 is created by molding, and a paste sheet 51, an RFID tag 42, and the laminated structure are laminated in this order on the bottom of the deep recessed portion 11, sandwiching the RFID tag 42 between the paste sheet 51 and the laminated structure, and the laminated structure is adhered to the upper surface of the paste sheet 51 and fixed to the recessed portion 11. At this time, the security part 50 is constituted by the laminated structure and the RFID tag 42 provided on its surface. The central part 30 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0084] According to the second embodiment, a complicated process of thermocompression bonding a plurality of plastic layers after sandwiching the RFID tag 42 between the plurality of plastic layers becomes unnecessary, and the manufacturing becomes easy.

[0085] In this embodiment, a member corresponding to the plastic layer 41 may be generated by molding, or may be formed by overlapping and thermocompression bonding a plurality of plastic layers.

[0086] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the adhesive sheet 51, which is an adhesive, is provided between the RFID tag 42 and the bottom of the recessed portion 11. In addition to this, an adhesive sheet may also be provided between the RFID tag 42 and the plastic layer 41 so as to encourage the RFID tag 42 to be destroyed when an attempt is made to peel the security part 50' from the recessed portion 11.

[0087] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of a gaming token according to a first example of the third embodiment of the present invention. As described above, by deepening the recessed portion 11 on one surface of the gaming token and disposing the security part 50, and shallowing the recessed portion 12 on the other surface and disposing the center part 30, the balance of the amount in the thickness direction of the gaming token is lost. That is, when the specific gravity of the security part 50 is greater than the specific gravity of the center part 30, the side where the security part 50 is provided becomes heavier.

[0088] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a weight member 61 is provided at a position offset from the center in the thickness direction of the gaming token 102. The weight member 61 has a point-symmetrical shape with respect to the center of the surface of the gaming token 102. In the present embodiment, the weight member 61 is provided on the side without the security part 50 rather than the center in the thickness direction so as to balance the weight with respect to the center in the thickness direction of the gaming token 102. The specific gravity of the weight member 61 is greater than the specific gravity of the receiving part 10. The weight member 61 is made of a heavy metal such as lead, for example. Further, the weight member 61 is annular and is built in by insert molding outside the recessed portions 11 and 12 of the receiving part 10.

[0089] In this way, the weight member 61 balances the weight between the security part 50 side and the center part 30 side with respect to the center in the thickness direction of the gaming token 102. Note that even if the weights on both sides are not completely equal by the weight member 61, it suffices as long as the imbalance is alleviated.

[0090] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a gaming substitute currency according to a second example of the third embodiment of the present invention. In the gaming substitute currency 103 of this example, a weight member 62 is embedded at the center of the bottom of the recessed portion 12 that receives the central part 30. The specific gravity of the weight member 62 is greater than the specific gravity of the receiving part 10. Also in this example, the weight imbalance of the gaming substitute currency 103 due to the provision of the security part 50 is eliminated or alleviated.

[0091] In addition, depending on the magnitude relationship of the specific gravities of the security part 50, the central part 30, and the receiving part 10, when the side where the security part 50 is provided becomes lighter, by arranging a weight member on the side where the security part 50 is provided, the weight imbalance is eliminated or alleviated.

[0092] As described above, in the gaming substitute currency according to the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving part 10 has a shallow recessed portion 12 on one surface and a recessed portion 11 deeper than the recessed portion 12 on the other surface. The central part 30 is fitted into the recessed portion 12, and the security part 50 is fitted into the recessed portion 11. As a result, the RFID tag 42 included in the security part 50 is arranged at a position deeper than the depth of the recessed portion 12 in the recessed portion 11. By fitting the security part 50 having the RFID tag 42 into the deep recessed portion 11 in this way, the offset amount, which is the deviation of the RFID tag 42 from the center in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency, can be made smaller compared to the conventional case.

[0093] In particular, in the first embodiment, since the RFID tag 42 is received in the receiving part 10 in a state of being pre-embedded in the laminated structure 40, when the RFID tag 42 is arranged in the recess of the receiving part 10, it is possible to prevent problems such as stress being applied to the RFID tag 42, the RFID tag 42 being rubbed, and the RFID tag 42 malfunctioning, which is advantageous.

[0094] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the weight member is disposed at a position offset from the center in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency. In addition to this, or instead of this, it may have an asymmetric shape in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency. Further, the weight member having an asymmetric shape in the thickness direction of the gaming substitute currency may be disposed so as to straddle the center of the gaming substitute currency.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, one security part is provided for one gaming substitute currency, but a plurality of security parts may be provided for one gaming substitute currency. In this case, one security part may be provided on one surface side, and another security part may be provided on the other surface side. By setting the offset amount of the RFID tags in both of such two security parts to 25%, when a plurality of gaming substitute currencies are stacked in an arbitrary orientation, the interval between the RFID tags can be uniformly set to 50% of the thickness of the gaming substitute currency.

[0096] In the above-described embodiment, the central parts 20 and 30 are made of transparent PETG and printed on their inner surfaces, but instead of the central parts 20 and 30, a seal may be used. In this case, each of the recessed portions 11 and 12 in the above-described embodiment may be formed shallower by an amount corresponding to the difference in thickness between the central parts 20 and 30 and the seal. Alternatively, no recessed portion may be provided on the opposite side of the recessed portion 11 that receives the security part. Further, the central part 20 in the above-described embodiment may be omitted, and printing may be performed on the surface of the plastic layer 41.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 10 Receiving part 11, 12 Recessed portions 20, 30 Central parts 201, 203 Printing layers 40 Laminated structure 41, 43 Plastic layers 42 RFID tag 50 Security part 51 and 52 paste sheets 61 and 62 weight members 100 - 103 substitute game tokens

Claims

1. A receiving part having a first recessed portion, an RFID tag accommodated in the first recessed portion, a plate-like plastic layer accommodated in the first recessed portion and covering the RFID tag, and a first central part accommodated in the first recessed portion and fixed to the plastic layer, wherein the first central part and the receiving part constitute a first surface of a gaming token, and the first surface is a flat surface without a substantial step, the gaming token.

2. The receiving part has a second recessed portion on the opposite side of the first recessed portion, the depth of the second recessed portion is shallower than the depth of the first recessed portion, the gaming token further includes a second central part that is accommodated and fixed in the second recessed portion to constitute a second surface of the gaming token together with the receiving part, wherein the appearance of the first surface is the same as the appearance of the second surface, the gaming token according to Claim 1.

3. The surface constituting the first surface in the first central part is at a position lower than the surface of the receiving part constituting the first surface, the surface constituting the second surface in the second central part is at a position lower than the surface of the receiving part constituting the second surface, the gaming token according to Claim 2.

4. The RFID tag is disposed at a position less than 25% above and below the center in the thickness direction of the gaming token, the gaming token according to Claim 1.

5. The first central part has a printing layer, wherein the RFID tag stores information related to the type or ID of the gaming token represented by the printing layer, the gaming token according to Claim 1.

6. The first central part has the printing layer on its inner surface, the gaming token according to Claim 5.

7. The RFID tag stores information related to the appearance of the receiving part, the gaming token according to Claim 1.

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