Management system

Abstract

To provide a management system useful for electronically grasping transaction of gaming chips in a casino, especially in a game table.SOLUTION: A management system 2000 is a management system in a game table 42 for performing a game using a gaming chip incorporating an RFID tag. The game table includes a chip tray for housing a dealer's gaming chip, bet areas 422a to 422e for placing gaming chips to be bet on a game, and a collection area 423a and a putout area 423b separate from the bet areas and the chip tray, and also includes a collection dealer antenna 5131 for reading an RFID tag of a gaming chip collected after losing in a game in the collection area, and a putout dealer antenna 5132 for reading an RFID tag of a gaming chip put out to a player who wins a game in the putout area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Patent Application No. 2022-014290, filed in Japan on February 1, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present invention relates to a management system for managing gaming chips at a gaming table. [Background technology]

[0003] Games are played at game tables using gaming chips. Players place bets by placing gaming chips in the betting area of ​​the game table. Players who win a game are paid out gaming chips by the dealer, and players who lose a game have their gaming chips collected by the dealer. A chip tray is provided in front of the dealer. The dealer pays out gaming chips from the chip tray to players who win a game, and places gaming chips collected from players who lose into the chip tray.

[0004] Attempts have been made to electronically track gaming chip transactions at such gaming tables. To this end, gaming chips are equipped with RFID tags that store information that can identify the value of the gaming chips, and RFID antennas for reading these RFID tags are provided in the betting area and chip tray. By reading the RFID tags on the gaming chips with these antennas, the amounts bet, collected amounts, paid out amounts, etc. can be determined. Furthermore, by linking this with a means for determining the game outcome (for example, in baccarat, the game outcome can be determined by reading the ranks of the cards dealt in the shoe), it can be determined whether the amount that should have been collected has been collected or the amount that should have been paid out has been paid out, making it possible to detect fraud or errors in collecting or paying out.

[0005] Furthermore, by storing a chip ID in the RFID tag and associating the chip ID with information about its owner (casino, player ID) in a database, tracing of the gaming chip is possible. In tracing, the owner associated with the chip ID in the database is updated every time the owner of the gaming chip changes.

[0006] In addition, the above-mentioned fraud and mistakes can also be detected by taking a picture of the gaming chip with a camera and recognizing the type (value) of the gaming chip in the betting area or chip tray through image recognition using a neural network, etc. Traceability can also be achieved by writing the chip ID on the side of the gaming chip and recognizing the chip ID through image recognition.

[0007] Furthermore, nowadays, by tracking the poses of players who operate gaming chips to play games at a gaming table and performing facial recognition, it is possible to associate players with gaming chips and betting actions. Prior art documents include Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-064386. Summary of the Invention

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide a management system that helps electronically keep track of gaming chip transactions within a casino, particularly at gaming tables.

[0009] One embodiment of the management system is a management system for a game table for playing games using gaming chips with built-in RFID tags, and the game table is equipped with a chip tray for storing the dealer's gaming chips, a betting area for placing gaming chips to be bet on the game, a collection area and a payout area separate from the betting area and the chip tray, and is configured to include a collection reading means for reading the RFID tags of gaming chips that are collected after losing a game in the collection area, and a payout reading means for reading the RFID tags of gaming chips that are paid out to players who win a game in the payout area.

[0010] In the above management system, the collection area and the payout area may both be located between the betting area and the chip tray, the collection reading means may read the RFID tag of a gaming chip before it is collected from the betting area and placed in the chip tray, and the payout reading means may read the RFID tag of a gaming chip before it is removed from the chip tray and paid out to the betting area.

[0011] The management system may further include a collection determination means for determining whether or not gaming chips to be collected from the betting area have been collected from the betting area and read by the collection reading means.

[0012] In the above management system, the RFID tag may store information for identifying the value of the gaming chip, and the above management system may further include a bet determination means provided at the game table for determining the bet target and bet amount of the gaming chip bet on the game, and a game result determination means for determining the game result, and the recovery determination means may determine whether the amount of the gaming chip read by the recovery reading means matches the recovery amount determined based on the bet target and bet amount determined by the bet determination means and the game result determined by the game result determination means.

[0013] In the above management system, the recovery reading means may read the RFID tag of the gaming chip to be recovered in the recovery area for each bet lost in a game, and the recovery determination means may determine whether the amount of the gaming chip read by the recovery reading means for each bet lost in a game matches the bet amount of the player.

[0014] In the above management system, the recovery determination means may determine whether the total amount of the gaming chips read by the recovery reading means for the multiple bets that were lost in the game matches the total amount of bets made by the multiple players.

[0015] In the above management system, the RFID tag may store information for identifying the amount of the gaming chip, and may further include a payout determination means for determining whether the amount of gaming chips to be paid out has been read by the payout reading means.

[0016] The above management system may further include a bet determination means provided on the game table for determining the bet target and bet amount of gaming chips bet on a game, and a game result determination means for determining the game result, and the payout determination means may determine whether the amount of gaming chips read by the payout reading means matches the payout amount determined based on the bet target and bet amount determined by the bet determination means and the game result determined by the game result determination means.

[0017] The management system may further include an exchange determining means for determining that an exchange has been made based on the RFID tag of the gaming chip being read by the collection reading means and the payout reading means.

[0018] In the above management system, the exchange determination means may determine that an exchange is taking place when it determines that gaming chips are present in the collection area and the payout area simultaneously based on the timing at which the collection reading means and the payout reading means read the RFID tags of the gaming chips.

[0019] In the above management system, the RFID tag may store information for identifying the amount of the gaming chips, and when the exchange determination means determines that an exchange is taking place, it may determine whether the total amount of gaming chips read by the collection reading means matches the total amount of gaming chips read by the payout reading means.

[0020] In the above management system, when it is determined that an exchange is being made, the exchange determination means may determine whether the gaming chips read by the collection reading means and the payout reading means, respectively, are gaming chips handed in by the player and gaming chips paid out from the chip tray.

[0021] The above management system may further include an alert device that outputs an alert to the effect that the total amount of gaming chips read by the collection reading means does not match the total amount of gaming chips read by the payout reading means.

[0022] The above management system may further include an alert device that outputs an alert to the effect that the gaming chips read by the collection reading means and the payout reading means, respectively, are not the gaming chips handed in by the player and the gaming chips paid out from the chip tray.

[0023] In the above management system, the recovery reading means may comprise a recovery antenna installed in the recovery area and a recovery reading device that controls the recovery antenna and decodes the signal received by the recovery antenna, and the dispensing reading means may comprise a dispensing antenna installed in the dispensing area and a dispensing reading device that controls the dispensing antenna and decodes the signal received by the dispensing antenna.

[0024] In the above management system, the collection reading device and the dispensing reading device may perform reading at independent timings.

[0025] In the above management system, the collection reading device and the dispensing reading device may be the same device.

[0026] In the above management system, the same device may alternately use the collection antenna and the dispensing antenna to read the collection area and the dispensing area alternately.

[0027] The above management system may further include a jamming antenna that restricts the collection antenna from reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips in the payout area, and / or a jamming antenna that restricts the payout antenna from reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips in the collection area.

[0028] In the above management system, the collection area and the payout area may be positioned at a distance from each other so that the collection reading means does not read the RFID tags of the gaming chips in the payout area and / or so that the payout reading means does not read the RFID tags of the gaming chips in the collection area.

[0029] According to the present invention, a management system can be provided that helps to electronically keep track of gaming chip transactions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a casino according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gaming chip according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming chip management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a game table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the manner of movement of gaming chips according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the first method of managing the movement of gaming chips according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the second method of managing the movement of gaming chips according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of managing the movement of gaming chips according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fifth method of gaming chip movement management according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of managing the movement of gaming chips according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating image recognition in an image captured by a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13A]FIG. 13A is a diagram showing another example of the gaming chip according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is a diagram showing still another example of the gaming chip according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a table showing an example of data stored in a database according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire fraud detection system in an amusement center having a plurality of gaming tables according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17A] FIG. 17A is a diagram showing details of a chip tray according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17B] FIG. 17B is a diagram showing another example of the chip tray according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a mark for explaining stains on a card grasped in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a simplified explanatory diagram showing an image of the exchange state of bills and chips grasped in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing how the dealer collects chips won by the casino in the baccarat game according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing how the dealer pays to winning customers (game players) in a baccarat game according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing how a winning customer (game player) receives chips and payment in a baccarat game according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23A] FIG. 23A is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the subject of image analysis when a dealer collects chips that the casino has won in the fraud detection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23B] FIG. 23B is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the subject of image analysis when the dealer collects chips that the casino has won in the fraud detection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23C] FIG. 23C is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the subject of image analysis when the dealer collects chips that the casino has won in the fraud detection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the subject of image analysis for fraudulent collection of chips in the fraud detection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25A] FIG. 25A is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the subject of image analysis for collecting chips won by a game player in the cheating detection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25B] FIG. 25B is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the subject of image analysis for collecting chips won by a game player in the cheating detection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25C] FIG. 25C is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the subject of image analysis for collecting chips won by a game player in the cheating detection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25D] FIG. 25D is an explanatory diagram of an image that is the subject of image analysis for collecting chips won by a game player in the cheating detection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a first example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a first example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a first example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a first example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a second example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a third example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating a database in a third example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating a database in a third example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating a database in a third example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a fourth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a fifth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a sixth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a sixth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a sixth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 40] FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a sixth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 41] FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a sixth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 42] FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a seventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 43] FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating a database in a seventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 44] FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating a database in a seventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 45]FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating a database in a seventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 46] FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating a database in a seventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating a database in a seventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 48] FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an eighth example of a management system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to a ninth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a ninth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 51] FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a ninth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 52] FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating variation information in a ninth example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 53] FIG. 53 is a diagram showing an example of a bet area in an eleventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 54A] FIG. 54A is a diagram showing another example of the betting area in the eleventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 54B] FIG. 54B is a diagram showing another example of the bet area in the eleventh example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] [First embodiment: Management of gaming chips throughout the casino] Gaming chips are brought into the casino through a cage within the casino, and discarded gaming chips are also taken out from the cage. Conventional gaming chip tracing systems cannot necessarily monitor the movement of all gaming chips within the casino, including the movement of gaming chips within the cage and the movement between the cage and each location within the casino.

[0032] Therefore, this embodiment describes a cage system for monitoring the movement of gaming chips in a cage and between the cage and each location within a casino, and a gaming chip management system that includes the cage system and manages gaming chips within a casino.

[0033] The cage system of this embodiment is a cage system that manages the movement of gaming chips within a cage in a casino hall, the cage is divided into multiple locations including a cashier, the gaming chips have RFID tags that store chip IDs, and the cage system is configured to include a first reading means that reads the chip IDs from the RFID tags of the gaming chips that move between the multiple locations, a second reading means that reads the chip IDs from the RFID tags of the gaming chips that leave the cage and the casino hall, and a recording means that records the chip IDs read by the first reading means and the second reading means as a movement history of the gaming chips.This configuration makes it possible to manage the movement of gaming chips within the cage.

[0034] In the cage system, the recording means may record the destination and / or origin of the movement together with the chip ID in the movement history. With this configuration, it is possible to know whether the movement is being carried out accurately.

[0035] The cage system may further include a management unit that determines whether a movement is appropriate based on the movement history. With this configuration, inappropriate movements can be detected.

[0036] In the above cage system, the management means may record in the recording means that a gaming chip having a movement history that does not match a predetermined possible movement history is fraudulent or suspected of being fraudulent.

[0037] The cage system may further include a third reader for reading the chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip entering the cage from the casino hall. This configuration allows complete management of the gaming chips in the cage.

[0038] In the cage system described above, when the destination of the gaming chip leaving the casino hall is recorded in the movement history of the gaming chip, the management means may issue an alert or record if the gaming chip is not received at the destination. With this configuration, it is possible to detect that the movement from the cage to a predetermined location in the casino hall has not been completed normally.

[0039] In the cage system described above, the management means may issue the alert or record the event if the gaming chips are not received at the destination within a predetermined time. With this configuration, it is possible to determine that an abnormality exists if the movement is not completed within the predetermined time.

[0040] The gaming chip management system of this embodiment is configured to include any one of the cage systems described above and a fourth reading means that is installed on a gaming table and reads the chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip. With this configuration, gaming chips in a casino hall including cages can be managed.

[0041] In the gaming chip management system, the management means may calculate the total amount of gaming chips held by players in the casino hall. With this configuration, the total amount of debt to the casino can be known in real time.

[0042] In the gaming chip management system, the management means may record date and time information in the movement history. With this configuration, the movement history can be recorded in more detail.

[0043] In the gaming chip management system, the management means may detect any suspicious movements of the gaming chips based on the date and time information. With this configuration, various suspicious movements can be detected.

[0044] In the gaming chip management system, the management means may record information about the staff member involved in the movement in the movement history. With this configuration, if an inappropriate movement occurs, the staff member involved can be identified.

[0045] Hereinafter, a cage system and a gaming chip management system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a casino according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The casino hall 1 is equipped with a cage 10 and a plurality of game tables 42 to 45. The floor on which the game tables 42 to 45 are provided may be divided into a VIP floor and a public floor. The cage 10 is a room that only security staff can enter. The cage 10 is divided into a vault 11, a main bank room 12, an F / C bank room 13, and a cashier room 14.

[0047] A gate 21 leading to the outside of the cage 10 is provided in the vault 11, a gate 22 is provided between the vault 11 and the main bank room 12, a gate 23 is provided between the main bank room 12 and the F / C bank room 13, a gate 25 is provided between the main bank room 12 and the cashier room 14, and a gate 24 is provided in the F / C bank room 13 leading to the casino hall 1 in which game tables 42-45 are located. The cashier room 14 is provided with gates (windows) 26-28 leading to the casino hall 1. Each of the gates 21-25 may allow the passage of people and gaming chips, or alternatively, only gaming chips may be allowed to pass through, and a door for people to enter and exit may be provided separately from the gate. The windows 26-28 are open enough to allow the exchange of gaming chips for cash.

[0048] Vault staff 31 is stationed in vault 11, main bank staff 32 is stationed in main bank room 12, F / C bank staff 33 is stationed in F / C bank room 13, and cashier staff 34-36 are stationed in cashier room 14 corresponding to windows 26-28.

[0049] Game tables 42 to 45 are installed in the casino hall 1, and one dealer 52 to 55 is assigned to each of the game tables 42 to 45. Although only four game tables are shown in the example of FIG. 1, more game tables are actually assigned to the casino hall 1. In addition, a pit manager 56 is assigned to each of the adjacent game tables 42.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 1, there are players 61 to 69 in the casino hall 1. Like the player 61 shown in FIG. 1, the players in the casino hall 1 can purchase gaming chips or exchange them for cash through one of the windows 26 to 28. A player who purchases gaming chips in the cage 10 can bet the gaming chips and enjoy games at the game tables 42 to 45. If the player loses a game, the dealer collects the gaming chips from the player, and if the player wins a game, the dealer pays out the gaming chips according to the game rules and the amount bet. In this way, the number of gaming chips held by the player increases or decreases depending on the game. When a player runs out of gaming chips, he or she can purchase more gaming chips (buy-in) in the cage 10. Furthermore, when the player finishes playing, he or she can exchange the gaming chips for cash (buy-out) in the cage 10.

[0051] At the game tables 42-45, gaming chips are collected from players who lose a game and paid to players who win a game. As a result, the number of gaming chips held by the dealer (casino) at the game table increases or decreases. When a game table runs out of gaming chips, the gaming chip transport staff 51 receives gaming chips from the gate 24 of the F / C bank room 13, transports them to the game table, and replenishes them. This replenishment of gaming chips at the game table is also called a "fill." Furthermore, when a game table has an excess of gaming chips, the gaming chip transport staff 51 transports the gaming chips from the game table to the cage 10, where they are stored in the F / C bank room 13 through the gate 24. This return of gaming chips from the game table to the cage 10 is also called a "credit."

[0052] When managing the movement history of gaming chips in the casino hall 1, the source, destination, and any locations between them are hereinafter referred to as locations. In the example of Figure 1, for example, each room and each game table in the cage 10 is called a location.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming chip according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a $100 gaming chip. The gaming chip 70 has a disk shape and has a face value ("$100" in the case of FIG. 1) printed on both sides. Multiple layers are stacked in the thickness direction in the following order: a white layer, a colored layer, and a white layer, and the sides have a striped pattern with colored layers sandwiched between white layers. The color of the colored layers varies depending on the face value, so the face value of the chip can be determined by distinguishing the color of the colored layers.

[0054] An RFID tag 71 is built into the gaming chip 70. The RFID tag 71 stores information about the chip ID and face value of the chip. The RFID tag 71 may be writable, in which case the RFID tag 71 may record information about the current location or owner of the gaming chip, and may also record the history of past locations or owners. The gaming chip 70 may be made by pressing multiple plates together, or may be made by resin molding.

[0055] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a chip management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The chip management system 1000 includes a cage system 501 and multiple table systems 502. A table system 502 is provided for each game table. The cage system 501 includes a chip management computer 100 and a chip management database 101 for comprehensively managing chips in the cages 10 and the casino hall 1.

[0056] The cage system 501 also includes a vault computer 111 installed in the vault 11, and a vault card reader 112 and a vault chip reader 113 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also includes a main bank computer 121 installed in the main bank room 12, and a main bank card reader 122 and a main bank chip reader 123 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also includes an F / C bank computer 131 installed in the F / C bank room 13, and an F / C bank card reader 132 and an F / C bank chip reader 133 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also includes cashier computers 141 installed in the cashier room 14 corresponding to each of the windows 26 to 28, and a cashier card reader 142 and a cashier chip reader 143 connected thereto.

[0057] The table system 502 includes a table computer 151, and connected thereto are a table card reader 152, a collection table chip reader 1531, a payout table chip reader 1532, a chip tray chip reader 154, and a plurality of bet area chip readers 155. Although only one table system 502 is shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of table systems 502 are provided corresponding to a plurality of game tables. The above-mentioned "reader" is a configuration including an antenna and a reading device that controls the antenna to transmit radio waves to an RFID tag and decodes the signal received by the antenna to acquire information from the RFID tag.

[0058] The vault computer 111, the main bank computer 121, the F / C bank computer 131, the cashier computer 141, the table computer 151, and the chip management database 101 are each connected to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 may be connected to other computers and the chip management database 101 via a local network, either wired or wirelessly. Alternatively, the chip management computer 100 and the chip management database 101 may be installed on a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) and connected to other computers via the wide area network. In other words, the chip management computer 100 and the chip management database 101 may be installed in the cloud rather than in the casino.

[0059] An input device (not shown) is connected to each of the computers 100, 111, 121, 131, 141, and 151 to receive operational input from the corresponding staff member. The input device may be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a button, a touchpad, a touch panel, or a voice input device. Note that the functions of each computer may be consolidated into the chip management computer 100, with only these input devices and communication devices remaining at the corresponding locations. In this case, various signals (e.g., input signals input to the input device, signals read by the chip reader, etc.) may be transmitted directly between the input device, card reader, or chip reader at each location and the chip management computer 100.

[0060] The card readers 112, 122, 132, 142, and 152 at each location read the staff ID or player ID from the ID card held by the staff or player. Specifically, the vault card reader 112, main bank card reader 122, and F / C bank card reader 132 read the staff ID from the ID card of the corresponding staff member, and the cashier card reader 142 reads the staff ID from the ID card of the cashier staff member and also reads the player ID of the player who purchases gaming chips at the cashier or redeems gaming chips for cash. In addition, the table card reader 152 reads the staff ID of the corresponding dealer and the player ID of the player who will be playing.

[0061] The chip readers 113, 123, 133, 143, 153, and 155 at each location read information from the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 and write information to the RFID tag 71. In particular, each chip reader 113, 123, 133, 143, and 153 reads the RFID tag 71 when the gaming chip 70 moves from another location to that location and when the gaming chip moves from that location to another location (i.e., when the gaming chip 70 moves away from that location).

[0062] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a game table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates a game table 42. The game table 42 is provided with a plurality of play positions. The game table 42 is provided with, on the table surface, a plurality of betting areas corresponding to the plurality of play positions, a chip tray for accommodating dealer chips, a dealer area for reading and writing information from and to the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70, and an ID card area for reading the ID cards of the dealer and players.

[0063] The chip tray is provided with a chip tray antenna 514 for reading the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 stored therein. Each of the multiple betting areas is provided with a betting area antenna 515a-515e inside the table surface for reading the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 placed therein. The dealer area is provided with a collecting dealer antenna 5131 and a paying dealer antenna 5132 inside the table surface for reading the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 placed therein. The ID card area is provided with an ID card antenna 512 inside the table surface.

[0064] Each of the antennas 512 to 515 is connected to the table computer 151 and transmits the read signal to the table computer 151. The table computer 151 obtains various pieces of information stored in the RFID tag 71 and the ID card by decoding the signal from each antenna.

[0065] Staff members assigned to each location begin work after having their card IDs read by the corresponding card reader. The computer at each location transmits the read staff ID and the date and time to the tip management computer 100. The tip management computer 100 stores the staff ID read by the card reader at each location in the tip management database 101 together with information on the location and date and time.

[0066] The chip management database 101 stores a player table, a chip table, a game table table, a staff table, and a movement history table. The player table stores registration information for the player. The player table stores, for each player, a player ID, various player attributes, and player status such as VIP, suspect, blacklist, etc. The chip table stores a chip ID, face value, type, manufacturing information, and chip status such as valid, missing, stolen, invalid, etc. The game table stores a table ID, game type, etc. The staff table stores a staff ID, various staff attributes, etc. The movement history table stores the location or owner history of the gaming chip 70.

[0067] (Gaming chip movement management) 5 is a diagram showing the manner of movement of gaming chips according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, at each location except the vault, there are multiple possible sources from which gaming chips can move when they enter, and multiple possible destinations to which they can leave. The chip management system of this embodiment recognizes these movements. To this end, the following methods can be employed.

[0068] (First method) In the first method, when a gaming chip 70 enters a computer at each location, the computer at that location specifies the source of the movement and reports this specification to the chip management computer 100 along with the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that entered, and when a gaming chip 70 leaves a location, information about the location, i.e., the source of the movement, and the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 are reported to the chip management computer 100.

[0069] For example, when a gaming chip 70 moves from the main bank chamber 12 to the F / C bank chamber 13, the main bank computer 121 reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the main bank chip reader 123 and reports the read chip ID to the chip management computer 100 that the gaming chip 70 is leaving the main bank chamber 12. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0070] Then, in the F / C bank room 13 that receives the gaming chip 70 from the main bank room 12, the F / C bank staff 33 operates the input device of the F / C bank computer 131 to input a designation that the gaming chip 70 is the gaming chip 70 that came from the main bank room 12 (the source of transfer), and reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the F / C bank chip reader 133. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip ID and a designation that the source of transfer is the main bank room 12 to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0071] 6 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the first method of gaming chip movement management according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The example in FIG. 6 shows the movement history of a gaming chip 70 with a chip ID of "24825." The chip management database 101 stores, as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70, the chip ID 601 of the gaming chip, entry / exit information 602, movement source information 603, movement destination information 604, and date / time 605.

[0072] According to the first method, as shown in FIG. 6, for gaming chips 70 leaving a location, information on the source of the movement is obtained (history H61), and for gaming chips 70 entering a location, information on the source and destination of the movement is obtained (history H62). Therefore, based on history H61 and history H62, it can be confirmed that the gaming chips 70 have indeed left the main bank chamber 12 and been received in the F / C bank chamber 13.

[0073] (Second method) In the second method, when a gaming chip 70 leaves a location, the computer at that location specifies its destination and reports the specification to the chip management computer 100 along with the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 leaving, and when a gaming chip 70 enters a location, information about the location, i.e., the destination, and the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 are reported to the chip management computer 100.

[0074] For example, when gaming chips 70 are to be moved (credits) from table-4 to the F / C bank room 13, the dealer reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the table chip reader 153 of the game table and operates the input device of the table computer 151 to specify the F / C bank room 13 as the destination (specify credits). The table computer 151 reports this chip ID, the F / C bank room 13 as the destination, and the table ID of table-4 as the source of the transfer to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0075] When the gaming chip 70 is received at the F / C bank room 13, the destination, the F / C bank staff 33 reads the chip ID of this gaming chip 70 with the F / C bank chip reader 133. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip ID and the fact that the gaming chip 70 will be entering the F / C bank room 13 to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0076] 7 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the second method of gaming chip movement management according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The example in FIG. 7 also shows the movement history of a gaming chip 70 with a chip ID of "24825." The chip management database 101 stores, as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70, the chip ID 601 of the gaming chip, entry / exit information 602, movement source information 603, movement destination information 604, and date / time 605.

[0077] According to the second method, as shown in FIG. 7, for gaming chips 70 leaving a location, information on their origin and destination is obtained (history H71), and for gaming chips 70 entering a location, information on their destination is obtained (history H72). Based on history H71 and history H72, it can be confirmed that the gaming chips 70 have indeed left table-4 and been received in the F / C bank room 13.

[0078] (Third Method) The third method is a combination of the first and second methods. That is, in the computer at each location, when gaming chips 70 are received, the source of the chips is specified, and when gaming chips 70 are sent out, the destination of the chips is specified.

[0079] (Fourth Method) In the fourth method, the staff at each location uses an input device of the computer at each location to specify whether the gaming chip 70 is coming in or going out, and reports this specification together with the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 read by a chip reader to the chip management computer 100. Based on this report, the chip management computer 100 updates the entry / exit information and location information in the chip management database 101.

[0080] 8 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The chip management database 101 stores, as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70, the chip ID 601 of the gaming chip, entry / exit information 602, location information 606, and date / time 605.

[0081] According to the fourth method, as shown in FIG. 8, entry / exit information 602 and location information 606 are recorded, so that it is possible to confirm that the gaming chip 70 has indeed left the vault 11 and been received in the main bank room 12 based on the history H81 and history H82.

[0082] (5th method) In the fifth method, only location information is recorded. That is, when the gaming chip 70 is in that location, the staff at each location reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with a chip reader at that location and reports this to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report. The staff at each location may read the chip ID when the gaming chip 70 is moved to that location, or when the gaming chip 70 is moved from that location, or may read the chip ID at any timing.

[0083] 9 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fifth method of gaming chip movement management according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The chip management database 101 stores information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70, such as the chip ID 601, location information 606, and date and time 605 of the gaming chip.

[0084] The fifth method also records location information 606 as shown in FIG. 9, so that it is possible to confirm that the gaming chip 70 has indeed left the vault 11 and been received in the main bank room 12 based on the history H91 and history H92.

[0085] It is also possible to determine which of the above-mentioned methods 1 to 5 to use for each combination of the source and destination. For example, the fourth or fifth method may be used for the movement of gaming chips 70 within the cage 10, the second method in which the destination is specified at the source may be used for the movement from the F / C bank chamber 13 to the game table, and the first method in which the source is specified at the destination may be used for the movement from the game table to the F / C bank chamber 13.

[0086] (Purchases and redemptions at the cashier) Furthermore, when gaming chips 70 are transferred from the cashier room 14 to a player (when a player purchases gaming chips 70 at the cashier), the cashier computer 141 reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the cashier chip reader 143, reads the player ID from the player's ID card with the cashier card reader 142, and reports the read chip ID together with the designation of the player to whom the gaming chips are to be transferred to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0087] When the gaming chips 70 are transferred from the player to the cashier room 14 (when the player exchanges the gaming chips 70 for cash at the cashier), the cashier computer 141 reads the chip ID of the gaming chips 70 with the cashier chip reader 143, reads the player ID from the player's ID card with the cashier card reader 142, and reports the read chip ID and the designation of the player who is the transfer source to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0088] 10 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 10, player 5 purchases gaming chips 70 from cashier 2 (history H101, H102), and then player 5 cashes those gaming chips 70 at cashier 3 (history H103, H104). Note that when the first to third methods are used, the receipt / withdrawal information 602 may be set to N / A, and only information on the source (cashier) and destination (player) of the movement may be recorded.

[0089] Also, for example, at the cashier, when the cashier staff receives a gaming chip 70 from a player, they may specify that they will receive it and then read the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 using the cashier chip reader 143, and when they hand over the gaming chip 70 to the player, they may specify that they will hand over it and then read the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 using the cashier chip reader 143.

[0090] This makes it possible to use one chip reader to clarify whether the gaming chip 70 whose chip ID has been read by that chip reader is entering or leaving that location. Also, when exchanging chips, it is possible to clearly distinguish between the gaming chip 70 received from the player and the gaming chip 70 given to the player, and to identify the chip ID using the chip reader.

[0091] (Collection and payment) A player who has purchased gaming chips 70 can play a game at a game table. At this time, the game table first reads the player's ID card with a table card reader 152 equipped with an ID card antenna 512. When the table card reader 152 reads the player's ID card, the playing position of the player is specified. This makes it possible to identify which player is in which betting area. Note that the betting area antennas 515a to 515e may be one or more antennas that group multiple betting areas together as a single betting area without distinguishing between the player positions, and read the gaming chips 70 placed in that single betting area. Also, the betting area antenna may not be provided.

[0092] When a player loses a game at a game table, the gaming chips 70 that the player bets are collected. In this case, the chip tray antenna 514 reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 stored in the chip tray before collection, and reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 stored in the chip tray after collection. The table computer 151 compares the chip IDs of the chip tray before and after collection to recognize the chip ID of the gaming chips 70 that have been newly brought to the chip tray (i.e., collected from the player).

[0093] The table computer 151 reports to the chip management computer 100, with respect to the gaming chips 70 collected from the player, a designation that they have been moved to the chip tray of the game table, and the chip ID read by the chip tray antenna 514. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0094] Note that, when the table computer 151 can determine whether each gaming chip 70 betted should be collected by recognizing the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 and the game results using the betting area antennas 515a-515e, and when it determines that the gaming chips 70 should be collected, the chip management database 101 may update the movement history of the gaming chips 70 in accordance with the determination to indicate that the gaming chips 70 have left the player and moved to the game table. By updating the movement history and the subsequent update indicating that the gaming chips 70 have been accepted by the chip tray, it is possible to confirm whether the gaming chips 70 to be collected have indeed been collected by the chip tray. In other words, if a movement history indicating that the gaming chips 70 should be collected is recorded with the entry / exit information 602 set to "OUT" and the location information 606 set to a player, but no subsequent movement history indicating acceptance by the chip tray is recorded, it becomes clear that the gaming chips 70 to be collected have not been properly collected.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, the chip IDs read from the chip tray before and after collection are compared to determine the chip IDs newly brought into the chip tray through collection, but instead, a special collected chip area may be provided in the chip tray to temporarily store the collected chip trays, and an antenna independent of other chip tray portions may be provided in this collected chip area, thereby determining the chip IDs of the collected gaming chips 70.

[0096] Alternatively, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be collected may be identified by having the RFID tag 71 read by the collecting dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area while the gaming chip 70 is being moved from the betting area to the chip tray.

[0097] When a player wins a game, the player receives a payout of gaming chips 70. The dealer first places the gaming chips 70 to be paid out to the player from the chip tray in the payout area of ​​the game table. At this time, the payout dealer antenna 5132 reads the chip ID from the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 in the payout area. The table computer 151 knows which player is playing in each betting area, and therefore can link the gaming chips 70 to be paid out with the player receiving the payout (the location information of the gaming chips 70 to be paid out is associated with the player).

[0098] The method of identifying the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be paid out and linking it to the player is not limited to the above. For example, the table computer 151 may identify the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be paid out and link it to the player receiving the payout by reading the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 contained in the chip tray before and after the payout.

[0099] Furthermore, when the gaming chip 70 to be paid out is placed in the betting area, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 may be read by the betting area antenna 515 of the betting area. In this case, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that was bet (linked to the player) is read together with the chip ID of the paid out gaming chip 70 (linked to the dealer or casino), and the chip management computer 100 links the chip ID of the paid out gaming chip 70 to the player that was linked to the chip ID of the betted gaming chip 70.

[0100] Also, an antenna and a reading area for reading the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 to be paid out may be provided for each player position. Such an antenna and reading area may be installed between the betting area of ​​each player position and the dealer. In this case, since it is known which player is at each player position, the gaming chip 70 to be paid out can be linked to the player ID. In this case, the dealer may first place the gaming chip 70 to be paid out in the reading area of ​​the corresponding player position and have it read by the antenna there, and then move the gaming chip 70 to be paid out next to the betting chip in the betting area, or the corresponding player may pick up the gaming chip 70 to be paid out that the dealer placed in the reading area.

[0101] The table computer 151 reports the combination of the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be paid out and the player ID of the player receiving the payout to the chip management computer 100. In response to this report, the chip management computer 100 updates the transfer history in the chip management database 101 to indicate that the gaming chip 70 at the game table has been transferred to the player.

[0102] When dispensing, the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 taken out from the chip tray may be read by the dispensing dealer antenna 5132 once, thereby identifying the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be dispensed.

[0103] In the examples of FIGS. 6 to 10, the movement history of each gaming chip 70 may record not only location information but also the staff ID of the staff member involved in the movement at that location. Furthermore, if the location information is a player ID or a casino, the location information may also be referred to as owner information. Furthermore, in each movement history, status information of the gaming chip 70, such as "valid," "invalid," "missing," "suspect," "unredeemable," or "unplayable," may be recorded. Furthermore, whether the gaming chip is valid or invalid may be indicated by a flag. Furthermore, in the examples of FIGS. 6 to 10, the movement history record may include the chip ID of each gaming chip 70 as well as information on its face value.

[0104] As described above, by reading the chip ID at each location, it is possible to record the movement history of each gaming chip 70 in the chip management database 101. This allows the chip management computer 100 to realize various functions described below.

[0105] (Time limit and incorrect destination detection) In this function, the chip management computer 100 monitors the movement of gaming chips 70 between the F / C bank room 13 and the game tables and issues an alert if there is a problem. That is, the chip management computer 100 starts timing when it receives a report from the F / C bank computer 131 that a certain gaming chip 70 has left the F / C bank room 13 with its destination gaming table as its destination. Then, if the chip management computer 100 does not receive a report from the table computer 151 of the destination gaming table within a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes) that the gaming chip 70 has been received, it may issue an alert. This alert may be sent to the dealer of the relevant gaming table, the pit manager who manages the relevant gaming table, or the like. At this time, the chip management computer 100 may update the status of the gaming chip 70 in the chip management database 101 to "missing," "unredeemable," "unplayable," or the like.

[0106] Furthermore, when the chip management computer 100 receives a report from the F / C bank computer 131 that a gaming chip 70 has been designated as a destination and left the F / C bank room 13, the chip management computer 100 may also issue an alert if it receives a report from the table computer 151 of a game table other than the designated destination that the gaming chip 70 has been received. In this case, the chip management computer 100 may update the status of the gaming chip 70 in the chip management database 101 to "wrong destination," "cannot be cashed out," "cannot be played," etc.

[0107] (Detection of inappropriate movements) In this function, the chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 and issues an alert if there is an inappropriate movement of the gaming chips 70. Movements of the gaming chips 70 are limited to the patterns shown in Figure 5, and any other movement patterns are inappropriate. Therefore, every time the chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101, it determines whether the movement related to the update is appropriate.

[0108] For example, if the cage 10 has the configuration shown in Fig. 1, gaming chips 70 will not be moved directly from the vault 11 to the cashier room 14, and gaming chips 70 that have not been moved from the cashier room 14 to a player will not be collected at a gaming table. If such a movement history is discovered, the chip management computer 100 will determine this as an inappropriate movement. Also, if gaming chips 70 that should belong to one player are converted into cash at the cashier by another player, money laundering may be suspected. In this way, the chip management computer 100 detects inappropriate movements and issues an alert.

[0109] (Real-time player chip totals) In this function, the chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101, extracts only the gaming chips 70 held by any player in the latest movement history information, and calculates the total amount of these, thereby determining the total amount of gaming chips 70 held by all players at that time, i.e., the casino's outstanding debt at that time.

[0110] In addition, the total amount of player chips may be calculated as the total amount of all gaming chips managed in the chip management database 101 minus the total amount of all gaming chips 70 in the cage 10 and the total amount of all gaming chips 70 at the game table.

[0111] (Central management of fills / credits) In this function, the chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 at each game table and detects the number of each denomination by referring to the chip management database 101. If there are gaming chips 70 of a denomination for which there are insufficient numbers, the chip management computer 100 may issue a notification to the F / C bank computer 131 in the F / C bank room 13 and the table computer 151 of that game table to replenish (fill) gaming chips 70 of that denomination. This notification specifies the number of gaming chips 70 of each denomination to be replenished, or the total amount of gaming chips 70 of each denomination to be replenished.

[0112] Furthermore, the chip management computer 100 references the chip management database 101 to extract the gaming chips 70 at each game table and detect the total number of gaming chips 70 at that game table. If the total number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number that is close to the upper limit that can be accommodated at the game table, the chip management computer 100 may issue a notification to the F / C bank computer 131 in the F / C bank room 13 and the table computer 151 of that game table to collect (credit) the gaming chips 70 from that table. This notification specifies the number of gaming chips 70 per denomination to be replenished or the total amount of gaming chips 70 per denomination to be replenished.

[0113] A similar notification may also be issued regarding the movement of gaming chips 70 within the cage 10. For example, if the number of gaming chips 70 in a window in the cashier room 14 becomes low, a notification may be issued to the cashier computer 141 and the main bank computer 121 to urge them to replenish the cashier room 14 with gaming chips 70.

[0114] In the above example, a notification urging the user to move is issued to both the destination and source locations, but instead, a notification may be issued to only one of the destination and source locations. At a location that receives a notification urging the user to move, a staff member may instruct the computer at that location via an input device whether or not to accept the proposal to move, and if either the destination or source location accepts the proposal, the computer at that location may notify the other location of a move command.

[0115] (Movement management of multiple gaming chips) The above describes a method of managing movement by updating the movement history in the chip management database 101 for each gaming chip 70, but when multiple gaming chips 70 move between locations, it is also possible to manage whether those multiple gaming chips 70 have moved in the correct amount.

[0116] The following describes an example of moving multiple gaming chips 70 from the F / C bank room 13 to a gaming table (fill). When gaming chips 70 are moved from the F / C bank room 13 to a predetermined gaming table, the F / C bank staff 33 uses the F / C bank chip reader 133 in the F / C bank room 13 to read the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 to be moved. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the chip IDs (source chip IDs) of the multiple gaming chips 70 involved in the fill, and, based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face values ​​of those chip IDs and determine the total amount of the gaming chips 70 involved in the fill (source total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 determines the source chip IDs, the total number of gaming chips 70 involved in the fill (source total number), and the source total amount based on the information from the F / C bank computer 131.

[0117] When the gaming chips 70 are carried to the gaming table, the dealer reads the chip IDs of the carried gaming chips 70 using the table chip reader of the gaming table, and the table computer 151 reports the read multiple chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the multiple chip IDs (transfer destination chip IDs) and, based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face value of the chip IDs and determine the total amount of the gaming chips 70 related to the fill (transfer destination total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 determines the transfer destination chip ID, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to the fill (transfer destination total number), and the transfer destination total amount based on the information from the table computer 151.

[0118] The tip management computer 100 compares the source chip ID with the destination chip ID to determine whether they match exactly. The tip management computer 100 also compares the source total amount with the destination total amount to determine whether they match. The tip management computer 100 also compares the source total number of coins with the destination total number of coins to determine whether they match. If there is a mismatch in any of the above comparisons, the tip management computer 100 determines that the transfer was not performed correctly and issues an alert.

[0119] The case where multiple gaming chips 70 are transferred from a gaming table to the F / C bank room 13 (credit) is as follows. When gaming chips 70 are transferred from a gaming table to the F / C bank room 13, the dealer reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 to be transferred using the payout table chip reader 1532 of the gaming table. The table computer 151 reports the read chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the chip IDs of the multiple gaming chips 70 related to credit (transfer source chip IDs), and based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face value of those chip IDs and determine the total amount of the gaming chips 70 related to credit (transfer source total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 determines the transfer source chip ID, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to credit (transfer source total number), and the transfer source total amount based on the information from the table computer 151.

[0120] When the gaming chips 70 are carried to the F / C bank room 13, the F / C bank staff 33 reads the chip IDs of the carried gaming chips 70 using the F / C bank chip reader 133, and the F / C bank computer 131 reports the read multiple chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the multiple chip IDs (transfer destination chip IDs) and, based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face value of the chip IDs and determine the total amount of gaming chips 70 related to credit (transfer destination total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 determines the transfer destination chip ID, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to credit (transfer destination total number), and the transfer destination total amount based on the information from the F / C bank computer 131.

[0121] The tip management computer 100 compares the source chip ID with the destination chip ID to determine whether they match exactly. The tip management computer 100 also compares the source total amount with the destination total amount to determine whether they match. The tip management computer 100 also compares the source total number of coins with the destination total number of coins to determine whether they match. If there is a mismatch in any of the above comparisons, the tip management computer 100 determines that the transfer was not performed correctly and issues an alert.

[0122] In the above, the chip ID, total amount, and total number of chips are compared, but it is also possible to determine whether the transfer was carried out correctly by comparing only one of them. The total amount and total number may be calculated and compared for each face value of the gaming chips 70. For example, the total amount from which the transfer was made and the total amount to which the transfer was made may be calculated as "$600 for $10 chips, $400 for $100 chips."

[0123] In addition, when the chip management computer 100 sends a notification to the destination or source of the transfer prompting a transfer, it may be possible to determine whether the transfer was carried out accurately by comparing the notification with the total amount from the source, the total amount from the destination, the total number from the source, or the total number from the destination.

[0124] (Management of fills by increasing the amount at the gaming table) When gaming chips 70 are carried from the F / C bank room 13 to a game table and the gaming chips 70 are replenished (filled) to the game table, the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 carried to the game table are read by the F / C bank chip reader 133, and these chip IDs are reported from the F / C bank computer 131 to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 to calculate the total amount of the reported gaming chips 70 (total fill amount).

[0125] The chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 at the game table before the fill and calculates the total amount (existing total amount) by referring to the chip management database 101. Then, the chip management computer 100 adds the fill total amount to the calculated existing total amount to calculate the theoretical total amount of gaming chips 70 at the game table after the fill (theoretical post-fill total amount).

[0126] At the game table, when gaming chips 70 are carried from the F / C bank room 13, the collection table chip reader 1531 of the game table reads the chip ID of the carried gaming chip 70, and the table computer 151 reports this to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 for the reported chip ID to obtain the face value, and calculates the actual total amount of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray (actual post-fill total amount).

[0127] In addition, if the game table is provided with a cabinet or has a double chip tray, i.e., if the game table has a place to store chips other than the chip tray, the table computer 151 calculates the total amount of gaming chips 70 on the entire game table, including the chip tray and such storage place (however, does not include the player's gaming chips placed in the betting area), as the total amount after actual fill.

[0128] The chip management computer 100 compares the theoretical post-fill total amount with the actual post-fill total amount, and issues an alert if the two do not match. This configuration makes it possible to confirm whether the gaming chips 70 at the gaming table are correctly increased by filling.

[0129] Furthermore, the F / C bank room 13 keeps track of the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 leaving the F / C bank room 13, and the game table also detects the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 moved from the F / C bank room 13, so if the theoretical post-fill total amount does not match the actual post-fill total amount, it is possible to keep track of the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy. The chip management computer 100 changes the status of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy to a status such as "invalid," "cannot be redeemed for cash," or "cannot be played."

[0130] In the above, the theoretical total amount after fill was compared with the actual total amount after fill, but in addition to or instead of the amount (total amount) of the gaming chips 70, the number (total number) may be used to determine whether the fill was completed without any surplus or deficiency by comparing the theoretical total number of gaming chips 70 after fill at the game table (theoretical total number after fill) with the actual total number of gaming chips 70 after fill at the game table (actual total number after fill).

[0131] (Management of credits by deduction at gaming tables) When excess gaming chips 70 at a game table are carried from the game table to the F / C bank room 13 (credits), the payout table chip reader 1532 reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 carried toward the F / C bank room 13, and the table computer 151 reports these chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 to calculate the total amount of the reported gaming chips 70 (total credits).

[0132] The chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 at the game table before the credit and calculates the total amount (existing total amount) by referring to the chip management database 101. Then, the chip management computer 100 calculates the theoretical total amount of gaming chips 70 at the game table after the credit (theoretical post-credit total amount) by subtracting the total credit amount from the calculated existing total amount.

[0133] At the game table, when the gaming chips 70 are carried toward the F / C bank room 13, the chip tray chip reader 154 of the game table reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 stored at the game table, and the table computer 151 reports this to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 for the reported chip ID to obtain the face value, and calculates the actual total value of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray (total value after actual credit).

[0134] In addition, if the game table is provided with a cabinet or has a double chip tray, that is, if the game table has a place to store chips other than the chip tray, the table computer 151 calculates the total amount of gaming chips 70 on the entire game table, including the chip tray and such storage place (however, excluding the player's gaming chips placed in the betting area), as the total amount after actual credit.

[0135] The chip management computer 100 compares the theoretical post-credit total amount with the actual post-credit total amount, and issues an alert if the two do not match. This configuration makes it possible to confirm whether the gaming chips 70 are being correctly deducted by credits at the gaming table.

[0136] Furthermore, the game table grasps the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 carried from the game table to the F / C bank room 13, and the F / C bank room 13 also detects the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 moved from the game table, so that when the theoretical post-credit total amount and the actual post-credit total amount do not match, it is possible to grasp the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy. The chip management computer 100 changes the status of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy to a status such as "invalid," "cannot be redeemed for cash," or "cannot be played."

[0137] In the above, the theoretical total amount after crediting was compared with the actual total amount after crediting, but in addition to or instead of the amount (total amount) of the gaming chips 70, the number (total number) may be used to determine whether the crediting has been completed without any surplus or deficiency by comparing the theoretical total number of gaming chips 70 after crediting at the game table (theoretical total number after crediting) with the actual total number of gaming chips 70 after crediting at the game table (actual total number after crediting).

[0138] In the above description, the payout table chip reader 1532 reads the gaming chips 70 carried to the F / C bank room 13 to determine the total credit amount, and subtracts the total credit amount from the existing total amount (the total amount of gaming chips 70 on the game table before crediting). However, the following may be done instead. That is, when the chip management computer 100 issues a notice to the game table prompting crediting and the game table credits in response to this notice, the total amount or total number of gaming chips 70 related to crediting specified in this notice (either of which may be specified by face value) may be set as the total credit amount, and the theoretical post-credit total may be calculated by subtracting this total credit amount from the existing total amount. After calculating the theoretical credit total, the chip management computer 100 compares this theoretical post-credit total amount with the actual post-credit total amount (the total amount of actual gaming chips 70 on the game table after crediting), as described above, to confirm whether the specified amount or number of gaming chips 70 have been removed from the game table for crediting.

[0139] (Verification according to staff work shifts) The cage 10 has a locked door to prevent people from entering at will, and staff can enter and exit by meeting security conditions. Similar entry and exit security is also implemented between each room within the cage 10. Staff working within the cage 10 are required to authenticate when entering and exiting the cage 10 or their assigned room. When authenticating a staff member to exit, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether there has been any improper movement of gaming chips 70 since the staff member entered. The chip management computer 100 works in conjunction with the locking system, and will not permit exit if there has been any improper movement of gaming chips 70.

[0140] Similarly, at a gaming table, when a dealer leaves the gaming table, he or she designates the end of his or her shift and then has his or her ID card read by the table card reader 152. At this time, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether there has been any improper movement of gaming chips 70 since the dealer arrived at the gaming table, and issues an alert if there has been any improper movement. Also, when a dealer is replaced, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether the gaming chips 70 that should be at the gaming table are actually there after the dealer leaves the table and before the next dealer arrives, that is, whether the dealer leaving the table has taken the gaming chips 70 from the gaming table, and issues an alert if there is a problem.

[0141] It should be noted that the gaming chips 70 may be stored in a location other than the chip tray at the gaming table. For example, the chip tray may be double-layered, with replacement gaming chips 70 stored in the lower chip tray, or replacement gaming chips 70 may be stored in a cabinet provided at the gaming table. In these cases, it is desirable that the gaming table also be equipped with an antenna for reading the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 stored in this manner, and that the table computer 151 be able to always read the RFID tags 71 of all gaming chips 70 at the gaming table.

[0142] (Monitoring players for inappropriate purchases / cash redemptions) In this function, the chip management computer 100 verifies the history of gaming chip purchases and redemptions for each player and issues an alert if any suspicious activity is detected. For example, if a predetermined amount or more of gaming chips 70 are purchased and redeemed within a predetermined time period, an alert is issued regarding such activity as suspicious. Also, if gaming chips 70 are purchased and then attempted to be redeemed without being used at a gaming table, and the amount of redemption is a predetermined amount or more, an alert is issued regarding such activity as suspicious. Alternatively, an alert is issued regarding a player who has purchased a predetermined amount or more of gaming chips 70 within a predetermined time period.

[0143] (Enable / disable in cage) The gaming chips 70 may be activated inside the cage 10. This ensures security even if the gaming chips 70 are stolen between the time they are manufactured and the time they are transported to the cage 10, as such gaming chips 70 have not been activated and cannot be used. For this reason, the chip management database 101 has a table that stores the chip IDs of valid gaming chips 70, and each time the chip ID of a gaming chip 70 is read by a cashier or a chip reader at a game table, the chip management computer 100 refers to the table to verify whether the chip ID is valid.

[0144] Furthermore, when discarding the gaming chips 70, the gaming chips 70 are invalidated within the cage 10 before being taken out of the cage 10. As a result, even if the gaming chips 70 taken out of the cage 10 for disposal are stolen, such gaming chips 70 cannot be used by the cashier or at the game table, ensuring security.

[0145] (Unregistered Player) Even an unregistered player can purchase gaming chips 70 and use the gaming chips 70 to play games at a game table. A common anonymous player ID is used for unregistered players. This allows the gaming chips 70 to be continuously traced even if they are moved to an unregistered player while moving from location to location from when the gaming chips 70 leave the cage 10 until when they return to the cage 10.

[0146] (others) A display device may be provided in the cashier's window to display the total amount of the gaming chips 70 and the results of validation. The cashier staff places the gaming chips 70 to be given to the player or received from the player in the cashier chip reader 143. The cashier chip reader 143 reads the face value and status stored in the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 (usually multiple). The cashier computer 141 displays the total value of the face values ​​read by the cashier chip reader 143 on the display device. In addition to the total amount, the number of gaming chips 70 of each face value may also be displayed.

[0147] Furthermore, if the cashier computer 141 finds any gaming chips 70 with invalid status among the RFID tags 71 it reads, it displays an error on the display device, and if all gaming chips 70 have valid status, it displays "pass" on the display device or displays nothing. Furthermore, it may also display not only the status but also whether there has been any inappropriate movement history up to that point. This allows the gaming chips 70 to be handed over to or received from a player to be confirmed as valid and for which the total amount has been agreed upon between the cashier staff and the player before the gaming chips 70 are handed over.

[0148] In the above embodiment, when the chip reader at each location reads the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70, the chip management computer 100 may verify whether the read chip ID is the chip ID of a valid chip, thereby confirming the validity of the chip ID, and may issue an alert if there is a problem. For this purpose, a table of valid chip IDs is recorded in the chip management database 101, and the chip management computer 100 refers to this table to verify whether the chip ID read at each location is valid. Note that the chip ID may be encrypted.

[0149] In the above embodiment, in addition to or instead of issuing an alert, the chip management computer 100 may flag the relevant player, gaming chip 70, or movement history record as an anomaly and record the time of the anomaly.

[0150] The configuration of the rooms in the cage 10 is not limited to that described above, and the number and arrangement of the rooms may be arbitrary. The game tables may be tables for playing baccarat, blackjack, or other card games, and in addition to the game tables, locations for playing other games such as roulette may be included.

[0151] Each of the above computers includes a processor and memory, and the processor executes a computer program stored in the memory to perform the above operations. The program may be provided to the computer via a non-transitory storage medium or may be provided to the computer in the form of a download. Communication between the computers may be wired or wireless. In the above embodiment, each card reader identifies staff and players at each location by reading an ID card. However, instead of an ID card, staff and players may be identified by biometric authentication such as a fingerprint, facial image, iris, or voiceprint.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the movement of gaming chips 70 between locations is managed using each room in the cage 10 and the game table as examples of locations, but examples of locations are not limited to these. For example, a chip tray at a game table where a dealer stores collected chips and dispenses payout chips from there, a cabinet at a table that stores gaming chips, and when the chip tray is configured with two levels, the upper and lower chip trays can each be a location in the above embodiment, and the movement of gaming chips 70 between each location can be managed in a similar manner as above.

[0153] For example, the chip ID, total amount, and / or total number of gaming chips 70 taken out from the cabinet of a certain game table may be ascertained, and an alert may be issued if the chip ID, total amount, and / or total number are not moved to the chip tray of the same game table within a predetermined time. Also, for example, in a certain double chip tray, it may be confirmed that gaming chips 70 taken out from the lower chip tray have been moved to the upper chip tray, or that gaming chips 70 taken out from the upper chip tray have been moved to the lower chip tray.

[0154] Furthermore, when a fill is performed, the gaming chips 70 brought from the F / C bank room 13 to the game table are read using the dealer antenna 513, the betting area antenna 515, or the chip tray antenna 514. The chip tray is provided with a button to recognize the start and end of the fill operation, and the gaming chips 70 on the chip tray before the fill are compared with the gaming chips 70 on the chip tray after the fill, and the gaming chips 70 increased by the fill are recognized as the filled gaming chips 70.

[0155] When crediting, the gaming chips 70 carried to the F / C bank room 13 are read by the collecting dealer antenna 5131, the paying dealer antenna 5132, the betting area antenna 515, or the chip tray antenna 514. The chip tray is provided with buttons to recognize the start and end of the credit operation, and the gaming chips 70 on the chip tray before crediting are compared with the gaming chips 70 after crediting, and the gaming chips 70 reduced by the crediting are recognized as the gaming chips 70 to be credited.

[0156] The chip management computer 100 may be capable of outputting the chip inventory (chip ID) of each location (cage, chip tray, etc.). The chip management computer 100 may also be capable of specifying a past point in time and outputting the inventory at that point in time.

[0157] Also, an alert may be issued when a suspicious gaming chip (a flagged gaming chip) is about to be cashed at the cashier.

[0158] The chip management database 101 may also be capable of storing the cashing history of each player. The chip management computer 100 may also be capable of outputting the chip ID that each player should have.

[0159] Information such as the chip set, casino information, location information, and redemption possibility may be written to the RFID tag 71. Alternatively, such information may be associated with the chip ID and stored in the chip management database 101. When the RFID tag 71 is read at a certain location, the chip management computer 100 or a computer at each location may check whether the gaming chip 70 is the one that should be at that location based on the information.

[0160] Also, a set (chip set) of gaming chips 70 that can be used and the type of gaming chips may be set for each area. For example, when an RFID tag 71 is read at a certain gaming table, the table computer 151 or the chip management computer 100 checks whether the chip set is one that should be used at that gaming table.

[0161] A flag may be set in association with the chip ID for gaming chips 70 that have been used for a certain number of years. Gaming chips 70 that have been used for a certain number of years can be located and collected. If a player possesses a gaming chip 70 that has been used for a certain number of years, a signal is output when the chip ID is detected by the cashier or game table.

[0162] When a player with potentially stolen gaming chips 70 sits at a table, the table computer 151 or the chip management computer may issue a warning to a staff member (monitor). To prevent money laundering, the cashier computer 141 or the chip management computer 100 detects chips that are purchased but not played and then cashed.

[0163] When cashing or purchasing chips for an amount equal to or greater than the threshold, the cashier associates the player's photograph with the chip ID. Also, a unique ID is assigned to anonymous players (players without membership cards) to trace their chips. Furthermore, for anonymous players, a photograph of the player's face may be taken when purchasing chips, and the facial image may be linked to the player ID and registered in the chip management database 101. Thereafter, each location (table, cashier, etc.) may identify the player ID by facial recognition. The chip management computer 100 may invalidate the status of all chips associated with players on the blacklist.

[0164] When a player without a membership card bets gaming chips 70 at a gaming table, the chip management computer 100 records the play in the chip management database 101, linking it to a unique ID issued on the spot and / or a player ID linked to the gaming chips 70. At this time, the play may also be linked to an ID obtained by a facial image or facial recognition. Furthermore, if the member card is recognized later, the play record may be recorded retroactively linked to the member card ID.

[0165] [Second embodiment: Gaming chip management using a table chip reader] (Management system configuration) 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The management system 2000 is a system for managing gaming chips 70 at a game table 42 for playing games using gaming chips 70 each having an RFID tag 71 built in. The game table 42 is equipped with a chip tray 421 for accommodating the dealer's gaming chips 70, betting areas 422a to 422e for placing gaming chips to be bet on a game, and a collection area 423a and a payout area 423b that are separate from the betting areas 422a to 422e and the chip tray 421. The collection area 423a and the payout area 423b are both located between the betting areas 422a to 422e and the chip tray 421.

[0166] A collecting dealer antenna 5131 is embedded in the collection area 423a for reading the RFID tags 71 of gaming chips 70 that are collected after losing a game. A payout dealer antenna 5132 is embedded in the payout area 423b for reading the RFID tags 71 of gaming chips 70 that are paid out to players who win a game. The collecting dealer antenna 5131 reads the RFID tags 71 of gaming chips 70 that have been collected from the betting areas 422a to 422e and before they are placed in the chip tray 421. The payout dealer antenna 5132 reads the RFID tags 71 of gaming chips 70 that have been removed from the chip tray 421 and before they are paid out to the betting areas 422a to 422e.

[0167] The chip tray 421 is provided with a chip tray antenna 514 for reading the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 accommodated in the chip tray 421. The collecting dealer antenna 5131, the paying dealer antenna 5132, and the chip tray antenna 514 are each connected to the first reading device 81.

[0168] The first reading device 81 controls the collecting dealer antenna 5131, the dispensing dealer antenna 5132, and the tip tray antenna 514, respectively, to transmit radio waves to the RFID tag 71 and to decode the signals received by each antenna to acquire information from the RFID tag 71. In this embodiment, the collecting dealer antenna 5131, the dispensing dealer antenna 5132, and the tip tray antenna 514 are connected to the same first reading device 81, so the first reading device 81 controls the collecting dealer antenna 5131, the dispensing dealer antenna 5132, and the tip tray antenna 514 in a time-division manner to perform reading.

[0169] The collecting dealer antenna 5131, the dispensing dealer antenna 5132, and the tip tray antenna 514 may be connected to separate reading devices. In this case, reading by the collecting dealer antenna 5131, the dispensing dealer antenna 5132, and the tip tray antenna 514 may be performed independently, and each antenna can perform reading at any timing.

[0170] Betting area antennas 515a to 515e are embedded in the betting areas 422a to 422e, respectively. The betting area antennas 515a to 515e read the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 placed in the betting areas 422a to 422e, respectively. The betting area antennas 515a to 515e are connected to the second reading device 82, respectively.

[0171] Cameras 91 and 92 are installed on the game table 42. The cameras 91 and 92 each capture images of the gaming chips 70 placed on the betting areas 422a to 422e from different angles to generate images. The cameras 91 and 92 each capture images of the table surface of the game table 42 from diagonally above. The cameras 91 and 92 also capture images of the players participating in the game. The cameras 91 and 92 are each connected to an image recognition device 83.

[0172] The image recognition device 83 recognizes the positions, types, and numbers of the gaming chips 70 placed in the betting areas 422a to 422e by performing image recognition processing on the images generated by the cameras 91 and 92. The image recognition device 83 also generates skeletal models of the players participating in the game by performing image recognition processing on the images generated by the cameras 91 and 92. Note that the image recognition device 83 for recognizing the gaming chips 70 and the image recognition device 83 for generating skeletal models of the players may be separate devices. Also, the camera for generating images for recognizing the gaming chips 70 and the camera for generating images for generating skeletal models of the players may be separate cameras.

[0173] The game table 42 is provided with an electronic shoe 94 as a card dealing device and a game result determination device. The electronic shoe 94 has a mechanism for drawing playing cards one by one by the dealer's operation. The electronic shoe 94 reads the rank of the drawn playing card. For this purpose, the playing card is marked with a code mark indicating the rank, and the electronic shoe 94 is provided with an optical sensor for reading this code mark. Alternatively, the electronic shoe 94 may be provided with a camera that captures an image of the rank marking on the drawn playing card and an image recognition device that recognizes the image and recognizes the rank marking.

[0174] The electronic shoe 94 is equipped with a processor that determines the game result in accordance with the rules of the baccarat game based on the ranks of the playing cards drawn. The electronic shoe 94 is also equipped with buttons that the dealer can operate. The baccarat game determines the game result, such as player win, banker win, tie, player pair, banker pair, lucky six, etc., based solely on the ranks of the playing cards drawn in sequence from the electronic shoe 94. The electronic shoe 94 recognizes button operation to determine the start or end of a game, and recognizes the ranks of the playing cards drawn in one game and the order in which they were drawn.

[0175] The game table 42 is further provided with a cash slot 93 for inserting cash. The cash slot 93 is provided with a cash sensor 931 for detecting cash passing therethrough. When a player purchases gaming chips 70 at the game table 42, the dealer receives the cash from the player and inserts it into the cash slot 93, and also pays out gaming chips of the same amount from the chip tray 421 to the player.

[0176] The management system 2000 further includes a management device 84. The management device 84 is connected to the first reading device 81, the second reading device 82, the image recognition device 83, and the electronic shoe 94. The management device 84 acquires the reading results of the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 by the first reading device 81 and the second reading device 82, the image recognition results by the image recognition device 83, and the game results by the electronic shoe 94, and manages the movement of the gaming chips 70 at the game table 42 based on these.

[0177] (Detection of fraud and errors in collection and disbursement) The management device 84, as a collection determination means, determines whether the gaming chips 70 to be collected from the betting areas 422a to 422e have been collected from the betting areas 422a to 422e and read by the collection dealer antenna 5131. Specifically, the management device 84 determines whether the value of the gaming chips 70 read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 matches the amount to be collected. The management device 84 determines the amount to be collected based on the bet object, the bet amount, and the game result.

[0178] For this purpose, the management system 2000 grasps the bet object and the bet amount. The bet object and the bet amount are recognized using the cameras 91, 92 and the image recognition device 83. The image recognition device 83, as a bet determination means, determines the bet object and the bet amount of the gaming chips 70 bet on the bet areas 422a to 422e. The bet areas 422a to 422e of each player position are provided with the following bet objects: player (P), banker (B), tie (T), player pair (PP), and banker pair (BP).

[0179] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating image recognition in an image captured by a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The example in FIG. 12 is an image captured by a camera 91. An image 901 shows a betting area, gaming chips placed in the betting area, and a player. The image recognition device 83 performs image recognition processing on the image 901 to detect gaming chips, thereby detecting the gaming chips from the image 901. A neural network can be used for this image recognition processing. The detected stack of gaming chips is surrounded by rectangular frames c1 and c2.

[0180] The image recognition device 83 further performs skeleton detection to generate skeleton models sm1 and sm2 of the player. The image recognition device 83 also performs face detection of the player to extract face areas f1 and f2. Neural networks can be used for both skeleton detection and face detection.

[0181] The image recognition device 83 recognizes the position where the gaming chip stack is placed, i.e., the bet object on which the gaming chip stack is bet, based on the positions in the image of the centers cp1 and cp2 of the bottom edges of the rectangular frames c1 and c2 of the detected gaming chip stack. As shown in FIG. 12 , gaming chips being moved by a player's hand are also recognized, so the image recognition device 83 may receive a signal from the electronic shoe 94 indicating that the first playing card of the game has been drawn and detect the gaming chips from the image at that time. At the time the first playing card is drawn, the player cannot touch the gaming chips that have been bet, and the positions of the gaming chips are already determined. Note that the image recognition process may involve segmentation to identify the area of ​​the gaming chip stack. In this case, the image recognition device 83 recognizes the bet object on which the gaming chip stack is bet, based on the position in the image of the lowest point of the identified area of ​​the gaming chip stack.

[0182] The image recognition device 83 may further recognize the type of each gaming chip constituting the stack by image recognition. As shown in Fig. 12, a colored layer indicating the face value (type) is provided on the side of the gaming chip 70, and by further detecting this colored layer from the rectangular frames c1 and c2 of the detected stack, the type and number of gaming chips 70 included in the stack can be recognized.

[0183] In addition, the type and number of gaming chips in each betting area 422a to 422e may be recognized by the betting area antennas 515a to 515e and the second reading device 82. That is, the positions of the gaming chips bet on the betting areas 422a to 422e (betting targets) may be recognized by the cameras 91, 92 and the image recognition device 83, and the type and number may be recognized by the betting area antennas 515a to 515e and the second reading device 82.

[0184] Furthermore, if a chip ID is written on the side of the gaming chip 70, the chip ID may be recognized by having the image recognition device 83 recognize the images generated by the cameras 91 and 92.

[0185] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing another example of a gaming chip according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing yet another example of a gaming chip according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, gaming chips 70′, 70″ have a side ID, which is identification information, written on their side. In the example of FIG. 13A, the side ID is represented by the presence or absence of multiple dots (dot pattern). In this example, the side ID is represented by the presence or absence of a dot in a dot row consisting of eight dots, so that 2 to the power of 8 different pieces of information can be expressed. In the example of FIG. 13B, the side ID is represented by a numeric string. In this example, it is represented by an eight-digit number, so that 10 to the power of 8 different pieces of information can be expressed. The side ID may also be expressed as a matrix pattern, a barcode, or a character string. The side ID is written within an area of ​​1 / 6 or less of the circumference of the side of the gaming chip. Multiple side IDs are written on the side of the gaming chip at predetermined intervals in the circumference direction.

[0186] The side ID may be a unique ID that uniquely identifies each gaming chip, or may be information indicating the group (e.g., value) to which each gaming chip belongs, i.e., information that may be duplicated with other gaming chips. In particular, when the side ID is expressed as a number string, the side ID may be a unique ID, and when the side ID is expressed as a dot pattern (dot string), the side ID may be information on the group to which the gaming chip belongs.

[0187] The sides of the gaming chips 70', 70" are divided into three layers in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the first and third layers are different colors depending on the value of the gaming chip, and the second central layer (center line) is a color (e.g., black) that is common to gaming chips of any value, regardless of the value of the gaming chip. The side ID can be printed or laser engraved.

[0188] The gaming chips 70', 70" have built-in RFID tags. At least a unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaming chip and information on the group to which the gaming chip belongs (for example, value) are recorded in the RFID tag. In this embodiment, the unique ID stored in the RFID tag and the unique ID expressed as the side ID are the same ID, but these may be different IDs, and the two IDs given to the same gaming chip may be associated in the database.

[0189] The gaming chips 70', 70'' have a built-in capsule, and the RFID tag is housed in the capsule. A decal containing information about the gaming chip's value, the casino where it is used, and the like is attached to the outside of the capsule. A unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaming chip is printed on the capsule. The unique ID printed on the capsule may be the same as or different from the unique ID stored in the RFID tag. If the unique ID printed on the capsule and the unique ID stored in the RFID tag are different, these unique IDs may be associated and stored in a database. The unique ID may be printed on the surface of the chip below the decal. The unique ID may also be printed on the surface of the chip with invisible ink, such as UV ink or infrared absorbing ink.

[0190] 14 is a diagram showing an example of an image captured by a camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 14, multiple stacks of gaming chips placed in multiple betting areas are captured. The sides of the chips can also be observed in the images captured by cameras 91 and 92.

[0191] The image recognition device 83 receives the captured images generated by the cameras 91 and 92 and performs image recognition on them to recognize at least the position, type, and side ID information of each of the multiple gaming chips. The image recognition device 83 performs image recognition at least in part by using an image recognition engine of a neural network.

[0192] Since stacks of gaming chips are present at arbitrary locations in the images captured by cameras 91 and 92, image recognition device 83 first uses a neural network to extract the stack of gaming chips (or a single gaming chip) from the captured image. From the extracted stack, image recognition device 83 then uses another neural network to extract the colored layers (center lines) of each of the multiple gaming chips.

[0193] The image recognition device 83 further determines the value of each gaming chip based on the colors above and below the extracted center line. The image recognition device 83 then reads the side ID from the center line and obtains the side ID information by decoding the dot pattern in the case of Figure 13A, or by deciphering the numbers in the case of Figure 13B.

[0194] FIG. 15 is a table showing an example of data stored in a database according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the database 85 stores, for each chip ID represented by a side ID, information on the face value (type), owner, and status. The face value may be, for example, $10, $50, $100, or $500. When the gaming chip 70 is owned by a player, the player ID is stored as owner information, and when the gaming chip 70 is owned by a casino, information indicating that the owner is the casino is stored. Information such as valid, invalid, or suspect is stored as the status.

[0195] The management device 84 can know the face value, owner, and status of each gaming chip 70 by referring to the database 85 based on the side ID (i.e., chip ID) recognized by the image recognition device 83.

[0196] The management device 84 calculates the total amount of gaming chips bet on each bet object, i.e., the bet amount, based on the value and number of gaming chips recognized as described above. In the above embodiment, the management device 84 calculates the amount of gaming chips bet on each bet object using the cameras 91, 92 and the image recognition device 83, or recognizes the position of the gaming chips 70 using the cameras 91, 92 and the image recognition device 83, and recognizes the bet amount in each bet area 422a-422e using the bet area antennas 515a-515e and the second reading device 82, but instead, the position, type, and number of gaming chips 70 can be recognized using the bet area antennas 515a-515e and the second reading device 82.

[0197] That is, in the betting areas 422a to 422e, if a separate antenna is provided for each betting object and the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 can be read separately for each betting object, the positions, types, and numbers of gaming chips can be recognized without using the cameras 91, 92 and the image recognition device 83. In this case as well, the management device 84 recognizes the betting objects and bet amounts in each of the betting areas 422a to 422e based on the information on the positions, types, and numbers obtained from the second reading device 82.

[0198] Based on the information on the bet objects and bet amounts recognized as described above, and the information on the game results obtained from the electronic shoe 94, the management device 84 determines whether the stacks of gaming chips 70 bet in each bet area 422a to 422e have won or lost the game, determines that the stacks of gaming chips 70 that have lost are stacks that should be collected, and determines the amount of gaming chips 70 to be paid out for the stacks of gaming chips 70 that have won, based on the redemption rate defined for the bet objects.

[0199] When the game result is determined, the dealer first collects the lost gaming chips (i.e., lost bets) from each player. At this time, the dealer places a stack of gaming chips 70 collected from a certain player (losing bet stack) in the collection area 423a and has it read by the collection dealer antenna 5131. Thereafter, the dealer stores this stack of gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421. Thereafter, the dealer collects another stack of gaming chips 70 (losing bet stack), places it in the collection area 423a, has it read by the collection dealer antenna 5131, and stores it in the chip tray 421. This is performed for all stacks of gaming chips 70 (losing bet stacks). At this time, the dealer collects the lost gaming chips 70 in the order of player position (for example, starting with the lowest player position number).

[0200] At this time, the management device 84 functions as a recovery determination means, and determines whether the amount and chip ID of the gaming chips 70 read by the recovery dealer antenna 5131 in the recovery area 423a for each bet lost in the game match the amount and chip ID of the lost bet stack bet in any of the bet areas 422a to 422e. The management device 84 sets the amount of the gaming chips 70 to be recovered, determined as described above based on the bet object, bet amount, and game result, as the amount of the lost bet stack. Alternatively, the management device 84 may set the amount of the gaming chips 70 that can no longer be read from the bet areas 422a to 422e as the amount and chip ID of the lost bet stack and determine whether the amount and chip ID match the amount and chip ID read in the recovery area 423a.

[0201] When the collection of all lost bet stacks is complete, the management device 84 determines whether the increased amount of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421 read using the chip tray antenna 514 matches the total amount and chip IDs of the lost bet stacks, i.e., the total amount and chip IDs of the amounts to be collected. The management device 84 also determines whether the increased amount and added chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421 read using the chip tray antenna 514 match the total amount and chip IDs of all collected gaming chips 70 read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area 423a each time a lost bet stack is collected. For this purpose, the management device 84 acquires the total amount and chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421 read by the chip tray antenna 514 before starting collection, and then acquires the total amount and chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421 read by the chip tray antenna 514 again after all collection is complete, and calculates the increased amount and added chip IDs by finding the difference between them.

[0202] The collection operation by the dealer does not have to be performed by the method described above of reading each stack in the collection area 423a and storing them in the chip tray 421. For example, each stack may be moved to the collection area 423a in order, and after all the losing bet stacks have been collected in the collection area 423a, they may be stored in the chip tray 421. In this case, the management device 84 may acquire the added information as information on the newly collected gaming chips 70 based on the information read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 each time newly collected gaming chips 70 are added to the collection area 423a.

[0203] Note that when there are multiple losing bet stacks, the order of collection is known as described above, and therefore the total amount and chip IDs of the gaming chip stacks that should be read by the collection area 423a each time a losing bet stack is collected are also known to the management device 84. The management device 84 determines whether collection has been performed correctly by comparing the known total amount and chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 that should be collected (that should be read by the collection dealer antenna 5131) with the total amount and chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 that are actually read by the collection dealer antenna 5131. If collection has not been performed correctly, the management device 84 outputs or records information about the player positions or players of the bet stacks involved in such improper collection.

[0204] When the dealer has finished collecting the gaming chips, the dealer pays out the winning gaming chips 70. At this time, the dealer places a stack of the gaming chips 70 to be paid out from the chip tray 421 in the payout area 423b, has the payout dealer antenna 5132 read it, and then places the gaming chips 70 to be paid out next to the winning gaming chips, i.e., in the betting areas 422a to 422e. The player who wins the game receives the gaming chips 70 placed in the betting areas 422a to 422e in this way, along with the gaming chips 70 that he or she bet.

[0205] At this time, the management device 84 functions as a payout determination means, and determines whether or not the gaming chips 70 of the amount to be paid out for each winning bet on the game have been read by the payout dealer antenna 5132. The management device 84 determines the payout amount calculated from the bet amount of the winning gaming chips and the redemption rate defined for the bet object as the amount to be paid out, and determines whether this amount matches the amount of the gaming chips 70 read by the payout dealer antenna 5132 in the payout area 423b. Note that, when paying out, if there are multiple winning bet stacks, the dealer pays out the gaming chips 70 in order of player position (for example, in ascending order of player position number). Therefore, the total amount of the stacks of gaming chips 70 to be paid out, i.e., to be read by the payout dealer antenna 5132, is known to the management device 84. Therefore, each time the gaming chips 70 to be paid out are read by the payout dealer antenna 5132, the management device 84 compares this known total amount with the total amount of the gaming chips 70 actually read by the payout dealer antenna 5132, and if there is a discrepancy, it identifies and outputs or records the player position or player involved in the discrepancy.

[0206] The management device 84 may further determine whether the amount of gaming chips added to the bet areas 422a to 422e matches the amount of gaming chips 70 read in the payout area 423b by the payout dealer antenna 5132. This determination makes it possible to confirm whether the gaming chips 70 placed in the payout area 423b have been paid to the correct player position.

[0207] When payouts for all winning bet stacks are complete, the management device 84 determines whether the amount of gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421 that has been reduced, read using the chip tray antenna 514, matches the total amount to be paid out. Furthermore, the management device 84 determines whether the amount of gaming chips in the chip tray 421 that has been reduced, read using the chip tray antenna 514, matches the total amount of all payouts of the gaming chips 70 that have been read by the payout dealer antenna 5132 in the payout area 423b, each time a payout is made to a winning bet stack. For this purpose, the management device 84 acquires the total amount of gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421 that has been read by the chip tray antenna 514 after all collections have been completed and before starting payouts, and then acquires the total amount of gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421 that has been read by the chip tray antenna 514 again after all payouts have been completed, and calculates the amount of reduction by finding the difference between the amounts.

[0208] In the above embodiment, it is determined whether the increase in the amount on the chip tray 421 is correct when all collections are completed, and whether the decrease in the amount on the chip tray is correct when all payouts are completed, but instead, it may be determined whether the increase or decrease in the amount of gaming chips on the chip tray 421 due to all collections and payouts is correct after all collections and payouts are completed. In this case, too, the management device 84 may determine whether the increase or decrease calculated from the bet objects, bet amount, and game result matches the actual increase or decrease in the chip tray 421, or may calculate the increase or decrease by adding or subtracting the total amount of gaming chips 70 read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area 423a from the total amount of gaming chips 70 read by the payout dealer antenna 5132 in the payout area 423b, and determine whether the increase or decrease thus obtained matches the actual increase or decrease in the chip tray 421.

[0209] As described above, when collecting, the management device 84 identifies the gaming chips 70 to be collected based on the bet object, bet amount, and game result, and determines whether the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area 423a are the amount and chip ID to be collected. Also, when collecting, the management device 84 determines whether the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 that can no longer be read by the bet area antennas 515a to 515e in the bet area 422a match the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area 423a. Furthermore, when collecting, the management device 84 determines whether the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area 423a match the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 added to the chip tray 421.

[0210] Regarding payout, the management device 84 specifies the amount of gaming chips 70 to be paid out based on the bet object, bet amount, and game result, and determines whether the amount of gaming chips 70 read by the payout dealer antenna 5132 of the payout area 423b is the amount to be paid out. Furthermore, the management device 84 determines whether the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 paid out from the chip tray 421 and reduced in the chip tray 421 matches the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 read by the payout dealer antenna 5132 at the time of payout. Furthermore, the management device 84 determines whether the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 read by the payout dealer antenna 5132 of the payout area 423b matches the amount and / or chip ID of the gaming chips 70 added to the betting areas 422a to 422e and read by the betting area antennas 515a to 515e at the time of payout.

[0211] (Exchange Determination) The management device 84 determines whether the exchange, i.e., the equivalent exchange between the gaming chips submitted by the player and the gaming chips submitted by the dealer, has been properly performed. For this purpose, the management device 84 recognizes that an exchange transaction is being performed when an exchange has been performed.

[0212] An exchange transaction begins when a player places his / her gaming chips 70 for which exchange is required in the collection area 423a and notifies the dealer of his / her intention to exchange. The dealer places gaming chips 70 equivalent to the gaming chips handed in by the player and placed in the collection area 423a (but with a different face value (type)) in the payout area 423b. That is, in an exchange transaction, the gaming chips 70 handed in by the player are present in the collection area 423a, and at the same time, the gaming chips 70 handed in by the dealer are present in the payout area 423b.

[0213] When the collection dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area 423a and the payout dealer antenna 5132 in the payout area 423b detect gaming chips 70 simultaneously or simultaneously within a predetermined time interval, the management device 84 determines that an exchange transaction is taking place and activates the exchange mode. In the exchange mode, if the management device 84 determines that an exchange transaction is taking place, it compares the total amount of the gaming chips 70 read in the collection area 423a with the total amount of the gaming chips 70 read in the payout area 423b and determines whether the two are equal, thereby determining whether the exchange is taking place correctly.

[0214] Furthermore, in the exchange mode, the management device 84 may determine whether the number of gaming chips 70 read in the collection area 423a differs from the number of gaming chips 70 read in the payout area 423b, and then activate the exchange mode or determine whether the exchange has been performed correctly. Furthermore, the management device 84 may refer to the database 85 for the gaming chips 70 read in the collection area 423a to identify their owner and confirm that it is one of the player IDs, and may also refer to the database 85 for the gaming chips 70 read in the payout area 423b to identify their owner and confirm that it is the casino, and then activate the exchange mode or determine whether the exchange has been performed correctly.

[0215] In the above embodiment, the area where the gaming chips 70 submitted by the player should be placed when exchanging money is the collection area 423a, and the area where the gaming chips 70 submitted by the dealer should be placed is the payout area 423b, but the exchange operation is not limited to this. For example, the area where the gaming chips 70 submitted by the player should be placed may be the payout area 423b, and the area where the gaming chips 70 submitted by the dealer should be placed may be the collection area 423a. Alternatively, when the gaming chips 70 submitted by the player are placed in the collection area 423a, the gaming chips 70 submitted by the dealer may be placed in the payout area 423b, and when the gaming chips 70 submitted by the player are placed in the payout area 423b, the gaming chips 70 submitted by the dealer may be placed in the collection area 423a. In other words, the locations where the gaming chips 70 put out by the player and the gaming chips 70 put out by the dealer should be placed are not fixed, and one may be placed in either the collection area 423a or the payout area 423b, and the other may be placed in the other of the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b.

[0216] In this case, too, the management device 84 may activate the exchange mode when it detects that gaming chips 70 are present in both the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b at the same time. Alternatively, the management device 84 may further compare the total amount of gaming chips 70 placed in the collection area 423a with the total amount of gaming chips 70 placed in the payout area 423b and find that they are equal, and / or may compare the number of gaming chips 70 placed in the collection area 423a with the number of gaming chips 70 placed in the payout area 423b and find that they are equal, in which case the management device 84 may activate the exchange mode or determine that the exchange has been performed correctly.

[0217] In the exchange mode, the management device 84 compares the total amount of gaming chips 70 placed in the collection area 423a with the total amount of gaming chips 70 placed in the payout area 423b, and if the two do not match, controls the alert device 86 to output an alert. The management device 84 also determines whether the gaming chips 70 read in either the collection area 423a or the payout area 423b are owned by a player ID, and whether the gaming chips 70 read in the other of the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b are owned by a casino. If this is not the case, for example, if both gaming chips 70 are owned by the casino, or if both gaming chips 70 are owned by a player ID, the management device 84 controls the alert device 86 to output an alert. In this case, the alert device 86 particularly warns that the exchange between the player and the casino has not occurred.

[0218] The alert device 86 may be equipped with an audio output device and output an alert by audio, may be equipped with a lamp and output an alert by lighting the lamp, or may be equipped with a display device and output an alert on a display screen.

[0219] In the above embodiment, the management device 84 activated the exchange mode when it detected that gaming chips 70 were present in both the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b at the same time, but the management device 84 may also activate the exchange mode when it detects that gaming chips 70 that were in the chip tray 421 and gaming chips 70 that were not in the chip tray 421 have been placed in the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b. The management device may also activate the exchange mode when it detects that gaming chips 70 owned by the player and gaming chips 70 owned by a non-player have been placed in the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b.

[0220] (fill transactions and credit transactions) When the gaming chips 70 stocked in the chip tray 421 of the game table 42 become low, the gaming chips 70 are replenished to the chip tray 421 from outside the game table 42 (fill transaction). Also, when the gaming chips 70 stocked in the chip tray 421 of the game table 42 become excessive, the gaming chips 70 are moved from the chip tray 421 to outside the game table (credit transaction).

[0221] In a fill transaction, as in the first embodiment, the F / C bank chamber 13 grasps the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 leaving the F / C bank chamber 13, and the game table 42 also detects the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 moved from the F / C bank chamber 13. This allows the theoretical chip IDs and total amount of all gaming chips 70 to be filled to be compared with the chip IDs and total amount of all gaming chips 70 that have actually been filled.

[0222] The dealer reads the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 to be filled that have been moved from the F / C bank room 13 to the game table 42 with the collection dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area 423a, and then stores the gaming chips in the chip tray 421. The chip tray antenna 514 of the chip tray 421 reads the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 that have been stored in the chip tray 421 after filling.

[0223] The management device 84 acquires the chip IDs and total amounts of all gaming chips 70 that have left the F / C bank room 13, and compares these with the chip IDs and total amounts of the gaming chips 70 read by the collection dealer antenna 5131. In addition, the management device 84 compares the chip IDs and total amounts of the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 that have been placed in the collection area 423a and read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 in a fill transaction with the chip IDs and total amounts of the gaming chips 70 that have been newly added to the chip tray 421 by storing those gaming chips 70 in the chip tray 421.

[0224] If the management device 84 determines that there is a mismatch in any of these comparisons, it controls the alert device 86 to output an alert, which in this case specifically warns that the fill transaction has not been performed correctly.

[0225] In a credit transaction, as in the first embodiment, the F / C bank room 13 grasps the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 entering the F / C bank room 13, and the game table 42 also detects the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 moving to the F / C bank room 13. This allows the theoretical chip IDs and total amount of all gaming chips 70 to be credited to be compared with the chip IDs and total amount of all gaming chips 70 that have actually been credited.

[0226] The management device 84 acquires the chip IDs and total amount of all gaming chips 70 entering the F / C bank room 13, and compares these with the chip IDs and total amount of the gaming chips 70 read by the payout dealer antenna 5132. In addition, the management device 84 compares the chip IDs and total amount of the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 placed in the payout area 423b and read by the payout dealer antenna 5132 in a credit transaction with the chip IDs and total amount of the gaming chips 70 that are reduced from the chip tray 421 when those gaming chips 70 are removed from the chip tray 421.

[0227] If the management device 84 determines that there is a mismatch in any of these comparisons, it controls the alert device 86 to output an alert, which in this case specifically warns that the credit transaction has not been carried out correctly.

[0228] Note that these fill transactions and credit transactions may be executed only when a game is not being played. In this case, the management device 84 recognizes the period after the game result is determined and all settlements are completed, but before the first playing card of the next game is drawn from the electronic shoe 94, as an inter-game period during which fill transactions and credit transactions can be executed. If the RFID tag 71 of a gaming chip 70 is read by the collection dealer antenna 5131 in the collection area 423a during this inter-game period, and the exchange conditions described above and the chip buy-in conditions described below are not met, the management device 84 recognizes this as a fill transaction and activates the fill mode. Similarly, if the RFID tag 71 of a gaming chip 70 is read by the payout dealer antenna 5132 in the payout area 423b during the inter-game period, and the exchange conditions described above and the chip buy-in conditions described below are not met, the management device 84 recognizes this as a credit transaction and activates the credit mode.

[0229] In fill transactions and credit transactions, the amount of gaming chips 70 to be filled or credited may be manually input by an operator and specified to the management device 84. In this case, the management device 84 determines whether the total amount of gaming chips 70 read in the collection area 423a or the payout area 423b is the specified amount.

[0230] (chip buy-in) As explained in the first embodiment, a player can purchase gaming chips 70 from a cashier, and can also purchase gaming chips 70 from a dealer at the game table 42. The dealer receives cash from the player, inserts it into the cash slot 93, and hands over gaming chips 70 equivalent to the cash to the player. At this time, the dealer places the gaming chips 70 to be paid out to the player in the payout area 423b, and the payout dealer antenna 5132 reads the RFID tag 71 of this gaming chip 70.

[0231] When the cash sensor 931 provided in the cash insertion slot 93 detects cash, it notifies the management device 84. The management device 84 receives the notification of cash detection from the cash sensor 931 and activates the tip buy-in mode.

[0232] In the chip buy-in mode, the management device 84 determines the chip ID and total amount of the gaming chip 70 read by the payout dealer antenna 5132. The management device 84 further compares the chip ID and total amount of the gaming chip 70 removed from the chip tray 421 by this chip buy-in with the chip ID and total amount of the gaming chip 70 read by the payout dealer antenna 5132, and if there is a mismatch, controls the alert device 86 to output an alert.

[0233] The cash sensor 931 only detects the presence of cash in the cash insertion slot 93. However, instead of this cash sensor 931, the cash sensor 931 may have a function of determining the denomination (amount) and authenticity of the cash. In this case, the management device 84 may determine whether the total amount of cash detected by the cash sensor 931 matches the total amount of gaming chips 70 placed in the payout area 423b, and may control the alert device 86 to output an alert if there is a mismatch. Note that cash dispensed by a player in chip buy-in may be recognized by the cameras 91, 92 and the image recognition device 83. In this case, too, the management device 84 may compare the recognized total amount of cash with the total amount of gaming chips 70 read in the payout area 423b to determine whether chip buy-in has been performed correctly.

[0234] Furthermore, when buying in chips, cash may be placed in the collection area 423a, the cameras 91 and 92 may photograph the cash placed in the collection area 423a, and the amount of this cash may be recognized by the image recognition device 83. In this case, the management device 84 may compare the amount of cash recognized by the image recognition device 83 with the total amount of gaming chips 70 paid out to the payout area 423b and read by the payout dealer antenna 5132, to determine whether the chip buy-in has been performed correctly.

[0235] (Variation) In the second embodiment described above, the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b are provided adjacent to each other, and these collection area 423a and payout area 423b are located between the chip tray 421 and the betting areas 422a to 422e. Depending on the relationship between the distance between these areas and the strength of the electromagnetic waves output from the antennas provided in these areas, each antenna may read the RFID tag 71 of a gaming chip 70 located outside the corresponding area. For example, the collection dealer antenna 5131 may read the RFID tag 71 of a gaming chip 70 placed in the payout area 423b, or the payout dealer antenna 5132 may read the RFID tag 71 of a gaming chip 70 placed in the collection area 423a.

[0236] To prevent such interference or misreading between areas, a jamming antenna may be provided in each area to block or distort electromagnetic waves from antennas in other areas. Alternatively, a shielding member may be provided between each area to block electromagnetic waves from other areas. Furthermore, reading timing may be staggered between adjacent areas. Furthermore, even if a jamming antenna or shielding member is not provided, the above-mentioned multiple antennas may be provided at intervals that do not cause interference or misreading.

[0237] In the second embodiment, the first reader 81 reads using the chip tray antenna 514, the collecting dealer antenna 5131, and the dispensing dealer antenna 5132, and the second reader 82 reads using the multiple betting areas 422a to 422e, but the combination of antennas and readers is not limited to this. For example, a reader may be provided for each antenna, and all antennas may be controlled by one reader.

[0238] In particular, when the collecting dealer antenna 5131 and the dispensing dealer antenna 5132 are controlled by the same reading device, the reading device may alternately read the collecting area 423a and the dispensing area 423b by alternately using the collecting dealer antenna 5131 and the dispensing dealer antenna 5132. Furthermore, when the collecting dealer antenna 5131 and the dispensing dealer antenna 5132 are controlled by separate reading devices, each reading device may independently read the collecting area 423a and the dispensing area 423b by the collecting dealer antenna 5131 and the dispensing dealer antenna 5132.

[0239] In the above embodiment, the gaming chips 70 are placed in the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b, and the collection dealer antenna 5131 and the payout dealer antenna 5132 read the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 placed in the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b, but the collection dealer antenna 5131 and the payout dealer antenna 5132 may read the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 passing through the collection area 423a and the payout area 423b. In this case, for example, the dealer may take out the gaming chips 70 to be paid out to the player from the chip tray 421, position them in the payout area 423b while holding them, have the payout dealer antenna 5132 read the gaming chips 70, and move them as they are to the betting areas 422a to 422e. Furthermore, for example, the dealer may hold the gaming chips 70 to be collected from the betting areas 422a to 422e in his / her hand, place them in the collection area 423a, have the collection dealer antenna 5131 read them, and move them to the chip tray 421 as they are.

[0240] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the management device 84 automatically recognizes that currency exchange, fill transaction, credit transaction, or chip buy-in is being performed, but instead, the management device 84 may receive operational input from an operator (for example, by operating a switch or button) and recognize that currency exchange, etc. is being performed accordingly.

[0241] [Third embodiment: fraud detection system for detecting fraudulent collection and disbursement] This embodiment relates to a system for detecting fraudulent behavior in games at an amusement arcade, or errors or fraudulent behavior when betting or settling gaming chips. The third embodiment can be used in combination with the second embodiment.

[0242] The cheating detection system of this embodiment is a cheating detection system for use in an amusement facility having a plurality of gaming tables, and includes a game recording device that records the state of games played at the gaming tables as video images using a camera, an image analyzing device that performs image analysis of the recorded video images of the state of games, a win / loss result determining device that determines the win / loss results of each game at the gaming tables, and a control device that detects cheating at the gaming tables using the image analysis results from the image analyzing device and the win / loss results determined by the win / loss result determining device, and the control device detects the position, type, and The total amount of chips in the dealer's chip tray at the gaming table is grasped, and the total amount of chips in the chip tray before settlement of each game is added or subtracted by the increase or decrease in the amount of chips in that game, which is calculated from the positions, types and numbers of chips bet by all players in that game and the win / loss result of that game obtained by the win / loss result determination device, and the total amount of chips that should be in the chip tray after settlement at the end of the game is compared with the actual total amount of chips in the chip tray at the end of the game obtained via the image analysis device, and it is determined whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0243] In the above-mentioned fraud detection system, the control device may grasp the position, type and number of chips bet by each player via the image analysis device, and when all of the losing chips bet by each player have been collected, grasp the actual total amount of chips in the chip tray, and compare the total amount of chips that should be in the chip tray, which is calculated by adding the increase in the chip tray amount for that game based on the position, type and number of chips bet by the losing player from the total amount of chips in the chip tray before the settlement of each game, with the actual total amount of chips in the chip tray, and determine whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0244] In the above-mentioned fraud detection system, the control device may compare the total amount of chips that should be in the chip tray, calculated by adding the increase in the chip tray amount for that game based on the position, type, and number of chips bet by the losing player to the total amount of chips in the chip tray before the settlement of each game, with the actual total amount of chips in the chip tray, and determine that there is no difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount; and may compare the total amount that should be in the chip tray after the settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of chips in the chip tray at the end of the game obtained via the image analysis device, and if it determines that there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount, it may determine that a payment error has occurred and generate a payment error signal to notify of the payment error.

[0245] In the above-mentioned cheating detection system, the chip tray is provided with a collection chip tray for collecting and temporarily storing chips bet by a losing player, and the image analysis device and the control device may compare the amount of chips that should be in the collection chip tray, calculated from the position, type and number of chips bet by the losing player, with the actual total amount of chips in the collection chip tray, and determine whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be in the collection chip tray and the actual total amount.

[0246] In the above cheating detection system, obtaining the actual total amount of chips in the chip tray after settlement at the end of the game through the image analysis device is: 1) When redemption for winning chips is completed, 2) When the cards used in the game are collected and discarded in the discard area of ​​the table, 3) When a predetermined button associated with the winning / losing result determination device is pressed, 4) When the marker indicating victory or defeat is replaced.

[0247] In the above-mentioned fraud detection system, when the control device determines that the actual total amount of chips known in the dealer's chip tray at the gaming table does not correspond to the increase or decrease in chips calculated from the amount of chips bet by all players and the outcome of the game, the game recording device may be configured to assign an index or time to the captured video, or to identify and play back the chip collection or payment scene, so that the game recording device can analyze the record of the game in which the difference occurred.

[0248] In the above-mentioned fraud detection system, the image analysis device or control device may be configured to be able to obtain information on the type, number and position of chips bet even if some or all of the chips placed on the gaming table are hidden by the blind spot of the camera.

[0249] In the fraud detection system, the control device 1) The position, type and number of chips bet at each playing position on the gaming table are grasped, and the win / loss history of each player and the amount of chips obtained from the win / loss results of each game are compared with statistical data of past games to extract peculiar situations; or 2) A situation where the amount of bet chips when losing is smaller than the amount of bet chips when winning at a playing position on a gaming table is extracted as a unique situation by comparing it with statistical data of past games. The structure may be such that

[0250] In the above-mentioned fraud detection system, the control device may be capable of comparing and determining whether the amount of chips known in the dealer's chip tray at the gaming table has increased or decreased in accordance with the payment amount of the chips corresponding to the exchanged bills, or the payment amount of the bills corresponding to the exchanged chips, after the bills have been exchanged for chips.

[0251] In the above-mentioned fraud detection system, the control device may further include a database that records the history of the exchange of bills and chips, and may be able to refer to the database at regular intervals or daily intervals to compare and determine whether the amount of chips recorded in the dealer's chip tray at the gaming table has increased or decreased in accordance with the payment amount of chips corresponding to the exchanged bills, or the total payment amount of bills corresponding to the exchanged chips.

[0252] In the above cheating detection system, the control device may be capable of identifying a player at a playing position extracted as the difference or peculiar situation via the image analysis device.

[0253] In the above-mentioned fraud detection system, the control device may have a warning function that notifies the other gaming table of the presence of the specified player when the specified player leaves his / her seat and takes a seat at the other gaming table.

[0254] In the fraud detection system, the control device further 1) In each game, whether there is any movement of chips between the start of card withdrawal or the start of the game by the dealer and the display of the game result by the card distribution device. 2) After the end of each game, while the dealer is collecting the chips that the loser of the game participants had bet, whether or not the loser has taken any chips; 3) After the end of each game, whether or not chips were added while the dealer was collecting the chips bet by the losing players. 4) After the end of each game, whether the dealer has paid out the winning chips of the players; 5) After each game, whether the winner among the players has taken the chips they bet and the chips they paid; The device may have a function to determine at least one of the above.

[0255] In the above-mentioned fraud detection system, the win / loss result determination device may be a card distribution device that distributes cards at the gaming table, or a control device that determines the win / loss result of each game from information from the image analysis device that reads the cards distributed at the gaming table with a camera.

[0256] According to the cheating detection system of this embodiment, cheating in the collection and redemption of chips according to the outcome of a game can be detected.

[0257] Furthermore, with the system of this embodiment, even if a player bends a card by squeezing it, which is often done in games such as baccarat, the rank and suit of the card can be determined through image analysis, and the total amount of chips can be determined along with their positions, even in blind spots and when chips are overlapped.Fraudulence when exchanging bills for chips can also be detected.

[0258] The overall outline of the cheating detection system for an amusement facility with multiple gaming tables according to this embodiment is described in more detail below. Figure 16 shows an overview of the system. The cheating detection system for an amusement facility with multiple gaming tables 304 includes a game recording device 311 that records video of the game progress at each gaming table 304, including the player 306 and the dealer 305, via multiple cameras 302; an image analyzer 312 that analyzes the video of the recorded game progress; and a card dealing device 303 that determines and displays the results of each game at each gaming table 304. The card dealing device 303 is a so-called electronic shoe already used by those skilled in the art. It is pre-programmed with the game rules and is configured to read the information on the dealt cards C to determine the outcome of the game. For example, in a baccarat game, whether the banker wins, the player wins, or a tie (draw) is basically determined by the ranks of two or three cards, and the results (win or loss) are displayed by a result indicator lamp 313.

[0259] This cheating detection system further includes a control device 314 that compares the actual card ranks determined by the image analysis device 312 with the win / loss result determined by the card dealing device 303 to detect cheating at the gaming table 304 (such as a discrepancy between the total rank of the dealt cards and the win / loss result). The card dealing device 303 is configured to be able to read the rank (A, 2-10, J, Q, K) and suit (heart, spade, etc.) of cards C manually dealt by the dealer 305, and the control device 314 is configured to compare the rank and suit information obtained by the image analysis device 312 (using artificial intelligence) from images of each card dealt at the gaming table 304 (captured using the camera 302) with the card and suit information read by the card dealing device 303 to determine whether they match. The image analysis device 312 and control device 314 in this cheating detection system are configured to be a composite of a computer, program, and memory, which may be an integrated or multiple-component configuration.

[0260] The image analysis device 312 and the control device 314 have an artificial intelligence or deep learning architecture that can obtain card rank information even for cards C dealt at the gaming table 304 that have been bent or soiled by the player 306. With soiled cards C, as shown in FIG. 18, it can be difficult to distinguish between clubs and spades. Even in such cases, the suit can be determined by analyzing and determining the image using an artificial intelligence computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology. Even if a card is bent due to squeezing by a player, as is often done in games such as baccarat, the suit and rank of the card before deformation can be recognized by the artificial intelligence computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology, using self-learning of numerous image variations. Since artificial intelligence computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology are already known and available to those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0261] A control device 314 with an artificial intelligence or deep learning architecture can determine, via the camera 302 and image analysis device 312, where each player 306 has bet their chips 309 in the betting area 308 (player, banker, or pair), as well as the type and number of chips 309 bet (each color of chips 309 is assigned a different value). Chips 309 may be stacked vertically and not aligned vertically. In this case, if the camera 302 is positioned to capture the stacked chips from the side (or if the orientation of the chips 309 is in a blind spot), it is expected that the chips 309 will not be visible (will be in a blind spot). A computer or control system with an artificial intelligence or deep learning architecture can use self-learning functions to recognize when chips 309 are hidden by blind spots (when part of a chip is hidden, or when the entire chip is hidden), and accurately determine the number of chips, etc. In this way, it is possible to know which position in the betting area 308 the chips 309 have been bet on (player, banker, or pair), the type of chips 309 bet (each color of chips 309 is assigned a different value) and the number of chips 309 bet.Therefore, according to the outcome of each game determined by the card distribution device 303, the control device 314 determines whether the collection of losing chips bet by each player 306 (as shown by arrow L) and the payment of winning chips (309W) to the winning player 306W have been properly carried out by analyzing the video of the game progress via the image analysis device 312.

[0262] The control device 314 can analyze and grasp the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 of the dealer 305 at the gaming table 304 using the image analysis device 312, and after the game is over and settlement is made, can compare and calculate whether the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 has increased or decreased according to the outcome of the game, depending on the collection of the losing chips 309 bet by each player 306 and the amount of winning chips paid 309W to the winning player 306W. Even if the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 is constantly grasped by means such as RFID, the control device 314 determines whether the increase or decrease is correct by analyzing video of the game progress via the image analysis device 312. These also utilize artificial intelligence or deep learning structures.

[0263] In this example, fraud and mistakes are detected based on the outcome of the game, information on how many of what type of chips 309 were bet and at which position in the betting area 308 (player, banker, or pair), and the increase or decrease in the amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 after the losing chips have been collected and the winning chips 309 have been redeemed. Therefore, fraud and mistakes can be detected without knowing the movement of the chips 309 after the game ends, i.e., whether the bet chips 309 have moved to the player's side or the dealer's side.

[0264] Here, in the case of baccarat, for example, the outcome of the game can be determined in accordance with the rules of baccarat by reading the rank of card C dealt in the game using card dealing device 303. The outcome of the game can also be determined by taking a picture of the gaming table 304 with camera 302, analyzing the image with image analyzer 312, and comparing the analysis result with the game rules using control device 314. In this case, the camera 302, image analyzer 312, and control device 314 constitute a win / loss result determination device. Information regarding the player at each playing position 307, what type of chips 309, and how many chips have been bet on which position (player, banker, or pair) in the betting area 308 is obtained by taking a picture of the chips 309 placed in the betting area 308 with camera 302 and analyzing the image for each playing position 307 with image analyzer 312.

[0265] Furthermore, the increase or decrease in the amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 before and after the collection of losing chips 309 and the redemption of winning chips 309 can be calculated by comparing the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 before the collection of losing chips 309 and the redemption of winning chips 309 with the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 after the collection of losing chips 309 and the redemption of winning chips 309. The total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 before the collection of losing chips 309 and the redemption of winning chips 309 and the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 after the collection of losing chips 309 and the redemption of winning chips 309 can be detected by photographing the chip tray 317 containing the chips 309 with the camera 302 and analyzing the image with the image analyzer 312. Alternatively, an RFID tag indicating the amount may be embedded in each chip 309 and an RFID reader may be provided in the chip tray 317, so that the total amount of chips 309 stored in the chip tray 317 can be detected.

[0266] FIG. 17A shows details of the chip tray of this embodiment, and FIG. 17B shows another example of the chip tray. The chip tray 317 is provided with a collection chip tray 3171 that collects and temporarily stores chips 309L bet by the losing player 306L, and a redemption chip tray 3172 that stores redeemed chips 309W. The image analysis device 312 and the control device 314 grasp the position, type, and number of chips 309L bet by the losing player 306L, and calculate the increase in the amount of chips 309L in the game (the amount of chips 309 that should be in the collection chip tray 3171). Furthermore, the image analysis device 312 and the control device 314 grasp the actual total amount of chips 309 in the collection chip tray 3171 after collection, and compare the actual total amount with the expected total amount to determine whether there is a difference.

[0267] In addition, by using the chips 309W in the redemption chip tray 3172 to redeem the chips 309W to the winning player 306W, sufficient time can be ensured for the image analysis device 312 and the control device 314 to determine the actual total value of the chips 309 in the collection chip tray 3171 after they have been collected.

[0268] The gaming table 304 is provided with a discard area 341 and / or a discard slot 342 for discarding cards C used in a game. Every time a game ends, the cards C used in the game are collected and discarded by placing them in the discard area 341 or the discard slot 342 on the gaming table 304.

[0269] As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 314 calculates the chip balance for each game from the amount of chips bet on the gaming table 304 and the results of the game, and verifies the increase in the chip balance in the chip tray 317 after the game. If the control device 314 detects a discrepancy in this verification, it issues an alarm or adds a note to the video recording taken by the camera 302. The casino operator can investigate the cause of the discrepancy by reviewing the video.

[0270] The fraud detection system of this embodiment adds or subtracts the increase or decrease in the amount of chips in a game calculated from the position, type and number of chips 309 bet by all players 306 in that game and the outcome of the game obtained by the win / loss result determination device, from the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 before settlement of each game, and compares the total amount of chips 309 that should be in the chip tray 317 after settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 at the end of the game obtained via the image analysis device 312, and determines whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0271] The control device 314 grasps the position, type and number of chips bet by each player via the image analysis device 312, and when all of the losing chips bet by each player have been collected, grasps the actual total amount of chips in the chip tray, and compares the total amount that chips 309 should be in the chip tray 317, which is calculated by adding the increase in the chip tray 317 for that game based on the position, type and number of chips bet by the losing player from the total amount of chips in the chip tray before the settlement of each game, with the actual total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317, and determines whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0272] The control device 314 compares the total amount of chips 309 that should be in the chip tray 317, which is the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 before the settlement of each game and the increase in the amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 for that game based on the position, type, and number of chips 309 bet by the losing player, with the actual total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317, and determines that there is no difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.If the control device 314 also compares the total amount that should be in the chip tray 317 after the settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 at the end of the game obtained via the image analysis device 312, and determines that there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount, it determines that there is a payment error and generates a payment error signal to notify of the payment error.

[0273] The chip tray 317 is provided with a collection chip tray 3171 for collecting and temporarily storing chips 309 bet by losing players, and the image analysis device 312 compares the total amount of chips 309 that should be in the collection chip tray 3171, which is calculated from the position, type and number of chips 309L bet by the losing player and adds the increase in the amount of chips 309 in the game, with the actual total amount of chips 309 in the collection chip tray 3171, and determines whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0274] When the control device 314 determines that the actual total amount of chips 309 recorded in the chip tray 317 of the dealer 305 at the gaming table 304 does not correspond to the increase or decrease in chip amounts calculated from the chip amounts bet by all players and the outcome of the game, the game recording device 311 can add an index or time to the captured video, or can identify and play back the scene of collecting or paying out the chips 309, so that the game recording device 311 can analyze the record of the game in which the above-mentioned difference occurred.

[0275] In this way, the control device 314 obtains the total amount of chips in the chip tray 317 after settlement at the end of the game via the image analysis device 312. In this case, the determination after settlement is made when any of the following 1) to 4) occurs. 1) When the redemption for the winning chip 309 is completed, 2) When the card C used in the game is collected and discarded in the discard area 341 or the discard slot 342 of the table, 3) When a predetermined button attached to the winning / losing result determination device is pressed, 4) When the marker indicating victory or defeat is returned to its original position.

[0276] The control device 314 is an artificial intelligence or deep learning-based control device that can grasp the position (position bet on player, banker, or pair) and amount (type and number) of chips bet at each playing position 307 of the gaming table 304, and compare the win / loss history of each player 306 and the amount of chips (winning amount) obtained from the win / loss results of each game with statistical data of many past games (big data) to extract peculiar situations (set by the casino). Typically, the control device 314 is an artificial intelligence or deep learning-based control device that can extract peculiar situations such as the occurrence of a winning amount of more than a certain amount (1 million dollars) or a situation in which the amount of chips bet when losing is small and the amount of chips bet when winning is large for several consecutive games at a playing position 307 of a certain gaming table 304, by comparing this with statistical data (big data, etc.) of past games.

[0277] Furthermore, the control device 314 of this fraud detection system (integrated with the image analysis device 312) is configured to be able to identify individual players 306 at playing positions 307 who have been identified as experiencing anomalous situations or who have won a predetermined amount or more. To identify such players 306, the image analysis device 312 obtains facial images by extracting feature points or the like, and assigns them an identity number (ID, etc.). The control device 314 then has a warning function that, when an identified player 306 leaves his or her seat and takes a seat at another gaming table, notifies the other gaming table of the presence of the identified player. Specifically, the control device 314 notifies the pit manager or the person in charge of each gaming table 304 (which may be the dealer) to prevent further anomalous phenomena.

[0278] The control device 314 further includes a database that records the history of exchanges of bills K and chips 309, and periodically or daily refers to the database to compare and determine whether the amount of chips 309 held in the chip tray 317 of the dealer 305 at the gaming table 304 has increased or decreased in accordance with the payment amount of chips 309 corresponding to the exchanged bills K, or the total amount of payment of bills K corresponding to the exchanged chips 309.

[0279] In the above example, the win / loss history and the amount of chips (winning amount) acquired for each playing position 307 may be monitored without identifying individual players 306. In this case, if a player 306 leaves their seat, that player 306 cannot be tracked. However, it is possible to detect unusual situations, such as a situation where a player at a particular playing position 307 on one gaming table 304 bets a small amount of chips when they lose and a large amount of chips when they win for several consecutive games. If such a playing position 307 is detected, it is possible to suspect that cheating or a mistake has occurred at that playing position 307. Then, by examining a video taken at that playing position 307, cheating or a mistake can be discovered.

[0280] Specifically, the camera 302 is installed so as to capture at least the chips 309 placed in the betting area 308 of the gaming table 304. The image analysis device 312 analyzes the images captured by the camera 302 to detect whether the chips are placed on the player, banker, or tie position in the betting area 308 for each playing position 307, and the amount of the placed chips. The card dealing device 303 also functions as a win / loss result determination device and determines the win / loss result of the game. The control device 314 records (monitors) the win / loss history and the amount of chips obtained (amount of chips won) for each playing position 307 based on the position (player, banker, or tie) in the betting area 308 where the chips 309 are placed and the win / loss result of the game. Note that only either the win / loss history or the amount of chips won may be recorded. The control device 314 identifies the playing position 307 as a playing position suspected of fraudulent activity if the winning / losing history and / or chip winnings history are in a unique situation (set by the casino) compared to the statistical data of a large number of past games (big data).

[0281] If cheating is suspected at a certain playing position 307, the cheating detection system may emit an alarm (light, sound, or vibration) that is noticeable at least to the dealer at that time. This may at least stop the game from then on, thereby preventing further cheating. In addition, information indicating that cheating is suspected may be added to the video captured and recorded by the camera 302. This allows the cause of the suspected cheating to be determined by reviewing the video.

[0282] The fraud detection system for an amusement facility having a gaming table according to this embodiment further includes a function for inspecting the exchange of bills and chips, which is often performed at the gaming table 304. In a gaming facility such as a casino, before a game, a player 306 exchanges bills (cash, etc.) for gaming chips at a designated chip exchange. However, if the player 306 runs out of chips, the player can continue the game by exchanging cash (bills) for chips 309 at the gaming table (e.g., baccarat table) without leaving the gaming table 304. However, this creates an opportunity for fraud between the dealer 305 and the player. The exchange of cash (bills) for chips 309 at the gaming table (e.g., baccarat table) must be performed when a game is not in progress. The card dealing device 303 is capable of detecting the start and end of card dealing (the time when the win or loss is determined) in order to determine the outcome of the game. For this reason, the card dealing device 303 detects situations other than card dealing (dealing), and the control device 314 detects that bills are being exchanged for chips 309 at the gaming table 304 when cards are not being dealt (as shown in FIG. 19). The situation when cards are being dealt (or other situations) can be detected based on information obtained from the actions of the card dealing device 303 or the dealer 305.

[0283] The control device 314 can recognize the number and value of bills by performing image analysis of the surface of the bills K. Furthermore, at the gaming table 304, whether the bills K to be exchanged for chips 309 are genuine or not is determined by detecting the authenticity mark G on the bill by shining a black light on it. As shown in FIG. 21 , the control device 314 also analyzes and verifies the authenticity mark G, recognizes the total amount of genuine bills, and can recognize the total amount of chips even if multiple chips placed on the gaming table to be exchanged are hidden by the blind spot of the camera 302. The control device 314 has an artificial intelligence or deep learning structure that can compare the total amount of bills K placed on the gaming table 304 by the player with the total amount of chips 309 placed by the dealer 305 and determine whether the two amounts match.

[0284] The control device 314 has an artificial intelligence or deep learning structure that can perform comparative calculations to determine whether the total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 of the dealer 305 at the gaming table 304 has increased or decreased in accordance with the payment amount of the chips corresponding to the exchanged bills after the bills have been exchanged for chips and settlement. The total amount of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 of the dealer 305 may be always known in advance by RFID tags or the like on the chips 309. The total amount of chips 309 stored in the chip tray 317 can also be detected by photographing the chip tray 317 containing the chips 309 with the camera 302 and analyzing the image with the image analyzer 312.

[0285] Furthermore, the control device 314 verifies whether the increase or decrease in the value of chips 309 in the chip tray 317 before and after the exchange of bills for chips matches the exchanged amount of chips as a result of image analysis on the gaming table 304. The amount of the paid bills may be input to the control device 314 by the dealer 305 using a keyboard or the like, or may be identified by taking an image of the gaming table 304 where the bills are paid using the camera 302 and analyzing the image using the image analyzer 312.

[0286] As described above, the control device 314 determines whether the amount of chips 309 deducted from the chip tray 317 due to the exchange of banknotes for chips matches the amount of banknotes paid by the player 306 to the dealer 305. Furthermore, the control device 314 is an intelligent control device that can compare and calculate whether the amount of banknotes deposited by the dealer 305 (usually entered by key input, etc.) matches the calculated amount of banknotes as a result of image analysis by the image analysis device 312 after the exchange of banknotes for chips has been completed and the transaction is settled, and may further be an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning-based control device.

[0287] Furthermore, the control device 314 is an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning structure that can compare and calculate whether or not the total amount of bills deposited by the dealer at the gaming table 304 that the dealer is in charge of matches the total amount of bills as a result of image analysis by the image analysis device 312.

[0288] The control device 314 compares and determines whether the amount of chips 309 held in the chip tray 317 of the dealer 305 at the gaming table 304 has increased or decreased in accordance with the payment amount of the chips 309 corresponding to the exchanged banknotes or the payment amount of the banknotes corresponding to the exchanged chips 309 after the exchange of the banknotes and the chips 309.

[0289] The control device 314 further has the following functions 1) to 5) to determine whether or not any cheating that violates the rules is being performed in accordance with the rules of the baccarat game. 1) In each game, from the time when the card distributing device 303 sends a signal to start drawing cards or when the dealer 305 presses the start button to start the game, until the card distributing device 303 displays the result of the game, the image analyzing device 312 uses the camera 302 to monitor whether there is any movement of the chips 309 (as shown in Figure 16). 2) After each game ends, while the dealer 305 is collecting the chips 309 bet by the losers among the game participants 306 (as shown in FIG. 20), the image analyzer 312 monitors whether the loser 306L has illegally taken the chips 309, based on information obtained by the camera 302. 3) After each game ends, while the dealer 305 is collecting the chips 309 bet by the losers among the game participants, the image analyzer 312 monitors, using information obtained by the camera 302, whether or not anyone other than the dealer 305 (winner or loser) has added winning chips 309W or placed new chips 309 on the winning side where no bets have been made. 4) After each game is over, the dealer 305 monitors whether or not the payout chip 309W has been placed correctly in the position of the chip 309 bet by the winning player among the game participants 306 (as shown in FIG. 21) by using information obtained by the image analyzer 312 using the camera 302. 5) After each game is over (the dealer 305 operates the card distribution device 303 to display the winning or losing result on the display lamp 313), whether or not the winner 306W among the game participants 306 has taken the bet chips 309 and the paid chips 309W (as shown in Figure 22) is monitored by information obtained by the image analysis device 312 using the camera 302.

[0290] The control device 314 analyzes the information obtained by the image analyzer 312 using the camera 302 as follows. That is, by using the analysis results of the image analyzer 312 to detect the hand movements, chip movements, or the combination of the hand movements and chip movements of the dealer 305 and the game participants 306, the control device 314 monitors 1) to 5) above, but the basic analysis requires at least knowing who has taken the chips 309. The analysis method will be explained below using Figures 23 to 25.

[0291] Analysis of the dealer 305 taking the chips 309 bet by the player 306L (Figure 23). The dealer 305 collects the chips 309 bet by the player 306L who lost the game. Whether or not the chips are collected is monitored by analyzing information obtained by the image analyzer 312 using the camera 302. First, a change from a state in which the bet chips 309 are present (Figure 27A) to a state in which they are not present (Figure 23C) is detected by image analysis. Then, an image (Figure 23B) between the state in which the chips 309 are present and the state in which they are not present is analyzed. In the image (Figure 23B) between the state in which the chips 309 are present and the state in which they are not present is analyzed, and cheating is detected based on the following rule. If the hand 305h is extending from above (or if the hand appears from above and then retracts upward), the hand 305h is determined to belong to the dealer 305. If the hand is extending from any other direction, cheating is determined.

[0292] While the dealer 305 is collecting the chips 309 bet by the player 306L who lost the game, the system monitors whether or not another player is taking the lost chips 309 in an unfair manner (Figs. 23 and 26). In an image that switches between a state in which the chips 309 are present and a state in which they are not present, as shown in Fig. 24, the analysis of whether a loser 306L or the like among the players 306 has taken the chips is performed by detecting through image analysis that a hand 306h extends or moves from below in Fig. 24 (actually from above), and it is determined that this means that a hand 306h or the like other than the dealer 305 is taking the chips 309, and this is determined to be cheating.

[0293] Analysis of the fact that dealer 305 correctly paid (placed) chips 309 for winning chips 309, and that the winning chips were taken by winner 306W of the game participants 306. First, chips 309W are redeemed for the winning chips shown in FIG. 25A according to the rules of the game, as shown in FIG. 25B. A change from the state shown in FIG. 25A to the state shown in FIG. 25B is detected, and at the same time, image analysis is used to detect whether the hand is dealer's 305h. After this, as shown in FIG. 25C, hand 306h of winner 306W of the game participants 306 extends (moves) to the same betting area, and then the control device 314 checks whether all chips 309 are lost (the state shown in FIG. 25D) based on the image analysis results, according to the rules of the game, to determine whether there was any cheating.

[0294] Furthermore, the control device 314 is configured to determine whether the amount of chips paid by the dealer 305 to the winner is correct based on the amount bet by the winner 306W among the game participants 306. A specific example is given below. It is assumed that the position and total amount of chips 309 (whether the chips 309 were bet on the player's or banker's betting area 308) cannot normally be read if the chips 309 are misaligned and overlapping, or if they are in a blind spot from the camera 302's position. The control device 314 is configured to recognize when chips 309 are hidden by blind spots (when part of a chip is hidden, or when the entire chip is hidden) and accurately determine the position, number, etc., using a self-learning function based on an existing artificial intelligence-based computer or control system or deep learning (structure) technology. Furthermore, the structure for detecting the position and type of chips 309 in the betting area 308 is not limited to this, and may be configured to detect them by reading an ID embedded in the chip, for example.

[0295] As explained above, the control device 314 can grasp the position (position where bets are made on player, banker, or pair) and type (each color of chip 309 is assigned a different value) and number of chips 309 bet by each player 306 via the camera 302 and image analysis device 312, and can detect which customer 306 bet on the player (if there are multiple customers 306 betting on the player, which customer 306 bet the most) and which customer 306 bet on the banker (if there are multiple customers 306 betting on the banker, which customer 306 bet the most).

[0296] Furthermore, the control device 314 of this cheating detection system for the game analyzes and monitors the information obtained by the image analyzer 312 using the camera 302 in accordance with the rules of the baccarat game using the above-mentioned method. The monitoring described in 1) to 5) above is performed to determine whether any cheating that violates the rules is occurring. When cheating is detected, the control device 314 turns on the abnormality indicator lamps provided on both the card dealing device 303 and the gaming table 304, and outputs the detection of cheating to the casino management department or the like via wireless or wired communication. A monitor or lamp that issues a warning or display in response to the determination result may also be provided in a separate location.

[0297] As described above, fraudulent behavior is detected by the control device 314, and at the time of detection or at an appropriate time, an indication signal is displayed on the indicator lamp 313 or abnormality indicator lamp of the card distribution device 303, or a warning is issued.In addition, after the fraud or error is detected, the card distribution device 303 may activate a function that prevents the distribution of cards, thereby preventing the distribution of cards.

[0298] In the above embodiment, the image analysis device 312 and the control device 314 are devices utilizing artificial intelligence or having a deep learning structure. However, the image analysis device 312 and the control device 314 may specifically perform image analysis and the above-mentioned various controls using a scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm, a convolutional neural network (CNN), deep learning, machine learning, or similar. These technologies perform image recognition on captured images to recognize objects contained in the images. In particular, deep learning technology, which uses multi-layered neural networks, has been used in recent years to achieve high-accuracy object recognition. This deep learning technology generally achieves high-accuracy object recognition by stacking multiple layers in intermediate layers between the input layer and output layer of a neural network. Among these deep learning technologies, convolutional neural networks, in particular, have attracted attention for their superior performance in object recognition compared to conventional methods based on image features.

[0299] A convolutional neural network learns labeled target images and recognizes the main object contained in the target image. If there are multiple main objects in the training image, they are designated by a rectangular area, and the image corresponding to the designated area is labeled for training. Furthermore, the convolutional neural network can determine the main object and its location in the image.

[0300] To further explain convolutional neural networks, the target recognition process involves extracting candidate regions based on local features by performing edge extraction or other processing on the image to be recognized, inputting the candidate regions into the convolutional neural network to extract feature vectors and then classifying them, and obtaining the classified candidate region with the highest confidence as the recognition result. Confidence is a quantity that indicates how high the similarity of the subject of an image learned together with a certain image region and label is relative to the similarity of other classes.

[0301] Note that devices utilizing artificial intelligence or having a deep learning structure are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,361,577, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016-171336, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015-036920, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-110232, etc., and these descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

[0302] [Fourth embodiment: Management of gaming chip owners] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. This embodiment relates to a system that constantly grasps and manages information on the holder of each gaming token, thereby enhancing security, and when a dealer pays gaming tokens to a player and the holder of the gaming token is transferred from the casino to a player, it is possible to grasp and record to which player the possession of the gaming token has been transferred. The fourth embodiment can be used in combination with the second embodiment.

[0303] (First example) FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system according to a first example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The management system 110 traces the holder of a gaming token without using a database. For this purpose, information about the holder is stored in the gaming token. The management system 110 includes a gaming table 4004 having a roughly oval shape. A player 282 is positioned on one side of the gaming table 4004 (the lower side of FIG. 26), and a dealer (not shown) is positioned on the opposite side. On the top surface of the gaming table 4004, betting areas 422a to 422e (hereinafter collectively referred to as "betting areas 422") are defined for each of a plurality of play positions. The betting area 422 is an area where the player 282 places a bet by placing their gaming token 283. A chip tray 212 for placing the dealer's gaming token 283 is provided on the dealer position side of the gaming table 4004.

[0304] The gaming token 283 has the same configuration as the gaming token of the above embodiment. That is, an RFID tag having a non-rewritable area for storing fixed information and a rewritable area for storing variable information is embedded in the gaming token 283. A chip ID (identification information) that uniquely identifies the gaming token 283 is stored in the RFID tag as fixed information. In addition, a user ID that uniquely identifies the holder of the gaming token 283 is stored in the RFID tag as variable information.

[0305] In addition, a common user ID is assigned to the casino or dealer, and when the gaming token 283 is in the casino's possession (including when it is stored in the chip tray 212), the variable information stores the user ID indicating the casino or dealer.

[0306] RFID antennas 515a to 515e (hereinafter collectively referred to as "RFID antennas 515") are provided in the betting areas 422a to 422e of the gaming table 4004. Specifically, the RFID antennas 515 are embedded under the cover of the gaming table 4004 at positions where the corresponding betting areas 422 are defined. An RFID antenna 514 is also provided in the chip tray 212.

[0307] The RFID antenna 515 reads and writes data from the RFID tag embedded in the gaming token 283 placed in the corresponding betting area 422. The RFID antenna 514 reads and writes data from the RFID tag embedded in the gaming token 283 placed in the chip tray 212.

[0308] The RFID antennas 515a to 515e and the RFID antenna 514 are connected to the RF control device 254. Note that in FIG. 26, only the line connecting the antenna 515e to the RF control device 254 is shown, and the lines connecting the antennas 515a to 515d to the RF control device 254 are omitted for clarity of the drawing, but the antennas 515a to 515d are also connected to the RF control device 254 in the same way as the antenna 515e. This is also true for the following drawings. The RF control device 254 controls reading and writing for each antenna. The RF control device 254 controls reading and writing by distinguishing each antenna from the others. For this reason, each antenna is assigned an area ID that uniquely identifies the area in which reading and writing are performed by that antenna. Furthermore, when reading, the RF control device 254 performs reading periodically.

[0309] By referring to this area ID, it is possible to determine whether the read gaming token 283 is in the chip tray 212 or the betting area 422, and for the betting area 422, it is also possible to determine which of the betting areas 422a to 422e in the play position it is.

[0310] When reading, the RF control device 254 receives data read by each antenna and identifies the area in which the data was read, i.e., the area ID. When writing, the RF control device 254 identifies the antenna to write to, i.e., the area ID, and transmits the data to be written. This allows the RF control device 254 to individually control reading and writing for each antenna.

[0311] The RF control device 254 outputs the user ID of the gaming token 283 ("User ID" in FIG. 26) and the area ID of the area from which the user ID was read ("Area ID" in FIG. 26) based on the data read by each antenna. The management system 110 further includes a management control device 256 connected to the RF control device 254. The management control device 256 receives the user ID and the area ID from the RF control device 254, and specifies to the RF control device 254 the user ID to be written to the RFID tag.

[0312] As will be explained below, the user ID stored in the RFID tag of the gaming token 283 changes when the gaming token 283 is moved, but the RFID tag stores past user IDs as well as the latest user ID as variable information. Therefore, by referring to this variable information, it is possible to check the history of holders of each gaming token 283. In the following explanation, expressions such as "rewrite user ID" mean at least changing the latest user ID, and do not necessarily mean simultaneously erasing information about past user IDs.

[0313] The management control device 256 updates the fluctuation information of the gaming token 283 based on the data (user ID and area ID) of the gaming token 283 received from the RF control device 254. A method for updating the fluctuation information will be described below.

[0314] 27 to 29 are diagrams illustrating an example of updating variable information. As shown in Fig. 27, a player bets gaming tokens 831 in the betting area 422b. The management control device 256 receives the user ID of the betting chip 831 and the area ID of the betting area 422b, which are obtained by reading the RFID tag of the gaming token (hereinafter also referred to as "betting chip 831") bet by the player in the betting area.

[0315] At the stage of placing a bet, as shown in Fig. 27, the same user ID ("P1" in the example of Fig. 27) is read from the betting area 422b, and the same ID ("D" in the example of Fig. 24, indicating that the holder is the casino or dealer) is also read from the chip tray 212. If this player wins the game, as shown in Fig. 28, gaming tokens (hereinafter also referred to as "payout chips 832") are paid out (redeemable) from the chip tray 212 by the dealer and placed next to the betting chips 831 in the betting area 422b.

[0316] As a result, "D" is read from the betting area 422b as the user ID in addition to "P1." If there are two types of user IDs for the gaming tokens 283 read from the same betting area 422, and one of the user IDs is "D" and the other is a user ID assigned to a player, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to rewrite the user IDs of all the gaming tokens 283 in the betting area 422 to the user ID assigned to the player ("P1" in the case of FIG. 28). In this case, the same "P1" is further written as the latest user ID on the betting chip 831 in which "P1" was stored as the user ID.

[0317] On the other hand, if the player loses the game, the dealer collects the bet chips 831 into the chip tray 212, as shown in Fig. 29. Then, in addition to "D", "P1" is read as the user ID from the chip tray 212. If the user ID of the gaming token 283 read from the chip tray 212 includes a user ID assigned to the player other than "D" ("P1" in the example of Fig. 29), the management control device 256 rewrites the user ID of all the gaming tokens 283 in the chip tray 212 to "D".

[0318] In addition, a collection float may be provided to temporarily store the gaming tokens 283 collected in the chip tray 212, and the antenna may be separated between the collection float and other parts, so that the above processing is performed only on the gaming tokens 283 collected in the collection float.

[0319] The user ID stored in the gaming token 283 is updated in accordance with a change in the actual holder through the above-described processing of the management control device 256. That is, in this embodiment, the user ID is stored in the RFID tag of the gaming token 283, and the user ID of the payout chip 832 is updated so that the holder is the same as the holder of the bet chip 831. Therefore, without using a database or player identification system described later, and without the management control device 256 knowing the progress of the game (betting stage, game stage, settlement stage), it is possible to trace the change in holder due to the game being played at the gaming table 4004.

[0320] When a player newly purchases gaming tokens 283, the player is identified using a player identification system described later, and the user ID of the casino or dealer is rewritten to the user ID of the identified player before the gaming tokens 283 are handed over to the player. Also, when the player redeems the gaming tokens 283 for cash, the user ID of the gaming tokens 283 handed over by the player is rewritten to the user ID of the casino or dealer.

[0321] (Second example) 30 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system of a second example of the fourth embodiment. The management system 120 includes a player identification system in addition to the configuration of the management system 110 of the first example. The player identification system includes an image recognition system consisting of a camera 252 and an image recognition device 255, and a card authentication system consisting of a card 281 and a card reader 253, but may include only one of them.

[0322] The camera 252 captures an image of the face of a player 282 positioned at a play position, and outputs the captured image to the image recognition device 255. The image recognition device 255 is equipped with a face recognition engine using a neural network that has learned face images of a plurality of pre-registered players 282 (hereinafter, the registered players are also referred to as "members"). The image recognition device 255 inputs the image from the camera 252 into the neural network, thereby identifying which registered member the input face image belongs to. Note that, if the image recognition device 255 determines that the image from the camera 252 does not belong to any of the registered members, it outputs a result indicating that the face image belongs to a non-member.

[0323] Furthermore, the image recognition device 255 identifies the play position of the member based on the position in the image where the face is authenticated. The image recognition device 255 outputs the area ID of the identified play position ("Area ID" in FIG. 30) along with the user ID of the member corresponding to the image from the camera 252 ("User ID" in FIG. 30). If the image recognition device 255 cannot identify which member the member is, it outputs "Unknown" as the user ID.

[0324] The card reader 253 scans the member's card 281 handed to the dealer by the player 282, and reads the information stored on the member's card 281. The member's card 281 is a magnetic card with a magnetic stripe formed thereon, and at least the user ID of the player 282 (member) is stored on the magnetic stripe. When the dealer receives the member's card 281 from the player 282, the dealer scans the member's card 281 using the card reader 253 and inputs the playing position of the player 282 into the card reader 253. The card reader 253 outputs the user ID ("User ID" in FIG. 30) read from the member's card 281 and the area ID ("Area ID" in FIG. 30) of the playing position input by the dealer.

[0325] The management control device 256 receives the user ID and area ID stored in the gaming token 283 and read using the antenna 515 from the RF control device 254, receives the user ID and area ID identified based on the player's facial image from the image recognition device 255, and receives the user ID obtained by reading the membership card 281 from the card reader 253 and the area ID specified by the dealer.

[0326] For the same area ID, if the user ID read from the antenna 515, i.e., the user ID stored in the gaming token 283 bet in the betting area 422 as the holder of the gaming token 283, does not match the user ID read from the membership card 281 or the user ID identified by the image recognition device 255, i.e., the player identified by the player identification system, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to rewrite the user ID stored in the rewritable area of ​​the gaming token 283 bet in the betting area 422 as the holder to the user ID of the player identified by the player identification system.

[0327] The RF control device 254 uses the antenna 515 to write the user ID of the player identified by the player identification system in the rewritable area of ​​the RFID tag of the gaming token 283 placed in the betting area 422. At this time, the RF control device 254 also records in the rewritable area that the user ID as holder information has been rewritten due to a user ID mismatch. This allows a casino or dealer, when acquiring this gaming token 283, to know that there has been a holder mismatch by referring to the history of holder changes, and also enables them to identify the player involved in such a mismatch.

[0328] In addition, the player identification system may perform only one of player identification by the face authentication system and player identification by reading the member's card 281. In other words, a registered member does not necessarily need to be identified by the member's card 281 when he or she arrives at a playing position, and in that case, the player is identified only by the face authentication system. Also, even if the player's face cannot be photographed properly and face authentication is not possible, the player may be identified by the member's card 281.

[0329] Furthermore, a player may be identified by both facial authentication and the member's card 281. In this case, the user ID of the player identified by facial authentication may differ from the user ID of the player identified by the member's card 281. If either of the user IDs matches the user ID read from the gaming token 283, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to record, in the rewritable area of ​​the gaming token 283, the user ID that does not match the user ID read from the gaming token 283, as well as the fact that there was a mismatch in the identification of the player by the player identification system.

[0330] In this example, as in the first example, the user ID stored in the gaming token 283 is updated according to the actual holder. Furthermore, in this example, if the user ID of the player identified by the player identification system does not match the user ID stored in the gaming token 283, the mismatch is corrected and the fact that such a mismatch occurred is recorded in the gaming token 283. Therefore, by referring to this record in the gaming token 283, it is possible to know that the gaming token 283 has been exchanged between players, and to identify the players involved in the exchange.

[0331] When exchanging the gaming token 283 for cash, a player identification system similar to that described above may be used, and if the user ID of the player (user attempting to exchange) identified by facial recognition or the membership card 281 differs from the user ID stored in the gaming token 283 to be exchanged for cash, an alarm to that effect may be output and the operator may not approve the exchange.

[0332] (Third example) FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system in a third example of the fourth embodiment. The management system 130 includes a database 57 in addition to the configuration of the management system 110 in the first example. The database 57 stores a chip ID ("Chip ID" in FIG. 31) that uniquely identifies the gaming token 283 and the user ID of the player who owns the gaming token 283, in association with each other. As described above, the owner of the gaming token 283 changes when the gaming token 283 is purchased, used in a game, and exchanged for cash, and the database 57 records the history of past owners. Therefore, by referring to the database 57, it is possible to know the history of owners of each gaming token 283.

[0333] In this example, the gaming token 283 only needs to have a non-rewritable area, and need not have a rewritable area. That is, it is sufficient that at least a chip ID is stored in the gaming token 283. Furthermore, the RF control device 254 does not need to have a writing function, and may be an RF reader that only has a reading function.

[0334] The management control device 256 updates the database 57 based on the data (chip ID and area ID) of the gaming token 283 received from the RF control device 254. A method for updating the database 57 will be described below.

[0335] 32 to 34 are diagrams illustrating an example of updating the database 57. As shown in Fig. 32, a player bets gaming tokens 831 in the betting area 422b. The chip ID of the betting chip 831 and the area ID of the betting area 422b, which are obtained by reading the RFID tag of the betting chip 831 bet by the player in the betting area 422b, are input to the management control device 256.

[0336] At the stage of placing a bet, as shown in FIG. 32, chip IDs "C00001" to "C00005" are read from the bet area 422b, and chip IDs "C20001" to "C20100" are read from the chip tray 212. Then, the RF control device 254 outputs pairs of the chip IDs read by the antennas 515 and 514 and the area IDs corresponding to the antennas 515 and 514 to the management control device 256. In the example of FIG. 32, the RF control device 254 obtains combinations of chip IDs "C00001" to "C00005" and the area ID "Area 2", and combinations of chip IDs "C20001" to "C20100" and the area ID "Area T" (the area ID representing the chip tray 212), and outputs these to the management control device 256.

[0337] 33, the dealer pays out (redeems) payout chips 832 from the chip tray 212 and places them next to the bet chips 831 in the bet area 422b. Then, the RF control device 254 obtains combinations of chip IDs "C00001" to "C00005" and "C20001" to "C20005" with the area ID "Area 2", and combinations of chip IDs "C20006" to "C20100" with the area ID "Area T", and outputs these combinations to the management control device 256.

[0338] The management control device 256 refers to the database 57 for all the read chip IDs and obtains the user ID associated with the chip ID. Then, the management control device 256 refers to the combination of the chip ID and the area ID obtained from the RF control device 254, and if the user IDs for multiple chip IDs associated with the same area ID are different, updates the database 57 so that those user IDs become the same user ID.

[0339] Specifically, when the user IDs of multiple gaming tokens 283 read with the area ID of the same betting area 422 include a player's user ID and a casino or dealer's user ID, the management control device 256 unifies the user IDs of chip IDs paired with the same area ID by rewriting the casino or dealer's user ID with the player's user ID.

[0340] On the other hand, if the player loses the game, the dealer collects the bet chips 831 into the chip tray 212, as shown in Figure 34. Then, in addition to "C20001" to "C20100", "C00001" to "C00005" are read as chip IDs from the chip tray 212. The RF control device 254 obtains pairs of these chip IDs "C20001" to "C20100" and "C00001" to "C00005" and the area ID "Area T" of the chip tray 212, and outputs them to the management control device 256.

[0341] The management control device 256 refers to the database 57 for all the read chip IDs and obtains the user ID associated with the chip ID. Then, the management control device 256 refers to the combination of chip ID and area ID obtained from the RF control device 254, and if the user IDs for multiple chip IDs paired with the same area ID are different, updates the database 57 so that those user IDs become the same user ID.

[0342] Specifically, when the user IDs of multiple gaming tokens 283 read by the area ID of the chip tray 212 include a player's user ID and a casino or dealer's user ID, the management control device 256 rewrites the player's user ID to the casino or dealer's user ID, thereby changing the user IDs of all chip IDs associated with the area ID of the chip tray 212 to the casino or dealer's user ID.

[0343] By the above-described processing of the management control device 256, the user ID stored in the database 57 is updated according to the actual holder. That is, in this embodiment, the database 57 is rewritten so that gaming tokens 283 associated with different user IDs in the same area are unified into one of the user IDs according to the area. Therefore, without using the above-described player identification system, and without the management control device 256 grasping the progress status of the game (betting stage, game stage, settlement stage), it is possible to trace the change in holder according to the game played at the gaming table 4004.

[0344] Furthermore, in the above example, the management control device 256 determines that the payout chip 832 is a payout chip 832 based on the fact that it is read in the bet area 422 and that the user ID in the database 57 is "D," and rewrites the user ID to the player's user ID, but instead, the chip ID of the payout chip 832 may be identified based on the difference between the chip IDs read from the chip tray 212 before and after payout.

[0345] For example, in the examples of Figures 32 and 33, before dispensing, as shown in Figure 32, chip IDs "C20001" to "C20100" are read from the chip tray 212, whereas after dispensing, as shown in Figure 33, chip IDs "C20006" to "C20100" are read from the chip tray 212. Therefore, from this difference, the management control device 256 can determine that chip IDs "C20001" to "C20005" have been dispensed.

[0346] (Example 4) 35 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system of a fourth example of the fourth embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the management system 110 of the first example, the management system 140 includes a player identification system, a database 57, and a card distribution device (electronic shoe) 4003. The gaming table 4004 also includes pay areas 424a to 424e (hereinafter collectively referred to as "pay areas 424") on the dealer side of the betting areas 422 of each play position. The pay areas 424a to 424e also include antennas 516a to 516e (hereinafter collectively referred to as "antennas 516") corresponding to the respective areas.

[0347] When paying out (redeeming) gaming tokens 283 to a player 282 who has won a game, the dealer positions the gaming tokens 283 taken out from the chip tray 212 in the pay area 424 of the winning player 282 and then places them in the betting area 422 of that player 282.

[0348] The camera 252 in this example photographs not only the player 282 but also the bet chips 831 bet in the bet area 422. The image recognition device 255 performs image recognition processing not only on the player's face but also on the bet chips 831 in the bet area 422, recognizes which bet object (player, banker, tie, player pair, banker pair, etc.) in the bet area 422 the bet chips 831 in each bet area 422 are bet on, and outputs the recognition result as the bet content ("Betting" in FIG. 35).

[0349] The camera that photographs the face of the player 282 and the camera that photographs the bet chip 831 may be separate cameras. Also, the image recognition device that identifies the player based on the image of the player's face and the image recognition device that recognizes the bet content based on the image of the bet chip 831 may be separate devices.

[0350] In this example, the card dealing device 4003 determines the progress of the game (i.e., whether betting is in progress, a game is in progress, or settlement is in progress) and outputs the result to the RF control device 254. The card dealing device 4003 determines that the game has started when the first card is drawn, and determines that the game has ended based on the reading of the drawn card in accordance with the game rules of baccarat. In addition, the card dealing device 4003 determines that settlement has ended and betting has started when the game start button is pressed.

[0351] Furthermore, the card dealing device 4003 reads at least the rank of the drawn cards and determines the game result, such as a player win, a banker win, a tie, a player pair, or a banker pair, in accordance with the rules of the baccarat game.

[0352] The management control device 256 determines which play position will receive a payout based on the bet details obtained from the image recognition device 255 and the game result obtained from the card distribution device 4003. The management control device 256 further obtains the user ID of the player for each play position from the image recognition device 255 or the card reader 253, and determines which player will receive a payout based on this information as well.

[0353] The RF control device 254 activates the antenna 516 in the pay area 424 to read and write to the RFID tag of the gaming token 283 when the game progress status received from the card distribution device 4003 is being settled.

[0354] The management control device 256 refers to the database 57, and if the user ID associated with the chip ID of the payout chip 832 read in the pay area 424 is the user ID of the casino or dealer, it rewrites that user ID with the user ID associated with the chip ID of the bet chip 831 placed in the corresponding bet area 422 at that time.

[0355] When the dealer collects the bet chip 831 of the losing player, the antenna 516 of the pay area 424 may read the chip ID of the bet chip 831. In this case, the chip ID read in the pay area 424 will match the chip ID read in the immediately preceding corresponding bet area 422. This will enable the dealer to determine that the chip ID was read in the pay area 424 at the time of collection, and in this case, the user ID of the gaming token 283 read in the pay area 424 will not be rewritten.

[0356] In this example, the management system 140 has been described as including a player identification system, a database 57, and a card distribution device (electronic shoe) 4003. However, as in the first example, in a management system that does not include a player identification system, a database 57, and a card distribution device (electronic shoe) 4003, a pay area 424 and a corresponding antenna 516 may be provided as in this example, and user IDs may be updated.

[0357] In the management system 140 of this example, a pay area 424 is provided and is distinguished from the betting area 422, and reading and writing of the RFID tags of the gaming tokens 283 are performed therein, thereby enabling high-speed reading and writing of the payout chips 832 dispensed from the chip tray 212. That is, as in the first to third examples above, if reading and writing of the payout chips 832 is performed using the same antenna 516 as that for the betting chips 831, it is necessary to read and write the betting chips 831 in order to read and write the payout chips 832, which takes time, whereas in the pay area 424, reading and writing only needs to be performed on the payout chips 832, and therefore reading and writing can be performed in a relatively short time, and does not significantly impede game operations.

[0358] (Fifth Example) Fig. 36 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system of a fifth example of the fourth embodiment. The management system 150 has the same configuration as the management system 140 of the fourth example shown in Fig. 35. That is, the management system 150 includes a player identification system, a database 57, and a card distribution device (electronic shoe) 4003 in addition to the configuration of the management system 110 of the first example.

[0359] The camera 252 in this example photographs not only the player 282 but also the bet chips 831 bet in the bet area 422. The image recognition device 255 performs image recognition processing not only on the player's face but also on the bet chips 831 in the bet area 422, recognizes which bet object (player, banker, tie, player pair, banker pair, etc.) in the bet area 422 the bet chips 831 in each bet area 422 are placed on, and outputs the recognition result as the bet content ("Betting" in FIG. 33).

[0360] The camera that photographs the face of the player 282 and the camera that photographs the bet chip 831 may be separate cameras. Also, the image recognition device that identifies the player based on the image of the player's face and the image recognition device that recognizes the bet content based on the image of the bet chip 831 may be separate devices.

[0361] The card dealing device 4003 determines the game results, including a player win, a banker win, a tie, a player pair, and a banker pair, according to the rules of the baccarat game by reading at least the ranks of the cards drawn in turn.

[0362] The management control device 256 determines which play position will receive a payout (redeemable) based on the bet details obtained from the image recognition device 255 and the game result obtained from the card distribution device 4003. The management control device 256 further obtains the user ID of the player for each play position from the image recognition device 255 or the card reader 253, and therefore determines which player will receive a payout (redeemable) based on this information as well.

[0363] The management control device 256 receives, for each bet area 422, a pair of the area ID of the bet area 422 and the chip ID of the bet chip 831 read in the bet area 422 from the RF control device 254. As described above, the management control device 256 determines which play position will receive a payout, and therefore refers to the database 57 to obtain the user ID associated with the chip ID read in the play position that will receive a payout, and updates the user ID associated with the chip ID of the payout chip 832 to be paid out with the obtained user ID.

[0364] The management control device 256 recognizes a chip ID that is no longer read from the chip tray 212 before or after a payout as the chip ID of the payout chip 832. When there are multiple players receiving payouts, the dealer pays out in order from the edge in a predetermined direction (for example, payouts are made in order from the edge on the right hand side of the dealer to the edge on the left hand side). This makes it possible to determine to which playing position or player the payout chip 832 removed from the chip tray 212 is to be paid out, even when there are multiple players receiving payouts.

[0365] In addition, the management control device 256 can determine the playing position of the losing player, and updates the database 57 so that the user ID associated with the chip ID read from the bet area 422 of that playing position is set to "D", which represents the casino or dealer.

[0366] As described above, in this example, by grasping the bet contents and the game result, the management control device 256 can determine to which player or play position the bet chips 831 will be paid out and to which player or play position the bet chips 831 will be collected, and can also identify the chip IDs of those bet chips 831 and payout chips 832, so can determine which user ID should be changed in association with which chip ID in the database 57, and to which user ID it should be changed. This makes it possible to trace the holder of the gaming token 283.

[0367] (Example 6) 37 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system according to a sixth example of the fourth embodiment. The management system 160 has a configuration similar to that of the second example. In baccarat, as described above, a plurality of play positions are provided on the gaming table 4004, and a betting area 422 is provided for each play position at a position corresponding to each play position on the gaming table 4004. As a general rule, one player plays at one play position.

[0368] However, when all play positions are filled, a player (back bet player) may appear behind a player (sitting player) playing at a play position and place a bet in the betting area 422 assigned to that sitting player, and such bets may be permitted depending on the casino or gaming table 4004. A back bet results in multiple gaming tokens 283 with different user IDs being bet in the same betting area. The management system 160 of this example makes it possible to trace the holder of the gaming token 283 even in such a case.

[0369] In the management system 160 of this example, as in the second example, the user ID of the gaming token 283 is stored in a rewritable area of ​​the RFID tag of the gaming token 283, and no database is used. However, the management system 160 has a player identification system for identifying the player.

[0370] 38, a bet chip 831a of a user ID "P1" and a bet chip 831b of a user ID "P2" are bet in the same bet area 422b. At this time, "P1" and "P2" are read from the bet area 422b as the user IDs of the gaming token 283.

[0371] 39 to 41 are diagrams illustrating examples of payouts when both players win the game. First, as shown in FIG. 38, a payout is made to the player 282a with the user ID "P1." At this time, the management system 160 cannot distinguish whether a payout has been made to the player 282a with the user ID "P1" or to the player 282b with the user ID "P2." Furthermore, since the management system 160 cannot distinguish whether a payout has been made to the player 282a with the user ID "P1" or to the player 282b with the user ID "P2," and cannot make the written information different for multiple gaming tokens 283 in one betting area 422, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to rewrite the user IDs of all gaming tokens 283 in the betting area 422b to selective information "P1 or P2."

[0372] When the player 282a who has received the payout takes his / her bet chips 831a and payout chips 832a from the bet area 422b, bet chips 831b with a user ID of "P1 or P2" remain in the bet area 422b, as shown in FIG. 40. The dealer confirms that the player 282a has taken the gaming tokens 283, and pays out payout chips 832b with a user ID of "D" to the bet chips 831b, as shown in FIG. 41. At this time, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to rewrite the user IDs of all the gaming tokens 283 in the bet area 422 to "P1 or P2".

[0373] As a result, both the players 282a and 282b who have placed bets in the same betting area 422 will own the gaming token 283 in which "P1 or P2" is recorded as the user ID.

[0374] If these players 282a and 282b were to again use their gaming tokens 283 to place a bet in the same betting area 422, then both of the betting chips 831a and 831b would have "P1 or P2" recorded as the user ID. Alternatively, some of the betting chips may include gaming tokens 283 with user IDs "P1" or "P2." In these cases, when making a payout in accordance with the game result, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to selectively write "P1 or P2" as the user ID of all of the gaming tokens 283 placed in the betting area 422 at the time of payout.

[0375] When the bet chip 831 with the user ID "P1 or P2" is collected in the chip tray 212, "D" representing the casino or dealer is written as the user ID.

[0376] Thereafter, when the players 282a and 282b individually bet gaming tokens 283 on which the user IDs of multiple users are selectively recorded in the betting area 422, and the user ID of the player identified by the player identification system matches one of the selected user IDs, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to rewrite the selective user ID of the gaming token 283 to the matching user ID.

[0377] For example, if the player 282a bets the gaming token 283 having "P1 or P2" recorded as the user ID alone in the betting area 422, the RF control device 254 reads the user ID "P1 or P2" from the betting chip 831 in the betting area 422, and the player identification system recognizes that the user ID of the player who bet in the betting area 422 is "P1." In this case, since the user ID "P1" matches, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to rewrite the user ID of the betting chip 831 in the betting area 422 to "P1."

[0378] On the other hand, when a player who owns a gaming token 283 on which a user ID is selectively recorded places a bet, and a player who has a user ID that is not included in the options bets in the same betting area 422 and receives a payout according to the game result, the user ID of the gaming token 283 is selectively written so that the user ID of the player is also included in the options.

[0379] For example, if a player 282a bets gaming tokens 283 with "P1 or P2" recorded as the user ID in the betting area 422, and another player bets gaming tokens 283 with "P3" recorded as the user ID in the same betting area 422, when making a payout according to the game result, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to rewrite the user IDs of all gaming tokens 283, including the payout chips in the betting area 422, to "P1 or P2 or P3."

[0380] As described above, in this example, selective recording of a user ID allows tracing of the owner even when multiple players bet in the same betting area. Furthermore, by using a player identification system, selectively recorded user IDs can be rewritten definitively.

[0381] In addition, if multiple players bet on the same bet area 422 and some players win and some players lose, the bet chips of the losing players will be collected first, so for the collected bet chips, when they are read by the chip tray 212, "D" is recorded as the user ID, and the above processing can be performed on the bet chips that receive the payout chips 832 and the payout chips that are paid out in response to them.

[0382] (Example 7) 42 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system in a seventh example of the fourth embodiment. The management system 170 has a configuration similar to that of the management system 130 in the third example. In the management system 170, too, it is possible to trace the holder of the gaming token 283 even when multiple players have bet in the same betting area 422.

[0383] 43 to 47 are diagrams illustrating an example of updating the database 57. When a player 282a bets bet chips 831a in a bet area 422b and a player 282b bets bet chips 831b in the same bet area 422b, as shown in FIG. 43, the RF control device 254 reads out the chip IDs "C00001" to "C00005" of the bet chips 831a and the chip IDs "C10001" to "C10005" of the bet chips 831b from the bet area 422b as user IDs, and outputs them to the management control device 256 as a combination with the area ID "Area 2" of the bet area 422. Furthermore, chip IDs "C20001" to "C20100" are read out from the chip tray 212, and the management control device 256 obtains a combination with the area ID "Area T" of the chip tray 212.

[0384] As shown in FIG. 43, at this point in time, in database 57, chip IDs "C00001" to "C00005" are associated with user ID "P1", chip IDs "C10001" to "C10005" are associated with user ID "P2", and chip IDs "C20001" to "C20100" are associated with user ID "D".

[0385] As a result of the game, if both the players 282a and 282b win, the dealer will first make a payout to either the bet chip 831a or the bet chip 831b, as shown in Figure 44. At this time, the chip IDs "C00001" to "C00005" of the bet chips 831a and the chip IDs "C10001" to "C10005" of the bet chips 831b as well as the chip IDs "C20001" to "C20005" of the payout chip 832a are read from the bet area 422b, and are output to the management control device 256 as a combination with the area ID "Area 2" of the bet area 422.

[0386] At this stage, the management control device 256 cannot yet determine whether the payout chip 832a has been paid out to the bet chip 831a with chip IDs "C00001" to "C00005" or to the bet chip 831b with chip IDs "C10001" to "C10005", and therefore does not update the database 57.

[0387] Next, when the player 282a takes the bet chips 831a and the corresponding payout chips 832a from the bet area 422b, only the chip IDs "C10001" to "C10005" of the remaining bet chips 831b are read from the bet area 422b, as shown in FIG. 44. Based on this change, the management control device 256 determines that the payout chips 832a with chip IDs "C20001" to "C20005" read in the bet area 422b have been paid out for the bet chips 831a with chip IDs "C00001" to "C00005", and rewrites the user IDs associated with the chip IDs "C20001" to "C20005" in the database 57 from "D" to "P1", i.e., to the user IDs associated with the bet chips 831a removed from the bet area 422b along with the payout chips 832a with chip IDs "C20001" to "C20005".

[0388] The dealer confirms that the bet chip 831a and the corresponding payout chip 832a are removed from the bet area 422b, and then pays out the payout chip 832b for the bet chip 831b to the same bet area 422b, as shown in Fig. 46. Then, the chip IDs "C10001" to "C10005" of the bet chip 831b and the chip IDs "C20006" to "C20010" of the payout chip 832b are read from the bet area 422b, and are recorded in the management control device 256 in combination with the area ID "Area 2" of the bet area 422.

[0389] Thereafter, when the player 282b takes the bet chips 831b and payout chips 832b, as shown in Fig. 47, no chip IDs are read from the bet area 422b, and only the chip IDs read from the chip tray 212 are input to the management control device 256. Based on this change, the management control device 256 determines that the payout chips 832b with chip IDs "C20006" to "C20010" have been passed to the same players as the players with chip IDs "C10001" to "C10005", and updates the database 57 so that the user IDs associated with the chip IDs "C20006" to "C20010" in the database 57 are the same as the user IDs associated with the chip IDs "C10001" to "C10005".

[0390] As described above, the management system 170 of this example detects that the bet chip 831 and the payout chip 832 have been removed from the betting area together, and updates the database 57 so that the user ID of the payout chip 832 becomes the same as the user ID of the bet chip 831. Therefore, even when gaming tokens 283 of multiple players have been bet on the same betting area 422, by paying out the gaming tokens to those players in order, it is possible to know to which player the payout chip 832 has been paid out, update the database 57, and trace the owner of the gaming token.

[0391] (Example 8) 48 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system in an eighth example of the fourth embodiment. The management system 180 has a configuration similar to that of the management system 140 in the fourth example. However, in the management system 180, a player pair area 444, a tie area 445, and a banker pair area 446 are provided as betting areas on a gaming table 4004. In addition, antennas 517, 518, and 519 are provided on the gaming table 4004 in correspondence with the player pair area 444, the tie area 445, and the banker pair area 446.

[0392] Each of these areas 444 to 446 is divided into sections for each play position within the area, and when a player bets on these areas 444 to 446, the player places a bet chip in the position (section) within the area that corresponds to the player's play position.

[0393] That is, the player pair area 444, the tie area 445, and the banker pair area 446 are shared betting areas shared by multiple players. In the example of Figure 48, players 282a to 282c are participating in the game, and among them, players 282b and 282c bet bet chips 831b and 831c on the tie area 445, respectively.

[0394] In this example, for the common betting areas 444 to 446, it is possible to trace the holder of the gaming token 283 in the same manner as in the sixth or seventh example. Even if the management system 180 does not have the database 57, it is possible to trace the holder of the gaming token 283 in the same manner as in the sixth example, and even if the management system 180 does not have a player identification system, it is possible to trace the holder of the gaming token 283 in the common betting areas in the same manner as in the seventh example.

[0395] (Example 9) 49 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system in a ninth example of the fourth embodiment. The management system 190 is equipped with a player identification system. In this example, the gaming token 283 is traced without using the database 57. The gaming table 4004 is provided with pay areas 424a to 424e and corresponding antennas 516a to 516e. The fixed information of the RFID tag of the gaming token 283 stores information indicating the amount (value) of the gaming token 283, and the variable information stores the user ID of the holder.

[0396] In this example, the database 57 may also be used, in which case a chip ID is stored in the gaming token 283, and the amount (value) of the gaming token 283 and the user ID of the holder are stored in association with the chip ID in the database 57.

[0397] As shown in FIG. 50, when player 282a's bet chips 831a (five chips with the value "100") and player 282b's bet chips 831b (two chips with the value "1000") are placed in the bet area 422b, five gaming tokens 283 with the value "100" and the user ID "P1" are read from this bet area 422b, and two gaming tokens 283 with the value "1000" and the user ID "P2" are read, and these are output to the management control device 256 together with "Area 2", which is the area ID of the bet area 422.

[0398] The management control device 256 detects the bet amount for each player by calculating the total value of the bet chips for each player in each bet area 422. In the case of Figure 50, the management control device 256 detects that the bet amount for user ID "P1" is "500" and the bet amount for user ID "P2" is "2000".

[0399] As a result of the game, if both players 282a and 282b win, the dealer will pay out (redeem) the bet chips 831a and 831b in turn. As shown in Figure 51, when paying out the payout chip 832a for the bet chip 831a, the dealer first places the payout chip 832a in the pay area 424b.

[0400] At this time, the RF control device 254 reads the gaming tokens 283 in the pay area 424b, reads that there are five gaming tokens 283 of the amount "100", and outputs this to the management control device 256. The management control device 256 detects the payout amount by calculating the total amount of the payout chips 832a read in the pay area 424b.

[0401] The management control device 256 compares the payout amount of the payout chip 832a with the bet amount for each player in the bet area 422b, and identifies the player whose bet amount matches the payout amount. In the case of FIG. 51, five payout chips 832a with a value of "100" are read from the pay area 424b, and the payout amount is detected to be "500". The management control device 256 determines that this payout amount "500" matches the bet amount "500" of the bet chip 831a of user ID "P1", and rewrites the user ID of the payout chip 832a to "P1".

[0402] Thereafter, when the player 282a takes the payout chips 832a and the bet chips 831a, the bet chips 831b of the player 282b remain in the bet area 422b, as shown in Fig. 52. When the dealer places the payout chips 832b to be paid out in relation to the bet chips 831b in the pay area 424b, the management control device 256 detects the payout amount of the payout chips 832b by calculating the total value of the payout chips 832b.

[0403] The management control device 256 compares the payout amount of the payout chip 832b with the bet amount for each player in the bet area 422b, and identifies the player whose bet amount matches the payout amount. In the case of FIG. 52, two payout chips 832b with an amount of "1000" are read from the pay area 424b, and the payout amount is detected to be "2000". The management control device 256 determines that this payout amount of "2000" matches the bet amount of "2000" on the bet chip 831b of user ID "P2", and rewrites the user ID of the payout chip 832b to "P2".

[0404] As described above, in the management system 190 of this example, even if multiple players bet in the same betting area 422, if the bet amounts are different, it is determined to which player the payout chips are paid out based on the bet amount and the payout amount of the payout chips.

[0405] (Example 10) In the above first to ninth examples, if the player 282 is a non-member who is not registered as a member, the player identification system cannot identify the player 282 because a user ID is not assigned to such a non-member. Also, as described above, for the gaming token 283 owned by a non-member, a valid user ID cannot be stored in the RFID tag or database 57, so "Unknown" is recorded as the user ID.

[0406] When the management system pays out payout chips 832 to a non-member player, it sets the user ID of the payout chips 832 to "Unknown," and when it collects bet chips 831 from a non-member player, it sets the user ID of the bet chips 831 to "D."

[0407] When a member player and a non-member player bet in the same betting area 422, if both players win the game, the dealer may make a payout under the rule that the payout is always made to the non-member player, or always made to the member player.

[0408] For example, if a rule is in place that non-members are always paid out first, the management system will rewrite the user ID of the first paid out payout chip 832 to "Unknown," and rewrite the user ID of the player who is a member to that of the payout chip 832 that is paid out later, using the example above.

[0409] Also, for example, if a rule is in place that the member is always paid out first, the management system rewrites the user ID of the first paid out payout chip 832 to the user ID identified from the bet chip 831, and rewrites the user ID of the later paid out payout chip 832 to "Unknown."

[0410] When identifying a player using a card authentication system, the dealer scans the member's card 281 himself, so he can know which player is a member, but when identifying a player using a face recognition system, he cannot know which player is a member. Therefore, visual information indicating the playing position or betting area where the user ID was recognized may be shown to the dealer on a monitor or the like as the recognition result by the face recognition system.

[0411] (Example 11) 53 is a diagram showing an example of a betting area in the 11th example of the fourth embodiment. In this example, the betting area 422 of each play position is divided into a betting area 411 for members and a betting area 412 for non-members, and the antennas are also divided into an antenna 5111 for members and an antenna 5112 for non-members.

[0412] By controlling the RF control device 254, the management control device 256 rewrites the user ID of the gaming token 283 for bet chips 831 bet in the bet area 411 for members, as in the first to ninth examples above, and rewrites all user IDs of the payout chips 832 paid out in response to bet chips 831 bet in the bet area 412 for non-members to "Unknown".

[0413] According to this example, a gaming token 283 in which the user ID given to the player is stored in itself or in the database 57 and a gaming token 283 in which the user ID given to the player is not stored in itself or in the database 57 (the user ID is "Unknown") are not read together, and it is possible to effectively trace a gaming token 283 in which the user ID given to the player is stored in itself or in the database 57.

[0414] In this example, instead of the antennas 5111 and 5112, one antenna may be provided across the betting area 411 for members and the betting area 412 for non-members. In this case, when gaming tokens 283 are bet in the betting area 411 for members and the betting area 412 for non-members, respectively, the dealer can recognize which betting chips 831 belong to members and which betting chips 831 belong to non-members.

[0415] When making a payout to any of the bet chips 831, the dealer may make the payout under an operation rule that the payout chips 832 to the member's bet chips 831 are made first. By doing so, the management system can determine that the payout chips 832 that are made first are those that have been paid out to the member. Note that the dealer may make a payout under an operation rule that the payout chips 832 to the non-member's bet chips 831 are made first. In this case, the management system can determine that the payout chips 832 that are made first are those that have been paid out to the non-member.

[0416] 54A and 54B are diagrams showing another example of the betting area in the eleventh example of the fourth embodiment. In this example, the betting area 422 of each play position is selectively set to the betting area 422 for members as shown in FIG. 54A or the betting area 422 for non-members as shown in FIG. 54B.

[0417] A display unit 413 is provided near each betting area 422 to variably display whether the betting area 422 is set for a member or a non-member. This display unit 413 is installed under the casing of the gaming table 4004, and the displayed information is visible to the player through the casing.

[0418] The means for visually indicating whether each betting area 422 is set for a member or a non-member is not limited to the display unit 413 embedded under the lashing of the gaming table 4004. For example, whether each betting area 422 is set for a member or a non-member may be displayed on a monitor installed on the gaming table 4004 so as to be visible to the player.

[0419] By controlling the RF control device 254, if the bet area 422 is set for a member, the management control device 256 rewrites the user ID of the gaming token 283 for the bet chips 831 bet there, as in the first to ninth examples above, and if the bet area 422 is set for a non-member, the management control device 256 rewrites the user ID of all of the payout chips 832 paid out in response to the bet chips 831 bet there to "Unknown".

[0420] In this example, gaming tokens 283 in which the user ID assigned to the player is stored in themselves or in the database 57 and gaming tokens 283 in which the user ID assigned to the player is not stored in themselves or in the database 57 (user ID is "Unknown") are not read together, and it is possible to effectively trace gaming tokens 283 in which the user ID assigned to the player is stored in themselves or in the database 57.

[0421] (Example 12) In the above first to ninth examples, even when the gaming tokens 283 are exchanged between the dealer and the player at the gaming table 4004, it is possible to trace the holder of the gaming token 283. In this case, the management system includes a progress status determination means for determining the progress status of the game (i.e., whether a bet is being made, a game is being played, or settlement is being made). As such progress status determination means, the card distribution device 4003 can be used, but any other means may also be used.

[0422] In the management system of this example, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 during betting to cause each antenna to periodically perform reading at predetermined time intervals. The management control device 256 determines that the gaming token 283 is being exchanged when a gaming token 283 with a user ID of "D" is read in any of the betting areas 422 or any of the pay areas 424 (hereinafter referred to as "reading areas of the gaming table 4004") during betting, and when a gaming token 283 with a user ID assigned to a member is read in the chip tray 212.

[0423] This is because, in terms of the operation of baccarat, during betting, the gaming tokens 283 cannot be moved from the chip tray 212 onto the gaming table 4004 except for exchange, and the gaming tokens 283 of a player on the gaming table 4004 cannot be moved to the chip tray 212. Note that when the game progress status is "in game", such movement of the gaming tokens 283 constitutes fraudulent behavior, and therefore the management control device 256 may output an alarm when it detects such movement of the gaming tokens 283 during the game.

[0424] If a gaming token 283 whose user ID is the user ID assigned to a member or "Unknown" is read by the chip tray 212 during betting, the management control device 256 determines that the gaming token 283 is a gaming token 283 (pre-exchange chip) that has been placed by a player at the gaming table 4004 for exchange between chips.

[0425] Specifically, if a user ID is stored in the gaming token 283 itself, the management control device 256 determines that an exchange has occurred when the user ID given to the member or "Unknown" is read from the chip tray 212 during a bet, and if a user ID is stored in the database 57, the management control device 256 determines that an exchange has occurred when the number of gaming tokens 283 read from the chip tray 212 during a bet decreases. Alternatively, if a user ID is stored in the database 57, the management control device 256 may determine that an exchange has occurred when the number of gaming tokens 283 read from the chip tray during a bet increases.

[0426] In addition, if a gaming token 283 with a user ID of "D", which indicates that the gaming token 283 is held by a casino or a dealer, is read in the reading area of ​​the gaming table 4004 during betting, the management control device 256 determines that the gaming token 283 is a gaming token 283 (exchanged chip) to be given to the player in correspondence with the pre-exchange chip.

[0427] Specifically, if a user ID is stored in the gaming token 283 itself, the management control device 256 determines that an exchange has occurred when the user ID "D" is read from the reading area of ​​the gaming table 4004 during betting, and if the user ID is stored in the database 57, the management control device 256 periodically reads the reading area of ​​the gaming table 4004 during betting and determines that the gaming token 283 with the user ID "D" has been read from the reading area of ​​the gaming table 4004 by referring to the database 57 each time it is read.

[0428] The management control device 256 rewrites the user ID of the pre-exchange chip to "D", which represents the casino or dealer, and rewrites the user ID of the exchanged chip to the user ID of the pre-exchange chip. Specifically, if the user ID is stored in the RFID tag of the gaming token 283, the management control device 256 controls the RF control device 254 to rewrite the user ID stored in the corresponding pre-exchange chip and exchanged chip, and if the user ID is stored in the database 57 in association with the chip ID, the management control device 256 rewrites the user ID associated with the corresponding chip ID in the database 57.

[0429] In addition, after identifying the pre-exchange chips and the post-exchange chips, the management control device 256 may control the RF control device 254 to exchange their user IDs (if the user IDs are stored in the gaming token 283) or update the database 57 (if the user IDs are stored in the database 57).

[0430] In the above embodiment, the member's card 281 is a magnetic card, and the card reader 253 is a magnetic card reader that reads information from the magnetic stripe of the member's card 281. However, instead, an RFID tag may be embedded in the member's card 281, and the user ID may be recorded on the RFID tag. In this case, an RFID reader including an antenna and an RF control device 254 is used as the card reader 253. Such an antenna may be provided at each play position. In this case, a player has his / her member's card 281 read at each play position without handing it over to the dealer. Each antenna transmits the user ID read from the member's card 281 together with information identifying the play position to the RF control device 254. Furthermore, the antenna 515 and the RF control device 254 provided in the betting area 422 may be an RFID reader for reading the member's card 281. In this case, the player can have the antenna 515 read the user ID by placing the member's card 281 in the betting area 422 at his / her playing position.

[0431] Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but it goes without saying that the above-mentioned embodiments can be modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention, and the device of this embodiment may be appropriately modified according to the needs of the game to which it is applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0432] 1. Casino Hall 10 cages 11. Vault 12 Main Bank Room 13 F / C Bank Room 14 Cashier's Room Gates 21-28 31~36 staff 42~45 game tables 52~55 Dealer 61~69 players 70 Gaming Chips 71 RFID tags 1000 Tip Management System 501 Cage System 502 Table System 100 Chip Management Computer 101 Chip Management Database 111 Vault Computer 112 Vault Card Reader 113 Vault Chip Reader 121 Main Bank Computer 122 Main bank card reader 123 Main Bank Chip Reader 131 F / C Bank Computer 132 F / C bank card reader 133 F / C Bank Chip Reader 141 Cashier Computer 142 Cashier card reader 143 Cashier Chip Reader 151 Table Computer 152 Table Card Reader 153 Table Chip Reader 154 Chip Tray Reader 155 Betting Area Chip Reader 421 Chip Tray 422a~422e Betting Area 423a Collection Area 423b Payout Area 5131 Reclaimed Dealer Antenna 5132 Payout Dealer Antenna 514 Chip tray antenna 515a~515e Bed Area Antenna 81 First reading device 82 Second reading device 83 Image Recognition Device 84 Management device 85 databases 86 Alert Device 91, 92 Camera 93 Cash slot 931 Cash Sensor 2000 Management System

Claims

1. A management system for a game table for playing a game using a gaming chip with an RFID tag built in, the game table comprises a chip tray for accommodating dealer's gaming chips, a betting area for placing gaming chips to be bet on a game, and a collection area and a payout area separate from the betting area and the chip tray; a collection and reading means for reading, in the collection area, the RFID tags of gaming chips that are collected after losing a game; payout reading means for reading, in the payout area, the RFID tags of gaming chips to be paid out to players who have won a game; A management system equipped with

2. The collection area and the payout area are both located between the betting area and the chip tray, the collecting and reading means reads the RFID tags of the gaming chips before they are collected from the betting area and placed in the chip tray; 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the payout reading means reads the RFID tag of the gaming chip before it is removed from the chip tray and paid out to the betting area.

3. 2. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising a collection determining means for determining whether or not gaming chips to be collected from said betting area have been collected from said betting area and read by said collection reading means.

4. the RFID tag stores information for identifying the value of the gaming chip; a bet determination means provided at the game table for determining a bet target and a bet amount of gaming chips bet on a game; a game result determination means for determining a game result; Furthermore, 4. The management system according to claim 3, wherein the recovery determination means determines whether the amount of gaming chips read by the recovery reading means matches a recovery amount determined based on the bet object and bet amount determined by the bet determination means and the game result determined by the game result determination means.

5. The recovery reading means reads the RFID tag of the gaming chip to be recovered in the recovery area for each bet lost in the game, 5. The management system according to claim 4, wherein the recovery determination means determines whether or not the amount of gaming chips read by the recovery reading means for each bet lost in a game matches the amount of bet by the player.

6. 5. The management system according to claim 4, wherein the recovery determination means determines whether or not the total amount of the gaming chips read by the recovery reading means for the plurality of bets lost in the game matches the total amount of the bets of the plurality of players.

7. the RFID tag stores information for identifying the value of the gaming chip; 2. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising payout determination means for determining whether or not gaming chips of an amount to be paid out have been read by said payout reading means.

8. a bet determination means provided at the game table for determining a bet target and a bet amount of gaming chips bet on a game; a game result determination means for determining a game result; Furthermore, 8. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the payout determination means determines whether the amount of the gaming chip read by the payout reading means matches a payout amount determined based on the bet object and bet amount determined by the bet determination means and the game result determined by the game result determination means.

9. 2. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising a currency exchange determination means for determining that currency exchange has been performed based on the RFID tags of the gaming chips being read by the collection reading means and the payout reading means.

10. 10. The management system according to claim 9, wherein the exchange determination means determines that an exchange is occurring when it determines that gaming chips are present in the collection area and the payout area simultaneously based on the timing at which the collection reading means and the payout reading means read the RFID tags of the gaming chips.

11. the RFID tag stores information for identifying the value of the gaming chip; 11. The management system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the exchange determination means, when determining that an exchange is taking place, determines whether the total amount of gaming chips read by the collection reading means matches the total amount of gaming chips read by the payout reading means.

12. 11. The management system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the exchange determination means, when determining that an exchange is being made, determines whether the gaming chips read by the collection reading means and the payout reading means, respectively, are gaming chips handed in by the player and gaming chips paid out from the chip tray.

13. 12. The management system according to claim 11, further comprising an alert device that outputs an alert to the effect that the total amount of gaming chips read by the collection reading means does not match the total amount of gaming chips read by the payout reading means.

14. 13. The management system according to claim 12, further comprising an alert device that outputs an alert to the effect that the gaming chips read by said collection reading means and said payout reading means, respectively, are not the gaming chips handed in by said player and the gaming chips paid out from said chip tray.

15. the recovery and reading means comprises a recovery antenna installed in the recovery area, and a recovery and reading device that controls the recovery antenna and decodes the signal received by the recovery antenna; 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing reading means comprises a dispensing antenna installed in the dispensing area, and a dispensing reading device that controls the dispensing antenna and decodes the signal received by the dispensing antenna.

16. The management system according to claim 15, wherein the collection reading device and the dispensing reading device perform reading at independent timings.

17. The management system according to claim 15 , wherein the withdrawal reading device and the dispensing reading device are the same device.

18. 18. The management system of claim 17, wherein the same device alternately uses the collection antenna and the delivery antenna to read the collection area and the delivery area.

19. The management system of claim 15, further comprising a jamming antenna that restricts the collection antenna from reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips in the payout area, and / or a jamming antenna that restricts the payout antenna from reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips in the collection area.

20. 2. The management system of claim 1, wherein the collection area and the payout area are positioned at a distance from each other so that the collection reading means does not read the RFID tags of the gaming chips in the payout area and / or the payout reading means does not read the RFID tags of the gaming chips in the collection area.

Images