Casino system

Abstract

Providing a casino system that enhances the security management of casino equipment that has been given identification information. [Solution] A casino system in a casino that uses gaming chips (72) to which RFID tags storing identification information are attached, comprising a registration device (325) for registering identification information of gaming chips to be used in the casino, and a database (326) for storing a list of identification information registered by the registration device (325), wherein the list includes status information indicating whether or not the gaming chips (72) are usable, and the registration device (325) makes the status information of already registered gaming chips (72) usable.

Description

Cross - reference to related applications

[0001] In this application, the benefit of Patent Application No. 2020 - 176900 filed in Japan on October 21, 2020 is claimed, and the content of the said application is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a casino system applied to a casino using casino supplies, casino supplies that can be used in a casino, and a method for manufacturing casino supplies.

Background Art

[0003] High security is required for casino supplies used in casinos, and casino supplies should be strictly managed. For example, although casino supplies are manufactured in a manufacturing factory, there is a risk of being stolen by malicious persons during the process from the manufacturing factory to being transported to the casino and used in the floor area. Also, in the floor area of the casino, there is a risk that counterfeit casino supplies may be used for a player to win the game improperly.

[0004] Casino supplies that require high security are typically gaming chips. Each gaming chip is given identification information that uniquely identifies it. The gaming chip incorporates an RFID tag, and the identification information is stored in the RFID tag. Also, a database storing the identification information of the gaming chips is used in the casino system. At multiple casino supply handling locations within the casino, various security management can be performed by reading the identification information from the RFID tag of the gaming chip and referring to the database (see, for example, International Publication No. WO2008 / 120749).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to enhance the security management of casino equipment that has been given identification information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of a casino system is a casino system in a casino that uses casino goods to which an RFID tag storing identification information is attached, comprising: a registration device for registering the identification information of the casino goods usable in the casino; and a storage device for storing a list of the identification information registered by the registration device, wherein the registration device performs a deactivation process to invalidate the registration of the identification information of a casino item whose identification information is stored in the storage device as usable casino goods when the item satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0007] This configuration allows for the invalidation of registration for casino items that meet certain conditions for invalidation, and enables the invalidation process for casino items that were initially registered but subsequently become incompatible with registration. The invalidation process includes deleting the casino item from the storage device's list, storing information indicating that the casino item is invalid in the storage device's list, and also storing information such as whether the casino item is suspicious, requires attention, or is a candidate for invalidation in the storage device's list.

[0008] In the casino system described above, the system further includes a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tag of the casino goods to be registered, and the registration device determines authenticity based on whether the identification information provided by the manufacturer of the casino goods matches the identification information read from the RFID tag of the casino goods by the reader, and the identification information of the casino goods determined to be authentic may be registered as the identification information of the usable casino goods.

[0009] This configuration ensures that the registered casino supplies are authentic.

[0010] The casino system described above may further include a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tags of the casino goods to be registered, and the registration device may register the identification information read by the reader.

[0011] This configuration prevents incorrect registrations where the identification information stored in the RFID tags of casino equipment differs from the identification information stored in the memory device by the registration device.

[0012] The casino system described above may further include a reader that reads the RFID tags of multiple casino items housed in a case, and the registration device may register the multiple identification information read by the reader.

[0013] This configuration allows for quick and smooth registration.

[0014] In the casino system described above, the registration device may store the identification information of the available casino supplies with a flag indicating that they are available.

[0015] This configuration allows for disabling by updating a flag.

[0016] The casino system described above may further include a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tags of the casino equipment, and the registration device may perform the invalidation process for casino equipment whose identification information cannot be effectively read by the reader.

[0017] This configuration allows for the invalidation of registration for casino equipment with malfunctioning RFID tags.

[0018] The casino system described above may further include a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tag of the casino equipment, the casino equipment may carry information for identifying the casino equipment in a manner other than the RFID tag, and the registration device may, for casino equipment whose identification information cannot be read by the reader, identify the casino equipment that should be invalidated using the information for identifying the casino equipment, and perform the invalidation process.

[0019] This configuration allows casino equipment that should be deactivated to be identified by relying on identification information carried by other means, even if the RFID tag is malfunctioning and its identification information cannot be read.

[0020] In the casino system described above, the registration device may perform the invalidation process on casino equipment that is related to or suspected of being related to fraudulent games.

[0021] This configuration disables any gaming equipment related to (or suspected of being related to) the fraudulent game. Therefore, even if game fraud is discovered but the problematic gaming equipment cannot be identified, the possibility of inappropriate gaming equipment continuing to be used is reduced.

[0022] The casino system described above may further include a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tag of the casino equipment, the casino equipment may carry information for identifying the casino equipment in a manner other than the RFID tag, and the registration device may, if the identification information read from the RFID tag of the casino equipment by the reader is not registered in the registration device as identification information for the usable casino equipment, use the information for identifying the casino equipment to identify the casino equipment that should be invalidated and perform the invalidation process.

[0023] With this configuration, when the identification information read from the RFID tag is not registered (for example, it is assumed that the identification information of the RFID tag has been illegally rewritten), the correct identification information of the casino supplies can be specified by the identification information carried by other means, and the invalidation process can be performed.

[0024] In the above casino system, the RFID tag may store manufacturing information indicating the manufacturing status of the casino supplies, type information indicating the type of the casino supplies, and / or information on the casino where the casino supplies are used. The storage device may store the manufacturing information, the type information, and / or the casino information corresponding to the identification information together with the identification information. When the manufacturing information, the type information, and / or the casino information stored in the RFID tag do not match the manufacturing information, the type information, and / or the casino information stored in the storage device, the invalidation process may be performed on the casino supplies having the identification information.

[0025] With this configuration, when the combination of the identification information stored in the RFID tag and other manufacturing information is different from the combination stored in the storage device, the registration invalidation process can be performed on such casino supplies.

[0026] In the above casino system, the registration device may store information indicating the registration date and month of the identification information of the usable casino supplies in the storage device, and refer to the storage device to perform the invalidation process on the casino supplies for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the registration date and month.

[0027] With this configuration, a usable period can be set for casino supplies, and the invalidation process can be performed on casino supplies that have exceeded the usable period.

[0028] The above casino system may include a management device that notifies the registration device of the identification information of the casino supplies that should be invalidated at each of a plurality of casino supply handling locations within the casino. The registration device may perform the invalidation process for the corresponding casino supplies based on the notification from the management device.

[0029] With this configuration, it is possible to determine at the casino supply handling location whether the casino supplies meet the conditions for invalidating the registration and cause the registration device to perform the invalidation process. The management device may also determine on its own and notify that the invalidation process should be performed for the casino supplies by performing predetermined information processing on the detection values of various sensors (including cameras), or it may receive an instruction from an operator (e.g., a dealer) and notify accordingly.

[0030] The above casino system may further include a storage tray for storing the casino supplies owned by the casino at the casino supply handling location, and a reading device for monitoring the casino supplies by periodically reading the RFID tags of the casino supplies stored in the storage tray. In the reading device, the invalidation process may be performed for the casino supplies that have been illegally taken out of the storage tray.

[0031] With this configuration, it is possible to invalidate casino supplies that have been illegally taken out of the storage tray and make them unusable.

[0032] In the above casino system, the casino may use a plurality of types of casino supplies. The registration device may store the type of the casino supplies together with the identification information in the storage device for each of the plurality of types of casino supplies. The registration device may perform the invalidation process for a specific type of casino supplies.

[0033] This configuration allows for the simultaneous deactivation of certain types of casino supplies (e.g., $10 gaming chips) when a new version is introduced and the old version is discontinued, after a certain period of notice and grace.

[0034] The casino system described above may be equipped with a reader at each of the multiple casino goods handling locations within the casino to read the identification information from the RFID tags of the casino goods, and the registration device may perform the invalidation process for the casino goods having the identification information when the same identification information is read by the reader at multiple casino goods handling locations and the combination of such readings satisfies the conditions for fraud detection.

[0035] This configuration allows for the identification of fraudulent casino items and the invalidation of those items. For example, if the same identification information is read at two geographically distant casino item handling locations within a very short time interval, it can be determined that multiple casino items with that identification information exist and invalidation can be performed. Similarly, if the identification information of a casino item collected by a dealer and placed in a chip tray is subsequently read as the identification information of a gaming chip bet in the table's betting area, it can be determined that multiple casino items with that identification information exist, or that the gaming chip was stolen from the chip tray, and invalidation can be performed.

[0036] The casino system described above may be equipped with a reader at each of the multiple casino supplies handling locations within the casino to read the identification information from the RFID tags of the casino supplies, and the registration device may perform the invalidation process on casino supplies whose identification information has not been read by the reader at any of the casino supplies handling locations within the casino for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0037] This configuration allows for the invalidation of casino equipment that has not been used by a player for a specified period of time.

[0038] The casino system described above may further include a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tags of the casino equipment to be deactivated, and the registration device may perform the deactivation process on the identification information read by the reader.

[0039] This configuration allows for the correct identification of casino equipment that should be disabled and the subsequent disabling process to be carried out.

[0040] The casino system described above may include a detection device at the entrance to the casino for detecting casino goods brought in from outside the casino, and the registration device may perform the invalidation process on the casino goods detected by the detection device.

[0041] This configuration allows for the invalidation of casino items brought into the casino floor, even when such items are prohibited, if they are brought in through the entrance.

[0042] The casino system described above may further include a reader installed at a casino supplies handling location within the casino, which reads the identification information from the RFID tags on the casino supplies, and a matching device which compares the identification information read from the casino supplies by the reader with the identification information stored in the storage device.

[0043] This configuration allows casino supply handling locations to verify whether the casino supplies they handle are registered.

[0044] In the casino system described above, the matching device may normally compare the identification information read by the reading device with the identification information read immediately before by the reading device, and if there is a difference between the two, it may compare the identification information read by the reading device with the identification information stored in the storage device.

[0045] This configuration reduces the processing load for verification compared to verifying against the registration device each time.

[0046] In the casino system described above, if the identification information read by the reading device contains new identification information that was not present in the identification information read immediately before by the reading device, the matching device may compare the new identification information with the identification information stored in the storage device.

[0047] This configuration allows for verification of newly brought-in casino supplies at casino supply handling locations, thereby reducing the processing load compared to verifying all casino supplies individually.

[0048] In the casino system described above, the matching device may normally compare the identification information read by the reading device with the identification information read immediately before by the reading device, and under predetermined conditions, it may also compare the identification information read by the reading device with the identification information of the casino goods stored in the storage device.

[0049] This configuration allows for matching casino supplies based on changes in casino supplies at casino supply handling locations.

[0050] In the casino system described above, the identification information may include tag identification information provided by the manufacturer that produced the RFID tag, and item identification information provided by the manufacturer that produced the casino item to which the RFID tag is attached.

[0051] This configuration enhances the security of casino equipment.

[0052] In the casino system described above, the matching device may normally compare the item identification information read from the casino item by the reading device with the item identification information read immediately before by the reading device, and at a predetermined timing and / or under predetermined conditions, compare the tag identification information read from the casino item by the reading device with the tag identification information of the casino item stored in the storage device.

[0053] This configuration allows for multiple security levels in the matching process, enabling users to differentiate between matching that prioritizes security and matching that prioritizes speed.

[0054] In the casino system described above, the registration device may, as the invalidation process, delete the identification information in the list stored in the storage device, attach a flag to the identification information in the list stored in the storage device indicating that it is invalid, or attach a flag to the identification information in the list stored in the storage device indicating that it may be invalid.

[0055] This configuration allows for a "suspicious" status to be assigned to casino items as part of the invalidation process. This means that while it cannot be definitively confirmed that the items are fraudulent, a warning can be issued if there is suspicion.

[0056] In the casino system described above, the registration device may prohibit the subsequent registration of identification information of casino goods that have been identified as to be invalidated if such identification information has not been registered.

[0057] This configuration makes it possible to prevent future registration of identification information once it has been found to be related to fraud.

[0058] In the casino system described above, the registration device may prohibit the subsequent registration of the invalidated identification information.

[0059] This configuration prevents future registration of identification information that has been invalidated.

[0060] In the casino system described above, the casino supplies may be available for players to use to place bets in games at the casino and may be exchangeable for cash.

[0061] This configuration enhances security for casino goods that can be converted into cash.

[0062] One embodiment of casino equipment is casino equipment to which an RFID tag storing identification information is attached, for use in any of the above-mentioned casino systems. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0063] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the process of manufacturing and using casino supplies according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a gaming chip as a casino item according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the information stored in the RFID tag of the gaming chip according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the casino system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the data structure of the information of each gaming chip recorded in the database of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the table system in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a gaming chip (with the decal removed) as a casino item according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a procedure room system according to a modified example 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a procedure room system according to a modified example 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a casino according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a gaming chip according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gaming chip management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a game table according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a diagram showing the movement of the gaming chip according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by the first method of gaming chip movement management according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by a second method for managing the movement of gaming chips according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by a fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by a fifth method of gaming chip movement management according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows an example of data in a chip management database that is updated by a fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0064] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, a method for manufacturing a casino system and casino supplies according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the components in the embodiments described below include those that can be easily imagined by those skilled in the art or that are substantially the same.

[0065] (First Embodiment) The following example describes casino supplies as gaming chips used as substitute currency for games. However, casino supplies may be other items, such as plaques, jetons, or tokens, which are substitute currency for games that can be used for betting or exchanged for cash. Furthermore, casino supplies are not limited to substitute currency for games; for example, they may be shuffled playing card packages containing multiple decks of playing cards that have been shuffled and packaged. Also, casino supplies do not have to be items that circulate within the casino, like gaming chips, nor do they have to be items that are consumed and discarded in large quantities within the casino, like shuffled playing card packages. For example, they may be membership cards held by players. Casino supplies that are subject to management in this embodiment are sometimes specifically called security supplies.

[0066] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the manufacturing and use process of casino supplies according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a gaming chip as a casino supply according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The gaming chips 72 have different colors depending on their value. That is, the color of the gaming chip 72 represents the value of the gaming chip 72. As shown in Figure 2, a pattern representing the value of the gaming chip 72 is displayed on the side of the gaming chip 72. In this embodiment, a striped pattern including a color representing the value is displayed on the side, and the value of the gaming chip 72 can be determined simply by observing the side by this color. In addition, a decal 723 is attached to the center of the front and back surfaces of the gaming chip 72, and the decal 723 has a number indicating the price of the gaming chip 72. Furthermore, an RFID tag 721 is embedded in the gaming chip 72.

[0067] As shown in Figure 1, the chip manufacturing plant 200, acting as a chip manufacturer, procures RFID tags 721 from the RFID tag manufacturing plant 100, uses them to manufacture gaming chips 72 with embedded RFID tags 721, and supplies them to the casino 300. The casino 300 procures the gaming chips 72 with embedded RFID tags 721 from the chip manufacturing plant 200 and operates games using the gaming chips 72 in the floor area 302.

[0068] Figure 3 shows the information stored in the RFID tag of a gaming chip according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the RFID tag 721 includes a TID area 211 for storing tag identification information assigned by the manufacturer of the RFID tag 721 (RFID tag factory 100) and an EPC area 212 for storing product identification information assigned by the manufacturer of the gaming chip 72 incorporating the RFID tag 721 (chip manufacturing factory 200). The TID area 211 stores tag identification information by the RFID tag manufacturing factory 100 that manufactures the RFID tag 721, and the EPC area 212 stores product identification information by the chip manufacturing factory 200 that manufactures the gaming chip 72.

[0069] The TID area 211 stores a tag ID unique to the RFID tag 721 as tag identification information, and the EPC area 212 stores a chip ID unique to the gaming chip 72 as product identification information. The tag ID and chip ID can each be used individually as identification information to identify the gaming chip 72, or a combination of the tag ID and chip ID can be used as identification information. In addition to the chip ID, the EPC area 212 also stores type information such as the attributes of the gaming chip (whether it is a non-cashable NN chip or a cashable cash chip) and its value (e.g., $10, $100, $1000), manufacturing information such as the manufacturing plant ID, manufacturing equipment ID, and manufacturing date to identify the manufacturing plant that produced the gaming chip 72, a casino ID to identify the casino in which the gaming chip 72 is used, and activation information such as the status ("Available" or "Unavailable") and its update date and time. Furthermore, at the time the Gaming Chip 72 was manufactured at chip manufacturing plant 200, its status was set to "unavailable."

[0070] The status may also be represented by a flag. In this case, if the flag is set, it is interpreted as "available," and if the flag is not set, it is interpreted as "unavailable." The "unavailable" status may be further subdivided; for example, "unavailable" may include statuses such as "suspected," "caution," and "candidate for deactivation," which may be used when there is suspicion of a fraudulent chip. In addition, some or all of the type information, manufacturing information, casino ID, chip ID (product identification information), and activation information may be stored in a user area (not shown) of the RFID tag 721, rather than in the EPC area 212.

[0071] To manufacture a gaming chip 72 with an embedded RFID tag 721 at the chip manufacturing plant 200, the RFID tag 721 is first manufactured at the RFID tag manufacturing plant 100. At this time, tag identification information to identify the RFID tag 721 is written to the TID area 211 of the RFID tag 721. The RFID tag 721 manufactured at the RFID tag manufacturing plant 100 is provided to the chip manufacturing plant 200. At the chip manufacturing plant 200, the gaming chip 72 with an embedded RFID tag 721 is manufactured. Then, at the chip manufacturing plant 200, the chip ID and other information (see Figure 3) are written to the EPC area 212 of the RFID tag 721.

[0072] At the chip manufacturing plant 200, in parallel with the manufacturing of gaming chips 72, a data file 73 is prepared that records the combination of tag ID and chip ID (hereinafter, tag ID and chip ID are collectively referred to as "identification information"). The chip manufacturing plant 200 supplies the manufactured gaming chips 72 to the casino 300, and also provides the data file 73 to the casino 300 through a separate route. The data file 73 may be sent to the casino 300 by email from the manufacturer of the gaming chips 72, or it may be recorded on a portable storage medium and given to the casino 300 from the manufacturer of the gaming chips 72, or it may be stored in cloud storage by the manufacturer of the gaming chips 72 and downloaded by the casino 300. In this case, the data file 73 is provided from the chip manufacturing plant 200 to the casino 300 in an encrypted state using an appropriate method.

[0073] Casino 300 has a security area 301 that players 74 cannot enter, and a floor area 302 for players 74 to play games. The security area 301 includes a warehouse 31 which is a storage place for game supplies including gaming chips 72, a procedure room 32 for registering and activating gaming chips 72, and a cashier 33 and bank 34 which lead to the floor area 302.

[0074] Cashier 33 has a window leading to floor area 302. Cashier 33 gives gaming chips 72 to players 74 in floor area 302 in exchange for cash, and gives cash to players 74 in exchange for the gaming chips 72 given to them by players 74 in floor area 302. In other words, players 74 can purchase gaming chips 72 using cash through the window of cashier 33, and can exchange gaming chips 72 for cash.

[0075] Bank 34 performs the filling and crediting of gaming chips 72 with Pit 35. In the case of filling, if there is a shortage of gaming chips 72 to supply to Table 36 in Pit 35, gaming chips 72 are supplied from Bank 34 to Pit 35. In the case of crediting, if there are enough gaming chips 72 in Pit 35, gaming chips 72 are returned from Pit 35 to Bank 34. For this purpose, Bank 34 is provided with a passage or window for the deposit and withdrawal of gaming chips 72 to and from the floor area 302. In addition, in the case of filling, gaming chips 72 may be supplied directly from Bank 34 to Table 36 without going through Pit 35, and in the case of crediting, gaming chips 72 may be returned from Table 36 to Bank 34 without going through Pit 35.

[0076] Gaming chips 72 supplied from the chip manufacturing plant 200 to the casino 300 are first stored in a warehouse 31 in the security area 301. In the processing room 32, registration and activation procedures are carried out for the gaming chips 72 stored in the warehouse 31. After registration and activation, the gaming chips 72 are brought to the floor area 302 via the cashier 33 or bank 34. Alternatively, after registration and activation, the gaming chips 72 may be temporarily stored in the warehouse 31 and then provided from the warehouse 31 to the cashier 33 or bank 34, or only the registration procedure may be performed, and the chips may be temporarily stored in the warehouse 31 before the activation procedure is carried out when they are provided from the warehouse 31 to the cashier 33 or bank 34.

[0077] Player 74 can purchase gaming chips 72 at cashier 33 or at table 36. Player 74 bets gaming chips 72 in games played at table 36. If they win, they receive the gaming chips 72 back from dealer 75; if they lose, the bet gaming chips 72 are taken back by dealer 75. In this way, the amount of gaming chips 72 owned by dealer 75 at table 36 increases or decreases depending on the game. If there is a shortage of gaming chips 72 at table 36, gaming chips 72 are replenished from pit 35 to table 36. If there is an excess of gaming chips 72 at table 36, gaming chips 72 are moved from table 36 to pit 35. Player 74 can also enter and exit floor area 302 via gate 38. Some casinos allow players to enter and exit floor area 302 while possessing gaming chips 72.

[0078] The warehouse 31, the processing room 32, the cashier 33, the bank 34, each pit 35, each table 36, and the gate 38 in Casino 300 are all places that handle gaming chips 72 as casino supplies, and hereinafter these will be collectively referred to as casino supplies handling locations. The gaming chips 72 are either located in one of the casino supplies handling locations within Casino 300, or otherwise owned by the players.

[0079] The registration device 325, central matching device 323, cashier matching device 333, bank matching device 343, pit matching device 353, and table matching device 363 described above all consist of a computing system comprising a processor that performs information processing and memory that stores programs executed by the processor. The programs may be provided to the computing system via a non-temporary storage medium or via a network.

[0080] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a casino system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The casino system 30 comprises a procedure room system 320 provided in the procedure room 32, a cashier system 330 provided in the cashier 33, a bank system 340 provided in the bank 34, a pit system 350 provided in each pit 35, and a table system 360 provided in each table 36.

[0081] These procedure room systems 320, cashier systems 330, banking systems 340, pit systems 350, and table systems 360 are connected to each other in a communicative manner. Communication between these systems may be wired or wireless. Thus, the casino system 30 is a network system comprising multiple subsystems (i.e., procedure room systems 320, cashier systems 330, banking systems 340, pit systems 350, and table systems 360) installed at each casino supplies handling location.

[0082] The procedure room system 320 includes an antenna 321 and an activation reader / writer 322 for reading RFID tags 721 embedded in gaming chips 72 brought into the procedure room 32, a central verification device 323 for verifying whether gaming chips 72 at each casino supplies handling location are registered and activated, an input device 324 for inputting data, a registration device 325 for registering and activating gaming chips 72, and a database 326 as a storage device for storing information on each gaming chip 72, including identification information and status.

[0083] The cashier system 330 includes an antenna 331 and a cashier reader / writer 332 for reading the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 brought into the cashier 33 or gaming chips 72 taken from the cashier 33 to the floor area 302 (purchased by players), and a cashier verification device 333 for verifying the gaming chips 72 using the information read by the cashier reader / writer 332.

[0084] The bank system 340 includes an antenna 341 and a bank reader / writer 342 for reading the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 brought into bank 34 or taken out of bank 34 to floor area 302, and a bank verification device 343 for verifying the gaming chips 72 using the information read by the bank reader / writer 342.

[0085] The pit system 350 includes an antenna 351 and a pit reader / writer 352 for reading the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 brought into the pit 350 from table 36 or bank 34, or taken out of the pit 350 to table 36 or bank 34, and a pit verification device 353 for verifying the gaming chips 72 using the information read by the pit reader / writer 352.

[0086] Table 36 is provided with a chip tray, storage tray, or chip float (hereinafter simply referred to as "chip tray") for storing the dealer's gaming chips 72. Table 36 is also provided with a betting area for each player position to bet gaming chips 72. Table system 360 includes an antenna 361a and a chip tray reader / writer 362a provided on the chip tray to read the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 stored in the chip tray, and an antenna 361b and a betting chip reader / writer 362b located in the betting area of ​​table 36 to read the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 placed (bet) in the betting area of ​​table 36.

[0087] The table system 360 further includes a pit verification device 363 for verifying the gaming chip 72 using information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a and the bet chip reader / writer 362b, and a table storage device 364 for storing the information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a and the bet chip reader / writer 362b. The gate 38 may also be provided with a gate system similar to that of each subsystem described above.

[0088] (Registration and Activation) The following describes the registration and activation procedures carried out in the procedure room 32. Gaming chips 72 manufactured in the chip manufacturing plant 200 are brought into the security area 301 of the casino 300 and stored in the warehouse 31. In the procedure room 32, the gaming chips 72 to be registered are taken out of the warehouse 31 and the registration and activation procedures for the gaming chips 72 are carried out using the procedure room system 320.

[0089] The procedure room system 320 is provided with a data file 73 containing identification information from the chip manufacturing plant 200 (manufacturer of the gaming chip 72), and the procedure room system 320 receives this data file 73 via the input device 324. Since the data file 73 is encrypted, the input device 324 decrypts it. In addition to the identification information, the data file 73 may also contain some or all of the other information stored in the RFID tag 721 of each gaming chip 72 (see Figure 3).

[0090] The antenna 321 and the activation reader / writer 322 read the tag ID and chip ID, which are identification information, from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 to be activated. The registration device 325 determines (verifies) whether the identification information read by the activation reader / writer 322 from the gaming chip 72 exists in the identification information stored in the data file 73 decoded by the input device 324, thereby determining (validating) whether the gaming chip 72 is genuine, officially manufactured at the chip manufacturing plant 200, or a counterfeit not officially manufactured at the chip manufacturing plant 200, or whether the RFID tag 721 is faulty. In other words, the registration device 325 determines the authenticity of the gaming chip 72 by whether the identification information stored in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 matches the identification information stored in the data file 73.

[0091] If the registration device 325 determines that the gaming chip 72 is genuine in the authenticity determination process, it registers the gaming chip 72 by recording its identification information (tag ID and chip ID) in the database 326. At this time, if other information such as manufacturing information is recorded in the RFID 721 and / or data file 73 of the gaming chip 72, that information is also recorded in the database 326 in association with the identification information. Furthermore, the registration device 325 records the activation information of each gaming chip 72 in the database 326.

[0092] Alternatively, validation may be performed at the chip manufacturing plant 200 instead of, or in addition to, the validation at the casino described above. In this case, the registration device 325 registers the gaming chips 72 that have been validated at the chip manufacturing plant 200 and determined to be genuine.

[0093] In this specification, the creation of a new record of the gaming chip 72 in the database 326 by the registration device 325 is referred to as "registration," and the activation status of the registered gaming chip is referred to as "activation." In this embodiment, when registering, a genuineness check is performed to confirm whether the gaming chip 72 is a genuine product officially manufactured at the chip manufacturing plant 200. This genuineness check is referred to as "first validation," and the comparison of the information read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 with the database 326 at each gaming equipment handling location is referred to as "validation." In this embodiment, first validation, registration, and activation are performed at the same time. Furthermore, "deactivation," as described later, refers to setting the activation status to "unavailable" without deleting the registration (leaving the record of the gaming chip 72 in database 326), while "reactivation" refers to reactivating a gaming chip 72 that has been deactivated.

[0094] Figure 5 shows the data structure of the information of each gaming chip recorded in the database of the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the database 326 records, for each gaming chip 72, the tag ID as tag identification information 261, the attributes and value as type information 262, the manufacturing plant ID and manufacturing date as manufacturing information 263, the chip ID and chip marking ID as chip identification information 264, the activation status and update date and time as activation information 265, and the history of combinations of location and read date and time as location history information 266. The database 326 has a lookup table (LUT) that records the information of multiple gaming chips 72, with the information of each gaming chip 72 shown in Figure 5 as one record. This LUT is a list of identification information.

[0095] When registering a new gaming chip 72, the registration device 325 checks whether the identification information being registered is already registered in the database 326. This prevents the same identification information from being registered twice in the database 326. In addition, during deactivation, as described later, that is, after setting the status to unavailable while retaining the record, the registration device 325 may update the status from unavailable to available if certain conditions are met.

[0096] Furthermore, the registration device 325 stores the identification information of gaming chips 72 that have undergone deactivation processing and meet certain conditions (for example, gaming chips 72 that are to be discarded) in the database 326 as identification information that cannot be registered. When attempting to register a new gaming chip 72, the registration device 325 may prohibit registration if the identification information of the gaming chip 72 to be registered is stored in the database 326 as identification information that cannot be registered. For example, when the registration device 325 deletes a record of a gaming chip 72 from the database 326, the database 326 may have a blacklist that stores the identification information of the gaming chip whose record has been deleted. In this case, when registering, the registration device 325 checks whether the identification information to be registered is stored in the blacklist and prohibits registration of identification information that is in the blacklist. This prevents identification information that has been deleted from the database 326 from being newly registered again.

[0097] When the registration device 325 registers the identification information read by the activation reader / writer 322 for a gaming chip 72 that has been successfully verified and determined to be genuine in the database 326, it records the status of the activation information 265 as "usable" and records the date and time of that update as the update date and time, thereby registering the gaming chip 72 as usable. This allows the database 326 to determine whether the status of each gaming chip 72 is "usable" or "unusable," and also to know when the activation was performed (when it was registered).

[0098] In this embodiment, since activation information is also recorded in the EPC area 212 of the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72, the registration device 325 controls the writer function of the activation reader / writer 322 as part of the process of registering usable gaming chips 72. Through the antenna 321, it rewrites the status recorded on the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 that has been successfully verified and determined to be genuine from "unavailable" to "available". As a result, the systems 330-360 at each gaming equipment handling location can determine whether the status of the gaming chip 72 is "available" or "unavailable" simply by reading the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72.

[0099] As described above, the gaming chips 72 are registered in the database 326 by the registration device 325 after being transported from the chip manufacturing plant 200 to the casino 300. Even if the gaming chips 72 are stolen during transport, the stolen gaming chips 72 will not be registered in the database 326, and their unregistered status can be detected during the verification process described later. Therefore, such gaming chips 72 cannot be used effectively in the floor area 302 of the casino 300. The casino only needs to strictly manage the gaming chips 72 after they have been made usable through the activation procedure, which allows for a higher level of security and lower security costs compared to a situation where strict management is required from the manufacturing stage of the gaming chips 72.

[0100] In the example above, when activating the gaming chip 72, a new record for the gaming chip 72 was created in the database 326 and its status was set to "Available" to perform the activation. Alternatively, the registration device 325 may register the newly received gaming chip 72 by creating a record in the database 326, setting the status to "Unavailable" at this time, and then changing the status to "Available" through a subsequent activation procedure. In this case, creating the record may be called registration, and changing the status to "Available" may be called activation.

[0101] (Verification at casino supply locations) At the casino supply handling locations—cashier 33, bank 34, pit 35, and table 36—the identification information and status of the gaming chips 72 handled there are verified using the cashier system 330, bank system 340, pit system 350, and table system 360, respectively. The following describes each casino supply handling location.

[0102] In the cashier 33, the antenna 331 and cashier reader / writer 332 of the cashier system 330 read the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 in the cashier 33 to obtain the tag ID, chip ID, and status. First, if the status read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 is "unavailable", the cashier verification device 333 outputs an error signal indicating this. If an error signal is output, the cashier 33 stops handling the gaming chip 72.

[0103] The cashier verification device 333 further transmits the identification information (tag ID and chip ID) acquired by the cashier reader / writer 332 to the procedure room system 320. The central verification device 323 in the procedure room 32 verifies whether the identification information received from the cashier system 330 is stored in the database 326 and confirms whether the status associated with that identification information is available.

[0104] If the corresponding identification information is stored in the database 326 (i.e., it is authentic) and its status is available, the central verification device 323 sends a response signal to the cashier system 330 indicating that the gaming chip 72 is authentic and available. On the other hand, if the gaming chip 72 being queried is not authentic, the central verification device 323 sends an error signal to the cashier system 330 as a response signal indicating that it is not authentic, and if the gaming chip 72 being queried is authentic but its status is unavailable, the central verification device 323 sends an error signal to the cashier system 330 indicating that it is authentic but unavailable. Upon receiving the response signal, the cashier verification device 333 may issue an alert so that only staff can perceive it, or so that many people, including players, can perceive it. The response signal may also be returned to the cashier system 330 if it is authentic and available, in which case the cashier verification device 333 may notify that there is no problem or that it has passed.

[0105] Furthermore, if the cashier verification device 333 reads the status of a gaming chip 72 from its RFID tag 721 as usable, but the database 326 records that the status of that gaming chip 72 is unavailable, the cashier verification device 333 will determine that the gaming chip 72 is counterfeit and will control the writer function of the cashier reader / writer 332 to rewrite the status of the RFID tag 721 of that gaming chip 72 to "unavailable" via the antenna 331. Alternatively, the cashier verification device 33 may rewrite the status to "unknown" or "suspected".

[0106] Furthermore, even if the database 326 records the status as "available," if the status read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 by the cashier verification device 333 is "unavailable," the device may determine that the status stored in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 has been overwritten for some reason, and may rewrite the status stored in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 to "available." Alternatively, the status of such a gaming chip 72 may be rewritten to "unavailable," "unknown," or "suspected," and its handling may be discontinued.

[0107] Gaming chips 72 brought directly from the processing room 32 or via the warehouse 31 to the cashier 33 have already been registered and activated in the processing room 32 and have not left the security area 301, so the possibility of counterfeit or fraudulent gaming chips is low. However, there is a possibility of counterfeit or fraudulent gaming chips 72 being brought to the cashier 33 by users from the floor area 302 for exchange. Therefore, the cashier verification device 333 may verify the identification information and confirm the status of gaming chips 72 that are to be exchanged, and show the results to the player 74 and the cashier 33 staff. Alternatively, when the player 74 purchases a gaming chip 72, if the value information stored in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 is read and shown to the player 74, the identification information verification and status confirmation may also be performed at the same time, and the results may be presented to the player 74 together with the value information.

[0108] The bank system 340 operates in essentially the same way as the cashier system 330. The gaming chips 72 to be filled are transported from bank 34 to pit 35 in floor area 302. These gaming chips 72 have been activated in the processing room 32 and have not left the security area 301, so it is unlikely that counterfeit or fraudulent gaming chips 72 are mixed in. However, the gaming chips 72 brought from floor area 302 to bank 34 during crediting include those that have been in the hands of players 74 and then recovered by dealers, so there is a possibility that counterfeit or fraudulent gaming chips 72 may be mixed in. Therefore, the bank system 340 may perform identification information verification and status check, especially for gaming chips 72 brought in from floor area 302.

[0109] The pit system 350 operates in essentially the same way as the cashier system 330. Gaming chips 72 are brought into the pit 35 from bank 34 and any excess gaming chips 72 from table 36. The pit system 350 verifies the gaming chips 72 brought into the pit 35 in this manner. In addition, any excess gaming chips 72 in the pit 35 are moved to bank 34 (as credits), or if there is a shortage of gaming chips 72 at table 36, gaming chips 72 are replenished from the pit 35 to table 36. The pit system 350 also verifies the gaming chips 72 that leave the pit 35 in this manner.

[0110] The operation of the table system 360 is as follows: In table 36, the dealer 75 redeems the winning player 74 with a gaming chip 72 from the chip tray. An antenna 361a is provided on the chip tray, and a chip tray reader / writer 362a reads identification information and status from the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 housed in the chip tray. The identification information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a is verified by the table verification device 363 and stored in the table storage device 364. If multiple gaming chips 72 are housed in the chip tray, the table storage device 364 stores multiple pieces of identification information corresponding to the multiple gaming chips 72.

[0111] The table matching device 363 first compares the most recent past identification information stored in the table storage device 364 with the current identification information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a to determine whether the two match.

[0112] If the table matching device 363 finds that the identification information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a contains identification information that is not present in the latest identification information stored in the table storage device 364, it will perform a check on such gaming chip 72 in the same manner as the cashier matching device 333 described above to see if the identification information is stored in the database 326 and whether the status corresponding to the identification information in the database is "available".

[0113] Specifically, the table matching device 363 normally compares the chip ID read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 with the previous chip ID registered in the table storage device 364. If a new chip ID that was not read in the previous reading is read, the device compares the identification information including the tag ID read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 with the identification information including the tag ID recorded in the database 326 and confirms the status.

[0114] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the table system in the first embodiment of the present invention. The antenna 361a and the chip tray reader / writer 362a read the chip IDs from the RFID tags 721 of all gaming chips 72 in the chip tray (step S61). The table matching device 363 compares these read sets of chip IDs with the sets of chip IDs stored in the table storage device 364 as the most recent chip IDs in the past, and determines whether there are any new chip IDs among the read chip IDs that are not stored in the table storage device 364 (step S62).

[0115] If a new chip ID is read (YES in step S62), the antenna 361a and the chip tray reader / writer 362a specify the new chip ID and read the tag ID from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 having the new chip ID. They then transmit this combination of chip ID and tag ID to the procedure room system 320, which compares it with the information stored in the database 326 and confirms whether the status is "available" (step S63). Finally, all the read chip ID pairs are stored in the table storage device 364 as a new set of past chip IDs (step S64).

[0116] Furthermore, if no new chip IDs are read, that is, if no new gaming chips 72 have been added to the chip tray since the last read, the table matching device 363 compares the set of chip IDs read with the set of the most recent chip IDs stored in the table storage device 364 to determine whether or not there are any chip IDs that were read in the previous read but were not read in the current read (step S65).

[0117] If there are chip IDs that can no longer be read, that is, if a gaming chip 72 has been removed from the chip tray (YES in step S65), all sets of chip IDs that have been read are stored in the table storage device 364 as the most recent set of chip IDs (step S64). On the other hand, if there are no chip IDs that can no longer be read (NO in step S65), that is, if there has been no increase, decrease or change in the number of gaming chips 72 in the chip tray, the table storage device 364 is not updated.

[0118] Thus, in this embodiment, the chip tray of table 36 normally reads the chip ID stored in the EPC area 212 at predetermined time intervals to monitor its changes. If there is a change in the chip ID, especially if a new chip ID is read, the gaming chip 72 with the new chip ID is compared with the database 326 and the status of the database 326 is checked. This reduces the processing load and shortens the processing time required per cycle (improves processing speed).

[0119] Furthermore, the table matching device 363 may perform a match with the database 326 and check the status of the database 326 at predetermined timings and / or under predetermined conditions, regardless of whether or not a new chip ID has been read.

[0120] When a player 74 places a bet on a game, they place the gaming chip 72 to bet in a designated betting area on the game table. The antenna 361b is positioned below the betting area on the table surface of the game table, and the betting chip reader / writer 362b reads identification information from the RFID tag 721 of the bet gaming chip 72. The identification information read by the betting chip reader / writer 362b is verified by the table verification device 363 and stored in the table storage device 364. If multiple gaming chips 72 are bet in the betting area, the table storage device 364 stores multiple pieces of identification information corresponding to the multiple gaming chips 72.

[0121] Antenna 361b and bet chip reader / writer 362b read not only the gaming chips 72 bet in the bet area by player 74, but also the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 dispensed from the chip tray by dealer 75, and table storage device 364 also stores the identification information of the gaming chips 72 dispensed in this manner.

[0122] The table matching device 363 also checks the status and verifies the identification information read from the RFID tag 721 by the bet chip reader / writer 362b, in the same way as the gaming chip 72 housed in the chip tray. Specifically, the table matching device 363 does not always verify the identification information read by the bet chip reader / writer 362b against the database 326. Instead, when new identification information that is not present in the most recent identification information stored in the table storage device 364 as having been read by the bet chip reader / writer 362b is read by the antenna 361b and the bet chip reader / writer 362b, the central matching device 323 verifies the identification information with the identification information stored in the database 326 and checks the status stored in the database 326.

[0123] In particular, when the table matching device 363 receives a response signal from the central matching device 323 indicating that the chip is not genuine or unusable as a result of the matching, it issues an alert, and the dealer can take immediate action to prevent the use of fraudulent or unusable gaming chips 72 and retrieve such gaming chips 72 from the player. For example, if a gaming chip 72 bet by a player is read by the bet chip reader / writer 36 and its status is found to be unusable, the dealer can retrieve the gaming chip 72 before the game starts, separate it from other usable gaming chips 72, and manage it for later disposal. Alternatively, if there are chips with an unusable status among the chips retrieved into the chip float, they can be stored separately and processed later in accordance with the alert.

[0124] In the verification process of the first embodiment described above, each casino supplies handling location transmitted information read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 to the central verification device 323 of the procedure room system 32, where the central verification device 323 performed verification with the database 326 of the procedure room system 320. In other words, the information of the gaming chip 72 was centrally managed in the database 326 of the procedure room system 320. Alternatively, subsystems 330, 340, 350, and 360 of each casino supplies handling location may be configured to perform verification without communicating with the procedure room system 320.

[0125] In this case, each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360 is equipped with a database. In this case, each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360, including the database, may be configured as an integrated device. Furthermore, the device may be portable and not fixed to each casino supplies handling location, and may even be battery-powered. In this way, when subsystems 330, 340, 350, and 360 of each casino supplies handling location are used standalone, information such as fraudulent or suspected fraudulent chips cannot be shared with other casino supplies handling locations, but at the very least, it is possible to compare them with the database provided at each casino supplies handling location. That is, at the very least, it is possible to determine whether or not the identification information of the gaming chip 72 is registered in the database.

[0126] In this case, each table 36 may perform the above-mentioned matching using the chip tray reader / writer 362a or the bet chip reader / writer 362b, but a dedicated reader for matching with a local database may be provided separately from these reader / writers.

[0127] In this case, each subsystem may be configured to determine the number of gaming chips 72 that are read by the RFID tag 721 using an antenna. For example, such a configuration may include a holding means for holding the gaming chips 72 that are read by the RFID tag 721, which may be configured to accommodate a predetermined number of gaming chips 72 (e.g., 20 or 100). The holding means may be, for example, a chip housing mechanism having a semi-tubular shape that can accommodate a predetermined number of gaming chips 72 stacked on top of each other, or a gaming chip stand having a predetermined number of chip placement areas for placing the predetermined number of gaming chips 72 one by one. In this case, the matching devices 333, 343, 353, and 363 inspect the gaming chips 72 by comparing the number of readings of the RFID tag 721 with the maximum number of readings, assuming that the maximum number of gaming chips 72 that can be held in their holding mechanisms are actually being held.

[0128] Furthermore, as a configuration for determining the number of gaming chips 72, there may be an optical detection means that optically detects the gaming chips 72 that are read by the RFID tag 721. The optical detection means may be an optical sensor that detects each gaming chip 72 that is read by the RFID tag 721 one by one, or it may consist of a combination of a camera that captures images of the gaming chips 72 that are read by the RFID tag 721 and generates images, and an image analysis device that determines the number of gaming chips 72 by analyzing the images. The matching devices 333, 343, 353, and 363 of each subsystem may perform inspection of the gaming chips 72 by comparing the number of RFID tags 721 read with the actual number of gaming chips 72 that have been optically determined.

[0129] Furthermore, each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360 may be equipped with a display device. In this case, the display device may display the total value of each gaming chip 72 stored in the RFID tag 721 read by each reader / writer, or it may display the total value of multiple gaming chips 72 read by each reader / writer. Alternatively, the display device may display, as a matching result, the result of comparing the number of RFID tags 721 with the actual number of tags.

[0130] Thus, the system can perform inspections by comparing the information read from the RFID tag 721 with a database, and by comparing the number of RFID tags 721 read with the number optically determined. In particular, by having a database in each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360, these two types of inspections can be performed simultaneously at each casino supplies handling location without requiring communication with the network.

[0131] In this case, the database for each table may be updated periodically (for example, once a week) or whenever new gaming chips 72 are introduced to the casino. During this update, the database 326 of the procedure room system 360 may be updated, and at the same time, the database 326 of each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360 may be updated remotely by communicating from the procedure room system 320 to each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360. Alternatively, when updating, the update data may be saved to a portable storage medium, and the databases of each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360 may be updated by reading the update data from this storage medium.

[0132] Furthermore, it may be possible to switch between the centralized management and communication-based verification method (network-based type) using the database 326 of the procedure room system 320 as described above, and the standalone verification method (standalone type) in each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360. For example, verification may be performed using the network-based type under normal circumstances, and switched to the standalone type verification in the event of a power outage or other trouble. Alternatively, the databases of each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360 may be accessed in real time using the network whenever there is an update to the database, but the verification may still be performed using the databases of each subsystem 330, 340, 350, and 360.

[0133] (Gaming chip tracking) As described above, the information for each gaming chip 72 in the database 326 includes location history information 266. The central matching device 323 updates the location history information 266 corresponding to the identification information each time it receives a request for identification information from each casino supplies handling location. Specifically, when the central matching device 323 receives a request for identification information from each casino supplies handling location, it records the information identifying the casino supplies handling location as location information and the date and time at that time as the read date and time in the location history information 266 corresponding to the identification information. The database 326 can record a predetermined number of pieces of information as this location history information, and after the predetermined number of location history entries have been recorded, the oldest information is overwritten.

[0134] Location history information is a history of location information. Location information is information that identifies each casino supplies handling location or each player. For example, if there are multiple counters at cashier 33, the counter ID that identifies the counter can be used as location information. Similarly, since there are multiple pits 35 and tables 36, the pit ID and table ID that identify which pit 35 and which table it is can be used as location information.

[0135] Furthermore, when the gaming chip 2 is passed to player 74, the player ID of player 74 is recorded as location information. For example, if an antenna 361b is provided for each player position on table 36, the player ID for each player position can be identified by the member card held by player 74, or by facial recognition of the image of the player playing at table 36.

[0136] Furthermore, by detecting which player position the gaming chip 72 is dispensed to, it is possible to determine which player ID the gaming chip 72 was dispensed to. Also, when player 74 purchases a gaming chip 72 at the cashier 33, the player ID of player 74 is identified and recorded as location information.

[0137] By recording the location information and the date and time of reading as location history information in the database 326, it is possible to understand how the gaming chip 72 has moved by referring to the database 326.

[0138] (Deactivation) As described above, the registration device 325 registers and activates a gaming chip 72 in the database 326 by storing information including the identification information of a new gaming chip 72 obtained from the factory in the database 326. On the other hand, the registration device 325 deactivates (deactivates) any faulty or old gaming chips 72 that have been made usable.

[0139] At each casino supplies handling station, gaming chips 72 from which information could not be read from the RFID tag 721 (i.e., gaming chips 72 with a damaged RFID tag 721, or gaming chips 72 without an embedded RFID tag 721) are excluded from the gaming chips 72 available for immediate use. Gaming chips 72 whose identification information read from the RFID tag 721 failed to be verified are also excluded from the gaming chips 72 available for immediate use. Furthermore, gaming chips 72 whose status was "unavailable" are also excluded. In addition, if fraud occurs or is suspected at a casino supplies handling location (especially table 36), the dealer will exclude the gaming chips 72 involved in the fraud and those suspected of being involved from the gaming chips 72 available for immediate use. These problematic gaming chips 72 are brought from each casino supplies handling location to the processing room 32, where a deregistration process is performed by the registration device 325 to remove them from the list of usable gaming chips 72.

[0140] Gaming chips 72 that have been excluded from the usable gaming chips 72 at the casino supplies handling location and brought to the processing room 32 have their identification information read by the activation reader / writer 322. The registration device 325 performs a deactivation process on the identification information read by the activation reader / writer 322.

[0141] Furthermore, even if there are no problems, if a predetermined period (for example, one year) has passed since the initial activation date and time of the gaming chip 72, a deactivation process is performed in order to discard the gaming chip 72. Specifically, as part of the credit processing, in bank 34, the bank reader / writer 342 reads the identification information from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 brought to bank 34 from pit 35 and requests an inquiry from the central matching device 323. At this time, the central matching device 323 refers to the database 326 to check the activation date and time of the gaming chip 72, and if a predetermined time has passed since that date and time, the registration device 325 performs a deactivation process for the gaming chip 72. Similarly, in cashier 33, the cashier reader / writer 332 reads the identification information from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 that the player has brought to the cashier to exchange for cash, and requests an inquiry from the central matching device 323. At this time, the central matching device 323 refers to the database 326 to check the date and time of activation of the gaming chip 72, and if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since that date and time, the registration device 325 performs a deactivation process for the gaming chip 72.

[0142] Furthermore, gaming chips 72 brought to bank 34 or the cashier in this manner, and for which a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the activation date and time, may be subsequently destroyed. For destroyed gaming chips 72, their records may be deleted from database 326, or the records may be retained, and the activation status may be set to "destroyed," which is a type of "unavailable" status, as a deactivation process. The identification information of destroyed gaming chips 72 may be prohibited from being registered again, or for gaming chips 72 whose activation status has been set to "destroyed," it may be prohibited to update the activation status to "available" thereafter.

[0143] In the deregistration process, the registration device 325 updates the status of the gaming chip 72 recorded in the database 326 to "unavailable" and records the date and time of the update. If the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 is faulty, the identification information to be deregistered cannot be read from such a gaming chip 72. Therefore, the registration device 325 deregisters such a gaming chip 72 as an usable gaming chip in the following manner.

[0144] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a gaming chip with the decal removed according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The gaming chip 72 carries information for identifying the gaming chip 72 in a manner other than that of the RFID tag 721. The gaming chip 72 has a circular recess in the center, and a decal 723 is attached to the bottom surface 722 of the recess. A number representing the value of the gaming chip 72 is inscribed on this decal 723. When this decal 723 is removed, the chip inscription ID is inscribed on its bottom surface (decal attachment surface) 722 as identification information unique to the gaming chip 72. The chip inscription ID may be inscribed on the bottom surface 722 of the recess of the gaming chip 72 by laser engraving, or it may be printed on the decal attachment surface 722 with some kind of ink. The chip inscription ID may also be printed on the surface of the decal 723. In this case, the chip ID may be printed with visible ink, or it may be printed on the surface of Decal 723 using invisible ink that is not visible under normal conditions, such as UV-emitting ink that emits light when exposed to UV light, or infrared-absorbing ink that absorbs infrared light.

[0145] The registration device 325, for gaming chips 72 whose identification information cannot be read from the RFID tag 721, uses the chip marking ID to identify the gaming chip 72, identifies the identification information that should be removed from the registration of the gaming chip 72 as a usable gaming chip 72, and performs the removal process. For gaming chips 72 whose identification information cannot be read because the RFID tag 721 has malfunctioned, when performing the removal process, the operator peels off the decal 723, visually checks the chip marking ID written on the decal attachment surface 722, and inputs it into the registration device 325 via the input device 324. The registration device 325 refers to the database 326 and identifies the identification information corresponding to the input chip marking ID (see Figure 5). In this way, even for gaming chips 72 whose RFID tag 721 has malfunctioned, the database 326 can identify the gaming chip 72 and perform the removal process.

[0146] As described above, the gaming chips 72 given to player 74 circulate among multiple players 74 and tables 36 through bets by player 74 and payouts by dealer 75, and are finally returned to bank 34 via pit 35. At this time, gaming chips 72 that have been excluded at each casino supplies handling location, as described above, are de-registered by the registration device 325.

[0147] Furthermore, gaming chips 72 that are not excluded as problematic and are collected in bank 34 through credit processing are subjected to identification information verification and status confirmation in the bank system 34, and it is determined whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the initial activation. If a gaming chip 72 is detected that failed to verify its identification information, whose status was not "available", or for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the initial activation, a deactivation process is performed on those gaming chips 72.

[0148] Furthermore, as described above, the database 326 and the gaming chip 72 store type information, manufacturing information, and casino ID in association with the identification information. However, if the information stored in the database 326 does not match the information stored in the gaming chip 72, a deactivation process may be performed on such gaming chip 72.

[0149] Furthermore, at each casino supplies handling location, if, as a result of comparing the read identification information with the database 326, a gaming chip 72 is not registered in the database 326, or if the status of the gaming chip 72 is not "usable", the registration device 325 may immediately deregister the gaming chip 72 as a usable gaming chip 72 without waiting for the gaming chip 72 to return to the security area 301. In addition, if the status of such a gaming chip 72 is "usable", the reader / writer at each casino supplies handling location may change that status to "unusable".

[0150] When a gaming chip 72 is read at each casino supplies handling location, the central verification device 323 may check the history of the gaming chip 72's location based on the information in the database 326. If the location history is inappropriate in light of predetermined judgment criteria, the central verification device 323 may deactivate the status of the gaming chip 72 as a suspicious gaming chip 72. For example, if the location history shows that the gaming chip 72 moved directly from one player 74 to another player 74 without going through the chip tray 36a, the location history of the gaming chip 72 is judged to be suspicious (potentially related to money laundering). Alternatively, the database 326 may create a list of suspicious gaming chips 72 in advance (a blacklist), and if the gaming chip 72 subject to verification is listed on the blacklist, the registration device 325 may actually deactivate the gaming chip 72.

[0151] Furthermore, as described above, in the chip tray of table 36, the chip tray reader / writer 362a periodically reads the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72. Also in table 36, the bet chip reader / writer 362b reads the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 paid from the chip tray. In addition, the gaming chips 72 in the chip tray are moved to the pit 35 at the appropriate time. Therefore, gaming chips 72 that are no longer read in the chip tray should subsequently be read by the bet chip reader / writer 362b or the pit reader / writer 352.

[0152] Therefore, the table matching device 363 stores the identification information that is no longer read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a in the table storage device 364, and then determines whether the identification information can be read by the bet chip reader / writer 362b within a predetermined time (for example, within 10 seconds). If the identification information is not read by the bet chip reader / writer 362b within the predetermined time, the table matching device 363 transmits the identification information along with the time when the identification information was no longer read to the central matching device and inquires whether the identification information was read by the pit 35.

[0153] When an inquiry is received, the registration device 325 checks whether the identification information related to the inquiry has been reported from the pit reader / writer 352 to the central verification device 323 within a predetermined time (for example, within 3 minutes). If the identification information has not been reported within the predetermined time, the registration device 325 assumes that the gaming chip 72 possessing the identification information has been lost from the chip tray (stolen by a player or dealer) and performs a deactivation process on that gaming chip 72.

[0154] Furthermore, if it is discovered by means other than those described above that a gaming chip 72 has been stolen, the registration device 325 will identify the identification information of the stolen gaming chip 72 and then perform the deactivation process. For example, if a gaming chip 72 is stolen along with a chip holder such as a chip tray on a table 36, the registration device 325 may perform the deactivation process for all gaming chips 72 whose identification information was read immediately before the theft, as if they were in that chip holder. Chips in chip holders may be read continuously.

[0155] Furthermore, as mentioned above, gaming chips 72 are defined by their attributes (whether they are non-cashable NN chips or cashable cash chips) and value (e.g., $10, $100, $1000). However, if the casino decides to redesign a particular type of gaming chip, for example, it will collect the old gaming chips 72 in circulation and deactivate them. In this case, the casino will set a deadline and notify the casino of this, and when the deadline arrives, the registration device 325 will deactivate all old gaming chips 72. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the database 326 stores type information 262 for each gaming chip 72, so the registration device 325 refers to this database 326 and deactivates the gaming chips 72 of the corresponding type.

[0156] As will be described later, the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 is read by a reader / writer at each gaming equipment handling location within the casino, and the identification information read from the RFID tag 721 is sent from each gaming equipment handling location to the central matching device 323. Furthermore, by recognizing each player at the table 36, the player who owns the gaming chip 72 is identified. The database 326 records the history of the location information of the gaming chip 72 (either at any gaming equipment handling location within the casino or at any player). The registration device 325 checks the history of location information in the database 326, and if the same identification information is read by reader / writers at multiple casino equipment handling locations, and the combination of readings satisfies the conditions for fraud detection, it performs a deactivation process on the gaming chip 72 that possesses that identification information.

[0157] Here, the casino system 30 tracks each gaming chip 72 as described above. This function of tracking the location of gaming chips 72 makes it possible to know where each gaming chip 72 is located within the casino, and if a player owns it, it is possible to know which player owns it.

[0158] Location history information for each gaming chip 72 can be used as a condition for determining fraudulent activity as described above. Specifically, if the location of a gaming chip 72 is updated, the registration device 325 may determine that it is fraudulent if the relationship between the current location and the most recent past location is, for example, one of the following combinations. 1) If a gaming chip 72 that has been recognized as being owned by one player is then recognized as being owned by another player; 2) If a gaming chip 72 that has been recognized as being in the chip tray of one table 36 is then recognized as being in another table 36; 3) If a gaming chip 72 that has been recognized as being in bank 34 is then recognized as being owned by another player; 4) If a gaming chip 72 that has been recognized as being in cashier 33 is then recognized as being in the chip tray of table 36; 5) If a gaming chip 72 that has been recognized as being in bank 34 is then recognized as being in cashier 33; 6) If a gaming chip 72 that has been recognized as being in cashier 33 is then recognized as being in bank 34; and 7) If a gaming chip 72 that has been recognized as being in cashier 33, bank 34, or table 36 is then recognized as being in gate 38.

[0159] If any of the above conditions 1) to 7) apply, there is a suspicion that gaming chips 72 have been exchanged between players (suspected money laundering), or that a player has illegally stolen gaming chips 72 owned by the casino, or that there are multiple gaming chips 72 with the same identification information. Therefore, the registration device 325 performs a deactivation process for gaming chips 72 suspected of such actions.

[0160] Furthermore, the registration device 325 performs a de-registration process for gaming chips 72 that have identification information that has not been read by any reader / writer at any casino supplies handling location within the casino for a predetermined period of time or longer. In this case as well, the registration device 325 refers to the location history information in the database 326 to determine that the chip has not been read by any reader / writer at any casino supplies handling location for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0161] Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 4, if the removal of gaming chips 72 from the floor area 302 to the outside is prohibited, and therefore the bringing of gaming chips 72 from the outside to the floor area 302 is also prohibited, then a gate system similar to the cashier system 330, bank system 340, and pit system 350 described above may be provided at gate 38. In this case, at gate 38, players entering or leaving the floor area 302 are exposed to electromagnetic waves for detection of their RFID tags 721 along with their belongings. These electromagnetic waves are emitted from an antenna provided at the entrance / exit, and an RFID reader is connected to the antenna.

[0162] At gate 38, any gaming chip 72 that is attempted to be taken out or brought in is deemed unusable and confiscated by the gate's security staff. After this, the confiscated gaming chip 72 is brought from gate 38 to the procedure room system 320, where it is deactivated by the registration device 325.

[0163] Furthermore, for gaming chips 72 that are credited from floor area 302 to bank 34, the registration device 325 performs a deactivation process on the gaming chips 72 involved in the transfer before the transfer for crediting begins. For example, for gaming chips 72 that are transferred (credited) from pit 35 to bank 34, the pit reader / writer 352 reads the identification information from the RFID tag 721 and transmits it to the registration device 325. The registration device 325 performs a deactivation process on the gaming chip 72 identified by the transmitted identification information and sets its status to "unavailable".

[0164] In the above example, the registration device 325, in the deactivation process, left the record of the gaming chip 72 in the database 326 while rewriting its status to "unavailable." Alternatively, the registration device 325 may delete the information of the gaming chip 72 whose registration as an available gaming chip 72 is to be deactivated from the database 326. Furthermore, the registration device 325 may selectively perform both the deletion of the record from the database 326 and the deactivation of the status. In this case, the deletion of the record from the database 326 is called registration cancellation or destruction, and rewriting the status to "unavailable" is called deactivation.

[0165] If the deactivation process involves deleting the record for the gaming chip 72 from database 326 instead of setting its status to "unavailable," database 326 does not need to contain status information for each gaming chip 72. In this case, the presence of a record for the gaming chip 72 in database 326 (being registered) means that the gaming chip 72 is usable, and the absence of a record for the gaming chip 72 in database 326 (not being registered) means that the gaming chip 72 is unavailable.

[0166] Furthermore, if the identification information read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 is not stored in the database 326, the registration device 325 may add the identification information to a blacklist to prevent it from being registered again. In this case, the chip marking ID of the gaming chip 72 may be further checked, and the confirmed chip marking ID may be recorded in the blacklist. This is because, in this situation, the identification information is likely to be forged, while the chip marking ID may be legitimate.

[0167] In the procedure room 32, destruction measures may be taken against gaming chips 72 whose status has been disabled and gaming chips 72 whose records have been erased from the database 326. That is, gaming chips 72 whose registration has been canceled may be shredded to prevent them from being used fraudulently. If the registration device 325 selectively erases records from the database 326 and changes the status to disabled, destruction measures may be taken against gaming chips 72 whose records have been erased from the database 326. Alternatively, a device for deactivation and a shredder may be integrated, and the gaming chips to be shredded may be shredded after being disabled.

[0168] (Reactivation) If a gaming chip 72 has been deactivated, that is, if its registration as a usable gaming chip 72 has been removed by updating its activation status from "usable" to "unusable," "suspected," "caution," etc., the registration device 325 may perform a reactivation process if certain conditions are met. Specifically, the activation status of the deactivated gaming chip 72 may be changed back to "usable."

[0169] For example, if a gaming chip 72 is suspected of being faulty, its registration as a usable gaming chip 72 may be removed (its activation status may be set to "unavailable"), and after it is confirmed that there is no fault or after it has been repaired, the activation status of the gaming chip may be changed back to "usable".

[0170] Alternatively, a gaming chip 72 that moves from the table to bank 34 via credit may be deregistered as an available gaming chip 72, and then activated by the registration device 325 after it reaches bank 34 via credit and before being used again in floor area 302.

[0171] Furthermore, if, after the activation status of a gaming chip 72 involved in fraudulent activity has been set to "Suspected" or "Caution," and it is later confirmed that there is no problem with the gaming chip 72, the activation status of that gaming chip 72 may be changed back to "Available."

[0172] In this way, the gaming chip 72 can be arbitrarily switched between an usable state and an unusable state by the registration device 325 and the database 326. This allows for flexible changes to the activation status, such as making it unusable only while in transit, or making it unusable until it is confirmed that there is no problem in case of suspicion.

[0173] (Variation 1) Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a procedure room system in Modification 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention. The procedure room system 320' of this Modification 1 performs registration and activation procedures for multiple gaming chips 72 simultaneously. The multiple gaming chips 72 are registered and activated while housed in a chip case 71. The chip case 71 is assigned a barcode 722 as case identification information to identify the chip case 71.

[0174] The data file 73 provided by the gaming equipment manufacturer to the casino 300 associates the code information represented by the barcode 722 with the information of each gaming chip 72. The procedure room system 320' is further equipped with a barcode reader 327. The barcode reader 327 reads the barcode 722 on the chip case 71 containing the gaming chip 72 to be activated.

[0175] Antenna 321 and activation reader 322 simultaneously read the RFID tags 721 of multiple gaming chips 72 housed in chip case 720. The registration device 325 receives the multiple identification information read from the RFID tags 721 of the multiple gaming chips 72 by antenna 321 and activation reader 322, the information in the data file 73' decoded by input device 324, and the code information of the barcode 722 of the chip case 71 read by barcode reader 327. First, the registration device 325 determines whether the code information of the chip case 71 provided by the manufacturer of the gaming chips 72 matches the code information of the chip case 71 read by barcode reader 327. That is, the registration device 325 first determines whether the chip case 71 itself is the chip case that should be there.

[0176] Next, the registration device 325 identifies the identification information of the gaming chips 72 corresponding to the code information of the barcode 722 from the data file 73', that is, the multiple gaming chips 72 involved in registration and activation. The registration device 325 determines the authenticity of the gaming chips 72 by comparing the identification information of the identified gaming chips 72 with the identification information read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 involved in activation by the activation reader / writer 322. If the registration device 325 has successfully compared all the gaming chips 72 involved in registration and activation, it sets the status of those gaming chips 72 to "available" and registers those gaming chips 72 by storing their information in the database 326.

[0177] With this configuration, the gaming chips 72 can be housed and managed in the chip case 720 from manufacturing to activation, and it is possible to ensure that there are no excess or deficiency of gaming chips 72 in each chip case 720.

[0178] (Modification 2) Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a procedure room system in a modified example 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention. The procedure room system 320'' of this modified example 2 also performs registration and activation procedures for multiple gaming chips 72 simultaneously. The gaming chips 72 store type information in addition to identification information. The procedure room system 320'' includes a camera 3291 that photographs the sides of multiple gaming chips 72 whose RFID tags 721 are read by an antenna 321, and an image recognition device 3292 that performs image recognition on the images generated by the camera 3291.

[0179] Multiple gaming chips 72 are photographed by camera 3291 while stacked. Camera 3291 generates image data through the photography. Image recognition device 3292 performs image recognition on the image data to determine the type of multiple gaming chips 72 based on the patterns that appear on their sides. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the side of each gaming chip 72 has a center line as a pattern, and the color of the center line represents the type of gaming chip 72. Therefore, image recognition device 3292 recognizes the center line in the image and determines the type of gaming chip 72 in the image based on its color.

[0180] The registration device 325 determines whether the types of gaming chips read by the activation reader 322, i.e., the number of each type, match the types of gaming chips recognized by the image recognition device 3292, i.e., the number of each type.

[0181] This configuration allows for checking whether the type of gaming chip 72, which is used for registration and activation, matches the type stored in the RFID tag 721. It also allows for checking whether the number of gaming chips 72 visible from the outside matches the number of RFID tags 721 that are read.

[0182] In this modified example 2, the type of gaming chip 72 was identified from its appearance and it was determined whether it matched the type stored in the RFID tag 721. However, instead of determining the type using the image and the RFID tag 721, the gaming chip 72 could also be inspected by having the image recognition device 3292 recognize the number based on the image and then determining whether that number matches the number of RFID tags 721 read by the activation reader 322. Furthermore, in this modified example 2, multiple gaming chips 72 do not need to be inspected simultaneously; they may be inspected one by one.

[0183] In the above modified example 1, for multiple gaming chips 72 housed in the chip case 720, the identification information and other information of the gaming chips 72 housed in the chip case 720 were obtained by reading the RFID tag 721, while the identification information and other information of the gaming chips 72 housed in the chip case 720 were obtained by reading the barcode 722 with the barcode reader 327 and referring to the data file 73', and the gaming chips 72 were inspected by comparing the obtained information. In the above modified example 2, for multiple gaming chips 72, the type of gaming chip 72 was determined by reading the RFID tag 721, while the type of gaming chip 72 housed in the chip case 720 was determined by taking a picture of the side of the multiple gaming chips 72 with the camera 3291 and performing image recognition, and the gaming chips 72 were inspected by comparing the obtained information.

[0184] As another example, the gaming chips 72 may be inspected by the number of gaming chips 72 housed in the chip case 720, without using a barcode reader 327 or camera 3291. That is, the number of gaming chips 72 housed in the chip case 720 may be known by using a known case as the chip case 720, and the gaming chips 72 may be inspected by confirming whether the number of RFID tags 721 read by the antenna 321 and activation reader 322 matches this known number.

[0185] Alternatively, instead of the camera 3291 and image recognition device 3292, the inspection may be performed based on information entered by the activation procedure operator from the operating device 328. The operator may, for example, visually inspect multiple gaming chips 72 to identify their type information and input it into the input device. In this case, the registration device 325 may inspect the gaming chips 72 by determining whether the type information of the gaming chips 72 entered by the operator into the operating device 328 matches the type information read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 by the activation reader 322.

[0186] The registration device 325 may also inspect the gaming chip 72 by determining whether the type information entered by the operator into the operating device 328 matches the type information recorded in the data file 73 provided by the casino equipment manufacturer.

[0187] (Variation 3) In the first embodiment described above, the status was stored as activation information in the database 326 and in the RFID tag 721 embedded in the gaming chip 72. However, it is also possible to not record the activation information in the RFID tag 721. Alternatively, the activation information may not be recorded in the database 326 either, and a table may be created in the database 326 that contains only activated and usable gaming chips 72. The central matching device 323 can then determine whether a gaming chip 72 is an activated and usable gaming chip 72 by checking whether there is identification information in the table that corresponds to the identification information read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 to be matched.

[0188] Alternatively, instead of using the database 326, the activation status may be recorded only on the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72. In this case, the registration device 325 records "Available" as the status on the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 during activation (it is set to "Unavailable" before that, i.e., at the time of factory shipment). Each casino supplies handling location can immediately determine whether the gaming chip 72 is available or unavailable by reading the status from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72.

[0189] (Modification 4) In the first embodiment described above, the deactivation process involved changing the status of the activation information to "unavailable" or deleting the record from the database 326. However, the deactivation process is not limited to these. In addition to "available" and "unavailable," other statuses such as "suspected" and "unknown" may be provided for the activation information status, and the registration device 325 may record these "suspected" and "unknown" statuses as part of the deactivation process. In this case, the casino 300 may confiscate gaming chips 72 with a status of "unavailable," and take measures appropriate to the status of chips with a status of "suspected" or "unknown." For example, if the status is "suspected," the casino 300 may interview the player who owns the gaming chip 72, or review video footage taken by a camera, and if the suspicion is cleared, allow the player to exchange it for a gaming chip 72 with a status of "available."

[0190] Gaming Chips 72 are redeemable for cash and are considered the property of the player. Therefore, it may not be appropriate to immediately change the status of a Gaming Chip 72 to "unusable" and make it unredeemable at the stage when there is suspicion of fraud. On the other hand, it is also not appropriate to leave the status as "usable" when there is suspicion of fraud and allow the free use of the Gaming Chip 72 (betting on games, exchanging it for cash, etc.). Therefore, as mentioned above, by creating a status such as "suspected" that is neither "usable" nor "unusable," appropriate measures can be taken when there is suspicion of fraud.

[0191] Thus, by making it possible to change the status of activation information from "unusable" to "suspected" as part of the deactivation process, it becomes possible to update the status of various gaming chips 72 suspected of being fraudulent. For example, all gaming chips 72 related to a dealer or player involved in fraud, i.e., all gaming chips 72 read in the chip tray or betting area of ​​a table 36 handled by such a dealer or played by such a player, may be deactivated, and all gaming chips 72 held by such a player may also be deactivated. Furthermore, if a fraudulent gaming chip 72 is found, the game in which the fraudulent gaming chip 72 was used at table 36 may be identified retrospectively, and all gaming chips 72 related to that game (those that were simultaneously bet or redeemed) may be deactivated. In addition, for games in which payment or collection at table 36 was not made correctly, all gaming chips 72 involved in that game may be deactivated. Furthermore, all gaming chips 72 involved in games in which a player won a large amount may also be deactivated. In these cases, the registration device 325 may update the status of the activation information to "suspicious" as a deactivation process.

[0192] (Variation 5) As mentioned above, gaming chips 72 may have multiple attributes defined, including NN chips such as rolling chips, which can be bet on but cannot be exchanged for cash at cashier 33, while offering benefits such as cashback upon purchase. If a player bets NN chips and loses the game, and the NN chips are collected, the dealer collects the NN chips from the player. These NN chips will not be paid out as a payout to any player who wins a subsequent game at that table 36.

[0193] Therefore, the status of the NN chip may be set to "unavailable" at the time it is collected in the chip tray. Specifically, when an NN chip is newly collected in the chip tray, the table matching device 363 sends its identification information to the central matching device 323. When the central matching device 323 receives the identification information of the rolling chip read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a, the registration device 325 performs a deactivation process on the said identification information. As a result, the NN chip collected in the chip tray is immediately set to unavailable and remains unavailable until the registration device 325 performs the activation process again.

[0194] (Experimental variation 6) In the first embodiment described above, the device for registering gaming chips and the device for deactivating gaming chips were the same device, but these may be separate devices. Also, although the device for registration and the device for deactivation were provided in the procedure room 32 within the security area 301, one or both of these may be provided in the casino supplies handling location in the floor area 302. For example, the registration device 325 may be installed in each pit 35 instead of the procedure room 32. In each pit 35, the pit reader / writer 352 may perform the same registration process as described above for gaming chips 72 filled from the bank 34, and / or deactivate gaming chips 72 credited to the bank 34.

[0195] With this configuration, a new gaming chip 72 is only registered and activated when it is brought to the pit 35 near the table 36. Therefore, even if a gaming chip 72 is stolen by a player or casino staff member during the journey from the security area 301 to the pit, it will not yet be activated, thus preventing the stolen gaming chip 72 from being used. In addition, by providing a registration device 325 at the table 36, when a suspicious act occurs, the status of the gaming chip 72 suspected of being involved in the fraud can be immediately changed to "suspected" or "unusable" at the table 36.

[0196] (Example 7) As described above, each casino supplies handling location is equipped with a reader / writer that reads and writes to the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72. Therefore, the casino system 30 may manage the movement of gaming chips 72 within the casino. In particular, the casino system 30 may manage the movement of gaming chips 72 within the security area 301. The security area 301 is divided into multiple locations, including the cashier 33. The gaming chips 72 have RFID tags 721 that store identification information. The casino system 30 has a configuration that includes a first reader that reads identification information from the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 moving between multiple casino supplies handling locations, a second reader that reads identification information from the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 moving from the security area 301 to the floor area 302, and a recording device that records the identification information read by the first and second readers as a movement history of the gaming chips 72. This configuration makes it possible to manage the movement of gaming chips 72 within the casino.

[0197] In the casino system 30, the recording device may record the destination and / or source of movement along with identification information in the movement history. This configuration makes it possible to determine whether the movement was carried out accurately.

[0198] The casino system 30 may further include a management device that determines whether a move is appropriate or not based on the move history. This configuration allows for the detection of inappropriate moves.

[0199] In the casino system 30, the management device may record in the recording device that a gaming chip 72 having a movement history that does not match a predetermined set of possible movement histories is fraudulent or suspected of being fraudulent.

[0200] The casino system 30 may further include a third reader that reads identification information from the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 entering the security area 301 from the floor area 302. This configuration allows for complete management of the gaming chips 72 within the casino.

[0201] In the casino system 30, the management device may issue an alert or record an alert if the destination of a gaming chip 72 going out to the floor area 302 is recorded in the movement history of the gaming chip 72, and the gaming chip 72 is not received at the destination. This configuration makes it possible to detect that the movement from the security area 301 to a predetermined location in the floor area 302 was not completed successfully.

[0202] In the casino system 30, the management device may issue an alert or record a record if the gaming chips 72 are not received at the destination within a predetermined time. This configuration allows for the determination of an abnormality if the transfer is not completed within a predetermined time.

[0203] Furthermore, the chip management system may be configured to include the casino system described above. The chip management system has a configuration comprising the casino system described above and a fourth reader installed on the game table that reads identification information from the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72. This configuration allows for the management of gaming chips 72 within the casino, including the security floor 302.

[0204] In a chip management system, the management device may calculate the total value of gaming chips held by players in the casino. This configuration allows for real-time tracking of the casino's total debt.

[0205] In a chip management system, the management device may record date and time information in the movement history. This configuration allows for more detailed recording of the movement history.

[0206] In the chip management system, the management device may detect suspicious movement of the gaming chip 72 based on date and time information. This configuration allows for the detection of various suspicious movements.

[0207] In a chip management system, the management device may record information about the staff involved in the movement history. This configuration allows for the identification of the staff involved in any inappropriate movement.

[0208] (Other variations) In the first embodiment described above, a pit 35 for managing multiple tables 36 is provided in the floor area 302, but the pit 35 is not required. In this case, each table 36 may be provided with a cabinet for storing newly used game supplies (playing card packages, gaming chips, dice, etc.). The cabinet may also be provided with an antenna and reader for reading RFID tags attached to the game supplies stored therein.

[0209] In the first embodiment described above, an example was explained in which the game equipment is a gaming chip 72 with a built-in RFID tag 721, but the game equipment is not limited to a gaming chip. The game equipment may be, for example, playing cards, and in particular, a playing card package containing multiple decks of randomly shuffled playing cards. Alternatively, each individual playing card may be managed as a game item.

[0210] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, each gaming chip 72, which is a game item, is given identification information, and the gaming chip 72 had identification information attached by means of an RFID tag 721. Alternatively, the identification information may be inscribed on the surface (preferably the side) of the gaming chip 72 in a form that is difficult to see with the naked eye. For example, a dot pattern may be formed on the side with dots of a size that is difficult to see with the naked eye, and the identification information of the gaming chip 72 may be recorded in this dot pattern. In this case, a camera or scanner is provided at the casino item handling location, such as the table 36. At the casino item handling location, the side of the gaming chip 72 may be photographed, and the identification information of the gaming chip 72 may be obtained by performing image analysis on the captured image.

[0211] The procedure room system 320 may refer to the database 326 to present a list of all gaming chips 72 whose status is available and / or calculate their total value. Alternatively, the procedure room system 320 may refer to the database 326 to the latest location information of multiple gaming chips 72 whose status is available and calculate the total value for each type of location (for example, the total value of multiple gaming chips 72 present in the cashier 33, the total value of multiple gaming chips 72 present in multiple tables 36, the total value of multiple gaming chips owned by a player, etc.).

[0212] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment relates to a cage system for managing gaming chips within a cage in a casino, and a chip management system including the cage system.

[0213] A gaming chip tracing system is known as a system for managing gaming chips in casinos. This system involves embedding RFID tags containing at least a gaming chip ID into each chip, and associating the gaming chip ID with a user ID to monitor which user possesses which gaming chip.

[0214] Furthermore, gaming chip security systems are known that store valid gaming chip IDs in a database and determine the validity or authenticity of gaming chips by reading the gaming chip ID from the RFID tag on the gaming chip within the casino (for example, at a table) and comparing it with the database (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-5565).

[0215] Gaming chips are brought into the casino through cages, and discarded gaming chips are also taken out of the cages. Traditional gaming chip tracing systems cannot necessarily monitor the movement of gaming chips within the cages, or the movement of gaming chips between the cages and various locations within the casino, including the movement of all gaming chips within the casino.

[0216] Therefore, this embodiment provides a cage system for monitoring the movement of gaming chips in the cage and the movement of the cage between the cage and each location within the casino, and a gaming chip management system including the same for managing gaming chips within the casino.

[0217] One embodiment of this cage system is a cage system for managing the movement of gaming chips within a cage in a casino hall, wherein the cage is divided into a plurality of locations including a cashier, the gaming chips have RFID tags that store chip IDs, and the cage system comprises a first reading means for reading the chip IDs from the RFID tags of gaming chips moving between the plurality of locations, a second reading means for reading the chip IDs from the RFID tags of gaming chips leaving the cage and going out into the casino hall, and a recording means for recording the chip IDs read by the first reading means and the second reading means as the movement history of the gaming chips. This configuration makes it possible to manage the movement of gaming chips within the cage.

[0218] In the cage system described above, the recording means may record the destination and / or source of movement along with the chip ID in the movement history. This configuration makes it possible to determine whether the movement is being carried out accurately.

[0219] The cage system described above may further include a management means for determining whether movement is appropriate based on the movement history. This configuration allows for the detection of inappropriate movement.

[0220] In the cage system described above, the management means may record in the recording means that the gaming chip has a movement history that does not match a predetermined set of possible movement histories, and that it is fraudulent or suspected of being fraudulent.

[0221] The cage system described above may further include a third reading means for reading the chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip entering the cage from the casino hall. This configuration allows for complete management of the gaming chips within the cage.

[0222] In the cage system described above, the management means may issue or record an alert if the destination is not received at the destination when the destination is recorded in the movement history of the gaming chips going out to the casino hall. This configuration makes it possible to detect that the movement from the cage to a predetermined location in the casino hall was not completed successfully.

[0223] In the cage system described above, the management means may issue an alert or record a record if the gaming chip is not received at the destination within a predetermined time. This configuration allows for the determination of an abnormality if the movement is not completed within a predetermined time.

[0224] One embodiment of this chip management system comprises one of the cage systems described above and a fourth reading means installed on a game table for reading the chip ID from the RFID tag of the gaming chip. This configuration allows for the management of gaming chips within a casino hall, including the cages.

[0225] In the chip management system described above, the management means may calculate the total amount of gaming chips held by players in the casino hall. This configuration allows for real-time tracking of the casino's total debt.

[0226] In the chip management system described above, the management means may record date and time information in the movement history. This configuration allows for more detailed recording of the movement history.

[0227] In the chip management system described above, the management means may detect suspicious movement of the gaming chip based on the date and time information. This configuration allows for the detection of various suspicious movements.

[0228] In the above-described chip management system, the management means may record information about the staff involved in the movement history. This configuration makes it possible to identify the staff involved in any inappropriate movement.

[0229] The cage system and gaming chip management system according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the components in the embodiments described below include those that can be easily imagined by those skilled in the art or that are substantially the same.

[0230] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a casino according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The casino hall 1 is equipped with a cage 10 and a number of game tables 42-45. The floor where the game tables 42-45 are located may be divided into a VIP floor and a general floor. The cage 10 is a room that only security staff are allowed to 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.

[0231] Vault 11 is provided with a gate 21 leading to the outside of cage 10, gate 22 between vault 11 and main bank room 12, gate 23 between main bank room 12 and F / C bank room 13, gate 24 between main bank room 12 and cashier room 14, and F / C bank room 13 is provided with a gate 24 leading to casino hall 1 where game tables 42-45 are located. Cashier room 14 is provided with gates (windows) 26-28 leading to casino hall 1. Each gate 21-25 may allow the passage of people and gaming chips, or only gaming chips may pass through, with separate doors for people entering and exiting. Windows 26-28 are open to the extent that gaming chips and cash can be exchanged.

[0232] Vault 11 is staffed by vault staff 831, main bank 12 is staffed by main bank staff 832, F / C bank room 13 is staffed by F / C bank staff 833, and cashier room 14 is staffed by cashier staff 834-836 corresponding to windows 26-28.

[0233] Casino Hall 1 has game tables 42-45, and each game table 42-45 has one dealer 52-55 assigned to it. Although only four game tables are shown in the example in Figure 10, Casino Hall 1 actually has more game tables. In addition, pit managers 56 are assigned to multiple adjacent game tables 42.

[0234] In the example shown in Figure 10, there are players 61-69 in Casino Hall 1. Players in Casino Hall 1, like player 61 in Figure 10, can purchase or exchange gaming chips for cash through one of windows 26-28. Players who purchase gaming chips in Cage 10 can bet them at game tables 42-45 and enjoy the games. If a player loses a game, the dealer collects their gaming chips from them, and if they win a game, they receive a payout from the dealer according to the game rules and bet amount. In this way, the amount of gaming chips a player possesses increases or decreases depending on the game. When a player runs out of gaming chips, they can purchase more (buy in) at Cage 10. Also, when a player finishes playing, they can exchange their gaming chips for cash (buy out) at Cage.

[0235] At game tables 42-45, gaming chips are collected from players who lose and paid to players who win. This increases or decreases the amount of gaming chips held by the dealer (casino) at the game tables. If there is a shortage of gaming chips at a game table, gaming chip transport staff 51 receive gaming chips from gate 24 in the F / C bank room 13 and transport them to the game table to replenish it. This process of replenishing gaming chips in a table game is also called "filling". Conversely, if there is an excess of gaming chips at a game table, gaming chip transport staff 51 transport the gaming chips from the game table to cage 10, where they are stored in the F / C bank room 13 via gate 24. This process of returning gaming chips from the game table to cage 10 is also called "crediting".

[0236] In Game Hall 1, when managing the movement history of gaming chips, the source, destination, and any locations between them are referred to as "locations." In the example shown in Figure 10, for instance, each room and each game table within Cage 10 are referred to as locations.

[0237] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a gaming chip according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 shows a $100 gaming chip. The gaming chip 70 has a disc shape and the face value (in the case of Figure 10, "$100") is shown on both sides. Multiple layers are stacked in the thickness direction in the order of white layer, colored layer, white layer, and the sides have a striped pattern in which the colored layer is sandwiched between white layers. The color of the colored layer differs depending on the face value, and therefore the face value of the chip can be determined by identifying the color of the colored layer.

[0238] An RFID tag 71 is embedded inside the gaming chip 70. The RFID tag 71 stores information about the chip's chip ID and face value. The RFID tag 71 may be writable, in which case it may record the gaming chip's current location or owner information, and may also record its past location or owner history. The gaming chip 70 may be constructed by pressing together multiple plates, or by resin molding.

[0239] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a chip management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The chip management system 1000 comprises a cage system 501 and a plurality of table systems 502. A table system 502 is provided for each game table. The cage system 501 comprises a chip management computer 100 and a chip management database 101 for the integrated management of chips within the cage 10 and within the casino hall 1.

[0240] Furthermore, the cage system 501 includes a vault computer 111 installed in the vault 11, and a vault card reader 112 and a vault chip reader 113 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also includes a main bank computer 121 installed in the main bank room 12, and a main bank card reader 122 and a main bank chip reader 123 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also includes an F / C bank computer 131 installed in the F / C bank room 13, and an F / C bank card reader 132 and an F / C bank chip reader 133 connected thereto. The cage system 501 also includes a cashier computer 141 installed in the cashier room 14 corresponding to each of the windows 26 to 28, and a cashier card reader 142 and a cashier chip reader 143 connected thereto.

[0241] The table system 502 comprises a table computer 151, a table card reader 152, a table chip reader 153, a chip tray chip reader 154, and multiple betting area chip readers 155 connected to it. Although only one table system 502 is shown in Figure 12, multiple table systems 502 are provided to accommodate multiple game tables.

[0242] The vault computer 111, main bank computer 121, F / C bank computer 131, cashier computer 141, table computer 151, and chip management database 101 are each connected to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 and the other computers and chip management database 101 may be connected via a local network by wired or wireless connections. Alternatively, the chip management computer 101 and chip management data 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 chip management database 101 may be installed in the cloud instead of in the casino.

[0243] Each computer 100, 111, 121, 131, 141, and 151 is connected to an input device (not shown) for receiving operational input from the corresponding staff. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mice, buttons, touchpads, touch panels, and voice input devices. Alternatively, the functions of each computer may be consolidated into the chip management computer 100, leaving only these input devices and communication equipment at the corresponding locations. In this case, various signals (e.g., input signals received by the input devices, signals read by the chip readers, etc.) may be transmitted directly between the input devices, card readers, and chip readers at each location and the management computer 100.

[0244] Card readers 112, 122, 132, 142, and 152 at each location read staff IDs or player IDs from ID cards held by staff or players. Specifically, the vault card reader 112, main bank card reader 122, and F / C bank card reader 132 read staff IDs from the corresponding staff's ID cards, while the cashier card reader 142 reads staff IDs from cashier staff's ID cards and also reads the player IDs of players purchasing or exchanging gaming chips at the cashier. Additionally, the table card reader 152 reads the staff IDs of the corresponding dealers and the player IDs of the players playing.

[0245] 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 to that location from another location, and when the gaming chip moves from that location to another location (i.e., when the gaming chip 70 leaves that location).

[0246] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a game table according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 illustrates a game table 42. The game table 42 is provided with multiple play positions. The game table 42 has on its table surface multiple betting areas corresponding to the multiple play positions, a chip tray for storing dealer chips, a dealer area for reading and writing information to the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70, and an ID card area for reading the ID cards of the dealer and players.

[0247] The chip tray is equipped with a tray antenna 514 for reading the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 housed therein. Each of the multiple betting areas is equipped with betting area antennas 515a to 515e inside the table surface for reading the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 placed therein. The dealer area is equipped with a dealer antenna 513 inside the table surface for reading the RFID tag 71 of the gaming chip 70 placed therein. The ID card area is equipped with an ID card antenna 512 inside the table surface.

[0248] Each antenna 512-515 is connected to a table computer 151 and transmits the read signals to the table computer 151. The table computer 151 decodes the signals from each antenna to obtain various information stored in the RFID tags 71 and ID cards.

[0249] Staff members stationed at each location scan their card IDs using a corresponding card reader before starting work. The computer at each location transmits the scanned staff ID and the date and time to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the staff IDs scanned by the card readers at each location, along with location and date / time information, in the chip management database 101.

[0250] The chip management database 101 stores player tables, chip tables, game table tables, staff tables, and movement history tables. The player table stores the registration information of the player in question. For each player, the player table records the player ID, various player attributes, and player status such as VIP, suspected, or blacklisted. The chip table records the chip ID, face value, type, manufacturing information, and chip status such as valid, missing, stolen, or invalid. The game table table records the table ID, game type, etc. The staff table records the staff ID, various staff attributes, etc. The movement history table records the location or ownership history of gaming chips 70.

[0251] (Management of gaming chip movement) Figure 14 is a diagram showing the movement of gaming chips according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 14, each location excluding the vault has the potential for movement from multiple sources when a gaming chip enters, and the potential for movement to multiple destinations when a chip leaves. The chip management system of this embodiment recognizes these movements. To this end, several methods can be employed as follows.

[0252] (Method 1) In the first method, when a gaming chip 70 enters a computer at a location, the computer at that location specifies the source of the chip and reports this specification along with the chip ID of the incoming gaming chip 70 to the chip management computer 100. When a gaming chip 70 leaves a location, the computer reports the location information, i.e., the source of the chip, and the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to the chip management computer 100.

[0253] For example, when a gaming chip 70 moves from the main bank room 12 to the F / C bank room 13, the main bank computer 121 reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the main bank chip reader 123 and reports to the chip management computer 100 that the chip is leaving the main bank room 12, along with the read chip ID. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0254] Then, in F / C bank room 13, which has received the gaming chip 70 from main bank room 12, F / C bank staff 33 operate the input device of F / C bank computer 131 to input a designation that the gaming chip 70 is the gaming chip 70 that came from main bank room 12 (source), and read the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with F / C bank chip reader 133. F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip ID and the designation that the destination is the source and that the source is 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.

[0255] Figure 15 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by the first method of gaming chip movement management according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The example in Figure 15 shows the movement history of a gaming chip 70 with chip ID "24825". The chip management database 101 stores information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70, including the chip ID 601, inbound / outbound information 602, source information 603, destination information 604, and date and time 605 of the gaming chip.

[0256] According to the first method, as shown in Figure 15, for gaming chips 70 leaving a location, information about their origin is obtained (history H61), and for gaming chips 70 entering a location, information about their origin and destination is obtained (history H62). Based on history H61 and history H62, it can be confirmed that the gaming chips 70 have indeed left the main bank room 12 and been received in the F / C bank room 13.

[0257] (Second method) In the second method, when a gaming chip 70 leaves a computer at a location, the computer at that location specifies its destination and reports this specification, along with the chip ID of the departing gaming chip 70, to the chip management computer 100. When a gaming chip 70 enters a location, the computer reports the location information, i.e., the destination, and the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to the chip management computer 100.

[0258] For example, when a gaming chip 70 is moved (credited) from Table-4 to F / C Bank Room 13, the dealer reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 using the table chip reader 153 on the game table and operates the input device of the table computer 151 to specify F / C Bank Room 13 as the destination (specify the credit). The table computer 151 reports this chip ID, the destination F / C Bank Room 13, and the table ID of Table-4, the source of the move, to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0259] Upon receiving the gaming chip 70 at the destination F / C bank room 13, the F / C bank staff member 33 reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 using the F / C bank chip reader 133. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip ID and the fact that the chip has arrived at 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.

[0260] Figure 16 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by a second method of managing the movement of a gaming chip according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the example in Figure 16, the movement history of a gaming chip 70 with chip ID "24825" is shown. The chip management database 101 stores information about the movement history of the gaming chip 70, including the chip ID 601, entry / exit information 602, source information 603, destination information 604, and date and time 605 of the gaming chip.

[0261] According to the second method, as shown in Figure 16, for gaming chips 70 leaving a location, information on their source 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 F / C bank room 13.

[0262] (Third method) The third method is a combination of the first and second methods. That is, in each location's computer, when a gaming chip 70 enters, its source is specified, and when a gaming chip 70 leaves, its destination is specified.

[0263] (Fourth method) In the fourth method, staff at each location use the input device of the computer at that location to specify whether the gaming chip 70 is going out or coming in, and report this specification to the chip management computer 100 along with the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 read by the chip reader. Based on this report, the chip management computer 100 updates the inbound / outbound information and location information in the chip management database 101.

[0264] Figure 17 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by a fourth method of gaming chip movement management according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The chip management database 101 stores information such as the chip ID 601, entry / exit information 602, location information 603, and date and time 604 of the gaming chip 70 as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70.

[0265] According to the fourth method, as shown in Figure 17, the entry / exit information 602 and location information 603 are recorded, so that it can be confirmed based on history H81 and history H82 that the gaming chip 70 has indeed left the vault 11 and been received in the main bank room 12.

[0266] (Fifth method) In the fifth method, only location information is recorded. That is, when the gaming chip 70 is at that location, the staff at that location reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 with the chip reader at that location and reports it to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report. The staff at each location may read the chip ID when the gaming chip 70 moves to that location, when the gaming chip 70 moves out of that location, or at any time they choose.

[0267] Figure 18 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by a fifth method of gaming chip movement management according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The chip management database 101 stores information such as the chip ID 601, location information 603, and date and time 604 of the gaming chip 70 as information on the movement history of the gaming chip 70.

[0268] By the fifth method, as shown in Figure 18, location information 603 is also recorded, so that it can be confirmed based on history 91 and history 92 that the gaming chip 70 has indeed left the vault 11 and been received in the main bank room 12.

[0269] The choice of which of the first to fifth methods described above to use may be determined for each combination of source and destination. For example, the fourth or fifth method may be used for moving gaming chips 70 within cage 11, the second method, in which the destination is specified at the source, may be used for moving chips from F / C bank room 13 to game table, and the first method, in which the source is specified at the destination, may be used for moving chips from game table to F / C bank room 13.

[0270] (Purchases and exchanges at the cashier) Furthermore, when a gaming chip 70 is moved from the cashier room 14 to a player (when a player purchases a gaming chip 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 along with the designated player to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0271] Then, when the gaming chip 70 is moved from the player to the cashier room 14 (when the player cashes in the gaming chip 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 chip ID and the originating player to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0272] Figure 19 shows an example of data in a chip management database updated by the fourth method of managing the movement of gaming chips according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the example in Figure 19, player-5 purchases gaming chips 70 at cashier-2 (history H101, H102), and then player-5 exchanges those gaming chips 70 for cash at cashier-3 (history H103, H104). Note that in the case of the first to third methods, the inflow / outflow information 602 may be set to N / A, and only the source (cashier) and destination (player) information may be recorded.

[0273] Furthermore, for example, in a cashier, when a cashier receives a gaming chip 70 from a player, the cashier staff may specify that they are receiving it and then use the cashier chip reader 143 to read the chip ID of the gaming chip 70. When handing a gaming chip 70 to a player, the cashier staff may specify that they are handing it over and then use the cashier chip reader 143 to read the chip ID of the gaming chip 70.

[0274] This makes it possible to clearly distinguish whether a gaming chip 70 whose chip ID has been read by a single chip reader is entering or leaving a location. Furthermore, in the case of chip exchange, it is possible to clearly distinguish between gaming chips 70 received from a player and gaming chips 70 given to a player, and to identify their chip IDs using the chip reader.

[0275] (Recovery and Repayment) Players who have purchased gaming chips 70 can play games on the game table. At this time, on the game table, first, the table card reader 152 equipped with the ID card antenna 512 reads the player's ID card. When reading the player's ID card with the table card reader 152, the player's play position is specified. Thereby, it can be recognized which player is in which bet area. Note that the bet area antennas 515a to 515e may be one or a plurality of antennas that read the gaming chips 70 placed in the one bet area by grouping a plurality of bet areas without distinguishing each player position as one bet area. Also, the antenna of the bet area may be omitted.

[0276] If a player loses the game at the table, the bet gaming chips 70 are recovered. In this case, the chip tray antenna 514 reads the chip ID of the gaming chips 70 housed in the chip tray before recovery and also reads the chip ID of the gaming chips 70 housed in the chip tray after recovery. The table computer 151 recognizes the chip ID of the gaming chips 70 newly brought into the chip tray (that is, recovered from the player) by comparing the chip IDs of the chip tray before and after recovery.

[0277] The table computer 151 reports the chip ID read by the chip tray antenna 14 to the chip management computer 100 together with the designation that the gaming chips 70 recovered from the player are transferred to the chip tray of the game table. The chip management computer 100 updates the chip management database 101 in response to this report.

[0278] Furthermore, if the table computer 151 can determine whether each bet gaming chip 70 should be collected by recognizing the chip ID of the bet gaming chip 70 using the bet area antennas 515a to 515e and recognizing the game result, and if it determines that the chip should be collected, it may update the movement history of the gaming chip 70 in the chip management database 101 accordingly, indicating that it has left the player and moved to the game table. This update, along with a subsequent update indicating that it has been accepted in the chip tray, allows for confirmation that the gaming chip 70 to be collected has indeed been collected in the chip tray. In other words, if a movement history is recorded indicating that the chip should be collected, with the entry / exit information 602 set to "OUT" and the location information 603 set to any player, but no subsequent movement history of acceptance in the chip tray is recorded, it becomes clear that the gaming chip 70 to be collected has not been properly collected.

[0279] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the chip IDs of chips newly brought into the chip tray by retrieval are determined by comparing the chip IDs read from the chip tray before and after retrieval. Alternatively, a special retrieval chip area may be provided in the chip tray to temporarily accommodate the retrieved chip trays, and an antenna independent of the other chip tray parts may be provided in this retrieval chip area to determine the chip IDs of the retrieved gaming chips 70.

[0280] Alternatively, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be collected can be identified by having the dealer antenna read the RFID tag 71 while the chip is being moved from the betting area to the chip tray.

[0281] When a player wins a game, they receive a gaming chip 70 as a reward. The dealer first places the gaming chip 70 to be dispensed to the player from the chip tray into 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, so it can associate the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed with the player who will receive the redemption (the location information of the redeemed gaming chip 70 is associated with that player).

[0282] The method for identifying the chip ID of the redeemed gaming chip 70 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 redeemed gaming chip 70 by reading the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 stored in the chip tray before and after redemption, and link it to the player receiving the redemption.

[0283] Alternatively, when a redeemed gaming chip 70 is placed in a betting area, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 may be read by the betting area antenna 515 in that betting area. In this case, the chip ID of the redeemed gaming chip 70 (which is linked to the dealer or casino) and the chip ID of the bet gaming chip 70 (which is linked to the player) will both be read, but the chip management computer 100 will link the chip ID of the redeemed gaming chip 70 to the player associated with the chip ID of the bet gaming chip 70.

[0284] Furthermore, an antenna and reading area for reading the RFID tag 71 of the redeemable gaming chip 70 may be provided at each player position. Such an antenna and reading area may be installed between the betting area and the dealer at each player position. In this case as well, since it is known which player is at each player position, the redeemable gaming chip 70 can be linked to the player ID. In this case, the dealer may first have the redeemable gaming chip 70 read by the antenna in the reading area of ​​the corresponding player position, and then move the redeemable gaming chip 70 to the side of the betting chips in the betting area, or the dealer may place the redeemable gaming chip 70 in the reading area and have the corresponding player take it.

[0285] The table computer 151 reports to the chip management computer 100 the combination of the chip ID of the redeemed gaming chip 70 and the player ID of the player receiving the redemption. In response to this report, the chip management computer 100 updates the move history in the chip management database 101 to indicate that the gaming chip 70 that was on the game table has been moved to the player.

[0286] During redemption, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 to be redeemed may be identified by having the RFID tag 71 read by the dealer antenna after removing the gaming chip 70 from the chip tray.

[0287] Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 15 to 19 above, each movement history of each gaming chip 70 may record not only location information but also the staff ID of the staff involved in the movement at that location. In addition, each movement history may record status information for the gaming chip 70, such as "valid," "invalid," "missing," "suspected," "cannot be redeemed," or "cannot be played." Alternatively, a flag may be used to indicate whether it is valid or invalid. Moreover, in the examples shown in Figures 15 to 19 above, each movement history record may also contain information on the face value of each gaming chip 70 along with its chip ID.

[0288] As described above, by reading the chip ID at each location, the movement history of each gaming chip 70 can be recorded in the chip management database 101. This enables the chip management computer 100 to implement the various functions described below.

[0289] (Detection of time limits and incorrect destinations) 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. Specifically, the chip management computer 100 starts timing when it receives a report from the F / C bank computer 131 that a gaming chip 70 has left the F / C bank room 13 with a destination game table. The chip management computer 100 may then issue an alert if it does not receive a report from the table computer 151 of the destination game table that it has received the gaming chip 70 within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes). This alert may be sent to the dealer of the game table in question, the pit manager who manages the game table in question, etc. 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," "Not redeemable," "Not playable," etc.

[0290] Furthermore, if the chip management computer 100 receives a report from the F / C bank computer 131 that a gaming chip 70 has left the F / C bank room 13 with a designated game table as its destination, and also receives a report from the table computer 151 of a game table other than the designated game table that it has received the gaming chip 70, the chip management computer 100 may issue an alert. 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," "Not Exchangeable," "Not Playable," etc.

[0291] (Detection of inappropriate movement) 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 chip 70. Movements of the gaming chip 70 are limited to the patterns shown in Figure 14, and any other movement patterns are considered inappropriate. Therefore, each time the chip management database 101 is updated, the chip management computer 100 determines whether the movement related to that update is appropriate.

[0292] For example, if cage 10 has the configuration shown in Figure 10, gaming chips 70 will not move directly from vault 11 to cashier room 14, nor will gaming chips 70 that have not moved from cashier room 14 to a player be collected at the game table. If such movement history is discovered, the chip management computer 100 will determine that it is an inappropriate movement. Furthermore, if gaming chips 70 that should belong to a certain player are cashed in 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.

[0293] (Total player chips in real time) In this function, the chip management computer 100 has the function of calculating the total amount of gaming chips 70 held by all players at that time, that is, the casino's outstanding debt at that time, by referring to the chip management database 101, extracting only the gaming chips 70 held by any player in the latest information of the movement history, and calculating the total amount of those chips 70.

[0294] Alternatively, the total amount of player chips may be calculated by subtracting the total amount of all gaming chips 70 in cage 10 and the total amount of all gaming chips 70 on the game table from the total amount of all gaming chips managed in the chip management database 101.

[0295] (Centralized management of fill / credits) In this function, the chip management computer 100 refers to the chip management database 101 to extract the gaming chips 70 present at each game table and detect the number of chips for each face value. If there are gaming chips 70 of a face value that are not sufficiently numerous, the computer may issue a notification to the F / C bank computer 131 in the F / C bank room 13 and the table computer 151 of the game table to replenish (fill) the gaming chips 70 of that face value. This notification specifies the number of gaming chips 70 of each face value to be replenished, or the total amount of gaming chips 70 of each face value to be replenished.

[0296] Also, by referring to the chip management database 101, the chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 on each game table and detects the total number of gaming chips 70 on that game table for each game table. Then, when the total number is equal to or more than a predetermined number close to the upper limit that can be accommodated on the game table, the F / C bank computer 131 in the F / C bank room 13 and the table computer 151 of the game table may be notified to collect (credit) the gaming chips 70 from the table. In this notification, the number of chips for each denomination of the gaming chips 70 to be replenished or the total amount for each denomination of the gaming chips 70 to be replenished is specified.

[0297] Also, regarding the movement of the gaming chips 70 within the cage 10, a notification may be issued in the same manner. For example, when the number of gaming chips 70 decreases at a certain window in the cashier's room 14, a notification prompting the replenishment of the gaming chips 70 to the cashier's room 14 may be issued to the cashier computer 141 and the main bank computer 121.

[0298] In the above, a notification prompting movement is issued to both the destination and the source of movement, but instead, a notification may be issued to only one of the destination and the source of movement. At the location that receives the notification prompting movement, the staff instructs the computer at that location via the input device whether to accept the proposal for movement, and when one of the locations of the destination and the source of movement accepts the proposal, the computer at that location may notify the other location of the movement instruction.

[0299] (Movement management of multiple gaming chips) In the above, a method of movement management by updating the movement history in the chip management database 101 for each gaming chip 70 has been described, but when a plurality of gaming chips 70 move between locations, it may be managed whether those plurality of gaming chips 70 have moved without excess or deficiency.

[0300] The following describes an example of moving multiple gaming chips 70 from the F / C bank room 13 to a game table (fill). When gaming chips 70 are moved from the F / C bank room 13 to a designated game table, the F / C bank staff 33 read the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 to be moved using the F / C bank chip reader 133 in the F / C bank room 13. The F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the chip IDs (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 grasps the total amount of gaming chips 70 involved in the fill (total source amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 grasps the source chip IDs, the total number of gaming chips 70 involved in the fill (total source number), and the total source amount based on the information from the F / C bank computer 131.

[0301] When gaming chips 70 are brought to the game table, the dealer reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 brought to the game table using the table chip reader, and the table computer 151 reports the read chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores these chip IDs (destination chip IDs) and, based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face value of those chip IDs and determines the total amount of gaming chips 70 involved in the fill (total destination amount). Thus, the chip management computer 100 determines the destination chip IDs, the total number of gaming chips 70 involved in the fill (total destination number), and the total destination amount based on the information from the table computer 151.

[0302] The chip management computer 100 compares the source chip ID and the destination chip ID to determine if they are a perfect match. It also compares the total source value and the total destination value to determine if they match. Furthermore, it compares the total number of source chips and the total number of destination chips to determine if they match. If any of the above comparisons are inconsistent, the chip management computer 100 determines that the transfer was not performed correctly and issues an alert.

[0303] When multiple gaming chips 70 are moved from the game table to the F / C bank room 13 (for credits), the process is as follows: When gaming chips 70 are moved from the game table to the F / C bank room 13, the dealer uses the table chip reader 153 on the game table to read the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 being moved. The table computer 151 reports the read chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores the chip IDs (source chip IDs) of the multiple gaming chips 70 related to the credits, and, based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face value of those chip IDs and grasp the total amount of gaming chips 70 related to the credits (total source amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 grasps the source chip IDs, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to the credits (total source number), and the total source amount based on the information from the table computer 151.

[0304] When gaming chips 70 are delivered to the F / C bank room 13, F / C bank staff 33 read the chip IDs of the delivered gaming chips 70 using the F / C bank chip reader 133, and the F / C bank computer 131 reports the read chip IDs to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 stores these chip IDs (destination chip IDs) and, based on the report, refers to the chip management database 101 to obtain the face value of those chip IDs and grasps the total amount of gaming chips 70 related to credits (total destination amount). As a result, the chip management computer 100 grasps the destination chip IDs, the total number of gaming chips 70 related to credits (total destination number), and the total destination amount based on the information from the F / C bank computer 131.

[0305] The chip management computer 100 compares the source chip ID and the destination chip ID to determine if they are a perfect match. It also compares the total source value and the total destination value to determine if they match. Furthermore, it compares the total number of source chips and the total number of destination chips to determine if they match. If any of the above comparisons are inconsistent, the chip management computer 100 determines that the transfer was not performed correctly and issues an alert.

[0306] In the above, we compared the chip ID, total amount, and total number of chips, but it is also acceptable to determine whether the transfer was performed correctly by comparing only one of these. Furthermore, the total amount and total number of chips may be calculated and compared for each face value of Gaming Chip 70. For example, the total amount from the source and the total amount to the destination may be calculated as "$600 for $10 chips, $400 for $100 chips."

[0307] Furthermore, if the chip management computer 100 has sent a notification to the destination or source prompting a move, it is possible to determine whether the move was carried out correctly by comparing the notification with the total amount of the source, the notification with the total amount of the destination, the notification with the total number of source chips, or the notification with the total number of destination chips.

[0308] (Managing the increase in the amount at the game table) When gaming chips 70 are delivered from the F / C bank room 13 to a game table and the game table is replenished with gaming chips 70 (fill), the F / C bank chip reader 133 reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 being delivered to the game table, and these chip IDs are reported from the F / C bank computer 131 to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 calculates the total amount of the reported gaming chips 70 (total fill amount) by referring to the chip management database 101.

[0309] The chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 present at the game table before the fill by referring to the chip management database 101 and calculates their total value (existing total). Then, the chip management computer 100 adds the fill total to the calculated existing total to calculate the theoretical total value of gaming chips 70 at the game table after the fill (theoretical post-fill total).

[0310] At the game table, when gaming chips 70 are brought in from the F / C bank room 13, the table chip reader 153 at that game table reads the chip ID of the incoming gaming chip 70 and reports it to the chip management computer 100 via the table computer 151. The chip management computer 100 obtains the face value by referring to the chip management database 101 for the reported chip ID and calculates the actual total value (actual total value after actual filling) of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray.

[0311] Furthermore, if the game table has a cabinet, or if there is 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 for the entire game table (excluding the gaming chips of players placed in the betting area), including the chip tray and such storage space, as the total amount after actual fill.

[0312] The chip management computer 100 compares the theoretical total amount after the fill with the actual total amount after the fill, and issues an alert if the two do not match. This configuration allows for verification that the gaming chips 70 are correctly increased at the game table by the fill.

[0313] Furthermore, in the F / C bank room 13, the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 leaving the F / C bank room 13 are recorded, and at the game tables, the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 that have moved from the F / C bank room 13 are also detected. Therefore, if the total amount after theoretical filling does not match the total amount after actual filling, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy can be identified. 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 cashed out," or "cannot be played."

[0314] In addition, while the above comparison was made between the theoretical total amount after filling and the actual total amount after filling, it is also possible to determine whether the filling was completed without any surplus or deficit by comparing the theoretical total number of gaming chips 70 after filling at the game table (theoretical total number after filling) with the actual total number of gaming chips 70 after filling at the game table (actual total number after filling), using the number of chips (total number) in addition to or instead of the amount (total amount) of gaming chips 70.

[0315] (Managing credits through reductions at the game table) When excess gaming chips 70 are transferred from the game table to the F / C bank room 13 (credits), the table chip reader 153 reads the chip IDs of the gaming chips 70 being transferred to the F / C bank room 13, and these chip IDs are reported from the table computer 151 to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 calculates the total amount of the reported gaming chips 70 (total credits) by referring to the chip management database 101.

[0316] The chip management computer 100 extracts the gaming chips 70 present at the game table before the credit is credited by referring to the chip management database 101 and calculates their total value (existing total). Then, the chip management computer 100 calculates the theoretical total value of gaming chips 70 at the game table after the credit is credited (theoretical post-credit total) by subtracting the total credit value from the calculated existing total value.

[0317] At the game table, as gaming chips 70 are transported to the F / C bank room 13, the chip tray chip reader 154 of the game table reads the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 stored at the game table, and the table computer 151 reports this to the chip management computer 100. The chip management computer 100 obtains the face value by referring to the chip management database 101 for the reported chip ID and calculates the actual total value (actual credit total) of the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray.

[0318] Furthermore, if the game table has a cabinet, or if there is 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 for the entire game table (excluding the gaming chips of players placed in the betting area), including the chip tray and such storage space, as the total amount after real credits.

[0319] The chip management computer 100 compares the theoretical total after credits with the actual total after credits and issues an alert if the two do not match. This configuration allows for verification that the gaming chips 70 are correctly reduced at the game table by credits.

[0320] Furthermore, at the game table, the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 transported from the game table to the F / C bank room 13 are recorded, and in the F / C bank room 13, the chip IDs of all gaming chips 70 that have moved from the game table are also detected. Therefore, if the total amount after theoretical credits does not match the total amount after actual credits, the chip ID of the gaming chip 70 that caused the discrepancy can be identified. 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 cashed out," or "cannot be played."

[0321] In addition, while the above comparison was made between the theoretical total amount after credits and the actual total amount after credits, it is also possible to determine whether the credits were completed without any surplus or deficit by comparing the total number of gaming chips (theoretical total after credits) at the game table with the actual total number of gaming chips (actual total after credits) at the game table, using the number of chips (total number) in addition to or instead of the amount (total amount) of gaming chips 70.

[0322] Furthermore, in the above, the total amount of credits was determined by reading the gaming chips 70 delivered to the F / C bank room 13 with the table chip reader 153, and the theoretical post-credit total was calculated by subtracting the total amount of credits from the existing total (the total amount of gaming chips 70 on the game table before credit execution). However, instead, the following method may be used. That is, if the chip management computer 100 issues a notification to the game table prompting credit execution, and the game table performs credit execution in response to this notification, the total amount or total number of gaming chips 70 related to the credit (which may be specified for each face value) specified in this notification may be used as the total amount of credits, and the theoretical post-credit total may be calculated by subtracting this total amount of credits from the existing total. Once the chip management computer 100 has calculated the theoretical total amount of credits, it compares this theoretical post-credit total with the actual post-credit total (the actual total amount of gaming chips 70 on the game table after credit execution) in the same manner as above to confirm whether the specified amount or number of gaming chips 70 have left the game table for credit execution.

[0323] (Verification based on staff work shifts) Cage 10 is locked to prevent unauthorized entry, and staff can only enter and exit after meeting security requirements. Similar entry and exit security is also in place between each room within Cage 10. Staff working in Cage 10 are required to authenticate themselves when entering and leaving Cage 10 or their assigned room. When authenticating a staff member to exit, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether there have been any inappropriate movements of the gaming chip 70 since the staff member entered the room. The chip management computer 100 works in conjunction with the locking system and will not permit exit if there has been any inappropriate movement of the gaming chip 70.

[0324] Similarly, at the game table, when a dealer leaves the game table, they specify the end of their shift and have their ID card read by the table card reader 152. At this time, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether there have been any inappropriate movements of gaming chips 70 since the dealer sat down at the game table, and issues an alert if there have been any inappropriate movements. Also, when a dealer changes, the chip management computer 100 verifies whether the gaming chips 70 that should be on the game table are indeed there between the time the dealer leaves the table and the time the next dealer sits down, that is, whether the dealer who leaves the table has taken any gaming chips 70 from the game table, and issues an alert if there is a problem.

[0325] Furthermore, in a game table, gaming chips 70 may be stored in locations other than the chip tray. 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 by the game table. In these cases, the game table is also equipped with an antenna for reading the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 stored in this manner, and it is desirable that the table computer 151 be able to read the RFID tags 71 of all gaming chips 70 on the game table at all times.

[0326] (Monitoring inappropriate purchases / cash-outs by players) In this function, the chip management computer 100 verifies the purchase and redemption history of gaming chips for each player and issues an alert if there is any suspicious activity. For example, if a player purchases more than a predetermined amount of gaming chips 70 and redeems more than a predetermined amount of gaming chips 70 within a predetermined time, the computer will issue an alert as such activity is suspicious. Similarly, if gaming chips 70 are purchased and then redeemed without being used at the game table, and the amount redeemed exceeds a predetermined amount, the computer will issue an alert as such activity is suspicious. Alternatively, if a player purchases more than a predetermined amount of gaming chips 70 within a predetermined time, the computer will issue an alert as such activity is suspicious.

[0327] (Enable / Disable in the cage) The gaming chip 70 may be activated within the cage 10. This ensures security, as even if a gaming chip 70 is stolen between the time it is manufactured and when it is brought into the cage 10, it cannot be used because it is not activated. For this purpose, the chip management database 101 has a table that stores the chip IDs of valid gaming chips 70, and the chip management computer 100 checks the table each time the chip ID of a gaming chip 70 is read by a chip reader on a cashier or game table to verify whether the chip ID is valid.

[0328] Furthermore, when disposing of the gaming chip 70, it is deactivated within the cage 10 before being taken outside the cage 10. This ensures security because even if a gaming chip 70 taken outside the cage 10 for disposal is stolen, it cannot be used in the cashier or on the table.

[0329] (Unregistered Player) Even unregistered players can purchase Gaming Chip 70 and use it to play games at game tables. Unregistered players are assigned a common anonymous player ID. This ensures that the Gaming Chip 70 can be traced uninterrupted, even if it is transferred to an unregistered player while moving between locations from cage 10 to cage 10.

[0330] (others) A display device may be provided in the cashier window to show the total value of the gaming chips 70 and the results of the validity check. The cashier staff places the gaming chips 70 to be given to the player or received from the player on the cashier chip reader 143. The cashier chip reader 143 reads the face value and status stored in the RFID tags 71 of the gaming chips 70 (usually multiple chips). The cashier computer 141 displays the total value obtained by summing 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.

[0331] Furthermore, the cashier computer 141 displays an error message on its display device if there are gaming chips 70 with invalid status among the read RFID tags 71, and displays a pass message or nothing on the display device if the status of all gaming chips 70 is valid. In addition to the status, it may also display whether there has been any inappropriate movement history up to that point. This ensures that the gaming chips to be given to or received from players are valid, and that the total amount is agreed upon between the cashier staff and the player before the gaming chips 70 are handed over.

[0332] 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 the validity of the chip ID by checking whether the read chip ID is that of a valid chip, and may issue an alert if there is a problem. For this purpose, a table of valid chip IDs is recorded in the chip management database 101, and the chip management computer 100 refers to this table to verify whether the chip ID read at each location is valid. The chip ID may be encrypted.

[0333] In the above embodiment, in addition to issuing an alert, or instead, the chip management computer 100 may set a flag indicating an anomaly in the relevant player, gaming chip 70, or movement history record and record the time.

[0334] Furthermore, the configuration of the rooms in Cage 10 is not limited to those described above; the number of rooms and their arrangement are arbitrary. Also, 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.

[0335] Each of the above-described computers is equipped with a processor and memory, and the above operations are performed by the processor executing a computer program stored in memory. The program may be provided to the computer by a non-temporary storage medium, or it may be provided to the computer in the form of a download. Communication between computers may be wired or wireless. In the above embodiment, staff and players were identified at each location by reading an ID card with a card reader, but instead of an ID card, staff and players may be identified by biometric authentication such as fingerprints, facial images, iris scans, or voiceprints.

[0336] In the above embodiment, the movement of gaming chips 70 between locations was explained using the rooms within the cage 10 and the game table as examples of locations. However, the examples of locations are not limited to these. For example, a chip tray on a game table where a dealer stores collected chips and dispenses redeemed chips from it, a cabinet on the table for storing gaming chips, and the upper and lower chip trays in a two-tiered chip tray system can each be considered a location in the above embodiment, and the movement of gaming chips 70 between each of these locations can be managed in the same manner as described above.

[0337] For example, the system may record the chip ID, total value, and / or total number of gaming chips 70 taken from a cabinet of a game table, and issue an alert if the chip ID, total value, and / or total number of chips do not move to the chip tray of the same game table within a predetermined time. Alternatively, for example, in a double chip tray system, the system may confirm that gaming chips 70 taken from the lower chip tray have moved to the upper chip tray, or that gaming chips 70 taken from the upper chip tray have moved to the lower chip tray.

[0338] Furthermore, when performing a fill, the gaming chips 70 brought from the F / C bank room 13 to the game table are read using the dealer antenna 513, the bet area antenna 515, or the tray antenna 514. The chip tray is equipped with buttons to recognize the start and end of the fill operation, and the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray before the fill and the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray after the fill are compared to recognize the gaming chips 70 that have increased due to the fill as the filled gaming chips 70.

[0339] When credits are issued, the gaming chips 70 that are transported to the F / C bank room 13 are read by the dealer antenna 513, the bet area antenna 515, or the chip tray antenna 514. The chip tray is equipped with buttons to recognize the start and end of credit operations, and the gaming chips 70 in the chip tray before credits and the gaming chips 70 after credits are compared to recognize the gaming chips 70 that have been reduced by the credits as the gaming chips 70 to be credited.

[0340] The chip management computer 100 may be able to output the inventory (chip ID) of chips at each location (cage, chip tray, etc.). The chip management computer 100 may also be able to output the inventory at a specified point in the past.

[0341] Additionally, you could set up an alert to be issued when a suspicious gaming chip (a flagged gaming chip) is attempted to be cashed in at the cashier.

[0342] Furthermore, the chip management database 101 may be capable of storing the cash-out history of each player. Also, the chip management computer 100 may be capable of outputting the chip IDs that the players are supposed to possess.

[0343] The RFID tag 71 may have information such as chipset, casino information, location information, and redemption potential written on it. Alternatively, this information may be associated with the chip ID and stored in the chip management database 101. When an RFID tag 71 is read at a location, the chip management computer 100 or the computers at each location may check, based on this information, whether it is a gaming chip 70 that should be at that location.

[0344] Furthermore, a set of gaming chips 70 (chipset) and the type of gaming chip may be set for each area. For example, when an RFID tag 71 is read at a game table, the table computer 151 or the chip management computer 100 checks whether it is the chipset that should be used at that game table.

[0345] Gaming chips 70 that have been in use for a certain number of years may be flagged in association with their chip ID. Gaming chips 70 that have been in use for a certain number of years can be located and recovered. If a player possesses a gaming chip 70 that has been in use for a certain number of years, a signal will be output when the chip ID is detected at the cashier or game table.

[0346] When a player possessing a potentially stolen gaming chip 70 sits down at a table, the table computer 151 or chip management computer may issue a warning to the staff (supervisor). The cashier computer 141 or chip management computer 100 detects chips that have been purchased but are cashed in without being played, in order to prevent money laundering.

[0347] At the cashier, if a cash-out or chip purchase exceeds a threshold amount, the player's photo is associated with the chip ID. Anonymous players (players without a membership card) are also assigned a unique ID to trace their chips. For anonymous players, a photo of their face may be taken at the time of chip purchase, and the player ID may be linked to the face image and registered in the chip management database 101. Subsequently, at each location (table, cashier, etc.), the player ID may be identified by face recognition. The chip management computer 100 may invalidate the status of all chips associated with players on a blacklist.

[0348] When a player without a member card places a bet of gaming chips 70 at a game 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 associated with the gaming chips 70. At this time, a facial image or facial recognition ID may also be linked to the play. If a member card is recognized later, the play record may be retrospectively linked to the member card ID and recorded.

[0349] The above embodiments disclose the technology described in the following appendix. (Note A1) A casino system in a casino that uses casino equipment fitted with RFID tags that store identification information, A registration device for registering the identification information of the casino supplies used in the casino, A storage device that stores a list of the identification information registered by the registration device, Equipped with, The aforementioned list includes status information indicating whether the casino supplies are available for use. The registration device is a casino system that makes the status information available when the casino equipment that has already been registered is used in the casino.

[0350] (Appendix A2) The casino system as described in Appendix A1, wherein the registration device makes the status information available when the casino supplies, which have already been registered and are stored in a storage location, are taken out of the storage location for use in the casino.

[0351] (Note A3) The casino system according to Appendix A1, wherein the registration device stores the identification information in the list of the storage device when the identification information in the list of manufacturers provided by the manufacturer of the casino goods matches the identification information stored in the RFID tag of the casino goods.

[0352] (Note A4) The casino system as described in Appendix A1, wherein the registration device stores the identification information in the list of the storage device for casino goods in which the manufacturer of the casino goods determines that the identification information in the manufacturer list matches the identification information stored in the RFID tag of the casino goods.

[0353] (Note A5) The system further comprises a reader for reading the RFID tags of multiple casino items housed in a case, The casino system described in Appendix A1, wherein the registration device registers a plurality of the identification information read by the reading device.

[0354] (Note A6) The registration device performs a deactivation process to disable the status information of a casino item when the casino item whose status information is available meets predetermined conditions, as described in Appendix A1 of the casino system.

[0355] (Note A7) The registration device is a casino system as described in Appendix A6, which, with respect to the casino equipment that has undergone the deactivation process, makes the status information of said casino equipment available again if it meets predetermined conditions.

[0356] (Note A8) The aforementioned information indicating unavailability includes at least one of the following: information indicating unavailability, information indicating suspected fraud, information indicating unknown status, information indicating caution, or information indicating discarded, as described in Appendix A6 of the casino system.

[0357] (Note A9) The device further comprises a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tag of the casino equipment, The casino system as described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device performs the deactivation process for casino equipment for which the reading device cannot effectively read the identification information.

[0358] (Note A10) The device further comprises a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tag of the casino equipment, The aforementioned casino equipment carries information for identifying the casino equipment in a manner other than the RFID tag, The casino system as described in Appendix A9, wherein the registration device, with respect to casino goods for which the identification information cannot be read by the reading device, uses the information for identifying the casino goods to identify the casino goods that should be deactivated and performs the deactivation process.

[0359] (Note A11) The casino system described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device performs the deactivation process on casino equipment that is related to or suspected of being related to fraudulent games.

[0360] (Note A12) The device further comprises a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tag of the casino equipment, The aforementioned casino equipment carries information for identifying the casino equipment in a manner other than the RFID tag, The casino system as described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device, when the identification information read from the RFID tag of the casino item by the reader is not registered in the storage device as identification information for the usable casino item, uses the information to identify the casino item to be deactivated and performs the deactivation process.

[0361] (Note A13) The RFID tag stores manufacturing information indicating the manufacturing status of the casino goods, type information indicating the type of casino goods, and / or information of the casino in which the casino goods are used. The storage device stores, along with the identification information, the manufacturing information, the type information, and / or the casino information corresponding to the identification information. The casino system according to Appendix A6, wherein the registration device performs the deactivation process on the casino goods having the identification information if the manufacturing information, type information, and / or casino information stored in the RFID tag does not match the manufacturing information, type information, and / or casino information stored in the storage device.

[0362] (Note A14) The casino system as described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device stores information indicating the year and month in which the identification information of the casino goods was registered in the storage device, and, by referring to the storage device, performs the deactivation process for casino goods for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the year and month of registration.

[0363] (Note A15) Each of the multiple casino supplies handling locations within the casino is equipped with a management device that notifies the registration device of the identification information of the casino supplies that should be deregistered as usable casino supplies. The casino system described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device performs the deactivation process for the relevant casino equipment based on a notification from the management device.

[0364] (Note A16) A storage tray for storing casino supplies owned by the casino at the aforementioned casino supplies handling location, The system further comprises a reader that monitors the casino goods by periodically reading the RFID tags of the casino goods stored in the storage tray, The casino system according to Appendix A15, wherein the reading device performs the deactivation process on casino goods that have been illegally removed from the storage tray.

[0365] (Note A17) The casino uses multiple types of the casino equipment, The registration device stores the type of casino equipment along with the identification information for each of the plurality of types of casino equipment in the storage device. The registration device performs the deactivation process for a specific type of casino equipment, as described in Appendix A6 of the casino system.

[0366] (Note A18) Each of the multiple casino supplies handling locations within the casino is equipped with a reader device that reads the identification information from the RFID tags of the casino supplies. The casino system as described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device performs the deactivation process for the casino goods possessing the identification information when the same identification information is read by the reading devices of multiple casino goods handling locations and the combination of such readings satisfies the conditions for fraud detection.

[0367] (Note A19) Each of the multiple casino supplies handling locations within the casino is equipped with a reader device that reads the identification information from the RFID tags of the casino supplies. The casino system as described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device performs the deactivation process on casino goods having the identification information that has not been read by the reading device at any casino goods handling location within the casino for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0368] (Note A20) The system further includes a reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tag of the casino equipment to be deactivated, The casino system described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device performs the deactivation process on the identification information read by the reading device.

[0369] (Note A21) The entrance to the casino is equipped with a detection device for detecting casino supplies brought in from outside the casino. The casino system described in Appendix A6, wherein the registration device performs the deactivation process on the casino goods detected by the detection device.

[0370] (Note A22) The registration device stores the identification information of casino goods that meet predetermined conditions among the casino goods that have undergone the deregistration process in the storage device as identification information that cannot be registered, and when a new registration is made, if the identification information of the casino goods to be registered is stored in the storage device as identification information that cannot be registered, the casino system as described in Appendix A1.

[0371] (Note A23) The aforementioned casino equipment is a casino system as described in any of Appendix A1 to Appendix A22, which can be used by players to place bets in games at a casino and is redeemable for cash.

[0372] (Note A24) Casino equipment equipped with RFID tags containing identification information, used in any of the casino systems described in Appendix A1 to Appendix A23.

[0373] (Note B1) A casino system in a casino that uses casino supplies that are installed at locations handling casino supplies and are equipped with RFID tags that store identification information, A storage device that stores a list of the registered identification information, A reader device for reading the identification information from the RFID tag of the casino equipment, A matching device that compares the identification information read from the casino goods by the reading device with the identification information stored in the storage device, A casino system equipped with these features.

[0374] (Note B2) The device further comprises an optical counting device for optically counting the number of casino items, The casino system as described in Appendix B1, wherein the matching device inspects the casino supplies by comparing the number of RFID tags read by the reading device with the number counted by the optical counting device.

[0375] (Note B3) The system further includes a display device that displays the reading results from the reading device and / or the verification results from the verification device, The aforementioned reading device includes an antenna and a reader, The casino system described in Appendix B2, wherein the memory device, the antenna, the reader, the matching device, the display device, and the optical counting device are integrally configured.

[0376] (Note B4) The device further comprises a holding mechanism for holding a predetermined number of casino supplies, which are read by the reader, The casino system as described in Appendix B1, wherein the matching device inspects the casino supplies by comparing the number of RFID tags read by the reading device with a predetermined number.

[0377] (Note B5) The system further includes a display device that displays the reading results from the reading device and / or the verification results from the verification device, The aforementioned reading device includes an antenna and a reader, The casino system described in Appendix B4, wherein the storage device, the antenna, the reader, the matching device, the display device, and the holding mechanism are integrally configured.

[0378] (Note B6) The RFID tag stores information that can identify the value of the casino goods, The matching device compares the number of RFID tags read by the reader with the actual number of casino items. The casino system according to Appendix B1, further comprising a display device that, as a result of reading by the reading device, displays the value of each of the plurality of casino goods read by the reading device, or the total value of the plurality of casino goods read by the reading device, and / or as a result of matching by the matching device, displays the result of comparing the number of RFID tags with the actual number.

[0379] (Note B7) The integrated casino system is a battery-powered casino system as described in Appendix B3 or Appendix B5.

[0380] (Note B8) The system further comprises a central system to which multiple casino systems are connected in a communicative manner, The casino system described in Appendix B1, wherein the central system updates the list stored in the storage device of each of the multiple casino systems.

[0381] (Note B9) The aforementioned central system is the casino system described in Appendix B8, which updates the aforementioned list periodically or when certain conditions are met.

[0382] (Note B10) The system further comprises a central system to which multiple casino systems are connected in a communicative manner, The aforementioned central system A central memory device that stores a list of registered identification information, A central matching device that compares the identification information read from the casino equipment and transmitted from the casino system with the identification information stored in the central memory device, A casino system equipped with the features described in Appendix B1.

[0383] (Note B11) The casino system as described in Appendix B10, wherein the matching device normally compares the identification information read by the reading device with the identification information read immediately before by the reading device, and if there is a difference between the two, it matches the identification information read by the reading device with the identification information stored in the central memory device.

[0384] (Note B12) The casino system as described in Appendix B10, wherein the matching device, when the identification information read by the reading device contains new identification information that was not present in the identification information read immediately before by the reading device, compares the new identification information with the identification information stored in the central memory device.

[0385] (Note B13) The casino system as described in Appendix B10, wherein the matching device normally compares the identification information read by the reading device with the identification information read immediately before by the reading device, and, under predetermined conditions, matches the identification information read by the reading device with the identification information of the casino goods stored in the central memory device.

[0386] (Note B14) The casino system as described in Appendix B10, wherein the identification information includes tag identification information provided by the manufacturer that produced the RFID tag and item identification information provided by the manufacturer that produced the casino item to which the RFID tag is attached.

[0387] (Note B15) The casino system as described in Appendix B14, wherein the matching device normally compares the item identification information read from the casino item by the reading device with the item identification information read immediately before by the reading device, and at a predetermined timing and / or under predetermined conditions, compares the tag identification information read from the casino item by the reading device with the tag identification information of the casino item stored in the storage device.

[0388] (Note B16) The aforementioned casino equipment is a casino system as described in any of Appendix B1 to B15, which can be used by players to place bets in games at a casino and is redeemable for cash.

[0389] (Note B17) Casino equipment equipped with RFID tags containing identification information, used in the casino systems described in any of Appendix B1 to Appendix B16. [Explanation of symbols]

[0390] 31 Warehouse 32 Procedure Room 33 Cashier 34 Bank 35 Pit 36 tables 72 Gaming Chips 73 Data files 74 players 75 Dealer 100 RFID tag manufacturing plants 200 chip manufacturing plants 211 TID area 212 EPC area 300 Casinos 301 Security Area Floor area 302 320 Procedure Room System 321 Antenna 322 Activation Reader / Writer 323 Central Verification Device 324 Input Devices 325 Registered device 326 databases 327 Barcode reader 328 Operating device 330 Cashier System 340 Bank System 350 Pit System 360 Table System 720 Chip Case 722 barcode 721 RFID tags 1 Casino Hall 10 cages 11 Vault 12 Main Bank Office 13 F / C Bank Room 14 Cashier Room Gates 21-28 Staff 831-836 42-45 Game Tables 52-55 Dealer Players 61-69 70 Gaming Chips 71 RFID tags 1000 Chip Management System 501 Cage System 502 Table System 100 Chip Management Computer 101 Chip Management Database 111 Vault Computer 112 Vault Card Reader 113 Vault Tip 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 Computers 152 Table Card Reader 153 Table Chip Reader 154 Chip Tray Reader 155 Bet Area Chip Reader

Claims

1. Casino equipment used in a casino, the casino equipment includes an RFID tag that stores casino equipment information, and the casino system in which the casino equipment is used, A reader is provided at each of the multiple casino supplies handling locations of the said casino, and reads the casino supplies information from the RFID tags of the casino supplies present at the said casino supplies handling location. A storage device that stores the casino supplies information and location information associated with the casino supplies handling location where the reader for reading the casino supplies is installed, A management device for managing the inventory of casino supplies at each of the plurality of casino supplies handling locations, such that the reading device installed at each of the plurality of casino supplies handling locations performs reading and storage operations based on transactions including the movement of the casino supplies between the plurality of casino supplies handling locations, A casino system equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The casino system according to claim 1, wherein the location information includes player information that identifies a player possessing the casino goods.

3. The casino system according to claim 1, wherein the casino equipment information includes value information indicating the value of the casino equipment.

4. The location information includes player information that identifies the player possessing the casino goods, The casino system according to claim 3, wherein the management device calculates the total value of the casino goods owned by the player by referring to the storage device.

5. The casino system according to claim 1, wherein the casino equipment information includes identification information for the casino equipment.

6. The casino system according to claim 5, further comprising a verification device that determines whether a combination of identification information read by a specific reading device and location information associated with a specific casino supplies handling location among the plurality of casino supplies handling locations where the specific reading device is installed matches a combination of identification information and location information stored in the storage device.

7. The storage device stores validity information for each of the casino items, indicating whether the casino item is valid or invalid. The management device generates a warning if, with respect to the casino goods including the identification information read by the reading device, validity information indicating that the casino goods are valid is not stored in the storage device. The casino system according to claim 5.

8. The casino system according to claim 1, wherein the management device generates a warning when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed between a first point in time when the casino goods are moved from a first casino goods handling location to a second casino goods handling location and a second point in time when the casino goods are read by the reading device provided at the second casino goods handling location.

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