Management System

Abstract

The system provides a management system that can locate gaming chips that are tampered with using RFID tags. [Solution] The management system (100) has a configuration comprising: a camera (21) that captures images of multiple gaming chips, each containing an RFID tag storing first information and having second information printed on its surface; an RFID reader (31) that reads the RFID tags of multiple gaming chips and acquires the first information of the multiple gaming chips; an image analysis unit (123) that acquires the position and second information of each of the multiple gaming chips based on the images; and a comparison determination unit (110) that identifies the location of an unauthorized gaming chip by comparing the first information of the multiple gaming chips acquired by the RFID reader (31) with the second information of each of the multiple gaming chips acquired by the image analysis unit (123).

Description

Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] In this application, the benefits of Patent Application No. 2020-207691 filed in Japan on December 15, 2020 and Patent Application No. 2021-015270 filed in Japan on February 2, 2021 are claimed, and the contents of the said applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a management system for managing gaming chips with RFID in a gaming facility (e.g., a casino) using gaming chips.

Background Art

[0003] Among many table games played in gaming venues such as casinos, there are baccarat and blackjack. In casinos, gaming chips are used for such games.

[0004] In casinos, by incorporating RFID tags into gaming chips, it is possible to check whether the payment and recovery amounts in the game are correct, and to grasp and manage the location and owner of the gaming chips. Gaming chips with RFID are well-known and are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. WO2008 / 120749. Overview

[0005] The RFID tags of gaming chips with RFID store, for example, identification information for identifying the gaming chips, information indicating the value, type, and casino where the gaming chips are used, etc. By using the information stored in this RFID tag, it is also possible to determine the authenticity of the gaming chip. For example, when a gaming chip is read by an RFID reader and no information can be read, it can be determined that the RFID tag is malfunctioning or that the gaming chip is a counterfeit without an RFID tag.

[0006] An RFID reader can simultaneously read the RFID tags of multiple RFID-enabled gaming chips (for example, multiple RFID-enabled gaming chips housed in a dealer chip tray on a gaming table). Therefore, RFID has the advantage of being able to inspect multiple gaming chips at once, rather than having to inspect each one individually. Conversely, it is difficult for an RFID reader to individually read multiple RFID-enabled gaming chips that are close together.

[0007] When reading the RFID tags of numerous gaming chips simultaneously, even if it is discovered that some gaming chips have faulty RFID tags (i.e., the RFID tag is malfunctioning, missing, or contains incorrect information), it is difficult to pinpoint which specific gaming chip has the problem. Identifying the problematic gaming chip from among many would require, for example, reading the RFID tags of each gaming chip individually with an inspection device, which is extremely time-consuming.

[0008] Furthermore, while the RFID tags can be read correctly when gaming chips are scanned one by one using a testing device, they may not be read correctly when scanned on the actual table or chip tray where they are used. In such cases, even if gaming chips are inspected one by one using a testing device, it will not be possible to identify the problematic gaming chips. Moreover, if the RFID tag is faulty or missing, it may not even be possible to know that such gaming chips exist.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention provides a management system that can identify fraudulent gaming chips that are fraudulent, damaged, or potentially fraudulent in their RFID tags, or whose markings are fraudulent or potentially fraudulent.

[0010] A management system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an imaging device that captures images of a plurality of gaming chips, each containing an RFID tag storing first information and having second information inscribed on its surface; a reading device that reads the RFID tags of the plurality of gaming chips and acquires the first information of the plurality of gaming chips; an image analysis device that acquires the position of each of the plurality of gaming chips and the second information based on the images; and a control device that identifies the location of a fraudulent gaming chip whose RFID tag is fraudulent, damaged, or potentially fraudulent, or whose inscription is fraudulent or potentially fraudulent, by comparing the first information of the plurality of gaming chips acquired by the reading device with the second information of each of the plurality of gaming chips acquired by the image analysis device.

[0011] In the management system described above, the control device may identify the location of a gaming chip on which the second information, which does not correspond to the first information, is displayed, as the fraudulent gaming chip.

[0012] In the management system described above, the control device may identify the location of a gaming chip on which the second information, for which the corresponding first information is not obtained, is displayed, as the fraudulent gaming chip.

[0013] In the management system described above, the control device may identify the location of the gaming chip having the RFID tag on which the first information that does not correspond to the second information is stored as the fraudulent gaming chip.

[0014] In the management system described above, the control device may identify the location of the gaming chip having the RFID tag on which the first information, for which the corresponding second information is not acquired, is stored, as the fraudulent gaming chip.

[0015] In the management system described above, the control device may determine whether the RFID tag or the markings are fraudulent using information other than the first and second information possessed by the fraudulent gaming chip.

[0016] In the management system described above, the gaming chip may have an appearance that allows for the identification of the type of gaming chip, the image analysis device may determine the type of each of the plurality of gaming chips based on the image, and the control device may determine, with respect to the fraudulent gaming chip, whether the RFID tag or the markings are fraudulent based on the type determined by the image analysis device.

[0017] In the management system described above, the gaming chip may have an appearance that allows for the identification of the type of gaming chip, the second information may be unique for each type, the image analysis device may acquire the second information and determine the type for each of the plurality of gaming chips based on the image, and the control device may compare the first information with a combination of the second information and the type information.

[0018] In the management system described above, the gaming chip may have an appearance that allows for the identification of the type of gaming chip, the image analysis device may acquire the second information and determine the type of each of the plurality of gaming chips based on the image, and the control device may, if the second information cannot be read, or if it determines that there is an illegal gaming chip, use the type information determined by the image analysis device to identify the second information and compare the identified second information with the first information.

[0019] In the management system described above, the gaming chip may have an appearance on its side that allows for the identification of the type of gaming chip.

[0020] The above management system may further include a housing means capable of housing the plurality of gaming chips, and the imaging device may photograph the plurality of gaming chips housed in the housing means.

[0021] In the management system described above, the storage means may have a configuration that arranges and houses the plurality of gaming chips.

[0022] In the management system described above, the storage means may be a chip tray provided on the game table.

[0023] In the management system described above, the imaging device may be fixed to the game table.

[0024] In the management system described above, the second piece of information may be displayed on the side of the gaming chip.

[0025] In the management system described above, the second information may be information represented as a matrix pattern, a dot pattern, a barcode, a sequence of numbers, or a string of characters, and the image analysis device may obtain the second information by decoding the matrix pattern, the dot pattern, or the barcode, or by deciphering the sequence of numbers or the string of characters.

[0026] In the management system described above, the first piece of information may be a unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaming chip.

[0027] In the management system described above, the second piece of information may be the same unique ID as the first piece of information.

[0028] In the above management system, the first information and the second information may be different information. The above management system may further include a database that records the combination of the first information and the second information for each gaming chip. The control device may perform the comparison by referring to the database.

[0029] In the above management system, the second information may overlap in some of the plurality of gaming chips. When the control device acquires a plurality of the same second information and the number of the same second information is greater than the number of the first information corresponding to the second information, the control device may identify the plurality of gaming chips in which the second information is indicated as the illegal gaming chips and identify the positions of the plurality of illegal gaming chips respectively.

[0030] In the above management system, the second information may overlap in some of the plurality of gaming chips. When the control device acquires a plurality of the same second information and the number of the same second information is greater than the number of the first information corresponding to the second information, the control device may identify the plurality of gaming chips in which the second information is indicated as the illegal gaming chips and identify the areas of the plurality of illegal gaming chips.

[0031] In the above management system, the second information may overlap in some of the plurality of gaming chips. When there are a plurality of candidates for the first information for which the corresponding second information is not acquired, the control device may identify the plurality of candidates for the first information.

[0032] The above management system may further include a display device that indicates the position of the illegal gaming chip.

[0033] In the above management system, the display device may display the position by superimposing it on the image.

[0034] The management system described above may further include a housing means capable of housing the plurality of gaming chips in predetermined housing positions, the imaging device may photograph the plurality of gaming chips housing in the housing means, and the display device may display the address of the housing position of the unauthorized gaming chip in the housing means.

[0035] The above-described management system may further include a housing means capable of arranging and housing the plurality of gaming chips, and a light illumination device that illuminates a designated gaming chip among the plurality of gaming chips housed in the housing means, the imaging device may photograph the plurality of gaming chips housed in the housing means, and the control device may control the light illumination device to illuminate the illegal gaming chip whose location has been identified.

[0036] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a management system comprising: an imaging device that captures images of a plurality of gaming chips, each containing an RFID tag storing first information and having second information inscribed on its surface; a reading device that reads the RFID tags of the plurality of gaming chips and acquires the first information of the plurality of gaming chips; an image analysis device that acquires the position of each of the plurality of gaming chips and the second information based on the images; and a control device that identifies the position of the second information corresponding to the first information when the first information of the plurality of gaming chips acquired by the reading device contains specific first information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a game table to which the management system of the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of an image obtained by processing an image captured by the camera of the embodiment. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A shows an example of a gaming chip according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B]Figure 3B shows another example of the gaming chip of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of an image captured by the camera of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the comparison and determination process performed by the comparison and determination unit in the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the monitor screen of the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows another example of the monitor screen of the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the comparison and determination process performed by the comparison and determination unit in the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the configuration of a management system in another embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows another example of the monitor screen of the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of a management system according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows the configuration of a management system in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows a game table to which the management system of the first embodiment is applied. As shown in Figure 1, the game table 50 has a table surface that is roughly rectangular in shape. The dealer D is located on one side of the game table 50, and the players P participating in the game are located on the other side.

[0039] Furthermore, the table surface is laid out with betting areas according to the type of game. In the example in Figure 1, game table 50 is laid out for baccarat. The table surface is divided into betting areas 531-536, including the player area, banker area, and tie area, for each of the multiple player positions, and there are also betting areas for side bets such as player pair and banker pair. A player P can participate in the game by placing their gaming chips on the betting area (player area, banker area, etc.) at their player position.

[0040] On the dealer side of the game table 50, there is a chip tray 51 for storing gaming chips owned by the dealer. An electronic shoe 52 for dispensing game cards one by one is placed on the table surface of the game table 50. In addition, cameras 21 and 22, and a monitor 40 are installed on the game table 50.

[0041] Camera 21 is designed with its optical axis and field of view to photograph the gaming chip housed in the chip tray 51. In the example shown in Figure 1, camera 21 is fixed to the game table 50 and positioned to photograph the chip tray 51 from an oblique angle above. Figure 2 shows an example of an image obtained by applying keystone correction and other processing to the image captured by camera 21.

[0042] The chip tray 51 has a chip float consisting of multiple columns. Each column can accommodate multiple gaming chips stacked in their thickness direction and aligned along the column. The columns are formed in a substantially horizontal direction and have a semi-tubular shape with the upper half open. The sides of the gaming chips housed in the columns are observable from above the chip tray 51.

[0043] Figure 3A shows an example of a gaming chip according to the embodiment, and Figure 3B shows another example of a gaming chip according to the embodiment. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, gaming chips C and C' have a side ID, which is identification information, displayed on their sides. In the example in Figure 3A, the side ID is represented by the presence or absence of multiple dots (dot pattern). In this example, the side ID is represented by the presence or absence of dots in a dot sequence consisting of 8 dots, so 2 to the power of 8 different pieces of information can be represented. In the example in Figure 3B, the side ID is represented by a sequence of numbers. In this example, it is represented by an 8-digit number, so 10 to the power of 8 different pieces of information can be represented. The side ID may also be represented by a matrix pattern, a barcode, or a string of characters. The side ID is displayed within a range of 1 / 6 or less of the circumferential direction of the side of the gaming chip. Multiple side IDs are displayed on the side of the gaming chip at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0044] The side ID may be a unique ID that uniquely identifies each gaming chip, or it may be information indicating the group to which each gaming chip belongs (e.g., value), i.e., information that may overlap with other gaming chips. In particular, if the side ID is represented as a sequence of numbers, the side ID may be a unique ID, and if the side ID is represented as a dot pattern (sequence of dots), the side ID may be information about the group to which it belongs.

[0045] The sides of gaming chips C and C' are divided into three layers in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the first and third layers are different colors according to the value of the gaming chip, while the central second layer (center line) is a common color (e.g., black) for gaming chips of any value, regardless of their value. The side ID can be indicated by printing or laser engraving.

[0046] The gaming chip has a built-in RFID tag. The RFID tag records at least a unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaming chip and information about the group to which the gaming chip belongs (e.g., value). In this embodiment, the unique ID stored in the RFID tag and the unique ID represented as the side ID are the same ID, but these two IDs may be different IDs, and these two IDs assigned to the same gaming chip may be associated in the database.

[0047] The gaming chip contains a capsule, and the RFID tag is housed within the capsule. A decal is affixed to the outside of the capsule, displaying information such as the gaming chip's value and the casino where it will be used. The capsule is printed with a unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaming chip. This unique ID may be the same as, or different from, the unique ID stored in the RFID tag. If the unique ID printed on the capsule and the unique ID stored in the RFID tag are different, they may be associated and stored in a database. The unique ID may also be printed on the chip surface beneath the decal. Alternatively, the unique ID may be printed on the chip surface using invisible ink such as UV ink or infrared absorbing ink.

[0048] Returning to Figure 1, camera 22 is fixed to the game table 50 to photograph the gaming chips placed in betting areas 531 to 536. In this embodiment, one camera 22 photographs all betting areas 531 to 536, but these multiple betting areas 531 to 536 could be divided and photographed by multiple cameras.

[0049] Figure 4 shows an example of an image captured by camera 22. In the example in Figure 4, multiple stacks of gaming chips placed in multiple betting areas are visible. The sides of the chips are also observable in the image from camera 22.

[0050] Returning to Figure 1, the monitor 40 is provided to display information to the dealer. The monitor 40 may be a display panel, or it may be a touch-operable display panel (touch panel).

[0051] The electronic shoe 52 is configured to draw cards one by one at a time through the dealer's operation, and it also reads information from the drawn cards to obtain information about the rank of the drawn cards. Based on the rank read and the rules of the baccarat game, the electronic shoe 52 determines the game result (player win, banker win, tie, etc.).

[0052] Player P participates in the game by placing gaming chips on the betting targets in the betting area. If the player wins the game, the dealer pays out the gaming chips from the chip tray 51. If the player loses the game, the dealer collects the bet gaming chips and places them back into the chip tray 51. In this way, depending on the game result and the bets, the gaming chips held by the player are placed into the chip tray 51, or the gaming chips placed in the chip tray 51 are paid out to the player.

[0053] Therefore, it is desirable to be able to detect gaming chips housed in the chip tray 51 that have fraudulent, damaged, or potentially fraudulent RFID, or that have fraudulent or potentially fraudulent markings (hereinafter simply referred to as "fraudulent gaming chips"). It is also desirable to be able to detect fraudulent gaming chips among those bet in the betting areas 531 to 536. Accordingly, this embodiment provides a management system that can present dealers with information that can identify the location of fraudulent gaming chips.

[0054] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the management system according to the embodiment. An antenna 32 is installed on the chip tray 51 of the game table 50, and antennas 331 to 336 are installed corresponding to each player position 531 to 536. An RFID reader 31 is provided to control these antennas 32, 331 to 336. Furthermore, a control device 10 is provided to control the entire management system 100.

[0055] The control device 10 includes an image analysis unit 123, a comparison and determination unit 110, and a comparison result output unit 140. These image analysis unit 123, comparison and determination unit 110, and comparison result output unit 140 may be implemented by a general-purpose information processing device executing a specific computer program. This computer program may be provided to the information processing device via a non-temporary storage medium or via a network and installed on the information processing device.

[0056] The image analysis unit 123 receives the captured images generated by cameras 21 and 22 and performs image analysis on them to recognize at least the position, type, and side ID information of each of the multiple gaming chips. The image analysis unit 123 performs image recognition using at least partially a neural network image recognition engine.

[0057] For example, in the image captured by camera 22, a stack of gaming chips exists at any given location. Therefore, the image analysis unit 123 first uses a neural network to extract the stack of gaming chips (or a single gaming chip) from the captured image. From the extracted stack portion, the image analysis unit 123 uses another neural network to extract the centerlines of each of the multiple gaming chips.

[0058] The image analysis unit 123 further determines the value of each gaming chip based on the colors above and below the extracted center line. The image analysis unit 123 further reads the side ID from the center line portion and obtains the side ID information by decoding the dot pattern in the case of Figure 3A, and by decoding the numbers in the case of Figure 3B.

[0059] The image analysis unit 123, for images captured by the camera 22, superimposes the recognized value and side ID information onto the captured image, as shown in Figure 4, and outputs it to the comparison and determination unit 110. In other words, the location information of the recognized value and side ID is represented by showing the recognized value and side ID within the captured image.

[0060] On the other hand, in the image captured by camera 21, the positional relationship between camera 21 and chip tray 51 is fixed, and as long as the gaming chips are arranged and housed in the columns of chip tray 51, the positions (slots) in which gaming chips may appear in the captured image will be fixed. Therefore, the image analysis unit 123 determines the presence or absence of a gaming chip for each slot in the captured image, and for slots in which a gaming chip exists, it extracts the center line, determines its value, and obtains the side ID in the same manner as described above.

[0061] Furthermore, the same image recognition engine may be used for image recognition of images captured by camera 21 and camera 22, either partially or entirely. In particular, the image recognition engine used for extracting the centerline, determining value, and obtaining the side ID may be a common engine used for images captured by camera 21 and camera 22.

[0062] Each slot in the image captured by camera 21 is assigned an address consisting of a column number and a row number. Therefore, the image analysis unit 123 outputs a recognition list to the comparison and determination unit 110 for each slot, showing the recognized value and side ID for each column number and row number. The column numbers are assigned sequentially from 1, 2, ... starting from the leftmost column, and the row numbers are assigned sequentially from 1, 2, ... starting from the bottom.

[0063] The RFID reader 31 controls antennas 32, 331-336 respectively to read RFID tags at predetermined timings or periodically at predetermined time intervals. As described above, the RFID reader 31 can read multiple gaming chips simultaneously for each antenna. The RFID reader 31 outputs the value and unique ID read from the RFID tag to the comparison and determination unit 110 for each antenna.

[0064] Furthermore, the cameras 21 and 22 capture images and the RFID reader 31 reads RFID tags, and these actions are synchronized by the control device 10. However, these do not need to be performed at exactly the same time; it is sufficient for the same multiple gaming chips to be captured and read at roughly the same time, without any movement of the gaming chips.

[0065] The comparison and determination unit 110 acquires information on the location, value, and side ID of each of the multiple gaming chips from the image analysis unit 123, and also acquires information on the value and side ID read by each antenna from the RFID reader 31. The comparison and determination unit 110 acquires information on the location, value, and side ID of the gaming chips in each bet area from the image analysis unit 123 in association with the images captured by the camera 22, and also acquires information on the location, value, and side ID of the gaming chips in the chip tray 51 obtained from the images captured by the camera 21.

[0066] The comparison and determination unit 110 obtains information on the value and unique ID of multiple gaming chips read from the RFID reader 31 in the chip tray 31 and the bet areas 331 to 336, respectively.

[0067] The comparison and determination unit 110 compares multiple unique IDs obtained by the RFID reader 31 (hereinafter referred to as the "first unique ID group") with multiple unique IDs obtained by the camera 21 and the image analysis unit 123 (hereinafter referred to as the "second unique ID group") for multiple gaming chips on the chip tray 31. The comparison and determination unit 110 identifies unique IDs from the second unique ID group that do not correspond to any unique ID in the first unique ID group. In other words, the comparison and determination unit 110 extracts unique IDs from the multiple unique IDs in the second unique ID group that do not correspond to any of the unique IDs in the first unique ID group.

[0068] If all gaming chips have valid RFIDs, no such unique ID will exist. However, if any gaming chip has a faulty RFID (e.g., the correct unique ID is not recorded, or the RFID tag itself does not exist), the unique ID of that faulty gaming chip will be identified from the second group of unique IDs. Each unique ID in the second group of unique IDs has location information (column number and row number), so the comparison and determination unit 110 identifies the location of the faulty gaming chip.

[0069] Figure 6 shows the comparison determination process performed by the comparison determination unit 110. In this Figure 6, an example is shown where the unique ID stored in the RFID tag and the unique ID of the side ID are the same for the same gaming chip. In this example, the unique ID "890123" from the second group of unique IDs obtained from the side ID does not have a corresponding unique ID in the first group of unique IDs. Therefore, it can be determined that this gaming chip is an unauthorized gaming chip with a problem with its RFID.

[0070] Since this unique ID is associated with location information (column number and row number), the comparison and determination unit 110 can identify the location of the illegal gaming chip. The comparison and determination unit 110 outputs the location information of the illegal gaming chip to the comparison result output unit 140. The comparison result output unit 140 uses the location information obtained from the comparison and determination unit 110 to generate a monitor screen indicating that location.

[0071] Figure 7 shows an example of a monitor screen generated by the comparison result output unit 140. The comparison result output unit 140 generates a monitor screen 410 that shows the location of the illegal gaming chip. The monitor screen 410 is a screen in which a mark 411 indicating that it is an illegal gaming chip is superimposed on an image obtained by performing image processing such as trapezoidal correction on the captured image generated by the camera 21, at a position corresponding to the location information of the illegal gaming chip.

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 7, the monitor screen was generated by superimposing marks onto the captured image generated by camera 21. Alternatively, a monitor screen indicating the location of the illegitimate gaming chip may be generated by marking the location of the illegitimate gaming chip in a pre-prepared image of the chip tray (either a real photograph or a computer-generated image). When using computer graphics, in order to indicate the location of the illegitimate gaming chip, all recognized gaming chips may be drawn in computer graphics at their corresponding locations, and then marks may be drawn on the illegitimate gaming chips among them.

[0073] The comparison and determination unit 110 compares, for each betting area, multiple unique IDs (first unique ID group) obtained by the RFID reader 31 with multiple unique IDs (second unique ID group) obtained by the camera 22 and image analysis unit 123 for each gaming chip in the betting area. For each betting area, the comparison and determination unit 110 identifies from the unique IDs of the second unique ID group any unique ID that does not correspond to any unique ID in the first unique ID group, i.e., unique IDs that do not correspond to any unique ID in the first unique ID group.

[0074] If all gaming chips have normal RFID, then no such unique ID will exist. However, if there is a fraudulent gaming chip, the unique ID of that fraudulent gaming chip will be identified from the second group of unique IDs. The comparison determination unit 110 outputs information about the identified fraudulent gaming chip to the comparison result output unit 140.

[0075] Figure 8 shows an example of a monitor screen generated by the comparison result output unit 140. Since each unique ID in the second unique ID group is superimposed on the captured image, the comparison result output unit 140 generates a monitor screen 420 with the unique IDs superimposed on the captured image marked. In the example in Figure 8, the unique ID "833234" is a unique ID that does not exist in the first unique ID group, so the frame 421 representing this unique ID is shown with a thick line on the monitor screen 420.

[0076] Monitor 40 displays the monitor screen 410 and monitor screen 420 generated by the comparison result output unit 140. By checking this monitor screen 40, Dealer D can determine which of the physical gaming chips in the chip tray 51 or bet areas 531-536 is a counterfeit gaming chip.

[0077] If the first group of unique IDs obtained by the RFID reader 31 does not correspond to the second group of unique IDs obtained by the camera 22 and the image analysis unit 123, but the number of unique IDs in the first group of unique IDs matches the number of unique IDs in the second group of unique IDs, the rogue gaming chip causing such a mismatch will be identified on the monitor screen. This identified rogue gaming chip has a unique ID stored in the RFID tag and a side ID printed on its side, but which one is correct can be determined by identifying the unique ID printed on the capsule embedded in the rogue gaming chip. The comparison result output unit 140 obtains the unique ID printed on this capsule and determines which of the unique IDs stored in the RFID tag and the side ID printed on the side is correct and which is rogue.

[0078] (Second Embodiment) In the above embodiment, unique IDs are recorded on the RFID tag and the side ID, respectively. The comparison determination unit 140 compares the first group of unique IDs obtained from the RFID tag with the second group of unique IDs obtained from the side ID to identify unique IDs that do not correspond to each other, in particular, unique IDs in the second group of unique IDs that do not correspond to the first group of unique IDs. In this embodiment, an unauthorized gaming chip is identified when the side ID contains information about the group (type) to which the gaming chip belongs.

[0079] In other words, in this embodiment, the side ID of a gaming chip overlaps with that of some other gaming chips in a group of gaming chips. Such side IDs typically represent information about the value of that gaming chip. The values ​​of gaming chips may be, for example, $10, $50, $100, $1000, etc. The image analysis unit 123 identifies the group (value) of each gaming chip by analyzing the side ID based on the captured image.

[0080] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the processing of the comparison and determination unit 110 in this embodiment. In the example in Figure 9, information on three $10 chips, two $50 chips, two $100 chips, and two $1000 chips is obtained from the RFID reader 31. Meanwhile, the image analysis unit 123 obtains information on three $10 chips, three $50 chips, two $100 chips, and two $1000 chips, along with their respective position information.

[0081] In this way, the comparison and determination unit 110 acquires information for the same group, but in the example in Figure 9, the number of side IDs (3) in the $50 group is greater than the number of RFIDs (2) in the $50 group. In such cases, the comparison and determination unit 110 identifies all gaming chips with a side ID of $50 as fraudulent gaming chips and identifies the location of each fraudulent gaming chip.

[0082] In reality, not all three $50 chips identified by the side ID are pirated gaming chips, but one of them is a pirated gaming chip. Therefore, in this embodiment, all of these potentially pirated gaming chips are treated as pirated gaming chips, and their locations are identified.

[0083] The comparison determination unit 110 outputs information about the group of illegitimate gaming chips (in the example in Figure 9, the information is $50) to the comparison result output unit 140. Based on this information, the comparison result output unit 140 generates a monitor screen showing the location of the illegitimate gaming chips. On this monitor screen, all gaming chips belonging to the group may be individually marked in the same way as in the first embodiment, or, if the gaming chips of the group are adjacent, the area where the gaming chips of the group are located may be marked. For example, as shown in Figure 4, if there is a stack of $100 chips and a stack of $10 chips, the stack containing the illegitimate gaming chips may be marked.

[0084] (Other embodiments) Figure 10 shows a management system of another embodiment. In this example, the game table is provided with a laser pointer 61 that irradiates laser light toward the chip tray 51. The laser pointer 61 is driven by a drive device 62, which can change the direction of the laser beam.

[0085] When the comparison result output unit 140 obtains information on the location of the fraudulent gaming chip from the comparison determination unit 110, it generates a drive signal and sends it to the drive device 62 to direct the laser beam from the laser pointer 61 to that location. The drive device 62 drives the laser pointer 61 to change its orientation in accordance with this drive signal, thereby changing the direction of the laser beam emitted from the laser pointer 61.

[0086] Furthermore, the device used to illuminate the illegal gaming chip is not limited to the laser pointer 61; other light-emitting devices may also be used.

[0087] Figure 11 shows another example of a monitor screen. On the monitor screen 430, the address (slot) of the location of the fraudulent gaming chip obtained by the comparison and determination unit is indicated by letters representing the column number and row number. In the example in Figure 11, the column number of the fraudulent gaming chip is "4" and the row number is "13". With such a monitor screen 430, the dealer can identify which of the multiple physical gaming chips in the chip tray 51 is the fraudulent gaming chip.

[0088] Figure 12 shows another example of a management system. In this example, indicator lights are provided in each slot of the chip tray 51'. These indicator lights are turned on and off by a drive device (not shown). The comparison result output unit 140 outputs information about the address of the illegitimate gaming chip to the drive device. The drive device drives the indicator lights to light up only the indicator lights at the addresses specified by the comparison result output unit 140.

[0089] In this example, dealer D can identify the location of the pirated gaming chip by visually checking the illumination of an indicator light located on the chip tray 51'.

[0090] Figure 13 shows the configuration of a management system in another embodiment. In this example, the RFID tag has a unique ID recorded on it, and the side ID represents value information. The management system 100' includes a database 200. In the database 200, the unique ID and value are associated and stored for each gaming chip.

[0091] The comparison and determination unit 110 can obtain information on the corresponding value by referring to the database 200 for the unique ID obtained from the RFID reader 31. The comparison and determination unit 110 also obtains information on the value represented by the side ID and its location from the image analysis unit 123. This allows the location of multiple fraudulent gaming chips to be identified using the same method as described in Figure 9 above.

[0092] In the above embodiment, we described how to identify the location of a fraudulent gaming chip with a problematic RFID tag. However, conversely, there may be situations where the RFID tag can be read but the corresponding side ID cannot be obtained. That is, if the RFID and side ID are unique IDs (see Figure 6), there may be unique IDs in the first group of unique IDs that do not have a corresponding unique ID in the second group of unique IDs. For example, this may occur if the side ID could not be obtained from the captured image through image analysis.

[0093] In such cases, the comparison determination unit 110 detects the existence of such a gaming chip and reports it to the comparison result output unit 140. Upon receiving this report, the comparison result output unit 140 generates a monitor screen indicating the existence of such a gaming chip and displays this monitor screen on the monitor 40.

[0094] Even when the comparison determination unit 110 compares information about the group to which the gaming chips belong (see Figure 9), the number of RFIDs read by the RFID reader 31 may be greater than the number of side IDs. For example, the RFIDs may reveal that there are three $50 chips, while the side IDs only recognize two $50 chips. In this case, the group experiencing this problem (e.g., $50) can be identified, and the comparison result output unit 140 may generate a monitor screen indicating the location or area of ​​that group.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the side ID was either information representing a unique ID or information representing a type (value). However, for example, the side ID may be a unique ID among chips of the same value, but may be the same ID for gaming chips of different values. In this case, the image analysis unit 123 can uniquely identify the gaming chip by determining the value based on the colors of the first and third layers on the side of the gaming chip (i.e., information other than the side ID grasped from the image) and recognizing the side ID.

[0096] In this case, the database 200 stores information on the RFID, side ID, and value for each gaming chip, with these information associated with each other. The comparison and determination unit 110 refers to the database 200 to identify a unique ID corresponding to the combination of side ID and value, and compares the identified unique ID with the unique ID read from the RFID tag.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the side ID overlaps for some of the multiple gaming chips, as shown in Figure 9, even if it is known that one fraudulent gaming chip exists, it is not possible to identify that one chip, and all potentially fraudulent gaming chips were treated as fraudulent gaming chips. However, here too, by determining the value based on the colors of the first and third layers on the side of the gaming chip, the number of potentially fraudulent gaming chips can be narrowed down.

[0098] For example, if the side ID uses eight dots to represent one of 256 different identification numbers, and the RFID tag also has the same identification number as the side ID recorded on it, and the value of the gaming chip is also recorded, then if the number of times a certain identification number (e.g., "012") is read from the RFID tag (e.g., 2 times) is less than the number of times the same identification number (e.g., "012") is read from the side ID (e.g., 3 times), then according to the above embodiment, all three gaming chips having that identification number will be identified as rogue gaming chips.

[0099] Therefore, the comparison and determination unit 110 can further reduce the number of gaming chips that are considered potentially fraudulent by also referring to the information on the value of the gaming chip determined by the image analysis unit 123. For example, if two gaming chips with the identification number "012" read from the RFID tag have values ​​of $10 and $100, and the image analysis unit 123 determines that three gaming chips with the identification number "012" have values ​​of $10, $50, and $100 based on the colors of the first and third layers, then it can determine that the chip with a value of $50 among the three gaming chips has an RFID tag that is fraudulent.

[0100] In this way, the comparison and determination unit 110 reduces the number of candidates for fraudulent gaming chips, or uniquely identifies one as in the example above, based on information other than the side ID obtained by the image analysis unit 123, when the side ID is permitted to overlap with the side ID of other gaming chips.

[0101] In this example, it is acceptable for multiple gaming chips of the same value to have the same identification number. For example, multiple gaming chips of the same value may be assigned one of the identification numbers from "001" to "256," resulting in a chip tray containing several gaming chips of the same value and identification number. Even in this case, it is possible to narrow down the candidates for counterfeit gaming chips based on their value. If, after narrowing down the candidates, there are still multiple potentially counterfeit gaming chips, all such chips should be treated as counterfeit gaming chips, their locations identified, and presented to the dealer.

[0102] Furthermore, if the side ID cannot be read completely, or if it is determined that there is a fraudulent gaming chip, the side ID may be determined using information about the chip's value. For example, if there is a $10 chip with a side ID of "120" and a $100 chip with a side ID of "121", and there are no gaming chips with side IDs of "122" to "129", and the side ID can be read as "12X" (where X is uncertain) and it can be determined that the value is $10, then the comparison determination unit 110 determines that the side ID of the gaming chip is "120" and compares this side ID with the RFID.

[0103] Furthermore, if a counterfeit gaming chip is detected in which the side ID and RFID do not correspond, the value information may be used to determine whether the side ID or the unique ID is counterfeit. In this case, the database 200 stores the side ID, RFID, and value information associated with each other for each gaming chip. The comparison and determination unit 110 determines that the side ID is correct and the RFID is counterfeit if the value associated with a side ID that does not have a unique ID corresponding to the first group of unique IDs read from the RFID tag in the database 200 matches the value determined by the image analysis unit 123 for the gaming chip that has that side ID. Also, the comparison and determination unit 110 determines that the RFID is correct and the side ID is counterfeit if the value associated with an RFID that does not have a side ID corresponding to the second group of unique IDs in the database 200 matches the value determined by the image analysis unit 123 for the gaming chip that has that side ID.

[0104] Furthermore, while the above embodiment identifies the location of an unauthorized gaming chip, by using the configuration of the management system 100 described above, it is also possible to specify an arbitrary unique ID and identify the location of a gaming chip having that unique ID. Specifically, in such a management system, the comparison and determination unit 110 identifies the location of a gaming chip having a side ID corresponding to a specific unique ID when a particular unique ID is found among the unique IDs (first unique ID group) of multiple gaming chips acquired by the RFID reader 31.

[0105] In the above embodiment, a system for managing gaming chips at a game table was described, but the management system may be applied to locations other than game tables. For example, the management system may be applied to the casino's back room, cages, etc.

[0106] Furthermore, while the above embodiment described a system for managing gaming chips, the management system can also be applied to other gaming equipment that can incorporate RFID.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the camera 21 for photographing gaming chips contained in the chip tray 51, the camera 22 for photographing gaming chips bet in the betting areas 531-536, and the monitor 40 for displaying information to the dealer were each fixed to the game table 51. Some or all of these cameras 21, 22, and monitor 40 do not have to be fixed to the table. For example, the camera 22 and monitor 40 may be implemented in a handheld information processing terminal such as a tablet computer or smartphone.

[0108] For example, if the information processing terminal is a tablet computer, a camera 22 is installed on the back of the tablet computer, and the front surface becomes a monitor 40 that functions as a touch panel. This tablet computer is connected to the control device 10 by wire or wirelessly. Furthermore, the functions of the control device 10 may also be implemented in the tablet computer. In this case, the tablet computer may be connected to the RFID reader 31 by wire or wirelessly.

[0109] When a dealer or casino staff member positions a tablet computer over the chip tray 51 and points the camera 22 towards the chip tray 51, the captured image of the chip tray 51 and the gaming chips contained therein is displayed on the monitor 40. The image analysis unit 123 analyzes the captured image, the comparison and determination unit 110 compares the information read by the RFID reader 31 with the information recognized by the image analysis unit 123, and the comparison result output unit 140 generates a display image by superimposing the comparison result onto the captured image and outputs it to the monitor 40.

[0110] This configuration allows the comparison results to be displayed on the tablet computer's touch panel. Image capture may be performed in response to the operation of the capture button, or it may be performed continuously. When images are captured continuously, the screen with the comparison results superimposed will be displayed on the monitor 40 in real time.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a gaming chip having a unique ID obtained by the image analysis unit 123 but not by the RFID reader 31 was determined to be a fraudulent gaming chip. If a gaming chip does not have a built-in RFID tag, or if the RFID tag built into the gaming chip is broken, the RFID reader cannot read the unique ID of the RFID tag. However, depending on how the gaming chip is placed, or due to deterioration or partial failure of the RFID, the reading of the RFID by the antennas 32, 331-335 and the RFID reader 31 may not be stable.

[0112] Therefore, the RFID reader 31 may be configured to repeatedly read RFID tags at predetermined time intervals. If reading is unstable, the unique ID may be read from the RFID tag or not during repeated readings. In this case, the comparison determination unit 110 may treat a gaming chip whose unique ID has been read at least once as a normal gaming chip, or treat a gaming chip with such an unstable reading of the unique ID as an unauthorized gaming chip. Furthermore, the comparison determination unit 110 and the comparison result output unit 140 may treat gaming chips with unstable unique ID reading as unauthorized gaming chips, and may also distinguish between gaming chips whose unique ID cannot be read at all and gaming chips with unstable unique ID reading when outputting the comparison results.

[0113] When reading RFID tags on a large number of gaming chips with a single antenna, unstable readings like the one described above can occur. The example above allows for the identification of gaming chips with unstable RFID tags from among a large number of other gaming chips. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10 Control device 21 Cameras 22 cameras 31 RFID reader 32, 331-336 Antennas 40 monitors 50 game tables 51 Tip Tray 52 Electronic Shoe 100 Management Systems 110 Comparison / judgment section 123 Image Analysis Department 140 Comparison Result Output Section 200 databases 531-536 Player Positions C Gaming Chip D Dealer P Player

Claims

1. It is a management system, An image capture device configured to capture images of one or more game chips, wherein each game chip has a built-in RFID tag that stores first information, and second information is displayed on its side so as to be shown on the image, and the second information is observable from any direction in the circumferential direction of the game chip. A reader configured to read the RFID tags of one or more game chips and to obtain first information of one or more game chips, An image analysis device configured to acquire the position of each of one or more game chips and second information for each of one or more game chips based on an image, A control device is configured to determine whether at least one of the following problems exists for each game chip by comparing first information of the game chip obtained by a reader with second information of the game chip obtained by an image analysis device, and to identify one or more game chips related to the problem: the RFID tag is missing, the RFID tag is invalid, the RFID tag is damaged, or the labeling is incorrect. A management system equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The control device is configured to identify a game chip having the second information for which the first information cannot be obtained as one or more game chips related to the problem, according to claim 1.

3. The control device identifies one or more game chips having second information that does not correspond to the first information as one or more game chips related to the problem, according to claim 1.

4. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is coded and represented on the side of the game chip.

5. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is unique to each game chip.

6. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is represented by a matrix pattern, a barcode, a string of characters, or a dot pattern.

7. The control device is configured to determine whether there is a problem with the RFID tag or a problem with the notation, using information other than the first and second information of one or more game chips related to the problem.

8. The second piece of information is represented by an appearance that allows for the identification of each type of game chip among one or more types of game chips. The image analysis device is configured to determine the type of each of the one or more game chips based on the image. The control device is configured to identify one or more game chips related to a problem based on the type determined by the image analysis device, as described in claim 7.

9. The management system according to claim 8, wherein the appearance enabling identification of the type of game chip is provided on the side of the game chip.

10. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit configured to accommodate one or more game chips, wherein the imaging device is configured to image the one or more game chips housed in the storage unit.

11. The management system according to claim 10, wherein the storage unit is configured to align and store one or more game chips.

12. The management system according to claim 10, wherein the storage unit is a chip tray provided on a game table.

13. The management system according to claim 12, wherein the imaging device is fixed to the game table.

14. The management system according to claim 1, wherein, for each game chip, a second piece of information about the game chip is written on the side of the game chip.

15. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the first information of the game chip is a unique ID that uniquely identifies the game chip.

16. The first information and the second information of the game chip are different from each other. The management system further includes a database that records the combination of the first information and the second information for each game chip. The control device is configured to perform the comparison by referring to the database, according to claim 1.

17. The control device identifies the location of one or more game chips related to the problem, as described in claim 1.

18. The management system according to claim 17, further comprising a display device configured to display the location of one or more game chips related to a problem.

19. The management system according to claim 18, wherein the display device is configured to superimpose the position onto an image.

20. The management system further comprises a storage unit capable of housing one or more game chips in predetermined storage positions, The image capture device is configured to capture one or more game chips housed in the housing unit, The management system according to claim 18, wherein the display device is configured to display the addresses of the housing locations of one or more game chips related to a problem within the housing unit.

21. A storage unit capable of arranging and accommodating one or more of the aforementioned game chips, A light irradiation device configured to irradiate a designated game chip among the one or more game chips housed in the aforementioned housing unit, Furthermore, The imaging device is configured to image one or more game chips housed in a housing unit, and The control device is configured to control the light irradiation device to irradiate light onto one or more game chips related to the problem whose location has been identified, the management system according to claim 17.

Images