Table Game Management System

Abstract

To provide a table game management system for preventing use of gaming tokens suspected of being used improperly in casinos and other game parlors using gaming tokens.SOLUTION: A control device 1003 of a table game management system is configured so as to recognize that a winning player's betting chip and a payment chip paid to the winning player travel to the outside of a chip arrangement area 1025, and to relate ID information of the payment chip, and ID information of the betting chip moved to the outside of the chip arrangement area 1025 at the same timing as the payment chip on a database, and has a function of relating information regarding an owner of the betting chip shown by RFID of the betting chip to ID information held by RFID of the payment chip.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming token management system that prevents fraudulent gaming tokens from being used in casinos and other gaming establishments that use gaming tokens. [Background technology]

[0002] Among the many table games played in casinos and other gaming establishments are baccarat and blackjack. Casinos use gaming tokens to play these games.

[0003] The use of illegal gaming tokens must not occur in casinos. In order to prevent the use of counterfeit gaming tokens in casinos, there is technology in place that attaches RFID tags to gaming tokens to determine their authenticity and prevent the use of counterfeits. RFID-equipped gaming tokens are publicly known and are disclosed in Patent Document 1 (International Publication No. WO2008 / 120749). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Application Publication No. WO2008 / 120749 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In gaming tokens based on conventional technology, it was possible to determine the authenticity of the gaming token itself by reading the RFID and grasping the information written in the memory area. However, it was not possible to record or determine information obtained during use at the casino, particularly information regarding the owner of the gaming token. Therefore, it was not possible to grasp the existence of gaming tokens that were genuine but had an abnormal history of usage, such as being used or exchanged by an owner other than the original owner, by reading the RFID, and it was not possible to prevent such gaming tokens with abnormal usage history from being used in casinos.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a system that constantly grasps and manages the owner information of each gaming token, thereby increasing security, and that when a dealer pays a gaming token to a player and the ownership of the gaming token is transferred from the casino to a player, makes it possible to grasp and record which player the ownership of the gaming token has been transferred to.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the gaming currency management system of the present invention provides: Gaming currency with an individually identifiable RFID tag attached; a gaming table for playing games using the gaming currency; a chip placement area in the gaming table in which betting chips placed by players participating in a game and payment chips paid out by a dealer from a chip tray of the gaming table to players who have won are placed; A chip reader that reads the RFID of the gaming currency placed in the chip placement area; A control device that grasps the reading result of the chip reading device, The control device is capable of acquiring information about an owner of the gaming currency based on ID information of the RFID of the gaming currency, Furthermore, the control device is configured to recognize that the winning player's betting chips and the payment chips paid out to the winning player are moved outside the chip placement area, and to associate, in a database, ID information of the payment chips with ID information of the betting chips that moved outside the chip placement area at the same time as the payment chips, The device has a function of associating, in a database, the ID information carried by the RFID of the payment chip with information about the owner of the betting chip indicated by the RFID of the betting chip.

[0008] Furthermore, the chip placement area is configured to be partitioned for each player position, and includes a pay area for placing the payment chips for each player position. The chip reader may be configured to be capable of reading the pay area separately for each player position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire table game management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a database according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an RFID tag included in a game token according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a method for recording data on game tokens according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire management system for game tokens according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a reading device and a writing device for game tokens according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a game token according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B]FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of game tokens according to another second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a database according to another second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire management system for table games in a gaming facility having a plurality of gaming tables according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the results of reading a chip by a camera and an RFID according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a gaming table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the state of gaming tokens bet on the gaming table according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state of gaming tokens bet on the gaming table according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14A] FIG. 14A is a diagram showing details of the chip tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B is a diagram showing another example of the chip tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram of a gaming table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the results of reading a chip by a camera and an RFID according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram of a gaming table according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram of a gaming table according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram of a gaming table according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a game token according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a game token according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a game token according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (First embodiment) The overall outline of the table game management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall outline of the system. A gaming table 1004 for a baccarat game has betting areas for a player 1441, a banker 1442, a tie 1443, a player pair 1444, and a banker pair 1445 for each of player positions 1131 to 1135. A chip placement area 1025 is provided for each player position, and a chip reader 1002 is provided for reading the RFID of gaming currency 1001 placed in the chip placement area.

[0011] Furthermore, each chip placement area 1025 is provided with a pay area 1026 for placing gaming currency 1001 taken out from the chip tray 1009 of the gaming table 1004 when the dealer pays out gaming currency 1001 from the chip tray 1009 to a winning player.

[0012] The game machine further includes a control device 1003 for grasping the results of reading the RFID of the game currency 1001 by the chip reader 1002 .

[0013] First, a player who joins a game bets gaming currency 1001 in a betting area within the chip placement area. The chip reader 1002 reads the RFID of the bet gaming currency 1001, and the control device 1003 obtains information about the owner of the gaming currency 1001 that is associated in the database with the ID information of the RFID.

[0014] If the casino wins based on the game results, the dealer collects the gaming currency 1001 bet by the losing player and places it in a chip tray 1009. The RFID of the gaming currency 1001 in the chip tray 1009 is detected by a chip reader 1002, and a control device 1003 records in a database that the owner of the gaming currency 1001 collected by the casino is the casino.

[0015] Based on the result of the game, the dealer pays out to the winning player gaming currency 1001 from the chip tray in an amount corresponding to the amount of the bet chips, in accordance with the rules of the game.

[0016] When making a payment, the payment chip may be placed in the pay area 1026 described above, or in a chip placement area other than the pay area.

[0017] Here, a method for recording the owner information of the payment chip will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a method for recording information about the owner of the gaming currency 1001 when a chip is paid to a winning player.

[0018] When multiple players place betting chips in the same player position, resulting in two or more stacks, the chip reader 1002 reads all of the gaming currency 1001 placed in the chip placement area 1025 at once, and therefore during the game, the ID 1010 of the bet gaming currency is acquired without knowing which gaming currency 1001 belongs to which player. After the outcome of the game is determined, when making a payment to the winning player, the dealer pays out from the chip tray 1009 for each player (each stack). The gaming currency 1001 removed from the chip tray 1009 is placed in the chip placement area 1025. The chip reader 1002 reads the ID 1011 of the payment chip placed in the chip placement area 1025.

[0019] The winning player receives the paid-out gaming currency 1001 together with the initially bet gaming currency 1001. At this time, the betting chip and the payment chip are moved outside the chip placement area 1025, so the IDs of the betting chip and the payment chip disappear from the reading result by the chip reading device 1002. As a result, the control device 1003 knows to which player the paid-out payment chip has been paid out by associating it with information about the owner of the betting chip.

[0020] The control device 1003 stores information regarding the owner of the identified payment chip in a database in association with the ID of the gaming currency.

[0021] As a result of the above, it becomes possible to trace the owner of the gaming currency 1001, and if there is any fraudulent transfer of the gaming currency 1001, it becomes possible to discover that the owner information stored in the database differs from the actual owner.

[0022] The actual owner can be identified using facial recognition technology or ID such as a membership card.

[0023] In the above explanation, the ID of each gaming currency is managed on a database, but the gaming currency 1001 itself may store owner information.

[0024] In addition, the above-mentioned pay area 1026 may be provided for each player position, or may be configured as an area independent of each player position, and reading by the chip reader 1002 may be performed independently.

[0025] Furthermore, the configuration may be such that it is possible to select whether or not to use the pay area 1026 depending on the reading performance of the chip reader 1002.

[0026] Furthermore, this table game management system is also linked to an RFID reader that reads the chips in the chip tray 1009 using RFID, a camera that reads betting chips, and a winning / losing result determination device such as a shoe that determines the outcome of the game, and may be configured to enable the information to be used mutually.

[0027] (Second embodiment) First, a gaming token used in a gaming token management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 3 shows a gaming token 1 used in the system. In the figure, an RFID tag 2 capable of storing various information is embedded in the gaming token 1. The RFID tag 2 has an area 21 where data cannot be rewritten and an area 22 where data can be rewritten.

[0028] The area 21 where data cannot be rewritten stores, as fixed information 3, information that does not change while the gaming token 1 is being used, information that does not change, or information that must not be changed. Specifically, production information, product information, casino information, amount information, serial number, etc. of the gaming token 1 are stored as the fixed information 3. The production information includes the date and time when the gaming token was manufactured, the manufacturing machine, etc., while the product information includes, for example, information indicating that the token is a chip for the VIP area of ​​a casino and information indicating the type of chip (for example, information indicating that the chip is a rolling chip or a cash chip), etc.

[0029] The area 21 where data cannot be rewritten may be an area where writing is functionally impossible due to the specifications of the RFID tag, or it may be an area that is locked so that data cannot be written after the necessary information is written in an area where data can be written.

[0030] The rewritable data area 22 stores information that changes while the gaming token 1 is being used as variable information 4. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, location-related information 220 including information 221 about date and time, information 222 about place and event, and information 223 about the owner is stored as the variable information 4.

[0031] The fixed information 3 and the variable information 4 may be encrypted to prevent unauthorized reading or writing of the information by others, and may be stored as metadata.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows an example of a method for recording data of the variable information 4 of the gaming token 1. As shown in Fig. 4, location-related information 220 consisting of date and time, time information 221, location, event information 222, and owner information 223 is treated as one block, and the information of the block is linked in a chain so that the history of the information 220 regarding the location of the gaming token 1 can be grasped.

[0033] Figure 4 shows an example of the variable information 4 stored in the gaming token 1, from which the following movements of the gaming token 1 can be understood. At 16:02 on January 28, 2019, Mr. A exchanges cash for the gaming token 1 in cage 5. At 16:15 on the same day, Mr. A places a bet using the gaming token 1 at table No. 325. At 16:43 on the same day, Mr. B receives the gaming token 1 as redemption money for winning a bet at table No. 325. At 17:01 on the same day, Mr. B leaves the casino with the gaming token 1.

[0034] The variable information 4 may be configured to store only the latest information as shown in FIG. 4, or may store all written information regarding locations. Also, some of the information regarding multiple locations may be selected and stored. When some information is selected and stored, information regarding multiple locations may be stored, including at least the information 220 regarding the latest location of all the information 220 regarding locations. With the above configuration, the variable information 4 of a certain gaming token 1 can tell the history of use or movement of the gaming token 1. In other words, the traceability information of the gaming token 1 is written in the gaming token 1 itself, making it possible to understand the information.

[0035] Next, a management system for the gaming token 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 5 shows an overview of the entire system.

[0036] First, at the factory 6, the writing device 14 writes variable information 4 including information on completion of production or shipment from the factory as location-related information 220 into the data-rewritable area 22 of the RFID tag 2.

[0037] The gaming token 1 shipped from the factory 6 is accepted in the casino's backyard 7. In the backyard 7, the reading device 13 reads the variable information 4 stored in the area 22 where data of the gaming token 1 can be rewritten, and based on the reading result, the management control device 15 judges whether location information 220 indicating that the information was written in the factory 6 has been written as the latest variable information 4, as information that should have been written. If there is no record of writing in the factory 6, an error signal is generated as the gaming token suspected of being fraudulent. This makes it possible for the casino to refuse to accept the gaming token or to request an investigation from the factory. If there is no problem with the writing record, the writing device 14 writes location information 220 indicating the backyard in the area 22 where data of the RFID tag 2 can be rewritten. When writing, location information indicating the backyard may be written in addition to location information indicating the factory, or location information indicating the backyard may be written by deleting location information indicating the factory. Furthermore, the reading and writing of gaming tokens in the back yard 7 described above can also be performed in conjunction with the normal validation and activation work of gaming tokens.

[0038] The gaming token 1 that has completed the acceptance inspection in the back yard 7 is transported to the casino's warehouse 8 or cage 9. In the warehouse 8 or cage 9, the reading device 13 reads the variable information 4 stored in the data rewritable area 22 of the gaming token 1, and based on the reading result, the management control device 15 judges whether location information 220 indicating that the information was written in the back yard 7 has been written as the latest variable information 4, as information that should have been written. It may also be possible to check whether information indicating the factory 6 has been written in the history of the variable information 4. The management control device 15 judges whether there is an abnormality in the location information history, as in the inspection in the back yard 7 described above. If there is no problem in the reading result, the writing device 14 writes location information 22 indicating the warehouse 8 or cage 9 in the data rewritable area 22.

[0039] A player purchases gaming tokens 1 in a cage 9. When a player purchases gaming tokens 1, a writing device 14 in the cage 9 writes, as variable information 4, the time when the gaming token was purchased and information indicating that the owner of the gaming token has changed from the casino to a customer. Players may be identified and recorded using face recognition technology or an ID card such as a casino member's card or a My Number card.

[0040] A player uses the gaming token 1 that has been converted into cash to place a bet in a betting area 11 at a gaming table. The reader 13 reads location-related information 220, consisting of date and time information 221, location and event information 222, and owner information 223, from the RFID tag 2 of the gaming token 1 that has been bet, and the management control device 15 judges whether there is any abnormality. For example, if a certain period of time has passed since the date and time of the last written information on use at the gaming table or information on conversion to cash in the cage, or if the owner information 223 stored in the gaming token 1 differs from the owner information 223 identified by face authentication or an ID card, it can be judged that there is an abnormality.

[0041] If there is no problem with the read result, the writing device 14 writes location-related information 220 to the data rewritable area 22 for the bet gaming token 1. The location-related information 220 includes date and time information 221, location and event information 222, and owner information 223. At the table, for example, variable information 4 including the player position number where the gaming token 1 is placed and player information is written by the writing device 14. The player information may be identified by an ID card or face recognition. Usually, multiple gaming tokens 1 are stacked and placed in the betting area 11, so writing is performed collectively while they are stacked.

[0042] When a player takes gaming token 1 off the casino floor, the player performs an exit process at gate 10. When exiting, location information 220 is read by reading device 14, and management control device 15 determines whether there is an abnormality in variable information 4. Also at gate 10, writing device 14 writes variable information 4 including location and event information 222 information indicating the exit, and owner information 223.

[0043] When a player brings in gaming tokens 1 that he or she has previously taken out when entering the casino floor, information regarding their location is read by the reading device 13, and the management control device judges whether there are any abnormalities in the variable information 4. For example, if the owner of gaming tokens 1 once taken out of the casino is different when the player leaves the casino from when the player enters, it can be determined that the gaming tokens have been handed over outside the casino.

[0044] The above-mentioned management control device 15 may output an alarm to the cage 9 or gate 10 when the judgment based on the reading result of the reader 13 is abnormal. When the owner of the gaming token 1 exchanges it for cash in the cage 9 or when he / she leaves through the gate 10, the management control device 15 may refuse the exchange based on the alarm outputted by the management control device 15, or may perform an individual check at the time of exit. In addition, when the judgment result is abnormal, the management control device 15 may issue a warning to the dealer at each game table to suspend the game, or issue a warning to the pit, and the pit manager may decide to suspend or continue the game, or to take measures such as exchanging the gaming token 1. Alternatively, the management control device 15 may be connected to the overall management control device 18 of the casino and may be configured to issue a warning to the overall management control device 18.

[0045] Similarly, the management control device 15 may read the variable information 4 by the reading device 13 when cashing in the cage, and determine whether there is an abnormality. Specifically, it may determine whether there is an abnormality when a certain period of time has passed since the date and time of the last written information on use at the game table or information on cashing in the cage, or when a person other than the owner information 223 stored in the gaming token 1 is attempting to cash it. If an abnormality is determined, the management control device 15 may output a warning and refuse to cash the gaming token 1 determined to be abnormal.

[0046] In the above description, reading is performed by the reading device 13, and writing is performed by the writing device 14 after determination by the management control device. However, reading and writing may be performed simultaneously.

[0047] In the following, details of an embodiment of the application of the present invention are given.

[0048] In the factory 6, when production is completed or when the product is shipped, the RFID tag 2 is read and / or written. Production information and product information are written as fixed information 3, and if necessary, this is locked so that it cannot be rewritten, and variable information 4 is written.

[0049] In the back yard 6, the gaming token 1 shipped from the factory is received, and when it is activated as a usable gaming token 1, the RFID tag 2 is read and / or written.

[0050] In the warehouse 8, the RFID tag 2 is read and / or written when the gaming token 1 is moved from the warehouse 8 to the cage 9 or when the gaming token 1 is moved from the cage 9 to the warehouse 8. Alternatively, the RFID tag 2 may be read and / or written for the gaming token 1 stored in the warehouse 8 at regular intervals or at a predetermined timing.

[0051] The cage 9 reads and / or writes the RFID tag 2 when the coin is moved to or from the warehouse 8, and when the gaming token 1 is exchanged for customer cash. When the exchange is performed in the cage 9, the variable information 4 is written as the owner information 223, including the location indicating the exchange, event information 222, and information about the player who performed the exchange. The owner information 223 can be obtained from the player's casino ID card, a face authentication system, a credit card, etc.

[0052] At the gate 10, when a player enters or leaves the casino, the RFID tag 2 is read and / or written. When a player leaves the casino, location and event information 222 indicating the taking out and owner information 223 indicating the player taking out are written as variable information 4 for all gaming tokens 1 that the player takes out, and registration is performed, and when a player enters the casino, location and event information 222 indicating the bringing in and owner information 223 indicating the player bringing in are written as variable information 4 for the gaming tokens 1 that the player takes out, and registration is performed.

[0053] In the betting area 11, the RFID tags 2 of the gaming tokens 1 placed in the betting area 11 by the players to participate in betting are read and / or written. Also, the RFID tags 2 of the gaming tokens 1 placed in the betting area 11 by the dealer as redemption money for the players are read and / or written.

[0054] In the chip tray 12, the RFID tags 2 of the gaming tokens 1 collected in the chip tray and the gaming tokens 1 stored therein are read and / or written.

[0055] The gaming table further includes a payment area including an area 2007 and a pay area 1026, and may read and / or write RFID tags 2 for gaming tokens 1 placed in the betting area 11 by the dealer as redemption money for the player.

[0056] The management control device 15 has a function of judging whether there is an abnormality in the location-related information 220 obtained from the reading result of the reading device 13 at each location. In judging whether there is an abnormality, it can judge whether there is any of the following events: the information has not been used for a predetermined period or more since the last time it was written, or the information on the location that should have been written has not been written.

[0057] Events that have not been used for a specified period of time since the last write are 1) The latest location information is information indicating cage 9, and the next information was written more than a predetermined time ago; 2) The latest location information indicates entry at Gate 10, and the next information has been written more than a certain amount of time ago. 3) The most recent location information indicates an exit at Gate 10, and the next information has been posted more than a certain amount of time ago. This is one of the following situations.

[0058] The event where the information regarding the location that should have been written is not written is as follows: 4) When entering an arcade, information indicating exit at gate 10 is not written as information regarding the latest location of data rewritable area 22 of gaming token 1. 5) When used in the cage 9, no information indicating the backyard 7 is written. 6) When leaving the playground, no information indicating the cage 9 or the backyard 7 is written. This is one of the following situations.

[0059] The management control device 15 judges whether an abnormality occurs based on the information 223 about the owner obtained from the reading device 13 as follows: 1) A person other than the final owner of the game token 1 stored in the data rewritable area 22 exchanges the game token 1 for cash or money within the game arcade, or leaves the game arcade. 2) A person other than the owner of the token at the time of exit, whose data is stored in the rewritable data area 22, brings the token into the gaming facility. It is possible to determine either of the above situations.

[0060] The management device 15 determines whether an abnormality exists based on the information indicating the location of the betting area 11, the information indicating the location of the chip tray 12, or the information indicating the payment area obtained from the reading device 13, as follows: 1) A person other than the final owner of the gaming token 1 stored in the data rewritable area 22 uses the gaming token 1 at a gaming table. 2) A person other than the person who purchased the gaming token 1 at the cage 9 exchanges the gaming token 1, which has no record of use at a gaming table, for cash at the cage 9. 3) A gaming token 1 that does not have information indicating a cage 9 or a backyard 7 is used in an amusement facility. 4) The latest location information is information indicating the betting area 11 or the payment area, and after a predetermined period of time, the information is exchanged for cash in the cage 9 or used at the gaming table. Determine whether the situation is one of 1) to 4) above.

[0061] 8 shows a database according to another embodiment of the present invention. The management system further includes a database 17 that records the gaming token 1 as well as the similar fixed information 3 and variable information 4. The management control device 15 records information in the database 17 based on the reading result of the reading device 13, and can compare the fixed information 3 and variable information 4 stored in the gaming token 1 with the information in the database to determine whether there is an abnormality.

[0062] In the RFID tag 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the functionally unwritable area of ​​the unrewritable area 21 may be a TID. The area that is locked to prevent data writing after necessary information is written in the unrewritable area 21 may be an EPC or a user area. The rewritable area 22 may be an EPC or a user area.

[0063] The reader 13 and the writer 14 may take different forms depending on the location. For example, in the factory 6, they are on a stand as shown in FIG. 6, while at the gate 10 they are box-shaped, and in the betting area 11 and the chip tray 12, the betting area 11 and the chip tray 12 themselves may have the functions of the reader 13 and the writer 14. The gaming tokens 1 may be stacked as they are, or may be read and written while housed in a chip case or the like. The reader 13 and the writer 14 may be integrated.

[0064] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a gaming token has one RFID tag, and the single RFID tag has an area where data cannot be written and an area where data can be rewritten. Alternatively, a gaming token may have two RFID tags, one of which stores fixed information and is locked so that data cannot be written to it, and the other RFID tag records variable information and is set so that data can be rewritten.

[0065] However, in this case, when multiple gaming tokens are read at once, the information group of fixed information 3 and the information group of variable information 4 are read separately, as shown in Figure 7A, so that it is not possible to determine the combination of fixed information and variable information of a specific gaming token, and it is not possible to identify gaming tokens with abnormalities in the variable information.

[0066] In contrast, in the case of a single RFID tag, as shown in Figure 7B, even when multiple gaming tokens are read at once, the mutual correspondence between the fixed information and variable information read by the reading device can be understood, so it is considered better to use a single RFID tag.

[0067] Generally, the larger the diameter of an RFID tag, the higher the reading accuracy, so when placing an RFID tag in a gaming token, it is desirable for the RFID tag to have a diameter at least equal to or greater than the radius of the gaming token, but placing two RFID tags in a gaming token makes the diameter of each RFID tag smaller, which is undesirable. Also, placing two RFID tags increases the number of RFID tags to be read, which leads to a decrease in reading speed when reading multiple gaming tokens.

[0068] For these reasons, it is believed that using a single RFID tag would be more effective.

[0069] (Third embodiment) The following is an overview of the entire management system for table games in a gaming facility having multiple gaming tables according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the overall overview of the system, and the management system for table games in a gaming facility having multiple gaming tables 2004 includes a game recorder 2011 that records games played on the gaming tables 2004 as images using multiple cameras 2002, including the gaming tokens 1, an image analyzer 2012 that performs image analysis of the recorded images, a chip reader 25 that reads the RFID attached to the gaming tokens 1, and a game result determiner 18 that determines and displays the game results of each game on the gaming tables 2004.

[0070] The game result determination device 18 is, for example, a card distribution device 2003, which is a so-called electronic shoe already used by those skilled in the art. The rules of the game are preprogrammed, and the device is structured to be able to read the information of the cards C that are distributed and determine the outcome of the game. For example, in a baccarat game, the banker's win, the player's win, and a tie (draw) are basically determined by the ranks of two or three cards, and the determination result (win or loss result) is displayed on the result display lamp 2013.

[0071] In the figure, the gaming table 2004 is a table for Baccarat, and has five sitting numbers 13 ("sitting number 1" 131, "sitting number 2" 132, "sitting number 3" 133, "sitting number 5" 134, and "sitting number 6" 135), and five game participants can participate in the game. A betting area 44 is provided for each sitting number 13. The betting area 44 for the sitting number 13 includes the areas of a player (PLAYER) 441, a banker (BANKER) 442, a tie (TIE) 443, a player pair (P) 444, and a banker pair (B) 445. Each game participant places a bet by placing gaming tokens 1 of the amount to be bet at a position corresponding to the bet object. In FIG. 9, for example, two gaming tokens 1 are placed on the sitting number 5 tie 443 and two on the player 441. The gaming table 2004 is further provided with a player card area 45 in which the drawn player cards are placed, and a bank card area 46 in which the drawn bank card is placed.

[0072] The control device 2014 can grasp, via the camera 2002 and the image analysis device 2012, on which position (player, banker, tie, or pair) each player 2006 has bet the gaming tokens 1 in the betting area 2008, the type of gaming tokens 1 (different values ​​are assigned to each color of the gaming tokens 1) and the number of coins bet. That is, it can grasp, for example, that two coins have been bet on the sitting number 5 tie 443 and two coins on the player 441.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 9, the chip reader 25 is arranged so that the entire betting area is treated as one reading area for each sitting number and the RFIDs of the gaming tokens 1 in the reading area can be read collectively. Unique ID information, the amount, type, manufacturing information, owner information, etc. of the gaming token 1 are written in the RFID attached to the gaming token 1. Alternatively, the ID information and the amount, type, manufacturing information, owner information, etc. of the gaming token 1 may be stored in a database in association with each other. The chip reader 25 can grasp the gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number by reading the RFID attached to the gaming token 1, and can grasp the total amount or number of coins. That is, for example, four gaming tokens are bet on sitting number 5, and the type, amount, and ID of each can be grasped.

[0074] 10, the control device 2014 grasps the total amount or total number of gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number from the type and number of gaming tokens 1 bet in each bet area for each sitting number based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device 2012, compares it with the total amount or total number of gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number based on the RFID information of the gaming tokens 1 read by the chip reading device 25, and determines whether they match. Furthermore, it can output sitting numbers for which the above determination does not match, and can identify problematic sitting numbers.

[0075] If the total amount or the total number of gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number based on the reading result of the chip reader 25 is less than the total amount or the total number of gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number based on the image analysis result by the image analyzer, it is possible that the RFID attached to the gaming tokens 1 is broken, the RFID is unreadable, or the gaming tokens 1 do not have an RFID attached. In FIG. 10, the total number of readings based on the image analysis by the image analyzer 2012 for the gaming tokens 1 bet on sitting number 1 is 4, whereas the total number of readings based on the reading of the RFID by the chip reader 25 is 3. Therefore, it is considered that the RFID of one of the four gaming tokens 1 bet on sitting number 1 was unreadable.

[0076] When the total amount or the total number of gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number based on the reading result of the chip reader 25 is greater than the total amount or the total number of gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number based on the image analysis result by the image analyzer, it is possible that the image analyzer 2012 was unable to read the gaming tokens 1 due to factors such as the gaming tokens 1 being in the blind spot of the camera. In FIG. 10, the total number of readings based on the image analyzer 2012 for the gaming tokens 1 bet on sitting number 3 is 1, whereas the total number of readings based on the RFID reading of the chip reader 25 is 2. Therefore, it is possible that although there were two gaming tokens 1 bet on sitting number 3, the image analyzer was only able to recognize one.

[0077] The RFID ID information attached to the gaming token 1 is registered in the casino's database, which records information on production and shipping at the factory, and information on receipt, validation, and activation at the casino. The control device 2014 can compare the RFID information read by the chip reader 25 with information in the database and determine whether it is authentic or not, i.e., whether it is registered as something to be used in the casino.

[0078] With this configuration, the camera can grasp the type and number of gaming tokens 1 bet in each betting area, and based on the RFID information of the gaming tokens 1 read by the chip reading device 25, it is possible to determine the authenticity of the gaming tokens 1 that are fraudulent or defective for each sitting number.

[0079] The system further includes a player identification means using a face recognition system or a player ID card, and the control device 2014 can link player information identified by the player identification means with a sitting number. The control device 2014 can store, for each player, the bet amount, redemption or recovery amount, and win / loss information stored for each sitting number. Also, information on a player playing multiple games at multiple tables can be collectively stored.

[0080] The control device 2014 can determine the total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 2005 of the gaming table 2004 using the chip tray determination device 12, and after the game is over and settlement is made, can compare and calculate whether the total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 has increased or decreased according to the result of the game win or loss, depending on the recovery of the losing gaming tokens 1 bet by each player 2006 and the amount of the winning chips 9W paid to the winning player 2006W. The chip tray determination device may grasp the total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 by photographing the gaming tokens 1 stored in the chip tray 17 using the camera 2002 and analyzing the image with an image analyzer, or may detect the total amount of gaming tokens 1 stored in the chip tray 17 by providing an RFID reader in the chip tray 17.

[0081] In this example, fraud or mistakes are detected based on the outcome of the game, information on how many of what type of gaming tokens 1 were bet and on which position of the betting area 2008 (player, banker, tie, pair), and the increase or decrease in the amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 after the losing chips have been collected and the winning gaming tokens 1 have been redeemed. Therefore, fraud or mistakes can be detected without knowing the movement of the gaming tokens 1 after the game ends, i.e., whether the bet gaming tokens 1 have moved to the player's side or the dealer's side.

[0082] Here, in the case of baccarat, for example, the outcome of the game can be determined in accordance with the rules of baccarat by reading the rank of the card C played in the game in the card dealing device 2003. The outcome of the game can also be determined by taking a picture of the game table 2004 with the camera 2002, analyzing the image with the image analyzing device 2012, and comparing the analysis result with the rules of the game in the control device 2014. In this case, the camera 2002, the image analyzing device 2012, and the control device 2014 constitute a game result determining device. Information on the player of each sitting number 7, what type of gaming tokens 1, and how many coins have been bet on which position (player, banker, tie, player pair, banker pair) in the betting area 2008 can be obtained by taking a picture of the gaming tokens 1 placed in the betting area 2008 with the camera 2002 and analyzing the image for each playing position 7 with the image analyzing device 2012.

[0083] In addition, the increase or decrease in the amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 before and after the collection of losing gaming tokens 1 and the redemption of winning gaming tokens 1 can be calculated by comparing the total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 before the collection of losing gaming tokens 1 and the redemption of winning gaming tokens 1 with the total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 after the collection of losing gaming tokens 1 and the redemption of winning gaming tokens 1.

[0084] For example, let us assume that the total amount of the gaming tokens 1 on the chip tray 17 before the start of the game is Bb, and that the total amount of the gaming tokens 1 on the chip tray 17 after the game is over and the collection of the losing chips and the redemption of the winning chips is Ba. In addition, let us assume that in this game, the total amount of the gaming tokens 1 on all the play positions 7 bet on the player area is bp, the total amount of the gaming tokens 1 on all the play positions 7 bet on the banker area is bb, and the total amount of the gaming tokens 1 on all the play positions 7 bet on the tie area is bt. For example, if the outcome of this game is a win for the banker, Ba-Bb=bp-bb+bt should be established. Alternatively, the total amount of the gaming tokens 1 on the chip tray 17 after the game is over should be (Bb+bp-bb+bt). If this is not the case, it can be determined that there has been fraud or a mistake in the collection or redemption of the chips.

[0085] FIG. 14A is a diagram showing details of the chip tray of this embodiment, and FIG. 14B is a diagram showing another example of the chip tray. The chip tray 17 is provided with a collection chip tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing the gaming tokens 1L bet by the losing player 2006L, and a redemption chip tray 172 for storing the gaming tokens 1W to be redeemed. The image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 grasp the position, type, and number of the gaming tokens 1L bet by the losing player 2006L, and calculate the increase in the gaming tokens 1L in the game (the amount of the gaming tokens 1 that should be in the collection chip tray 171). Furthermore, the image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 grasp the actual total amount of the gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 171 after collection, and compare the actual total amount with the actual total amount to determine whether there is a difference.

[0086] The control device 2014 can further perform redemption for the gaming tokens 1 to be redeemed, and when redemption is complete, compare the total amount that should be in the chip tray based on the amount of chips to be redeemed for the game, which is calculated from the position, type and number of chips bet by each game player at the gaming table and the game result, with the actual total amount in the chip tray, and determine whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0087] In addition, by using the gaming tokens 1 in the redemption chip tray 172 to redeem the gaming tokens 1W to the winning player 2006W, it is possible to ensure sufficient time for the image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 to grasp the actual total amount of the gaming tokens 1 in the collection chip tray 171 after collection.

[0088] As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 2014 calculates the chip balance for each game from the bet chip amount on the gaming table 2004 and the win / loss result of the game, and verifies the increase in the chip balance in the chip tray 17 after the game. If the control device 2014 detects a discrepancy in this verification, it issues an alarm or adds a record to that effect to the video record captured by the camera 2002. The casino operator can investigate the cause of the discrepancy by checking the video.

[0089] The table game management system of this embodiment adds or subtracts the increase or decrease in the amount of chips in a game, which is calculated from the positions, types and numbers of gaming tokens 1 bet by all players 2006 in that game and the win / loss result of that game obtained by the win / loss result determination device, from the total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 before the settlement of each game, and compares the total amount that should be of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 after settlement at the end of that game with the actual total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 at the end of that game obtained via the image analysis device 2012, and determines whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0090] The control device 2014 grasps the position, type and number of chips bet by each player via the image analysis device 2012, and when all of the losing chips bet by each player have been collected, grasps the actual total amount of chips in the chip tray, and compares the total amount that should be of the gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17, which is calculated by adding the increase in the chip tray 17 for that game based on the position, type and number of chips bet by the losing player from the total amount of chips in the chip tray before the settlement of each game, with the actual total amount of the gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17, and determines whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0091] The control device 2014 compares the total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 before the settlement of each game, plus the increase in the chip tray 17 for that game based on the position, type and number of gaming tokens 1 bet by the losing player, to determine whether there is any difference between the total amount that should be there and the actual total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17, and if so, compares the total amount that should be there in the chip tray 17 after settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 17 at the end of the game obtained via the image analysis device 2012, and if so, determines that there is a difference between the total amount that should be there and the actual total amount, determines that there has been a payment error and generates a payment error signal to notify of the payment error.

[0092] The chip tray 17 is provided with a collection chip tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing the gaming tokens 1 bet by losing players, and the image analysis device 2012 compares the total amount that should be of the gaming tokens 1 in the collection chip tray 171, which is calculated by adding the increase in the gaming tokens 1 for the game in question, calculated from the position, type and number of the gaming tokens 1L bet by the losing player, with the actual total amount of the gaming tokens 1 in the collection chip tray 171, and determines whether there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount.

[0093] When the control device 2014 determines that the actual total amount of gaming tokens 1 grasped in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 2005 at the gaming table 2004 does not correspond to the increase or decrease in chips calculated from the chip amounts bet by all players and the outcome of the game, the game recording device 2011 can add an index or time to the captured video, or identify and play back the scene of collection or payment of the gaming tokens 1, so that the game recording device 2011 can analyze the record of the game in which the above-mentioned difference occurred.

[0094] In this way, the control device 2014 obtains the total amount of chips in the chip tray 17 after settlement at the end of the game via the image analysis device 2012. In this case, the determination after settlement is made when any of the following 1) to 4) occurs. 1) When redemption of winning gaming token 1 is completed, 2) When the card C used in the game is collected and discarded in the discard area 41 or the discard slot 42 of the table, 3) When a predetermined button associated with the winning / losing result determination device is pressed, 4) When marker 43, indicating victory or defeat, is returned to its original position.

[0095] The control device 2014 is an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning-based control device that can grasp the position (position where the player, banker, or pair is bet) and amount (type and number) of chips bet at each play position 7 of the gaming table 2004, and can extract the win / loss history and amount of chips (winning amount) of each player 2006 obtained by the win / loss result of each game as a unique situation (set by the casino) by comparing it with statistical data of many past games (big data). Typically, the control device 2014 is an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning-based control device that can extract the occurrence of a winning amount of a certain amount (1 million dollars) or a situation in which the amount of bet chips when losing is small and the amount of bet chips when winning is large for several games in a row, as a unique situation by comparing it with statistical data of past games (big data, etc.).

[0096] Furthermore, the control device 2014 of this table game management system (integrated with the image analysis device 2012) is configured to be able to identify an individual player 2006 at a playing position 7 who has been extracted as a peculiar situation or who has won a predetermined amount or more. The image analysis device 2012 obtains an image of the face by extracting characteristic points or the like, and identifies the player 2006 by assigning an identity number (ID or the like). When the identified player 2006 leaves his / her seat and sits at another gaming table, the control device 2014 has a warning function for notifying the presence of the identified player at the other gaming table. Specifically, the control device 2014 notifies a pit manager who manages each gaming table 2004 or a person in charge of each table (which may be a dealer) to prevent further peculiar phenomena.

[0097] The control device 2014 can identify the collected gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number based on the RFID ID information of the collected gaming tokens 1 determined by the chip tray determination device and the RFID ID information of the gaming tokens 1 read by the chip reading device 25.

[0098] In FIG. 11, gaming tokens 1 are bet as shown in the detailed tables of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Analysis by the image analysis device 2012 makes it possible to ascertain the location (player, banker, etc.) where the gaming tokens 1 are bet, and the number (and amount) of tokens. Meanwhile, reading by the chip reading device 25 makes it possible to ascertain the RFID ID attached to the gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number. Furthermore, since the chip tray determination device 25 can determine the ID of the gaming tokens 1 in the chip tray 9, it is possible to ascertain the collected gaming tokens 1 by ascertaining the ID that has increased before and after collection. In Figures 11 to 13, when the game result is a win for the banker, the analysis result of the image analysis device 2012 indicates that the two chips bet on the banker pair should be collected, and among the IDs of the collected chips determined by the chip tray determination device, it is apparent that the two chips with IDs 6 and 18, which the chip reader 25 read as having been bet on sitting number 5, are collected.

[0099] The control device 2014 further grasps the total amount or total number of gaming tokens 1 to be collected for each sitting number, determined using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the positions, amounts, and numbers of gaming tokens 1 based on the image analysis results by the image analyzer. Therefore, the control device 2014 can compare the total amount or total number of collected gaming tokens 1 for each sitting number determined based on RFID with the total amount or total number of gaming tokens 1 to be collected based on the image analysis results, and determine whether they match.

[0100] For example, if the reading result by the chip reading device 25 for sitting number 1 is "A, B, C, D, E", the analysis result by the image analysis device 2012 is "2 chips for tie, 2 chips for banker", the game result is "banker wins", and the reading result by the chip tray determination device 18 is "A, B", it can be determined that the chips A and B bet on tie have been correctly collected.

[0101] The control device 2014 can further determine whether or not the RFID ID information of the collected gaming token 1 determined by the chip tray determination device matches the RFID ID information of the bet gaming token 1 read by the chip reading device 25. This determination makes it possible to determine whether or not the gaming token 1 collected in the chip tray is the gaming token 1 bet on the gaming table, or is the gaming token 1 illegally collected from another location.

[0102] The control device 2014 can further determine the type of chip, such as a cash chip, a rolling chip, a promotional chip, etc., based on the RFID information read by the chip reading device 25, and can store the amount bet and the amount recovered or redeemed for each determined type of chip.

[0103] Rolling chips are special chips that cannot be exchanged for cash and can be purchased by specific members, and the amount of rolling chips purchased is managed for each member. They must be used for betting and consumed, and bets made using rolling chips are redeemed with cash chips. By storing the amount of rolling chips bet or collected based on the RFID information read by the chip reader 25, it is possible to know the amount of rolling chips that a specific member should have.

[0104] The chip reader 25 further has a function of a confirmation area, and is capable of reading the gaming token 1 placed for redemption. As shown in FIG. 15, when redemption is made for the banker with sitting number 2, the gaming token 1 for redemption is placed in the chip reader 25 and read. In FIG. 15, it is placed next to the winning gaming token 1 bet on the banker with sitting number 2. The control device 2014 compares the redemption amount determined using the measurement results of the position, amount and number of the gaming token 1 based on the game result obtained from the game result determination device and the image analysis result by the image analysis device with the amount of the gaming token 1 placed for each sitting number based on the reading result of the chip reader 25, and can determine whether the redemption amounts match or not, and output the result. In FIG. 16, the total number of gaming tokens 1 to be paid by sitting number 1 is 4, whereas the reading result of the chip reading device 25 is 3, which is a mismatch. When the redemption amounts are mismatched, a mismatch signal is output, and the dealer can replace the gaming tokens 1 for redemption based on the output signal. When the gaming tokens 1 are replaced, a judgment is made again, and the judgment result can be output. The area in which the gaming tokens 1 for redemption are placed may be anywhere in the chip reading device 25. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, a payment confirmation area 26 may be arranged on the dealer's side of the betting area, separate from the betting area. In FIG. 7, the gaming tokens 1 for redemption are placed in the payment confirmation area 26 of sitting number 6, the chip reading device 25 reads them, the control device 2014 makes a judgment, and the redemption chip is placed next to the winning gaming tokens 1 placed in the banker's.

[0105] Also, the image analysis of the confirmation area may be performed by the image analyzer 2012, and the control device 2014 may compare this with the reading result of the chip reader 25 to determine whether the total numbers match.

[0106] The control device 2014 can output a signal based on the determination that it has made. The signal may be output to display on the display unit of the chip tray 9 or the display unit of the card dealing device 13, or the signal may be output to a pit manager or the back yard of the casino.

[0107] The chip reader 25 may treat the entire betting area for each sitting number as one reading area as shown in Fig. 17, or may treat the player betting area and the banker betting area as one reading area for each sitting number, and the tie betting area, the player pair betting area, and the banker pair betting area as one reading area as shown in Fig. 18. Also, as shown in Figs. 19 and 22, the side betting areas of the tie betting area, the player pair betting area, and the banker pair betting area may each be treated as one reading area.

[0108] The game token 1 used in the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 20 is an external view of the game token 1 used in this system, and FIG. 21 is a front cross-sectional view. A multi-layer structure is formed by laminating a plurality of plastic layers of different colors, with at least a colored layer 101 in the middle, and laminating a white layer 102 or a light-colored layer (not shown, but it may be a layer with a lighter color than the colored layer 101) on both sides of the middle colored layer 101. By forming a multi-layer structure with the colored layer 101 and the white layer 102 or a light-colored layer (not shown, but it may be a layer with a lighter color than the colored layer 101) on both sides of the middle colored layer 101 in this way, a striped pattern is formed in the lamination direction on the side as shown in FIG. 20, and the type of game token 1 (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) can be identified by changing the color of the colored layer 101 (red, green, yellow, blue, etc.).

[0109] The colored layer 101 may be formed of a plurality of colored layers (three layers in FIG. 21) as shown in Fig. 21. The plurality of colored layers (three layers in FIG. 21) are thermocompression bonded together, so the three-layer structure is not visible as in Fig. 21, and Fig. 21 shows three layers for the sake of explanation. Furthermore, a cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the colored layer 101, and an RFID is embedded therein.

[0110] Furthermore, the gaming token 1 is not limited to a structure in which plastic is laminated, and may have an appearance similar to that of the colored layer 101.

[0111] A method in which the image analyzing device 2012 analyzes the gaming token 1 will be described in detail below. The image analyzing device 2012 performs image analysis on the image recorded in the recording device 11 to recognize at least two colors, namely, the specific color 121 that is at least partially given to the gaming token 1 and a reference color R that is different from the specific color 121 and exists in the image. The specific color 121 is given at least partially at a predetermined position or in a predetermined shape on the gaming token 1. For example, the specific color 121 may be given as a colored layer 101, given in the circumferential direction on the side surface of the gaming token 1, or given as a predetermined mark on the surface of the gaming token 1. The reference color R may be, for example, the color of a specific area of ​​the gaming table 2004, or may be a color given to a place in the gaming token 1 different from the specific color 121.

[0112] The image analysis device 2012 includes an artificial intelligence device 12a that identifies a specific color by, for example, deep learning technology, and determines the number and type of gaming tokens 1 placed on the gaming table 2004. The recognition device 12 may further determine the position of the gaming tokens 1 on the gaming table 2004.

[0113] The image analysis device 2012 acquires a plurality of images of the gaming token 1 and the reference color R illuminated at different illuminance, and learns from the acquired images and the correct colors of the specific color 121 and the reference color R of the gaming token 1 in each image by manual instruction as teacher data, and creates a learning model 13a (recognition program). Note that the images of the gaming token 1 and the reference color R illuminated at the same illuminance condition can acquire the relative relationship between the specific color 121 and the reference color R because the specific color 121 and the reference color R are illuminated at the same illuminance. For example, this relative relationship may be used to recognize the specific color 121.

[0114] Furthermore, the chip recognition device 12 may extract the center line C of the gaming token 1 without using artificial intelligence by using the results of photographing and recording the image by the camera 200212 and analyzing the image to measure image features such as shape, brightness, saturation, and color tone.

[0115] The artificial intelligence device 12a further includes a configuration for analyzing a peripheral image of a predetermined range around the extracted center line C (for example, a range of 8 pixels centered on the center line and perpendicular to the center line) to recognize at least two colors in the peripheral image, the specific color 121 and the reference color R different from the specific color 121. When analyzing the peripheral image of the predetermined range around the extracted center line C, the image may be analyzed as it is, or may be analyzed after image processing such as color emphasis and noise removal so that the specific color 121 can be easily recognized.

[0116] In summary, the artificial intelligence device 12a of the recognition device 12 is configured to extract a center line C from an image of the gaming token 1, and perform image analysis of the surrounding images of a predetermined range centered on the center line C, thereby recognizing at least two colors, a specific color 121 in the surrounding image and a reference color R different from the specific color 121, and is an artificial intelligence device taught as training data using multiple surrounding images of the gaming token 1 and reference color R illuminated at different illuminances.

[0117] In another embodiment of the present invention, the control device 2014 further comprises: 1) In each game, whether there is any movement of chips between the start of card withdrawal or the start of the game by the dealer and the display of the game result by the card distribution device; 2) After the end of each game, while the dealer is collecting the chips bet by the losing players, whether or not anyone other than the dealer has made any chip movements. 3) After the end of each game, whether chips were added while the dealer was collecting the chips bet by the losing players, 4) After the end of each game, whether the dealer has paid out the winning chips of the players; 5) After the end of each game, whether the winner among the players has taken the chips that they had bet and the chips that they had paid; and a function of determining at least one of the above.

[0118] Furthermore, the control device 2014 may be configured to determine at least one of 1) to 5) by detecting the hand movements, chip movements, or the hand movements and chip movements of the dealer and game players using the analysis results of the image analysis device.

[0119] The control device 2014 has the following functions 1) to 5) as characteristic functions of the present invention, and judges whether or not any cheating that violates the rules is taking place according to the rules of the baccarat game. That is, 1) In each game, from the signal from the card dealing device 2003 to start drawing out cards, or from the game start operation by the dealer 2005 pressing the start button 4s, until the result of the game is displayed by the card dealing device 2003, the image analyzing device 2012 monitors for any movement of the gaming tokens 1 using information obtained by the camera 2002. 2) After each game ends, while the dealer 2005 is collecting the gaming tokens 1 bet by the losers among the game participants 2006, the image analyzer 2012 monitors whether the losers 6 have illegally taken the gaming tokens 1 based on information obtained by the camera 2002. 3) After the end of each game, while the dealer 2005 is collecting the gaming tokens 1 bet by the losers among the game participants, the image analyzer 2012 monitors, using information obtained by the camera 2002, whether or not a person other than the dealer 2005 (winner or loser) adds winning gaming tokens 1W or places new gaming tokens 1 on the winning side where no bet has been made. 4) After the end of each game, whether the dealer 2005 has correctly placed the gaming token 1W for payment at the position of the gaming token 1 on which the winner among the game participants 2006 had bet is monitored based on information obtained by the image analysis device 2012 using the camera 2002. 5) After each game is over (the dealer 2005 operates the card distribution device 2003 to display the winning or losing result on the display lamp 13), whether or not the winner 6W among the game participants 2006 has taken the gaming tokens 1 that he or she had bet and the gaming tokens 1W that he or she had paid is monitored based on information obtained by the image analysis device 2012 using the camera 2002.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 are devices utilizing artificial intelligence or having a deep learning structure. Specifically, the image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 may perform image analysis and the above various controls using a scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm, a convolutional neural network (CNN), deep learning, machine learning, or the like. These techniques are techniques for recognizing objects contained in a captured image by performing image recognition. In particular, in recent years, objects have been recognized with high accuracy by using deep learning techniques in which neural networks are multi-layered. This deep learning technique generally recognizes objects with high accuracy by stacking layers over multiple stages in an intermediate layer between an input layer and an output layer of a neural network. In this deep learning technique, in particular, a convolutional neural network has attracted attention for its higher performance in recognizing objects based on conventional image features.

[0121] In a convolutional neural network, labeled target images are trained and the main objects contained in the target images are recognized. If there are multiple main objects in the training image, they are designated by rectangular regions, and the image corresponding to the designated region is labeled for training. Furthermore, the convolutional neural network can determine the main object in the image and the position of the object.

[0122] To further explain the convolutional neural network, the target recognition process extracts candidate regions based on local features by performing edge extraction processing on the recognition target image, inputs the candidate regions into the convolutional neural network to extract feature vectors, classifies them, and obtains the most certain classified candidate region as the recognition result. The certainty is an amount that indicates how high the similarity of the subject of an image learned together with a certain image region and label is relative to the similarity of other classes.

[0123] Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, it goes without saying that the above-mentioned embodiments can be modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention, and the device of the present embodiments may be appropriately modified according to the needs of the game to which it is applied. (Additional Note)

[0124] In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the management system for game tokens of the present invention comprises: A single RFID tag having an area where data cannot be rewritten and an area where data can be rewritten is attached to the gaming token; The area of ​​the RFID tag where the data cannot be rewritten stores at least one of production information, product information, casino information, amount information, and serial number of the gaming token as fixed information, The rewritable data area stores, as variable information, information regarding the location of the gaming token, The variable information stored in a rewritable area of ​​the same RFID tag can be extracted from the fixed information stored in a rewritable area of ​​the RFID tag, The system comprises: a writing device for writing information regarding the location of the gaming token in the data rewritable area; a reading device capable of collectively reading the fixed information stored in an area of ​​a plurality of the game tokens where the data cannot be rewritten, and reading the location information stored in an area where the data paired with each of the fixed information can be rewritten based on the read fixed information; and a management control device that examines the location information obtained from the reading device, the rewritable data area stores a plurality of pieces of location information including at least the latest location information of all the location information written by the writing device; The management control device has a function of determining whether there are any abnormalities in the history of the location-related information obtained from the reading device, and if there is an abnormality, generates an error signal and is configured to be able to identify the fixed information of the gaming tokens that are determined to be abnormal.

[0125] Furthermore, the rewritable data area is configured to store information about the location and information about the time when the writing device wrote data into the gaming token, The management control device is configured to determine whether or not there is an abnormality based on the location-related information obtained from the reading device, by determining whether or not either of the following events has occurred: the device has not been used for a predetermined period of time since the last time it was written, or the location-related information that should have been written has not been written.

[0126] Furthermore, the management control device determines that the information regarding the location includes at least one of information indicating a cage, information indicating entry or exit, and information indicating a backyard, The above-mentioned event of not being used for a specified period of time since the last write is 1) The latest location information indicates a cage, and the next information was written more than a certain amount of time ago. 2) The latest information on the location indicates an entry, and the next information has been posted more than a certain amount of time ago. 3) The latest information on the location indicates an exit, and the next information has been posted more than a certain amount of time ago. In either of the following situations: The event in which the information regarding the location that should have been written is not written is as follows: 4) When entering an arcade, no information indicating exit is written as information regarding the latest location of the data rewritable area of ​​the gaming token. 5) When using the cage, there is no information indicating the backyard. 6) When leaving the amusement facility, there is no information indicating a cage or back yard. It may be either of the above situations.

[0127] Furthermore, the information regarding location may include information regarding the owner of the gaming token.

[0128] Furthermore, the management device determines whether the abnormality is present based on the information about the owner obtained from the reading device, as an event. 1) A person other than the final owner of the token stored in the rewritable data area converts the token into cash or other currency within the gaming facility, or leaves the gaming facility. 2) A person other than the owner of the token stored in the rewritable data area at the time of exit brings the token into the gaming facility. The device may be provided with a function for determining the above-mentioned situation of either 1) or 2).

[0129] Furthermore, information regarding the owner of the gaming token may be identified by facial recognition or reading an ID card.

[0130] The location information may further comprise information indicating the location of a chip tray, or information indicating the location of a betting area, or information indicating a payout area of ​​the particular gaming table.

[0131] Furthermore, the management device determines whether the abnormality is present based on the information indicating the location of the chip tray of the gaming table, the information indicating the location of the betting area, or the information indicating the payment area obtained from the reading device, as an event for determining whether the abnormality is present: 1) A person other than the final owner of the gaming token stored in the rewritable data area uses the gaming token at a gaming table. 2) A person other than the person who purchased the gaming token at the cage redeems it for cash when the gaming token has no record of use at a gaming table. 3) Tokens that do not indicate a cage or backyard are used in the amusement facility. 4) The latest location information is information indicating a betting area or a payment area, and after a predetermined period of time, it is exchanged for cash in a cage or used at a gaming table. It may be one having a function of determining any of the above situations 1) to 4).

[0132] Furthermore, the information contained in the RFID tag may be encrypted.

[0133] Furthermore, the area where data cannot be rewritten may be configured so that data cannot be written functionally, or may be configured so that data cannot be written to the area.

[0134] Furthermore, the reading device is configured to read the fixed information stored in the non-rewritable area and the location information stored in the rewritable area at the same time, The management control device may be configured to extract and grasp the location-related information stored in an area of ​​the same RFID tag where the data can be rewritten from the multiple fixed information of the multiple gaming tokens read by the reading device.

[0135] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the related art, the gaming token of the present invention is provided with a single RFID tag having an area where data cannot be rewritten and an area where data can be rewritten, The area where the data cannot be rewritten stores at least one of production information, product information, casino information, amount information, and serial number of the gaming token as fixed information, The rewritable data area is configured to store, as variable information, information regarding the location of the gaming token, which is written by a writing device; The variable information stored in an area where the data cannot be rewritten in the same RFID tag can be extracted from the fixed information stored in an area where the data cannot be rewritten.

[0136] Furthermore, the gaming tokens may be configured so that a reading device can read the fixed information stored in an area of ​​a plurality of the gaming tokens where the data cannot be rewritten all at once, and based on the read fixed information, the location-related information stored in an area where the data can be rewritten can be read.

[0137] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the management system for table games of the present invention comprises gaming tokens with individually identifiable RFID tags attached thereto, a gaming table for playing a game using the gaming tokens; a game recording device for recording, as an image, tokens bet by each game player in a game played at the gaming table via a camera; an image analyzer for analyzing the recorded images of the tokens; a chip reader for reading the RFID tag attached to the gaming tokens bet by each game player; A control device that grasps the image analysis result of the image analysis device and the reading result of the chip reading device, the gaming table is provided with a plurality of betting areas including at least a player betting area and a banker betting area for each sitting number; The chip reading device reads the gaming tokens for each sitting number, either by treating the entire betting area as a single reading area, or by dividing the entire area into a plurality of reading areas which is less than the number of betting areas and reading the gaming tokens for each reading area, and the control device grasps the type and number of the gaming tokens bet independently for each betting area, including at least the player betting area and the banker betting area, based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device, and determines whether or not the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each sitting number or each reading area based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device matches the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each sitting number or each reading area based on the reading results by the chip reading device, and outputs the determination result.

[0138] The control device may be configured to output a sitting number for which the judgment result is inconsistent.

[0139] The control device may also be configured to generate a signal indicating that the RFID attached to the gaming token may be broken or that the gaming token may not have an RFID attached when the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each sitting number based on the reading results of the chip reading device is less than the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each sitting number based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device.

[0140] The control device may also be configured to generate a signal indicating a possibility of an error in reading the gaming tokens by the image analysis device when the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each sitting number based on the reading results of the chip reading device is greater than the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each sitting number based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device.

[0141] The game machine further includes a database that stores the RFID IDs attached to the game tokens, The control device may be configured to compare the RFID ID based on the reading result of the chip reading device with the ID stored in the database, determine the authenticity of the gaming token, and output the determination result.

[0142] Furthermore, a chip tray for holding gaming tokens used by a dealer at the gaming table; a chip tray determination device capable of determining the type and number of the gaming tokens stored in the chip tray; a game result determination device for determining a game result of each game at the gaming table; the control device has a calculation function for calculating the casino's income and expenditure at the gaming table for each collection and redemption of each game, using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the positions, amounts and numbers of gaming tokens based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device; a collection judgment function for, when the collection of the losing chips bet by each game player is completed, comparing the amount of chips to be collected in the game, which is calculated from the positions, types and numbers of chips bet by each game player at the gaming table and the game result, with the actual collected amount in the chip tray, and judging whether there is a difference between the amount to be collected and the actual collected amount, thereby judging whether or not there has been any fraud or mistake in the collection of the gaming tokens; The device may be equipped with a redemption determination function which performs redemption for chips to be redeemed and, when the redemption is complete, compares the total amount that should be in the chip tray based on the amount of chips to be redeemed for the game, which is calculated from the position, type and number of chips bet by each game player at the gaming table and the game result, with the actual total amount in the chip tray, and if it is determined that there is a difference between the total amount that should be and the actual total amount, determines that there has been fraud or an error in the redemption.

[0143] The control device also identifies the collected gaming tokens for each sitting number based on the RFID ID information of the collected gaming tokens determined by the chip tray determination device and the RFID ID information of the gaming tokens read by the chip reading device, The configuration may be capable of comparing the identified ID, amount or number of the gaming tokens with the ID, amount or number of the gaming tokens to be collected for each sitting number, determined using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount and number of the gaming tokens based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device, and determining whether there is a match for each sitting number.

[0144] In addition, the control device may be configured to determine, in each game, the type of the gaming token, classified according to its use or purpose, based on the RFID ID information of the gaming token read by the chip reading device, and to store, for each sitting number, the amount bet or the amount recovered or redeemed for each type of gaming token.

[0145] The control device may also be configured to store the cumulative amount bet or the cumulative amount collected or redeemed for each sitting number and for each type of gaming token in a plurality of games.

[0146] The type of the gaming tokens may be at least a cash chip, a rolling chip, or a promotion chip.

[0147] The control device may also be configured to identify the owner based on the ID information of the rolling chip, and to store, for each owner, the cumulative amount bet with the rolling chip or the cumulative amount recovered or redeemed.

[0148] Also, the chip reader reads the gaming tokens for redemption placed on the chip reader for each sitting number, The control device may be configured to compare a redemption amount determined using the game result obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount and number of gaming tokens based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device with the amount of the gaming tokens placed for each sitting number based on the reading results of the chip reading device, determine whether the redemption amounts match or mismatch, and output the result.

[0149] In addition, the control device may be configured to display a discrepancy if the result of the determination of the redemption amount is a discrepancy, and further to make a re-determination if there is a change in the amount of the gaming tokens placed in the chip reading device for each sitting number read by the chip reading device, and to re-output whether it is a match or a discrepancy.

[0150] The control device may also be configured to compare the amount of the gaming tokens placed for redemption for each sitting number with the increase or decrease in the chip tray before and after redemption to determine whether there is a difference.

[0151] The chip reader may also include a payout confirmation area located on the dealer's side of the betting area where the gaming tokens may be placed for redemption.

[0152] The system further includes a face recognition system or a player ID card to identify game participants, The control device may be configured to be able to link the sitting number with information on the game player identified by the game player identification means.

[0153] The device may further include a display device for performing a display based on the output of the control device.

[0154] The gaming table further includes a betting area for side bets, The betting area for side bets is provided adjacent to each other for each sitting number, The chip reader is capable of reading at least one of the side bet areas collectively; The control device may be configured to grasp the type and number of the gaming tokens bet in the at least one betting area for side bets based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device, determine whether or not the total amount or total number of the gaming tokens in the at least one betting area for side bets based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device matches the total amount or total number of the gaming tokens in the betting area for side bets based on the reading results of the chip reading device, and output a signal of the determination result.

[0155] Another embodiment of the present invention is a table game management system, a gaming token having an individually identifiable RFID tag attached thereto; a gaming table for playing a game using the gaming tokens; a game recording device for recording, as an image, tokens bet by each game player in a game played at the gaming table via a camera; an image analyzer for analyzing the recorded images of the tokens; a chip reader for reading the RFID tag attached to the gaming tokens bet by each game player; A control device that grasps the image analysis result of the image analysis device and the reading result of the chip reading device, the gaming table includes a betting area consisting of a player betting area, a banker betting area, and a side betting area; The betting area for side bets is provided adjacent to each other for each sitting number, The chip reader is capable of reading at least one of the side bet areas collectively; The control device is configured to grasp the type and number of the gaming tokens betted independently for at least one of the betting areas for side bets based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device, determine whether or not the total amount or total number of gaming tokens in the at least one betting area for side bets based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device matches the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for the side bet based on the reading results of the chip reading device, and output a signal of the determination result.

[0156] The control device may be configured to output the side bet when the judgment result is a mismatch.

[0157] The control device may also be configured to generate a signal indicating that the RFID attached to the gaming token may be broken or that the gaming token may not have an RFID attached when the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each side bet based on the reading results of the chip reading device is less than the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each side bet based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device.

[0158] The control device may also be configured to generate a signal indicating a possibility of an error in reading the gaming tokens by the image analysis device when the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each side bet based on the reading results of the chip reading device is greater than the total amount or total number of gaming tokens for each side bet based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device.

[0159] The game machine further includes a database that stores the RFID IDs attached to the game tokens, The control device may be configured to compare the RFID ID based on the reading result of the chip reading device with the ID stored in the database, and determine the authenticity of the gaming token.

[0160] The control device may also be configured to identify the collected gaming tokens for each side bet based on the RFID ID information of the collected gaming tokens determined by the chip tray determination device and the RFID ID information of the collected gaming tokens read by the chip reading device, and compare the ID, amount or number of tokens to be collected for each side bet determined using the game result obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount and number of gaming tokens based on the image analysis results by the image analysis device with the ID, amount or number of the collected gaming tokens for each side bet, and determine whether the collected amounts match or do not match for each side bet.

[0161] When there is only one chip or chip stack to be paid in one chip reader 25, the betting chip and the payment chip can be paired and linked with the owner information without detecting the chip moving outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25. In other words, when there is one gaming currency 1001 or one stack of betting chips consisting of several gaming currencies 1001 in one chip reader 25, the betting chip and the payment chip can be paired and linked with the owner information based on the information that the payment chip has disappeared from the chip tray or the information that the payment chip has been read by the chip reader 25 on the table, without detecting the chip moving outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25. Of course, the betting chip may be recognized based on the information that the chip has moved outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25, and the payment chip may be paired with the betting chip using some of the information of the chip removed from the chip tray, the information of the chip placed in the betting area, and the information of the chip moved outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25, thereby linking the information on the owner of the payment chip based on the owner information of the betting chip. Also, the chip ID may be read by RFID, and the type and number of chips, including stack identification, may be recognized by a camera.

[0162] The case where there is one chip or chip stack to be paid in one chip reader 25 includes the case where there is one chip or chip stack in the area at the time of betting, or the case where there were multiple stacks at the time of betting, but the stack became the last one as the payment proceeded. Only the last stack of betting chips may be paired with the payment chip and linked to the owner information, and in this case, the last remaining stack is made the chip bet by the member, so that the member's chips can be traced reliably. It is preferable that one member bets per chip reader (for example, per player position) and multiple non-members bet per chip reader. When there is one member per player position, the chips and the owner are linked, so that the information of the member assigned to each player position can be ascertained from the information of the bet chips. In addition, when there is a rule that members bet chips before non-members, the first bet chip in the player position may be linked to the member information assigned to the player position (for example, sitting at player position 1), or it may be confirmed that they are linked. Member cards may be used to assign members to player positions.

[0163] The chip reader 25 may be provided for each area such as player, banker, tie, pair, etc., or may be provided for each player position, or may be provided for dividing the entire table into several areas such as player positions 1 to 3 and player positions 4 to 6, or may be provided as one large reader 25 for the entire table. In any case, the betting chips and payment chips can be paired and owner information, etc. can be updated based on information such as information that a chip has moved outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25 (that a chip can no longer be read by the chip reader 25), the ID of a payment chip that has disappeared from the chip tray, and the ID of a payment chip placed in the betting area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1 Substitute coin for games 2. RFID tags 3 Fixed information 4. Changes in Information 5. Blockchain Information 6. Factory 7 Backyard 8 Warehouse 9 Cage 10 Gates 11 Betting Area 12 Chip Tray 13 Reading device 14 Writing device 15 Management control device 16 RFID antennas 17 Database 21 Areas where data cannot be rewritten 22 Data rewritable area 220 Location information 221 Date and time information 222 Location and event information 223 Owner information 1001 Gaming currency 1002 Chip reader 1003 Control device 1004 Gaming Table 1009 Chip Tray 1025 chip placement area 1026 Pay Area 2002 Camera 2003 Card distribution device 2004 Gaming Table 2005 Dealer 2006 Customer (game participant / player) 2007 Chair 2008 Betting Area 2009 Chip 2010 area 2010P Player Area 2010B Bunker Area 2011 Game Recorder 2012 Image analysis equipment 2013 Result Display Lamp 2014 Control Device

Claims

1. A table game management system, a plurality of gaming chips, each of which is fitted with an individually identifiable RFID; a game table for playing games using the plurality of gaming chips; a chip placement area provided on the game table, where a plurality of players can place bet chips as gaming chips, and where a dealer can place payout chips, which are individually identifiable RFIDs attached and which are dispensed from a chip tray on the game table, for winning players; a chip reader for collectively reading the RFIDs of the gaming chips arranged in the chip arrangement area; A controller that determines a result of reading by the chip reader; A player identification means for identifying a player who plays a game at the game table using a face recognition technology or an ID card; a storage means for storing the RFID ID information of the gaming chip and the ID information of the owner of the gaming chip in association with each other; Equipped with When a payout is made to a winning player among the plurality of players, the chip reader reads ID information of the RFID of the payout chip; the controller is capable of acquiring ID information of an owner of a gaming chip based on ID information of an RFID of the gaming chip among the plurality of gaming chips; The controller further performs the following when a plurality of players place bet chips in the same chip placement area: Detecting, from the reading result of the chip reader, the RFID ID information of the bet chip and the RFID ID information of the payout chip of the winning player identified by the player identification means among the plurality of players who is the last remaining player after the bet chips and the payout chips paid out thereto of some of the winning players among the plurality of players have been moved out of the chip arrangement area, and in the storage means, rewriting the ID information of the owner associated with the ID information of the RFID of the payout chip to the ID information of the owner associated with the ID information of the RFID of the bet chip bet by the last remaining winning player; Table game management system.

2. 2. The table game management system according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is a database that stores, for a plurality of gaming chips, said ID information of the gaming chips and information regarding the owners of the gaming chips in association with each other.

3. 2. The table game management system according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is the RFID.

4. 4. The table game management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the controller further determines that cheating has occurred when a combination of information about a player identified by the player identification means and an ID of a gaming chip placed in the chip placement area by the player does not match a combination of the stored gaming chip ID and owner ID information associated with the gaming chip ID.

5. 2. The table game management system according to claim 1, wherein the reading area of ​​the chip reader covers the entire chip arrangement area.

6. a camera for photographing the game table and generating an image; an image analyzer for analyzing the image to recognize gaming chips and hands of dealers or players on the gaming table; Further equipped with The table game management system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller recognizes the movement of the gaming chips and / or the movement of the hands of the dealer or player based on the recognition result in the image analysis device.

Images