Cage system and chip management system

Abstract

To provide a chip management system for managing gaming chips in a casino.SOLUTION: A chip management system (1000) includes a management device (100) for managing the movement of a chip with a built-in RFID, a table device (502) installed in each of a plurality of game tables for reading the chip ID of the chip, and storage room devices (111, 121, 131, 141) installed in a storage room for storing the chip. When the chips are moved from the storage room to a specific game table, the storage room device designates a game table of a movement destination and transmits a first report including the chip IDs of the chips to be moved to the management device, each of the table devices transmits a second report including the chip IDs of the moved chips to the management device, and the management device issues an alert when receiving the second report including the chip IDs of the chips from a game table other than the game table designated in the first report for the chips for which the first report is received from the storage room device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Patent Application No. 2020-102729, filed in Japan on June 12, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

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

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

[0004] There is also a known gaming chip security system that stores valid gaming chip IDs in a database, reads the gaming chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip within the casino (e.g., at a table), and compares it with the database to determine the validity or authenticity of the gaming chip (see, for example, Patent Publication No. 2019-5565). Summary of the Invention

[0005] 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.

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

[0007] One aspect of the present invention 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.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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.

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

[0011] The cage system may further include a third reader for reading the chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip entering the cage from the casino hall. This configuration allows complete management of the gaming chips in the cage.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] A chip management system according to one aspect of the present invention includes any one of the cage systems described above and a fourth reader that is installed on a gaming table and reads the chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip. This configuration allows management of gaming chips within a casino hall, including cages.

[0015] In the 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.

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

[0017] In the chip management system, 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.

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

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

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

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

[0022] 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, and a gate 24 is provided between the main bank room 12 and the cashier room 14. The F / C bank room 13 is also provided with a gate 24 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 people and gaming chips to pass through, 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 gaming chips to be exchanged for cash.

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

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 reimburses the player in accordance with the game rules and the amount of the 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.

[0026] 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 for table games 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."

[0027] When managing the movement history of gaming chips in the game 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.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming chip according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a $100 gaming chip. The gaming chip 70 has a disk shape and 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a chip management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The chip management system 1000 includes a cage system 501 and 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.

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

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

[0033] The vault computer 111, the main bank computer 121, the F / C bank computer 131, the cashier computer 141, the table computer 151, and the chip management database 101 are each connected to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 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 101 and the chip management database 101 may be installed on a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) and connected to other computers via the wide area network. In other words, the chip management computer 100 and the chip management database 101 may be installed in the cloud rather than in the casino.

[0034] An input device (not shown) is connected to each of the computers 100, 111, 121, 131, 141, and 151 to receive operational input from the corresponding staff member. Examples of the input device include a keyboard, mouse, button, touchpad, touch panel, and 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, chip reader at each location and the management computer 100.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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).

[0037] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates a game table 42. The game table 42 is provided with a plurality of play positions. The game table 42 is provided with, 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.

[0038] The chip tray is provided with a tray antenna 514 for reading the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 accommodated 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 dealer antenna 513 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.

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

[0040] 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.

[0041] The chip management database 101 stores a player table, a chip table, a game table table, a staff table, and a movement history table. The player table stores registration information 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 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.

[0042] (Gaming chip movement management) 5 is a diagram showing the manner of movement of gaming chips according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, 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.

[0043] (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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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 (transfer source), and reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the F / C bank chip reader 133. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip ID to the chip management computer 100, along with a designation that the transfer destination is the main bank room 12. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

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

[0047] According to the first method, as shown in FIG. 6, for gaming chips 70 leaving a location, information on 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.

[0048] (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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

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

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

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

[0054] (Fourth Method) In the fourth method, the staff at each location uses an input device of the computer at each location to specify whether the gaming chip 70 is 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.

[0055] 8 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by the fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to the embodiment of the present invention. The chip management database 101 stores, 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 603, and date / time 604.

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

[0057] (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.

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

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

[0060] 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 11, 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.

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

[0062] 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.

[0063] 10 is a diagram showing an example of data in the chip management database updated by a fourth method of managing the movement of gaming chips according to an 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] (Recovery and Redemption) 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.

[0067] When a player loses a game at a 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 also 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).

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

[0069] 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 been removed from the player and moved to the game table. By updating the movement history and then updating the movement history to indicate 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 been properly 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 603 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.

[0070] 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.

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

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

[0073] The method of identifying the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed 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 redeemed and link it to the player receiving the redemption by reading the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 contained in the chip tray before and after redemption.

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

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

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

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

[0078] In the examples of Figures 6 to 10 above, 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. Also, in each movement history, status information of the gaming chip 70, such as "valid," "invalid," "missing," "suspect," "unredeemable," or "unplayable," may be recorded. Also, whether the gaming chip is valid or invalid may be indicated by a flag. Furthermore, in the examples of Figures 6 to 10 above, each movement history record may include information on the face value of each gaming chip 70 in addition to the chip ID of the gaming chip 70.

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

[0080] (Time limit and 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.

[0081] Furthermore, when the chip management computer 100 receives a report from the F / C bank computer 131 that a gaming chip 70 has been designated as a destination and left the F / C bank room 13, the chip management computer 100 may also issue an alert if it receives a report from the table computer 151 of a game table other than the 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.

[0082] (Detection of inappropriate movements) In this function, the chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 and issues an alert if there is an inappropriate movement of the gaming chips 70. Movements of the gaming chips 70 are limited to the patterns shown in 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] (Real-time player chip totals) In this function, the chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101, extracts only the gaming chips 70 held by any 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.

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

[0086] (Central management of fills / credits) In this function, the chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 at each game table and detects the number of each denomination by referring to the chip management database 101. If there are gaming chips 70 of a denomination for which 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] (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.

[0091] The following describes an example of a case where multiple gaming chips 70 are moved (filled) from the F / C bank room 13 to a gaming table. 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 value 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.

[0092] 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.

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

[0094] The case where multiple gaming chips 70 are transferred (credit) from a gaming table to the F / C bank room 13 is as follows. When gaming chips 70 are transferred from a gaming table to the F / C bank room 13, the dealer uses the table chip reader 153 of the gaming table to read the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 to be transferred. The table computer 151 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 related to credit, 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 (source total amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 determines the source chip ID, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to credit (source total number), and the source total amount based on the information from the table computer 151.

[0095] When the gaming chips 70 are carried to the F / C bank room 13, the F / C bank staff 33 reads the chip IDs of the 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.

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

[0097] In the above, the chip ID, 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."

[0098] 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.

[0099] (Management of fills by increasing the amount at the gaming table) When gaming chips 70 are carried from the F / C bank room 13 to 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).

[0100] 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).

[0101] At the gaming table, when gaming chips 70 are carried from the F / C bank room 13, the table chip reader 153 of the gaming 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).

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

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

[0104] Furthermore, the F / C bank room 13 keeps track of the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 leaving the F / C bank room 13, and the game table also detects the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 moved from the F / C bank room 13, so 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."

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

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

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

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

[0109] 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.

[0110] The chip management computer 100 compares the theoretical post-credit total amount with the actual post-credit total amount, and issues an alert if the two do not match. This configuration makes it possible to confirm whether the gaming chips 70 are being correctly deducted by credits at the gaming table.

[0111] 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."

[0112] 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).

[0113] In the above description, the gaming chips 70 carried to the F / C bank room 13 are read by the table chip reader 153 to determine the total credit amount, and the theoretical post-credit total is calculated by subtracting the total credit amount from the existing total amount (the total amount of gaming chips 70 on the game table before 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 makes a credit in response to this notice, the total amount or total number of gaming chips 70 related to the credit specified in this notice (either of which may be specified by face value) may be set as the total credit amount, and this total credit amount may be subtracted from the existing total amount to calculate the theoretical post-credit total. After calculating the theoretical credit total, the chip management computer 100 compares this theoretical post-credit total 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.

[0114] (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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] (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.

[0118] (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.

[0119] 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 table, ensuring security.

[0120] (Unregistered Player) Even an unregistered player can purchase gaming chips 70 and use the gaming chips 70 to play games at a game table. A common anonymous player ID is used for unregistered players. This allows the gaming chips 70 to be 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.

[0121] (others) A display device may be provided in the cashier's window to display the total amount of the gaming chips 70 and the 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 denominations and statuses stored in the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 (usually multiple). The cashier computer 141 displays the total value of the denominations read by the cashier chip reader 143 on the display device. In addition to the total amount, the number of gaming chips 70 of each denomination may also be displayed.

[0122] Furthermore, if the 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.

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

[0124] 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.

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

[0126] 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.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the movement of gaming chips 70 between locations is managed using each room in the cage 10 and the game table as examples of locations, but examples of locations are not limited to these. For example, a chip tray at a game table where a dealer stores collected chips and dispenses redemption chips from them, a cabinet at a table that stores gaming chips, and the upper and lower chip trays in the case where the chip tray is configured in two tiers 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.

[0128] 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.

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

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

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

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

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] Also, a set (chip set) of gaming chips 70 that can be used and the type of gaming chips may be set for each area. For example, when an RFID tag 71 is read at a certain 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.

[0136] A flag may be set in association with the chip ID for gaming chips 70 that have been used for a certain number of years. Gaming chips 70 that have been used for a certain number of years can be located and collected. If a player 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 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

Claims

1. a management device for managing the movement of chips incorporating RFIDs storing chip IDs; a plurality of table devices that are installed on a plurality of gaming tables, respectively, and that read the chip IDs of the chips; a storage room device installed in a storage room for storing chips; Equipped with When transferring chips from the storage room to the specific destination gaming table, the storage room device designates the destination gaming table and transmits a first report including the chip ID of the chip to be transferred to the management device; each of the plurality of table devices reads the chip ID of the chip and transmits a second report including the read chip ID to the management device; A chip management system in which the management device issues an alert when it receives a second report including the chip ID of the chip for which the management device received the first report from the storage room device from a gaming table other than the gaming table specified in the first report.

2. The chip management system according to claim 1 , wherein the management device manages the status of the chip and updates the status of the chip related to the alert to reflect the alert.

3. The chip management system according to claim 2 , wherein the management device manages the status of the chips and updates the status of the chips related to the alert to a status indicating that the chips are not redeemable for cash and / or are not playable.

4. The tip management system according to claim 2 , wherein the management device manages the status of the tip and updates the status of the tip related to the alert to a status indicating a wrong destination.

Images