Inspection Systems

Abstract

To provide an inspection system for inspecting an article such as a valuable using an RFID, which can detect the presence of an article whose RFID tag cannot be read.SOLUTION: An inspection system for an article 9 whose category can be identified based on a weight difference as an inspection target, inspects an article equipped with an RFID tag 8 recording information on the article. The inspection system has: an RF reading device 1 that reads the information on the article from the RF tag of the article put on a loading table; a weight measurement device 2 that measures and records a weight of the article; and a management control device 3 that grasps a total weight of the articles put on the loading table, using a measurement result of the weight measurement device. The management control device is configured to: grasp the weight of the article put on the loading table on the basis of a specification-purpose weight of the article from the information obtained from the RF reading device; measure a total weight of articles put on the loading table using the measurement result of the weight measurement device; compare a calculation-purpose weight of the article obtained from the RF reading device with a total weight of the articles obtained from the measurement result of the weight measurement device; and estimate whether a total number of articles match each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection system for inspecting items such as valuables, and a cash register system including the same.

[0002] A cash register system using RFID has been proposed in the past. In this cash register system, RF tags are attached to products that are valuable, and an RF reader is installed on the accounting table. The RF tag stores information that identifies the product and information about the price, and the monetary value (price) of the product can be determined by reading the RF tag of the product with the RF reader on the accounting table. Furthermore, by using RFID, even if there are multiple products, the RF tags of those products can be read all at once with the RF reader, so the total amount can be determined much faster than with the conventional method in which the price of each product was determined by reading the barcode of each product. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, if the RF tag attached to the product is broken, if the information in the RF tag has been illegally rewritten, or if the product does not have an RF tag for some reason, the RF reader will not be able to determine the price of the product that the purchaser is about to purchase. Also, if there are multiple products whose RF tags must be read all at once, the store clerk may not be able to know that there are products whose RF tags cannot be read by the RF reader. Therefore, if an attempt is made to determine the total price by relying only on RFID, and there are products whose RF tags cannot be read, the determined total price will be less than the actual total price, resulting in a loss for the store.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection system that uses RFID to inspect items such as valuables, and that can detect the presence of an item whose RF tag cannot be read. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides an inspection device that determines whether the weight of a valuable item calculated from information read from an RF tag matches the actual weight of the valuable item.

[0006] An inspection system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an inspection system that inspects valuables whose type can be identified by a difference in weight, and inspects valuables equipped with RF tags that record information about the valuables. The inspection system includes an RF reading device that reads information about the valuables from the RF tags of the valuables placed on a platform, a weight measuring device that measures and records the weights of the valuables, and a management control device that determines the total weight of the valuables on the platform using the measurement results of the weight measuring device. The management control device is configured to have the function of determining the weight of the valuables on the platform based on the standard weight of the valuables from the information obtained from the RF reading device, measuring the total weight of the valuables on the platform using the measurement results of the weight measuring device, and comparing the calculated weight of the valuables obtained from the RF reading device with the total weight of the valuables obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device, and estimating whether the total number of valuables is the same.

[0007] With this configuration, the weight determined based on the information from the RF tag is compared with the actual weight measured by the weight measuring device, so if there is a valuable item whose RF tag cannot be read, the weights will not match. Therefore, if there is a valuable item whose RF tag cannot be read, its presence can be detected.

[0008] In the above inspection system, the information of the RF tag may include weight information of the valuable item, and the management control device may have a function of determining the weight of the valuable item on the platform from the weight information obtained from the RF reader.

[0009] With this configuration, the management control device can ascertain the standard weight of the valuable item directly from the RF tag.

[0010] In the above inspection system, the management control device may have a function of determining the weight of each type of valuable item on the platform from information from an RF reading device, identifying the total weight of the valuable items on the platform using the measurement results of the weight measuring device, and determining the excess weight of the total weight of the valuable items obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device relative to the sum of the weights of each type of valuable item obtained from the RF reading device.

[0011] With this configuration, when the weight determined based on the information from the RF tag does not match the actual weight measured by the weight measuring device, the amount in excess of the actual weight measured by the weight measuring device can be determined.

[0012] In the above inspection system, the management control device may have a function to identify, based on the excess weight, the type of valuable that causes a discrepancy between the sum of the weights of each type of valuable obtained from the RF reading device and the total weight of the valuables obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device, or the type of valuable that does not cause a discrepancy.

[0013] With this configuration, the management control device keeps track of the weight of each type of valuable, and by determining the excess weight over the total weight measured by the weight measuring device, it can identify which types of valuables' RF tags have been read and which types of valuables' RF tags have not been read.

[0014] In the above inspection system, the management control device may have a function of determining the total value of the valuables on the table from information from the RF reader.

[0015] With this configuration, the total value of the valuables on the counter is known, and accounting can be carried out using this total value.

[0016] Another aspect of the inspection system of the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting valuables equipped with RF tags, and includes an RF reading device that reads information about the valuables from the RF tag attached to the valuables, a weight measuring device that measures the weight of the valuables, and a management control device that determines the total weight of the valuables using the measurement results of the weight measuring device, and the management control device determines the weight of the valuables based on the information read by the RF reading device, and compares the determined weight with the weight measured by the weight measuring device to determine whether the two match.

[0017] With this configuration, the weight obtained from the RF tag is compared with the weight measured by the weight measuring device, and if the two do not match, it is known that there is a valuable item whose RF tag cannot be read.

[0018] In the above inspection system, the management control device may determine a price of the valuable item based on the information read by the RF reading device, and output information on the determined price.

[0019] With this configuration, price information is output, so that accounting for valuables can be performed using the output price information.

[0020] In the above inspection system, the RF tag of the valuable item may store information on the price of the valuable item, and the management control device may determine the price of the valuable item according to the information read by the RF reading device.

[0021] This configuration makes it possible to read price information directly from the RF tag.

[0022] In the above inspection system, the RF tag of the valuable item may store information identifying the type of valuable item, and the inspection system may further include a memory device that stores the information identifying the type of valuable item in correspondence with the price of that type, and the management control device may determine the price of the valuable item by referring to the memory device and reading out the price associated with the information read by the RF reading device.

[0023] With this configuration, the price of a valuable item can be determined by referring to the storage device based on the information stored in the RF tag.

[0024] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a cash register system having a configuration including the above-mentioned inspection system and a cash register device that performs accounting processing based on price information output by the management control device.

[0025] With this configuration, RFID and a weight measuring device can be used to check that all valuables are equipped with valid RF tags, and accounting can be performed using the price information stored in the RF tags.

[0026] An inspection system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention has a configuration including an RF reading means for reading the RF tags of objects placed at a predetermined location, a detection means for detecting at least the number of the objects placed at the predetermined location by a method other than RFID, and an alarm means for generating an alarm if the number of the objects whose RF tags have been read by the RF reading means does not match the number detected by the detection means.

[0027] This configuration allows an alert to be generated if an item without a valid RF tag is placed in a predetermined location.

[0028] In the above inspection system, the detection means may be a weight measuring device that measures the weight of the objects placed in a predetermined location, and may detect at least the number of the objects placed in the predetermined location based on their weight.

[0029] This configuration allows the number of objects to be detected based on their weight.

[0030] In the above inspection system, the alarm means may grasp the weight of each of the objects placed at a specified location based on information from the RF tags read by the RF reading means, and compare the grasped weight with the weight measured by the weight measuring device to determine whether or not the number of the objects whose RF tags have been read by the RF reading means matches the number detected by the detection means.

[0031] This configuration allows for a discrepancy in numbers to be determined based on weight and an alarm to be generated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cash register in a store to which a cash register system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cash register system including the inspection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information stored in the RF tag according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the processing in the management control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information stored in an RF tag according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the process in the management control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inspection system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of game currency in the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of game currency in the third embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing a plurality of game currencies in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of code information in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an inspection device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a case according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a modified case of the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a modified case of the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of the circulation of game currency and a usage mode of the inspection system in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of information stored in the usage management device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of information to be read out in the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the first pass / fail determination method in the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the second pass / fail determination method in the third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the third pass / fail determination method in the third embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the fourth pass / fail determination method in the third embodiment. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the fifth pass / fail determination method in the third embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a pass / fail result display screen showing the result (pass) of the pass / fail judgment in the third embodiment. [Diagram 25]FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a pass / fail result display screen showing the result (fail) of the pass / fail judgment in the third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a modified example of the RFID antenna of the inspection device in the third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a side view of a modified game currency in the third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a side cross-sectional view of a modified game currency in the third embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a modified game currency according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a side view of a modified game currency in the third embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a plan view of a modified game currency in the third embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing stacked game currency in the third embodiment. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inspection system according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inspection system according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inspection system according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an inspection device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a case according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a modified case of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a plan view of a modified case of the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 40] FIG. 40 is a side cross-sectional view of game currency in the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 41]FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing stacked game currency in the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 42] FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of a pass / fail result display screen showing the result (pass) of the pass / fail judgment in the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 43] FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of a pass / fail result display screen showing the result (fail) of the pass / fail judgment in the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 44] FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining an example of the circulation of game currency and a usage mode of the inspection system in the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 45] FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inspection device according to another embodiment of the fourth embodiment. In FIG. [Diagram 46] FIG. 46 is a plan view of a game currency tray for storing game currency according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an antenna of an RF reader according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 48 shows an enlarged plan view and a front cross-sectional view of a groove of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inspection system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 is a plan view showing another example of the game currency tray according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 51] FIG. 51 is a plan view showing still another example of the game currency tray according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 52] FIG. 52 is a plan view showing still another example of the game currency tray according to the fifth embodiment. [Diagram 53] FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the RF antenna according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. [Figure 54] FIG. 54 is a diagram showing one groove of a game currency tray using a line sensor as the detection means of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 55] FIG. 55 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. [Figure 56]FIG. 56 is a diagram showing one groove of a game currency tray using a scanner as a detection means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 57] FIG. 57 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. [Figure 58] FIG. 58 is a diagram showing one groove of a game currency tray using a laser distance measuring device as a detection means in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 59] FIG. 59 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. [Figure 60] FIG. 60 is a diagram showing one groove of a game tray using a weight scale as the detection means of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example of FIG. [Figure 62] FIG. 62 is a diagram showing a state in which the empty space in the groove is filled with the spacer according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 63] FIG. 63 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of FIG. [Figure 64] FIG. 64 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inspection system for inspecting an object incorporating an RF tag according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below shows an example of a case where the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration described below. In implementing the present invention, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted.

[0034] <<First embodiment>> FIG 1 is a diagram showing a store cash register to which a cash register system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. At the store cash register, a store clerk S and a customer C face each other across a checkout table T. The customer C places a product 9, which is a valuable item that the customer wishes to purchase, on a placement stand 21 on the checkout table T and asks the store clerk S to process the transaction. By employing the cash register system according to this embodiment, the store clerk S can be made unnecessary, making it possible to realize unmanned self-checkouts.

[0035] The weight measuring device 2 is embedded in the checkout table T so that the mounting base 21 is approximately flush with the surface of the checkout table T. An RF antenna 11 of an RF reader 1 serving as an RF reading device is embedded inside the mounting base 21. The RF antenna 11 may be provided below the mounting base 21 or in another location, as long as it is installed so as to be able to read the RF tags 8 of the products 9 placed on the mounting base 21.

[0036] A cash register 5 is installed at the checkout table T. The RF reader 1 including the RF antenna 11, the weight measuring device 2 including the stand 21, and the cash register 5 are each connected to a management control device 3. The management control device 3 is a computer that receives information from the RF reader 1 and the weight measuring device 2 and outputs information to the cash register 5. A storage device 4 is also connected to the management control device 3.

[0037] The management control device 3 obtains the price of the product placed on the platform 21 based on information from the RF reader 1 and weight measuring device 2, and outputs it to the cash register 5. The cash register 5 performs transaction processing according to the price information obtained from the management control device 3. Thus, the total price of the products is given to the cash register 5 without the store clerk S having to scan the barcodes of the products 9 one by one.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cash register system including an inspection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The cash register system 100 includes an inspection system 10 and a cash register device 5. The inspection system 10 also includes an RF reader 1, a weight measuring device 2, a management control device 3, and a storage device 4. As described above, the RF reader 1, the weight measuring device 2, and the storage device 4 are each connected to the management control device 3. The inspection system 10 is a system that performs inspection on a product 9 as an inspection target. The type of the product 9 can be identified based on the weight difference. The product 9 also includes an RF tag 8 that records information about the product 9.

[0039] The RF reader 1 reads information about a product 9 from the RF tag 8 of the product 9 placed on the placement table 21. When there are multiple products 9 placed on the placement table 21, the RF reader 1 can read the RF tags 8 of the multiple products all at once. As shown in FIG. 4, the RF reader 1 includes an RF antenna 11 and a reader main body 12.

[0040] The RF antenna 11 transmits radio waves or magnetic fields to the RF tag 8 and receives radio waves or magnetic fields from the RF tag 8. The reader main body 12 reads out information stored in the RF tag 8 by extracting information from the radio waves or magnetic fields received from the RF tag 8 by the RF antenna 11. The reader main body 12 outputs the read information to the management control device 3 and records it in the recording device 4.

[0041] The weight measuring device 2 includes a mounting table 21 and a measurement processing device 22. When a product 9 is placed on the mounting table 21 and the mounting table 21 is pressed down or deformed by the weight of the product 9, the measurement processing device 22 measures the amount of pressing or deformation as the weight of the product 9. The measurement processing device 22 outputs the measurement result (weight information) to the management control device 3 and records it in the recording device 4.

[0042] The management control device 3 determines the weight of the product 9 based on the information read by the RF reader 1, and compares the determined weight with the weight measured by the weight measuring device 2 to determine whether the two match. To do this, the management control device 3 first determines the total weight of the product 9 on the platform 21 using the measurement results of the weight measuring device 2. The management control device 3 also determines the weight of the product 9 on the platform 21 based on the standard weight of the product 9 from the information obtained from the RF reader 1.

[0043] 3 is a diagram showing information stored in the RF tag of the first embodiment of the present invention. The RF tag 8 stores information on the standard weight of the product 9 to which it is attached, and information on the price of the product 9. The RF tag 8 may also store other information related to the product, such as information indicating the type of product, information indicating the expiration date, etc.

[0044] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the processing in the management control device of the first embodiment of the present invention. In the example of Fig. 4, a total of five products 9 are placed on the placement table 21, including three products 9a of type a and two products 9b of type b. Each of the products 9a and 9b is equipped with an RF tag 8. The RF tag 8 of the product 9a stores information on weight wa and price pa, and the RF tag 8 of the product 9b stores information on weight wb and price pb. Note that weight wa and weight wb are different.

[0045] The management control device 3 obtains the weight of each type of product 9 on the platform 21 and the total weight Wrf based on the standard weight of the product 9 from the weight information obtained from the RF reader 1. In the example of FIG. 4, the RF reader 1 obtains information on the weights wa of three products and wb of two products from the five products 9, and the management control device 3 obtains this information and calculates their total weight (Wrf=3×wa+2×wb). The management control device 3 also measures the total weight of the products 9 on the platform using the measurement results of the weight measuring device 2. In the example of FIG. 4, the measurement processing device 22 obtains the total weight W of the five products 9, and the management control device 3 obtains this information and determines the total weight W of the products 9.

[0046] The management control device compares the calculated weight Wrf of the items 9 obtained from the RF reader 1 with the total weight W of the items 9 obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device 2 to determine the excess weight (W-Wrf) of the total weight W. If the excess weight of this total weight W is zero or within a specified allowable error from zero, the management control device 3 presumes that the total number of items 9 matches. Note that the allowable error is set sufficiently smaller than the smallest weight of an item.

[0047] On the other hand, if there are any products 9 that do not have valid RF tags 8, the calculated weight Wrf of the products 9 obtained from the RF reader 1 will not match the total weight W of the products 9 obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device 2 (the excess weight of the total weight W will exceed the allowable error), and the management control device 3 will infer that the total number of products 9 whose RF tags 8 are read by the RF reader 1 does not match the total number of products 9 whose weight is measured by the weight measuring device 2.

[0048] In addition, if the excess weight exceeds the allowable error, the management control device 3 identifies, based on the excess weight (W-Wrf), the type of product 9 that causes a discrepancy between the sum of the weights of each type of product 9 obtained from the RF reader 1 and the total weight W of the product 9 obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device 2, or the type of product 9 that does not cause a discrepancy.

[0049] 4, for example, when the excess weight (W-Wrf) is wa, it is understood that one of the products 9a of type a does not have a valid RF tag 8. Also, for example, when the excess weight (W-Wrf) is (wa+wb), it is understood that one of the products 9a of type a and one of the products 9b of type b do not have a valid RF tag 8.

[0050] The management control device 3 further determines the total price of the products 9 on the placement table 21 from the price information obtained from the RF reader 1. As described above, the RF tag 8 attached to each product 9 stores price information of that product 9, and the management control device 3 obtains the price information of each product 9 from the RF reader 1, so the total price can be determined by calculating the sum of these. In the example of Fig. 4, the RF reader 1 obtains information on three prices pa and two prices pb from the five products 9, and the management control device 3 obtains this information and calculates the sum (P = 3 x pa + 2 x pb).

[0051] If the total number of items 9 whose RF tags 8 are read by the RF reader 1 matches the total number of items 9 whose weights are measured by the weight measuring device 2, the management control device 3 outputs the calculated total amount P to the cash register 5. If the total number of items 9 whose RF tags 8 are read by the RF reader 1 does not match the total number of items 9 whose weights are measured by the weight measuring device 2, the management control device 3 outputs an alarm instead of outputting the total amount P to the cash register 5. At this time, the management control device 3 functions as an alarm means. The alarm is output in a manner that can be perceived visually, aurally, etc. The alarm means may be, for example, a lamp, a buzzer, etc.

[0052] When the cash register 5 receives information on the total amount P from the management control device 3, it processes the transaction according to that amount. Note that if a conventional barcode reader is connected to the cash register 5, and if the transaction includes products 9 whose prices cannot be determined by RFID, the transaction may be processed for all products 9 by reading the barcodes as in the conventional manner.

[0053] As described above, according to the cash register system 100 of this embodiment, by having the product 9 have an RF tag 8, the price of the product can be known all at once using RFID on the accounting table T, and at the same time, information for identifying the weight of the product 9 is stored in the RF tag 8 and the actual weight of the product is measured, and by comparing the theoretical total weight obtained from the RF tag 8 with the total weight obtained by actual weighing, it is possible to know the existence of products that do not have valid RF tags 8. This makes it possible to avoid losses to the product seller due to failure to record the prices of products 9 that do not have valid RF tags 8.

[0054] <<Second embodiment>> In the first embodiment, information on the standard weight and price of the product 9 is stored in the RF tag 8 attached to the product 9. However, information on the standard weight and price of the product 9 does not have to be stored in the RF tag 8. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information stored in an RF tag in a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, information identifying the type of product is stored in the RF tag 8 attached to the product 9. In the following explanation, explanations of parts similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0055] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the processing in a management control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the example of Fig. 6, similar to the example of Fig. 4, a total of five products 9 are placed on the placement table 21, including three products 9a of type a and two products 9b of type b. Each of the products 9a and 9b is equipped with an RF tag 8. The RF tag 8 of the product 9a stores information on type a, and the RF tag 8 of the product 9b stores information on type b.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, type information, weight information, and price information of each product 9 are stored in association with one another in the storage device 4. In the example of Fig. 6, the storage device 4 stores type a, weight wa, and price pa for a product 9a of type a in association with one another, and stores type b, weight wb, and price pb for a product 9b of type b in association with one another.

[0057] The RF reader 1 reads the RF tags 8 of the products 9 placed on the placement table 21 all at once. In the example of Fig. 6, information on three products of type a and two products of type b is read from the five products 9. The management control device 3 acquires this information and, by referring to the storage device 4, reads out the weight and price associated with the information read by the RF reader 1. In the example of Fig. 6, the management control device 3 acquires the weight wa and price pa of the product 9a of type a, and the weight wb and price pb of the product 9b of type b, by referring to the storage device 4.

[0058] The management control device 3 obtains information from the RF reader 1 that there are three units of type a for product 9a, so it triples the weight wa and price pa of type a, and obtains information from the RF reader 1 that there are two units of type b for product 9b, so it doubles the weight wb and price pb of type b, and then calculates the totals of the weight and price, i.e., the total weight Wrf and the total amount P.

[0059] As in the first embodiment, the management control device 3 compares the total weight Wf determined based on reading the RF tags 8 with the actual total weight W of the products obtained from the weight measuring device 2, and if they match, it presumes that the total number of products 9 detected by the RF reader 1 and the total number of products 9 weighed by the weighing measuring device 3 match and that all products 9 have valid RF tags 8 attached, and outputs the total amount P to the cash register device 5. On the other hand, if they do not match, it presumes that some products 9 do not have valid RF tags 8 attached, and outputs an alarm. The details are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0060] As described above, in the cash register system 100 of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, by having the RF tag 8 attached to the product 9, the price of the product can be known all at once using RFID in the accounting table T, and at the same time, information for identifying the weight of the product 9 is stored in the RF tag 8 and the actual weight of the product is measured, and the existence of products that do not have valid RF tags 8 can be known by comparing the theoretical total weight obtained from the RF tag 8 with the total weight obtained by actual weighing. This makes it possible to avoid losses to the product seller due to failure to record the prices of products 9 that do not have valid RF tags 8.

[0061] (Modifications of the first and second embodiments) In the above embodiment, the valuables are exemplified as products sold in stores, but the valuables are not limited to these and may be, for example, gaming tokens given to customers in casino facilities in exchange for cash. The inspection system of the present invention can also be used to inspect general items other than valuables.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the RF tag 8 attached to the product 9 stores weight and price information (first embodiment) or information identifying the type (second embodiment), but either weight and price information or information identifying the type may be stored, or weight information and information identifying the type may be stored, and information identifying the type and price information may be stored in association with each other in the memory device 4, or price information and information identifying the type may be stored, and information identifying the type and weight information may be stored in association with each other in the memory device 4.

[0063] In addition, in the above embodiment, in order to detect items that do not have a valid RF tag, a weight measuring device 2 that measures the weight of the product 9 is used as a means for detecting the presence of an item by means other than RFID. However, the means for detecting the presence of an item by means other than RFID is not limited to the weight measuring device 2.

[0064] For example, an item may be detected using a camera and an image recognition device. In this case, the camera takes a picture of the item placed at the RFID reading position, and the image recognition device identifies the type of item by performing image recognition on the captured image. Meanwhile, information for identifying the type of item is also stored in the RF tag. The management control device 3 detects the presence of an item that does not have a valid RF tag based on whether or not the type of item identified by the image recognition device matches the type of item detected by the RFID (or the combination of items in the case of multiple items).

[0065] <<Third embodiment>> The third embodiment relates to an inspection system and an inspection device that inspects game currency, and in particular to an inspection system and an inspection device that inspects a plurality of game currency stored in a case.

[0066] Gaming currency used in gaming facilities such as casinos is manufactured in a factory, transported to the gaming facility, stored in a vault, and then moved from the vault to the cashier or game tables within the facility. During this transportation, storage, and movement process, it is necessary to prevent the gaming currency from being stolen or replaced with counterfeit currency. For this purpose, a case is used to store the gaming currency. By sealing this case after storing multiple gaming currency, it becomes possible to discover the removal of gaming currency from the case after sealing.

[0067] A type of gaming currency known in the art has a built-in wireless tag that stores identification information and type information, and has optically readable code information on the side that indicates the identification information and type information (for example, JP 2009-66172 A).

[0068] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-66172 discloses a system using gaming currency. This system calculates the number of gaming currency placed on the betting board of a gaming table based on the identification information stored in the wireless tag, and also calculates the number of gaming currency based on the identification information attached to the side, and compares them. This makes it possible to detect if illegal gaming currency is used at the game table.

[0069] However, the system disclosed in JP 2009-66172 A detects fraud by calculating the number of gaming coins bet (placed on the betting board), so even this system cannot inspect multiple gaming coins stored in a case while they are still stored in the case to detect fraudulent gaming coins.

[0070] Therefore, the third embodiment aims to provide an inspection system and an inspection device that can inspect multiple gaming coins stored in a case while they are still stored in the case.

[0071] The inspection system of a first aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency having at least first currency information and second currency information, wherein the second currency information is provided on the side of the gaming currency in an optically readable form, and the inspection system comprises a case for storing multiple gaming currency in a stacked manner, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming currency stored in the case, and the inspection device is configured to comprise a first reading device for acquiring the first currency information of the gaming currency stored in the case, a second reading device for optically reading the side of the gaming currency stored in the case to acquire second currency information, and a judgment unit for judging the pass / fail of the multiple gaming currency stored in the case by determining the authenticity, damage, or number of each value of all gaming currency present in the case using the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the second currency information acquired by the second reading device.

[0072] With this configuration, the first reading unit and the second reading unit both obtain the first currency information and the second currency information from the gaming currency stored in the case, so that the gaming currency can be inspected while it is stored in the case. In addition, since the two pieces of information, the first currency information and the second currency information, are obtained from the gaming currency and inspection is performed, it is possible to reliably determine whether the currency is pass or fail.

[0073] The second aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the first aspect, wherein the first currency information and the second currency information for a common gaming currency include common information, and the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming currencies contained in the case to be unacceptable when the common information portions of the multiple first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the multiple second currency information acquired by the second reading device do not match.

[0074] With this configuration, when an illegal gaming currency in which the common information portions of the first currency information and the second currency information do not match is present in the case, the judgment unit can reject the gaming currency contained in the case.

[0075] For example, if the same identification information is recorded on the wireless tag and on the side, the multiple identification information read from the multiple wireless tags and the multiple identification information read from the multiple sides do not completely match, and if the value of the gaming currency is recorded on the wireless tag and on the side, the number of each value read from the wireless tag and the number of each value read from the side do not match, and the product is rejected.

[0076] A third aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system in which, in the inspection system of the first aspect, both or one of the first currency information and the second currency information includes individual identification information that individually identifies the gaming currency.

[0077] A fourth aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is an inspection system of the first aspect, wherein the second currency information includes information expressed in a designated color representing the value of the gaming currency, and the designated color indicates the value of the gaming currency.

[0078] A fifth aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is an inspection system of the third aspect, in which if both the first currency information and the second currency information include individual identification information and the individual identification information of the multiple first currency information acquired by the first reading device does not match the individual identification information of the multiple second currency information acquired by the second reading device, the inspection system judges the multiple gaming currency pieces contained in the case to be unacceptable.

[0079] With this configuration, when there is fraudulent gaming currency in the case, where the individual identification information of the first currency information does not match the individual identification information of the second currency information, the judgment unit can reject the gaming currency contained in the case.

[0080] The inspection system of a sixth aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the first aspect, further comprising a memory unit that stores individual identification information of at least the first currency information or the second currency information of the multiple gaming coins that should be contained in the case, and the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming coins contained in the case to be unacceptable when the individual identification information of the multiple first currency information acquired by the first reading device or the multiple second currency information acquired by the second reading device does not match the individual identification information of the first currency information or the second currency information stored in the memory unit.

[0081] With this configuration, when fraudulent gaming currency in which the first currency information or the second currency information is inaccurate is present in the case, the judgment unit can reject the gaming currency contained in the case.

[0082] For example, if individual identification information expressed in letters is recorded on the wireless tag and individual identification information expressed in numbers is recorded on the side, the memory unit also stores, for each case, multiple individual identification information expressed in letters for the wireless tag and multiple individual identification information expressed in numbers for the side, and if the multiple individual identification information read from the multiple wireless tags does not match the multiple individual identification information stored in the memory unit for the wireless tags of that case, or if the multiple individual identification information read from the multiple side sides does not match the multiple individual identification information stored in the memory unit for the side of the case, the case will be rejected.

[0083] The inspection system of a seventh aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the first aspect, further comprising a memory unit that stores a correspondence between the first currency information and the second currency information, and the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming coins contained in the case to be unacceptable when the multiple first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the multiple second currency information acquired by the second reading device do not match the correspondence stored in the memory unit.

[0084] With this configuration, when game currency having an inaccurate correspondence between the first currency information and the second currency information is present in the case, it can be rejected.

[0085] For example, in the case where identification information is recorded on a wireless tag and a value is recorded on the side, a value is assigned to each identification information and stored in the memory unit, and the number of each value is calculated for multiple identification information read from multiple wireless tags by referring to the memory unit, and if the number of each value read from the side does not match this, the product is rejected. The same is true in the case where a value is recorded on a wireless tag and identification information is recorded on the side. In these cases, the memory unit does not need to store which case contains gaming currency with which identification information.

[0086] An eighth aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is an inspection system of any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming coins contained in the case to be unacceptable if the number of the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the second currency information acquired by the second reading device is not a predetermined number.

[0087] With this configuration, when gaming currency is removed from a case or gaming currency is added to a case, the judgment unit can reject the gaming currency contained in that case.

[0088] For example, if the case can accommodate 100 coins, the case will fail if either the first currency information read from the wireless tag or the second currency information read from the side is less than 100 coins.

[0089] A ninth aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system in which, in the inspection system of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the gaming coins include color information indicating the value of the gaming coin in the second currency information and value information identifying the value of the gaming coin in the first currency information, and the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming coins contained in the case to be unacceptable if the color information and the value information of the first currency information do not match.

[0090] A tenth aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system in which, in the ninth aspect, the second currency information further includes value information of the gaming currency in addition to the color information, and the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming currency contained in the case to be unacceptable if the value of the gaming currency based on the color information in the second currency information does not match both or either of the value information of the second currency information and the value information of the first currency information.

[0091] An inspection system in an eleventh aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system in any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the game currency has a wireless tag having the first currency information.

[0092] A twelfth aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is an inspection system of any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein at least one or both of the first currency information and the second currency information includes group information indicating the group to which the gaming currency belongs, and the groups are groups divided according to the value, manufacturing date, manufacturer, and / or gaming facility used of the gaming currency.

[0093] A thirteenth aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the tenth aspect, in which the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming coins contained in the case to be unacceptable if the color information does not match at least one of the value information, common information, or individual identification information of the first currency information and the second currency information.

[0094] A fourteenth aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system in which, in the tenth aspect of the inspection system, the judgment unit judges the number of each value of the multiple gaming currencies contained in the case, or the total value of all the gaming currencies, based on the color information or the value information of the first currency information or the second currency information.

[0095] A fifteenth aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system in which, in the inspection system of the first aspect, the second currency information includes information expressed on the side of the gaming currency in a designated color representing the value of the gaming currency, and the designated color is information indicating the value of the gaming currency, and the second reading device comprises a camera that photographs the sides of the multiple gaming currency contained in the case, and an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the designated color of each of the multiple gaming currency and identify the value of the multiple gaming currency according to the identified designated color.

[0096] With this configuration, the judgment unit can judge pass / fail using information on the value of the gaming currency.

[0097] A 16th aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the 15th aspect, in which the specified color expressing the second currency information is sandwiched in the thickness direction of the gaming currency on the side of the gaming currency by a common color that is commonly assigned to gaming currencies of different values.

[0098] With this configuration, even if multiple gaming coins are stacked inside the case, the identification unit can identify the types of multiple gaming coins in the case by extracting a specified color sandwiched between common colors from the side image.

[0099] A 17th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system in which, in the inspection system of the first aspect, the second currency information is written information written on the side in an optically readable manner, and the second reading device includes a camera that photographs the side of a plurality of gaming coins loaded and stored in the case, and an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the written information of each of the plurality of gaming coins and identifies the second currency information of each of the plurality of gaming coins in accordance with the identified written information.

[0100] With this configuration, the judgment unit can judge pass / fail using the notation information on the gaming currency.

[0101] An 18th aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the 17th aspect, in which the written information is written in infrared responsive ink that emits light in response to infrared rays or infrared absorbing ink that absorbs infrared rays, and the camera is an infrared camera.

[0102] This configuration makes it possible to make the identification information attached to the side surface invisible under natural light.

[0103] A 19th aspect of the inspection system of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the 17th aspect, wherein the written information is written in ink that emits light in response to ultraviolet light, and the inspection device further includes an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the sides of the multiple gaming coins contained in the case.

[0104] This configuration also makes it possible to make the identification information attached to the side surface invisible under natural light.

[0105] A twentieth aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system in which, in the inspection system of the first aspect, the case has a seal that is destroyed when the case is opened to allow the stored gaming coins to be removed, and the inspection device further includes a detection unit that detects the seal when unbroken, and the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming coins stored in the case to be unacceptable if the detection unit does not detect an unbroken seal.

[0106] With this configuration, when the seal is broken, the judgment unit can reject the game currency stored in the case.

[0107] A 21st aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system in which, in the inspection system of the first aspect, the case has a light-transmitting portion, and the second reading device optically reads the side of the gaming coin contained in the case through the light-transmitting portion.

[0108] With this configuration, the second currency information can be read with the case closed.

[0109] The inspection system of a twenty-second aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the twenty-first aspect, wherein the light-transmitting portion is made of a transparent material.

[0110] With this configuration, the case can have a sealed structure including the light transmitting portion.

[0111] A twenty-third aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the first aspect, wherein the inspection device includes a case receiving portion that receives the case.

[0112] With this configuration, the first currency information and the second currency information can be read by placing the case in the case receiving section.

[0113] A twenty-fourth aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the twenty-first aspect, wherein the case is portable.

[0114] This configuration allows the gaming coins in the case to be inspected at any point during the process in which the case moves from the factory to the table or cashier.

[0115] A twenty-fifth aspect of the third embodiment is the inspection system of the first aspect, wherein the case is a two-tiered chip float or chip tray that holds the gaming coins on a game table.

[0116] The inspection system of the 26th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins which have a designated color representing value and optically readable notation information on their sides, and includes a case for storing multiple gaming coins in a stacked manner, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming coins stored in the case. The inspection device is configured to include a camera for photographing the sides of the gaming coins stored in the case, an identification unit for analyzing the image captured by the camera to identify the designated color and the notation information of each of the multiple gaming coins, and a judgment unit for judging the pass / fail of the gaming coin for each case based on the designated color and the notation information identified by the identification unit.

[0117] With this configuration, the recognition unit identifies the designated color and notation information of the gaming currency stored in the case, so that the gaming currency can be inspected while it is stored in the case. In addition, since the inspection is performed by identifying two pieces of information, the designated color and notation information, from the side of the gaming currency, it is possible to reliably determine whether the currency is pass or fail.

[0118] The inspection system of the 27th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins that have a built-in wireless tag that stores currency information and have a designated color indicating value on their sides, and includes a case that stores multiple gaming coins in a stacked manner, and an inspection device that inspects the gaming coins stored in the case. The inspection device is configured to include a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the gaming coin stored in the case to obtain the currency information, a camera that photographs the sides of the gaming coins stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes the image captured by the camera and identifies the designated color of each of the multiple gaming coins, and a judgment unit that judges the pass / fail of the gaming coin for each case based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit and the designated color identified by the identification unit.

[0119] With this configuration, the reading unit obtains currency information from the gaming currency stored in the case, and the identification unit also identifies the designated color of the gaming currency stored in the case, so that the gaming currency can be inspected while it is stored in the case. In addition, since the inspection is performed by identifying two pieces of information, the currency information and the designated color, from the side of the gaming currency, it is possible to reliably determine whether the gaming currency is pass or fail.

[0120] The inspection device of the 28th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection device that has a built-in wireless tag that stores first currency information and has optically readable second currency information attached to its side, and inspects multiple gaming coins stacked and stored in a case, and is configured to include a first reading device that reads the wireless tags of the multiple gaming coins stored in the case to obtain the first currency information, a second reading device that optically reads the sides of the multiple gaming coins stored in the case to obtain the second currency information, and a judgment unit that judges the pass / fail of the gaming coins for each case based on the first currency information obtained by the first reading device and the second currency information obtained by the second reading device.

[0121] With this configuration, the first reading unit and the second reading unit both obtain the first currency information and the second currency information from the gaming currency stored in the case, so that the gaming currency can be inspected while it is stored in the case. In addition, since the two pieces of information, the first currency information and the second currency information, are obtained from the gaming currency and inspection is performed, it is possible to reliably determine whether the currency is pass or fail.

[0122] The inspection device of the 29th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection device that inspects multiple gaming coins that have a designated color indicating value and optically readable notation information on their sides and are stacked and stored in a case, and is configured to include a camera that photographs the sides of the multiple gaming coins stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes the image captured by the camera and identifies the designated color and the notation information of each of the multiple gaming coins, and a judgment unit that judges the pass / fail of the gaming coins for each case based on the designated color and the notation information identified by the identification unit.

[0123] The inspection device of the 30th aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection device that inspects multiple gaming coins stacked and stored in a case, and has a built-in wireless tag that stores currency information and has a designated color indicating value on its side, and is configured to include a reading unit that reads the wireless tags of the multiple gaming coins stored in the case to obtain the currency information, a camera that photographs the sides of the multiple gaming coins stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes the image captured by the camera and identifies the designated color of each of the multiple gaming coins, and a judgment unit that judges the pass / fail of the gaming coins for each case based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit and the designated color identified by the identification unit.

[0124] The inspection system of the 31st aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins having an embedded wireless tag that stores currency information, and includes a case for storing multiple gaming coins in a stacked manner, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming coins stored in the case. The inspection device includes a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the gaming coin stored in the case to obtain the currency information, a judgment unit that judges the pass / fail of the gaming coin for each case based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit, and a memory unit that stores the currency information of the multiple gaming coins that should be stored in the case. If the multiple pieces of currency information obtained by the reading unit do not match the currency information stored in the memory unit, the judgment unit judges the multiple gaming coins stored in the case to be pass / fail.

[0125] The inspection device of the 32nd aspect of the third embodiment is an inspection device that has a built-in wireless tag that stores currency information and inspects multiple gaming coins stacked and stored in a case, and is configured to include a reading unit that reads the wireless tags of the multiple gaming coins stored in the case to obtain the currency information, and a judgment unit that judges the pass / fail of the gaming coins for each case based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit.

[0126] According to the third embodiment, the first reading unit and the second reading unit both obtain the first currency information and the second currency information from the gaming currency stored in the case, so that the gaming currency can be inspected while it is stored in the case. In addition, since the two pieces of information, the first currency information and the second currency information, are obtained from the gaming currency and the inspection is performed, it is possible to reliably determine whether the currency is pass or fail.

[0127] The third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0128] <Inspection system configuration> 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inspection system in the third embodiment. The inspection system 41 includes a case 4100 for storing game coins in a stacked state, and an inspection device 4200 for inspecting the multiple game coins stored in the case 4100 while they are still stored in the case 4100.

[0129] The case 4100 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of transparent resin. The case 4100 stores disc-shaped game coins C in a stacked state. The case 4100 has five columns that store 20 game coins C, and can store a total of 100 game coins C. The case 4100 is portable while storing game coins C. The case 4100 is made up of a separable upper part 4101 and lower part 4102, and by separating the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102, it is possible to store game coins C in the case 4100 and to remove game coins C from the case 4100.

[0130] The inspection device 4200 is composed of a receiving section 4210 and a main body section 4220. The inspection device 4200 can receive the case 4100 in this receiving section 4210. The receiving section 4210 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the top and front open as a whole, and is formed by left and right side walls 4211, a bottom section 4212, and a back wall 4213, and has a width, height, and depth that are just large enough to fit the case 4100 inside.

[0131] The main body 4220 is provided on the back side of the rear wall 4213 of the receiving section 4210, and includes an RFID reader 4221, a computer 4222, and a display section 4223. The main body 4220 is further provided with an infrared camera 4225 and a visible light camera 4226. The infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 are attached to the tip of an arm 4227 so as to photograph the side of the game currency C stored in the case 4100 from the top side of the case 4100 stored in the receiving section 4210.

[0132] An RFID reader 4221, a display unit 4223, an infrared camera 4225, and a visible light camera 4226 are connected to the computer 4222. An RFID antenna 4224 is connected to the RFID reader 4221. The RFID antenna 4224 extends from the RFID reader 4221 and extends in a spiral shape inside the left and right side walls 4211. That is, a spiral RFID antenna 4224 is installed inside each of the left and right side walls 4211, and each RFID antenna 4224 is connected to the RFID reader 4221.

[0133] The display unit 4223 is configured with a liquid crystal panel. Note that a touch sensor may be provided on the liquid crystal panel, and the display unit 4223 may be configured as a touch panel.

[0134] <Composition of gaming currency> Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the gaming currency C in the third embodiment, and Fig. 9 is a side view of the gaming currency C in the third embodiment. The gaming currency C has a designated color layer 4501 characterized by a designated color in the middle, and common color layers 4502 characterized by a common color on both sides (up and down in Fig. 9) in the thickness direction of the intermediate designated color layer 4501, and a striped pattern (in the thickness direction) is formed on the side.

[0135] An RFID tag 4503 is inserted as a wireless tag between the designated color layer 4501 and one of the common color layers 4502 of the gaming currency C. The RFID tag 4503 stores, as currency information of the gaming currency C, for example, individual identification information that individually identifies (uniquely identifies) the gaming currency C and information on its value (type). A transparent layer 4504 is provided on the outermost layer of the gaming currency C. That is, the gaming currency C has the designated color layer 4501 which is an intermediate layer, the common color layers 4502 which sandwich the designated color layer 4501 from both sides, and the transparent layers 4504 which are the outermost layers on both sides.

[0136] The gaming currency C is formed by stacking five layers of plastic material (in the order of transparent layer 4504, common color layer 4502, designated color layer 4501, common color layer 4502, transparent layer 4504) in a long, thin shape, arranging RFID tags 4503 at a specified interval between the designated color layer 4501 and one of the common color layers 4502, thermocompression bonding the five layers of plastic material, and then punching into a circle, rectangle, or the like by a press or the like so that one gaming currency C contains one RFID tag 4503. When punching out by a press, the dimensions of the die and punch of the metal mold for punching are designed and R processing (rounded corners) is applied to the edge of the outermost transparent layer 4504.

[0137] After three layers consisting of the designated color layer 4501 and the two common color layers 4502 are thermocompression bonded, the surface may be coated with varnish to form the transparent layer 4504. The designated color layer 4501 and the two common color layers 4502 do not have to be separate members, and after being integrally formed, the designated color (and common color) may be applied to the side surface by inkjet printing or the like to form the designated color layer 4501 and the common color layer 4502.

[0138] The designated color layer 4501 expresses the value (type) of the gaming currency C with a color (designated color). In other words, by making the color of the designated color layer 4501 different for each value of the gaming currency C (red, green, yellow, blue, etc.), the value of the gaming currency C (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) can be identified by checking the color of the designated color layer 501 that can be optically read from the side of the gaming currency C. The common color layer 4502 is given a common color (common color) for gaming currencies C of different values. The common color is preferably lighter than any of the designated colors, and is white in this embodiment.

[0139] Furthermore, on the side of the gaming currency C (specifically, on the common color layer 4502 on the side), code information 4505 expressing the currency information of the gaming currency C is written. This code information 4505 expresses information by arranging multiple signs (which may be called marks, and in this embodiment, square signs). While the designated color layer 4501 expresses information (the value of the gaming currency C) by color, the code information 4505 expresses information by signs written on the side, and therefore can be called written information. Other examples of written information include multiple character strings, numeric strings, bar codes, etc.

[0140] The code information 4505 in this embodiment is repeatedly written at a cycle of 60 degrees in the circumferential direction of the gaming currency C. As a result, the complete code information 4505 is contained within a range of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction when the side surface of the gaming currency C is observed from any direction in the circumferential direction. Note that the repeat cycle of the gaming currency C is not limited to 60 degrees, and it is sufficient that the code information 4505 is repeatedly written at least three times at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0141] The code information 4505 is written in invisible ink. In this embodiment, the invisible ink is printed by inkjet printing using infrared absorbing ink (specifically, carbon black) that absorbs infrared rays. Since only the printed portion of the code information 4505 does not reflect infrared rays, the code information 4505 appears when the side of the gaming currency C is photographed with the infrared camera 4225. Note that the infrared camera 4225 may be equipped with an infrared lamp to irradiate infrared rays onto the side of the gaming currency C being photographed in order to clearly highlight the printed portion.

[0142] In addition, the invisible ink is not limited to infrared absorbing ink, and may be, for example, infrared responsive ink that emits fluorescence in response to infrared rays or UV ink that emits fluorescence in response to ultraviolet rays. When UV ink is used, an ultraviolet camera is used instead of the infrared camera 4225, and further, a black light is used to irradiate ultraviolet rays onto the side surface of the gaming currency C in order to make the UV ink fluoresce.

[0143] Furthermore, the gaming currency C has a mark m' made of UV ink or carbon black ink on the surface X of the common color layer 4502. This mark m' indicates the authenticity of the gaming currency C, and when exposed to ultraviolet (or infrared) light, the mark m' becomes visible, and its shape and combination of numbers indicate authenticity. A transparent layer 4504 is heat-pressed or coated (applied) on the outermost layer to cover the game center-specific printing 4506 (100 points, etc.) on the surface and the mark m', and this transparent layer 4504 is embossed or varnished to prevent the gaming currency C from sticking to each other and to improve slipperiness.

[0144] The edge of the outermost transparent layer 4504 on which the print 4506 (100 points, etc.) is applied is rounded (R) to prevent the surface of the common color layer 4502 from deforming and appearing on the side during the punching process of the gaming currency C. It also prevents the sharp edges of the gaming currency C from damaging the remaining hand or other gaming currency C. The designated color layer 4501 may be formed of one or more colored layers. Furthermore, a layer within the designated color layer 4501 may be embedded with metal or ceramic to increase its weight. The RFID tag 4503 may be embedded in a part of the designated color layer 4501 by hollowing out a part of the designated color layer 4501, or in a space provided between the designated color layer 4501 and the common color layer 4502.

[0145] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing a plurality of game coins C stored in the case 4100 with the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226. In this case, the case 4100 may be a two-tiered chip float (particularly the movable upper tray part in a two-tiered chip tray) or chip tray that holds the game coins C on a game table. Even if the game coins C are stacked vertically in the case 4100 as shown in FIG. 10, the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 can photograph the code information 4505. In addition, the number of game coins C can be counted by counting the designated color layers 4501 vertically. Even if the case 4100 is two-tiered, the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 can photograph the sides of all game coins C stored in the case 4100 by unfolding each tier.

[0146] In this embodiment, the code information 4505 is expressed by an arrangement of markers m in multiple rows and multiple columns. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the code information 4505. As shown in FIG. 11, upper and lower markers m are paired to form one code element. In the example of FIG. 11, one code information 4505 is composed of 10-digit code elements. As shown in FIG. 11, there are four patterns of one code element formed by pairing upper and lower markers m, and one code element can express four types of information, so that the code information 4505 composed of 10-digit code elements can express 4 to the power of 10 types of information. The letter Y next to the 10-digit code element is an orientation discrimination mark Y for discriminating the orientation of the code information 4505.

[0147] <Inspection equipment configuration> Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an inspection device 4200. The inspection device 4200 includes a barcode reader 4228 and a communication unit 4229 in addition to the RFID reader 4221, computer 4222, display unit 4223, RFID antenna 4224, infrared camera 4225, and visible light camera 4226 shown in Fig. 7. The computer 4222 is also configured with a processor, memory, etc. (not shown), and the processor executes an inspection program to configure an identification unit 4230 and a determination unit 4231.

[0148] An RFID system is configured by the RFID reader 4221, the RFID antenna 4224, and the RFID tag 4503 embedded in the gaming currency C. The currency information of the gaming currency C stored in the RFID tag 4503 embedded in the gaming currency C is read out by the RFID reader 4221 in a non-contact manner and used for processing in the computer 4222.

[0149] The infrared camera 4225 includes an infrared transmission filter that transmits only infrared light, and captures an infrared image. The infrared image generated by the infrared camera 4225 is transmitted to the computer 4222 and is used for processing by the recognition unit 4230. The visible light camera 4226 captures a light image in the visible range. The visible light image generated by the visible light camera 4226 is also transmitted to the computer 4222 and is used for processing by the recognition unit 4230. As shown in FIG. 7, the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 are directed toward the case 4100 from above the case 4100, and capture images of the sides of the multiple game currencies C in the case 4100 through the upper portion 4101 of the case 4100.

[0150] The barcode reader 4228 reads the barcode BC attached to the case 4100 to obtain case identification information, which will be described later. The display unit 4223 displays the judgment result of the judgment unit 4231 of the computer 4222. The communication unit 4229 communicates data with a manufacturing management device 4302 installed in the factory F and a usage management device 4303 installed in the game center P.

[0151] <Case configuration> FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the case 4100. The case 4100 is configured by combining an upper part 4101 and a lower part 4102. In this embodiment, the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102 are made of transparent resin. As described above, in the inspection device 4200 of this embodiment, the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 (hereinafter simply referred to as the camera) are installed above the receiving part 210, so that at least the upper surface of the case 4100 needs to transmit light. That is, the part of the case 4100 that is located between the camera and the case 4100 when the case 4100 is received by the receiving part 4210 of the inspection device 4200 needs to be a light-transmitting part that transmits light. Note that, in this embodiment, the case 4100 has a sealed structure consisting of the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102, but the light-transmitting part may be in a hole state.

[0152] As described above, the case 4100 has a shape in which five parallel columns are formed, each of which can hold 20 gaming coins C stacked together, and in the example of Figure 13, the cross section of each column is polygonal (octagonal) so that the upper and lower parts 4101 and 4102 roughly conform to the shape of the gaming coins C to be stored.

[0153] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a modified case 4100', and Fig. 15 is a plan view of the case 4100'. The case 4100' also has an upper part 4101' and a lower part 4102' made of transparent resin. 102. In this modification, the top surface of the upper portion 4101' facing the camera is formed as a flat surface. By making the surface facing the camera flat in this manner, as shown in Fig. 15, linear shadows caused by corners of the polygonal cross section of the case 4100' are not reflected on the camera, and information on the side surface of the game currency C can be accurately identified in image analysis of the image captured by the camera.

[0154] <How the inspection system is used> 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of the distribution of gaming currency C and the usage of the inspection system 41. The gaming currency C is manufactured by a manufacturing device 4301 in a factory F (s1), and is stored in a case 4100 in batches of 100 (s2). After storing the gaming currency C, the case 4100 is sealed with a seal in the factory F. In addition, a barcode BC indicating case identification information for uniquely identifying the case 4100 is affixed to the side of the case 4100 (s3).

[0155] At this time, the case identification information of the barcode BC affixed to the case 4100 is input to the manufacturing management device 4302 of the factory F (s4). The case 4100 containing the game currency C is also subjected to the inspection device 4200, which reads the currency information (described in detail below) attached to the game currency C and inspects whether the case is pass or fail. The currency information read from the game currency C contained in the case 4100 is then sent to the manufacturing management device 4302 (s5), where it is associated with the case identification information. The manufacturing management device 4302 may be a personal computer.

[0156] The cases 4100 that have passed inspection by the inspection device 4200 in the factory F are transported from the factory F to the amusement arcade P (s6). In the amusement arcade P, the cases 4100 are first stored in a storage facility R (s7). The storage facility R is equipped with an inspection device 4200, and the cases 4100 that arrive from the factory F are inspected by this inspection device 4200.

[0157] Meanwhile, the production management device 4302 of the factory F transmits the case identification information and the associated currency information to the usage management device 4303 of the game center P. The usage management device 4303 has a storage unit that acquires the case identification information and the associated currency information from the production management device 4302 for each of the multiple cases 4100 containing game currency C, and stores them for each case 4100. The usage management device 4303 may be a personal computer.

[0158] In the inspection by the inspection device 4200 in the storage R, the inspection is performed using the information stored in the usage management device 4303. The cases 4100 that have passed the inspection in the storage R are carried to the game table T (s9) or to the cashier CA (s10). The game table T and the cashier CA are also equipped with an inspection device 4200, and the cases 4100 containing the gaming currency C are inspected by the inspection device 4200 while still sealed. In addition, the game table T and the cashier CA also inspect the cases 4100 containing the used gaming currency C, and the inspection device 4200 is also used for the inspection. In the inspection by the three inspection devices 4200 in the game center P, the case identification information and the currency information associated therewith that are transmitted from the manufacturing management device 4302 and stored in the usage management device 4303 are referenced.

[0159] <Configuration of stored information> 17 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of information generated by the manufacturing management device 4302, transmitted to the usage management device 4303, and stored in the usage management device 4303. Information is generated for each case 4100, and each case identification information (Ca1, Ca2, Ca3, . . .) is associated with currency information of a plurality of game currencies C (100 in this embodiment) contained in the case 4100.

[0160] As currency information, the RFID tag 4503 stores information consisting of a combination of individual identification information (aa, ab, ac, ..., du, dv) that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C and information that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C (r, r, r, ..., b, b), the side display information stores information consisting of a combination of individual identification information (00001, 00002, 00003, ..., 00099, 00100) that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C and information that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C (1, 1, 1, ..., 2, 2), and the side color information stores information that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C (red, red, red, ..., blue, blue).

[0161] The information stored in this RFID tag 4503 is information that can be electromagnetically read by the RFID reader 4221 and corresponds to the first currency information in this embodiment, and the notation information and color information provided on the side is information that can be optically read and corresponds to the second currency information in this embodiment.

[0162] <Configuration of information to be read> FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of information acquired from one case 4100 by the barcode reader 4228, the RFID reader 4221, the infrared camera 4225, and the visible light camera 4226 in the inspection device 4200. The RFID reader 4221 reads out an alphanumeric character string stored in an RFID tag 4503 embedded in a plurality of game currencies C. The infrared camera 4225 reads out a numeric string, which is written information written on the side. The visible light camera 4226 reads out the color of the side. The identification unit 4230 analyzes (the image of) the numeric string read out from the infrared camera 4225, identifies the numbers, specifies information consisting of the numeric string, and specifies a designated color from the image of the side read out from the visible light camera 4226.

[0163] Here, the information on the sides of the multiple gaming currencies C and the information on the designated colors can be obtained according to the arrangement order of the gaming currencies C in the case 4100, but the information obtained from the multiple RFID tags 4503 cannot be obtained according to the arrangement order of the gaming currencies C. In other words, it is not possible to identify which gaming currency C the information on the RFID tag 4503 was obtained from.

[0164] <Pass / fail determination method> Next, a method of determining pass / fail in the computer 4222 of the inspection device 4200 will be described. As described above, the identification unit 4230 identifies the currency information stored in the RFID tag 4503 of the multiple game currency C stored in the case 4100 based on the reading result of the RFID reader 4221, analyzes the infrared image obtained by the infrared camera 4225 to identify the currency information indicated by the written information, and analyzes the visible light image obtained by the visible light camera 4226 to identify the color of the designated color layer 4501. Based on this information, the determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity / damage or the number of coins by value of all game currency present in the case, and determines the pass / fail of the case 4100. In the following description, the currency information stored in the RFID tag 4503 is referred to as first currency information, and the written information given to the side of the game currency C and the color information of the designated color layer 4501 are referred to as second currency information.

[0165] (First pass / fail judgment method) In the first pass / fail judgment method, the first currency information and the second currency information of the same gaming currency C are the same information, as shown in Fig. 19. In the example of Fig. 19, the first currency information is information consisting of individual identification information and value information of each gaming currency C, and the same content is written on the side as the second currency information in the form of written information.

[0166] The RFID reader 4221 reads out the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the recognition unit 4230, and the infrared camera 4225 photographs the side of the gaming currency C, and the recognition unit 4230 identifies the second currency information. In this case, the correspondence between the multiple pieces of first currency information and the multiple pieces of second currency information is unclear to the recognition unit 4230.

[0167] The judgment unit 4231 compares the multiple first currency information and multiple second currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230, and if they correspond completely one-to-one, that is, if all of the first currency information matches any of the second currency information without any overlap, it judges the multiple gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 as acceptable, and if the multiple first currency information and multiple second currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 do not match completely, it judges the multiple gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 as unacceptable.

[0168] A case in which the multiple first currency information and the multiple second currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 do not completely match may be when any of the gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 is counterfeit or when the RFID tag 4503 or side of any of the gaming currencies C is damaged. In other words, the judgment unit 4231 judges the authenticity and damage of all the gaming currencies C present in the case 4100, thereby judging the pass / fail of the multiple gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100.

[0169] (Second pass / fail judgment method) In the second pass / fail judgment method, the first currency information and the second currency information of the same gaming currency C are the same information, as shown in Fig. 290. In the example of Fig. 20, the first currency information is information on the value of each gaming currency C, and each gaming currency C is given a designated color as the second currency information in the designated color layer 4501 on the side.

[0170] The RFID reader 4221 reads out the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the recognition unit 4230, and the visible light camera 4226 photographs the side of the gaming currency C, and the recognition unit 4230 analyzes this image to identify the second currency information (the color of the designated color layer 4501).

[0171] In this case, the correspondence between the multiple first currency information and the multiple second currency information is unclear in the recognition unit 4230, and the multiple first currency information includes overlapping pieces of information, and the multiple second currency information includes overlapping pieces of information. In the first currency information and the second currency information in Fig. 20, "r" represents red, "b" represents blue, "y" represents yellow, and "g" represents green, respectively.

[0172] The judgment unit 4231 judges the currency as passed if the number of each designated color (red, blue, yellow, green) in the multiple first currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 matches the number of each designated color (red, blue, yellow, green) in the multiple second currency information, and judges the currency as failed if they do not match.

[0173] A case in which the number of each designated color in the first currency information does not match the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information may be that any of the gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 is counterfeit or that the side of any of the gaming currencies C is damaged. In other words, the determination unit 4231 determines the pass / fail of the plurality of gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 by determining the number of each value of all gaming currencies C present in the case 4100.

[0174] (Third pass / fail judgment method) In the third pass / fail judgment method, as shown in Fig. 21, the first currency information and the second currency information of the same gaming currency C are different information. In the example of Fig. 21, the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C stores information of an English character string as the first currency information, and the side of the gaming currency C displays information of a numeric string as the second currency information.

[0175] The RFID reader 4221 reads out the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the recognition unit 4230, and the infrared camera 4225 photographs the side of the gaming currency C, and the recognition unit 4230 identifies the second currency information. In this case, the correspondence between the multiple pieces of first currency information and the multiple pieces of second currency information is unclear to the recognition unit 4230.

[0176] The usage management device 4303 stores first currency information and second currency information in association with the case identification information of this case 4100. The determination unit 4231 compares the multiple pieces of first currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 with the multiple pieces of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, and determines whether there is a complete one-to-one correspondence between them. The determination unit 4231 also compares the multiple pieces of second currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 with the multiple pieces of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, and determines whether there is a complete one-to-one correspondence between them.

[0177] The determination unit 4231 determines whether the plurality of first currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 corresponds completely one-to-one with the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, i.e., the plurality of first currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 matches any of the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303 without duplication, and whether the plurality of second currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 corresponds completely one-to-one with the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, If there is a perfect one-to-one correspondence between the multiple second currency information associated with the identification information, i.e., if the multiple second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 matches, without any overlap, with any of the multiple second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, the multiple gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 are judged to be acceptable, and if any of the multiple first currency information do not match or any of the multiple second currency information do not match, the multiple gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 are judged to be unacceptable.

[0178] When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match the stored information, or when any of the plurality of second currency information does not match the stored information, it is possible that any of the gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 is counterfeit, or that the RFID tag 4503 or side of any of the gaming currencies C is damaged. In other words, the determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity and damage of all of the gaming currencies C present in the case 4100, thereby determining whether the multiple gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 are pass or fail.

[0179] (Fourth pass / fail judgment method) In the fourth pass / fail judgment method, as shown in Fig. 22, the first currency information and the second currency information of the same gaming currency C are different information. In the example of Fig. 22, an English character string is stored as the first currency information in the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C, and a designated color layer 4501 on the side of the gaming currency C is colored in a designated color according to the value as the second currency information.

[0180] The RFID reader 4221 reads out the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the recognition unit 4230, and the visible light camera 4226 photographs the side of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the recognition unit 4230, and the recognition unit 4230 analyzes the photographed image to identify the designated color, which is the second currency information. In this case, the correspondence between the multiple pieces of first currency information and the multiple pieces of second currency information is unclear to the recognition unit 4230.

[0181] The usage management device 4303 stores first currency information and second currency information in association with the case identification information of this case 4100. The determination unit 4231 compares the multiple pieces of first currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 with the multiple pieces of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, and determines whether they correspond completely one-to-one. In addition, the determination unit 4231 compares the number of each designated color in the multiple pieces of second currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 with the number of each designated color in the multiple pieces of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, and determines whether the numbers match for each designated color.

[0182] The judgment unit 4231 judges the case 4100 as acceptable if the multiple first currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 and the multiple first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303 correspond completely one-to-one and the number of each designated color in the multiple second currency information obtained by the recognition unit 4230 and the number of each designated color in the multiple second currency information associated with the case identification information of the ace 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303 all match, and judges the multiple gaming currencies C contained in the case 4100 as unacceptable if any of the multiple first currency information do not match or any of the numbers of each designated color in the multiple second currency information do not match.

[0183] When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match the stored information, or when any of the numbers of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information does not match, it may be that any of the gaming currencies C stored in the case 4100 is counterfeit, or the RFID tag 4503 or side of any of the gaming currencies C is damaged. In other words, the determination unit 4231 determines the pass / fail of the multiple gaming currencies C stored in the case 4100 by determining the authenticity, damage, and number of each value of all the gaming currencies C present in the case 4100.

[0184] (Fifth Pass / Fail Judgment Method) In the fifth pass / fail judgment method, as shown in Fig. 23, the first currency information and the second currency information of the same gaming currency C are different information. In the example of Fig. 23, the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C stores individual identification information consisting of a numeric string as the first currency information, and information on the value of the gaming currency C is given on the side of the gaming currency C in the form of a designated color of the designated color layer 4501 as the second currency information.

[0185] The RFID reader 4221 reads out the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the recognition unit 4230, and the visible light camera 4226 photographs the side of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the recognition unit 4230, and the recognition unit 4230 analyzes the photographed image to identify the designated color, which is the second currency information. In this case, the correspondence between the multiple pieces of first currency information and the multiple pieces of second currency information is unclear to the recognition unit 4230.

[0186] The usage management device 4303 stores a correspondence relationship between the first currency information and the second currency information. In the example of FIG. 23, the individual identification information that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C is associated with the designated color of the designated color layer 4501 on the side, i.e., the value information of the gaming currency C, and the value of the gaming currency C can be known by designating the individual identification information. In this example, the usage management device 4303 does not need to store a combination of the first currency information and the second currency information for each case identification information. In other words, in this example, the gaming currency C stored in the case 4100 can be inspected without using the case identification information.

[0187] The determination unit 4231 identifies first currency information corresponding to the first currency information identified by the recognition unit 4230 from the first currency information stored in the usage management device 4303, and identifies second currency information associated with the first currency information, i.e., value. The determination unit 4231 performs this for all of the first currency information identified by the recognition unit 4230, thereby obtaining the number of each value in the multiple second currency information extracted from the usage management device 4303 for one case.

[0188] The determination unit 4231 compares the number of each value thus obtained with the number of each value in the second currency information identified for the case 4100 by the identification unit 4230. If the numbers of each value match, the determination unit 4231 determines that the multiple game currencies C contained in the case 4100 are acceptable, and if the numbers of any value do not match, the determination unit 4231 determines that the multiple game currencies C contained in the case 4100 are unacceptable.

[0189] A case in which the number of each value in the multiple second currency information extracted from the usage management device 4303 does not match the number of each value in the second currency information identified for the case 4100 by the identification unit 4230 may be that any of the game currencies C contained in the case 4100 is counterfeit, or that the RFID tag 4503 or side of any of the game currencies C is damaged. In other words, the determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity / damage and number of each value of all the game currencies C present in the case 4100, thereby determining whether the multiple game currencies C contained in the case 4100 are pass or fail.

[0190] Although not shown in the figure, pass / fail determination can be made in the same manner as described above even when the value of the gaming currency C is stored as the first currency information and individual identification information of the gaming currency C is stored as the second currency information.

[0191] Although the first to fifth pass / fail judgment methods have been described above, the judgment unit 4231 may employ a combination of the pass / fail judgment methods. In addition to the pass / fail judgment methods described above, the judgment unit 4231 may judge the multiple game currencies C contained in the case 4100 as failing when the number of first currency information and second currency information read from the multiple game currencies C contained in the case 4100 is not a predetermined number (100 in this embodiment).

[0192] The above-mentioned first and second pass / fail judgment methods are pass / fail judgment methods that can be executed without using information stored in the usage management device 4303 installed in the game center P and are suitable for execution by the inspection device 4200 in the factory F, and the third to fifth pass / fail judgment methods are pass / fail judgment methods that use information stored in the usage management device 4303 installed in the game center P and are suitable for execution by the inspection device 4200 in the game center P, but the inspection device 4200 in the game center P may adopt the first or second pass / fail judgment method. When all the inspection devices 4200 in the game center P adopt a pass / fail judgment method that does not use information stored in the usage management device 4303, such as the first or second pass / fail judgment method, the usage management device 4303 can be omitted.

[0193] In addition, the inspection device 4200 of the game center P also inspects the case 4100 containing used game currency C. In this case, the first, second, or fifth pass / fail judgment method can be adopted, which does not require storing information about the game currency that should be contained in the case.

[0194] In the above embodiment, the gaming currency C has individual identification information and / or value information as the first currency information and / or second currency information. Here, the individual identification information is information that uniquely identifies each gaming currency C, whereas the value information is information that may overlap with each other among multiple gaming currencies C, and can also be called information indicating the group to which each gaming currency belongs (group information). In this embodiment, instead of or in addition to the value, for example, information on the manufacturing date, manufacturer, and / or gaming facility where the gaming currency is used can be adopted as the group information of the group to which the gaming currency belongs.

[0195] In other words, the first currency information and the second currency information may both include individual identification information that identifies the gaming currency, the first currency information and the second currency information may both include group information that indicates the group to which the gaming currency belongs, the first currency information may include individual identification information that identifies the gaming currency and the second currency information may include group information of the group to which the gaming currency belongs, or the first currency information may include group information of the group to which the gaming currency belongs and the second currency information may include individual identification information that identifies the gaming currency.

[0196] <Displaying pass / fail results> 24 and 25 are diagrams showing examples of pass / fail result display screens that show the results of pass / fail judgment in judgment unit 4231. These pass / fail result display screens are generated by computer 4222 based on the results of pass / fail judgment in judgment unit 4231, and are displayed on display unit 4223. Fig. 24 shows an example of the display screen in the case of pass, and Fig. 25 shows an example of the display screen in the case of fail.

[0197] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the pass / fail result display screen 4800 includes a total detection number 4801, which is the number of combinations of first currency information and second currency information read by the recognition unit 4230 from the gaming currency C, the number of valid gaming currencies C 4802, and the number of invalid gaming currencies C 4803.

[0198] The computer 4222 regards the larger of the number of pieces of first currency information and the number of pieces of second currency information as the total detection number 4801. For example, if 100 pieces of game currency C are stored in the case 4100, but one of them does not have an RFID tag 4503 built in, the identification unit 4230 identifies 100 pieces of second currency information from the multiple game currencies C, but only 99 pieces of first currency information are obtained. In this case, the computer 4222 regards 100, which is the larger of the first currency information and the second currency information, as the total detection number 4801.

[0199] In the case of the above-mentioned first or second pass / fail judgment method, the computer 4222 determines the number of combinations of first currency information and second currency information that are judged to match each other as the number of correct gaming currencies C 4802, and determines the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct gaming currencies C from the total detected number 4801 as the number of incorrect gaming currencies C 4803.

[0200] In the case of the above-mentioned third or fourth pass / fail judgment method, the computer 4222 determines the number of correct gaming currencies C 4802 to be the smaller of the number of first currency information whose correspondence with the first currency information stored in the usage management device 4303 has been confirmed, and the number of second currency information whose correspondence with the second currency information stored in the usage management device 4303 has been confirmed, and determines the number of incorrect gaming currencies C 4803 to be the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct gaming currencies C from the total detected number 4801.

[0201] In the case of the above-mentioned fifth pass / fail judgment method, the computer 4222 determines the number of second currency information whose correspondence with the second currency information stored in the usage management device 4303 has been confirmed as the number of correct gaming currencies C 4802, and determines the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct gaming currencies C from the total detected number 4801 as the number of incorrect gaming currencies C 4803.

[0202] The pass / fail result display screen 4800 includes a currency information display unit 4804 that displays currency information read by the recognition unit 4230 from the game currency C. In the currency information display unit 4804, when currency information stored in the usage management device 4303 is read, or when the first currency information and the second currency information match, the currency information is displayed in color, and currency information that is stored in the usage management device 4303 but not read is displayed in white (see FIG. 43).

[0203] In addition, if currency information that is not stored in the usage management device 4303 is read, or if the first currency information and the second currency information do not match, the pass / fail result display screen 4800 displays that currency information as invalid currency information 4805 outside the currency information display section 4804.

[0204] <Modification> (RFID antenna in inspection equipment) Fig. 26 is a diagram showing a modified example of the RFID antenna 4224 of the inspection device 4200. Note that the arm 4227, the infrared camera 4225, and the visible light camera 4226 are omitted from Fig. 26. In the above embodiment, the RFID antenna 4224 is built into the left and right side walls 4211, but the RFID antenna 4224 may be built into the bottom 4213. In this case as well, the RFID antenna 4224 is arranged in a spiral shape inside the bottom 4213.

[0205] (Gaming currency) FIG. 27 is a side view of a gaming currency C' of a modified example. In the gaming currency C of the above embodiment, the designated color layer 4501 is sandwiched between the common color layer 4502, but in the example of FIG. 27, the gaming currency C' is configured with the common color layer 4502 in the center and the designated color layers 4501 on both sides (top and bottom). In the example of FIG. 27, individual identification information represented by a seven-digit number string is written (printed) as code information 4505' on the side of the gaming currency C'. In the example of FIG. 27, the code information 4505', which is written information, is written on the central common color layer 502. The code information 4505' in this case can express 10 seven types of information.

[0206] Furthermore, both the code information 4505 expressed by the presence or absence of the marker m, which has been described for the gaming currency C of the above embodiment, and the code information 4505' of the numeric string exemplified in FIG. 27 may be written on the side of the gaming currency C. In this case, the code information 4505 of the marker m and the code information 4505' of the numeric string may be printed with different inks. For example, the code information 4505 of the marker m may be printed with infrared responsive ink, and the code information 4505' of the numeric string may be printed with ultraviolet responsive ink. In this case, an infrared camera and an ultraviolet camera may be prepared to photograph the side of the gaming currency C, and the code information 4505 of the marker m may be read with the infrared camera, and the code information 4505' of the numeric string may be read with the ultraviolet camera.

[0207] FIG. 28 is a side cross-sectional view of another modified game currency C″. A multi-layer structure is formed by laminating several plastic layers of different colors, with at least a designated color layer (colored layer) 4501 in the middle, and common color layers (white or light color layers) 4502 laminated on both sides of the intermediate designated color layer 4501. The color of the common color layer 4502 is preferably lighter than the color of the designated color layer 4501. In this way, the gaming currency C'' has a multi-layer structure with a designated color layer 4501 and common color layers 4502 laminated on both sides of the intermediate designated color layer 4501, so that a striped pattern is formed in the lamination direction on the side as shown in FIG. 29, and the type of gaming currency C'' (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) can be identified by changing the color of the designated color layer 4501 (red, green, yellow, blue, etc.).

[0208] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the stacked game currency C'', FIG. 30 is a side view of the game currency C'', and FIG. 31 is a plan view of the game currency C''. As shown in FIG. The gaming currency C'' has a type of gaming currency C'' on the surface (upper and lower surfaces) of the common color layer 4502. Printing 4507 (e.g., 100 points) showing the class (value) is applied, a transparent layer 4504 is provided as the outermost layer, and each layer is heat-pressed to form at least a five-layer structure. These game coins C'' are made of long, thin plastic material, and while in a long state, each layer (designated color layer 4501, common color layer 4502, transparent layer 4504) is heat-pressed to form a tightly adhered state (five-layer structure, etc.), and then punched into a circle, rectangle, etc. by a press or the like. When punching out by a press, the dimensions of the die and punch of the metal mold for punching are designed, and R processing (rounded corners) is applied to the edge of the outermost transparent layer 4504.

[0209] Furthermore, the gaming currency C'' has a mark m'' made of UV ink or carbon black ink provided on the surface of the common color layer 4502. When exposed to ultraviolet (or infrared) light, the mark m'' becomes visible, and the combination of its shape and numbers indicates the authenticity of the coin. A transparent layer 4504 is heat-pressed or coated (applied) on the outermost layer to cover the print 4507 and the mark m'', and this transparent layer 4504 is embossed to prevent the game coins C'' from sticking to each other.

[0210] The edge of the outermost transparent layer 4504 on which the printing 4507 (100 points, etc.) is applied is rounded (R), which prevents the surface of the common color layer 4502 from deforming and appearing on the side during the punching process of the gaming coin C''. In addition, the gaming coin C'' prevents sharp edges from remaining and damaging the hand or other gaming coins C''.

[0211] The designated color layer 4501 may be formed of multiple layers (three layers in FIG. 28) colored in a designated color, as shown in Fig. 28. The multiple layers (three layers in FIG. 28) colored in a designated color are thermocompressed together, so the three-layer structure is not visible as in Fig. 28, and for the sake of explanation, Fig. 28 shows the three layers of the designated color layer 4501. Furthermore, a partial cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the designated color layer 4501, and the RIFD tag 4503 is embedded therein.

[0212] As shown in Figures 28, 29, and 30, the game coins C, C', and C'' are stacked. Since the chip has a multi-layer structure and has a clearly formed stripe pattern on the side in the stacking direction, it is possible to easily and accurately measure the color (type of gaming currency) and number of designated color layers 4501 by image analysis, compared to conventional chips. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing stacked gaming currency. As shown in FIG. 32, the designated color layer 4501 can be clearly identified by photographing the side of gaming currency C with a visible light camera 4226. Furthermore, if an artificial intelligence-based computer or control system, or deep learning (structure) technology is used for this image analysis, image analysis and judgment can be made more accurately. Since artificial intelligence-based computers or control systems, and deep learning (structure) technology are already known and available to those skilled in the art, detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0213] (Seal detection) As described above, the case 4100 is sealed with a seal after storing a predetermined number of game coins C. The seal is destroyed when the case 4100 is opened to allow removal of the stored game coins. The detection device 4200 may include a detection unit that detects an unbroken seal affixed to the case 4100. The detection unit may detect the seal optically or magnetically. In this case, the judgment unit 4231 judges the multiple game coins C stored in the case 4100 to be unacceptable if the detection unit does not detect an unbroken seal.

[0214] (Layout of components of inspection equipment) In the above embodiment, all the components of the inspection device 4200 are arranged in one device as shown in Fig. 12, but they may be distributed. For example, some or all of the computer 4222, the display unit 4223, and the communication unit 4224 may be realized by a personal computer connected to the inspection device 4200. The distributed components may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly, and may be connected via a network such as the Internet.

[0215] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 33 and Fig. 34, the infrared camera 4225 and / or the visible light camera 4226 and the arm 4227 may be separate from the inspection device 4200, and these cameras may be connected to the computer 4222. Fig. 33 shows an example in which only the infrared camera 4225 or the visible light camera 4226 is provided separately from the inspection device 4200, and Fig. 34 shows an example in which the infrared camera 4225 is provided separately from the inspection device 4200 and the visible light camera 4225 is provided integrally with the inspection device 4200. In addition to the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226, an ultraviolet camera may be provided together with an ultraviolet lamp as a third camera, or any of the cameras in Figs. 33 and 34 may be an ultraviolet camera accompanied by an ultraviolet lamp.

[0216] (Money information) In the above embodiment, the gaming currency C has currency information stored in the RFID tag 4503, code information 4505 as currency information written on the side, and the designated color of the designated color layer 4501 on the side is also treated as currency information indicating the value of the gaming currency C, and one gaming currency C has these three pieces of currency information, but this embodiment is not limited to this, and the gaming currency C may have only two of these pieces of currency information. If the gaming currency C has two pieces of currency information, the first to fifth pass / fail judgment methods can be executed.

[0217] In addition, in the above first to fifth pass / fail judgment methods, two pieces of currency information are used, but if the gaming currency C has three pieces of currency information, the judgment unit 4231 may make a pass / fail judgment using these three pieces of currency information.

[0218] (Display) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the display unit 4223 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, but the display unit 4223 may simply be a lamp indicating pass / fail, or may be a lamp that digitally displays only the total detection number 4801, the number of valid gaming coins C 4802, and the number of invalid gaming coins C 4803.

[0219] (Total value calculation) As described above, the determination unit 4231 in the above embodiment can specify the number of each value of the multiple game currency C contained in the case 4100. Therefore, the determination unit 4231 may further calculate the total value of the multiple game currency C contained in the case 4100 based on the number of each value. The calculated total value may be displayed on a pass / fail result display screen (see FIG. 24 and FIG. 25) displayed on the display unit 4233.

[0220] <<Fourth embodiment>> The fourth embodiment relates to an inspection system and an inspection device for inspecting game currency, and in particular to an inspection system and an inspection device for inspecting game currency having a built-in wireless tag or for counting the number of game currency.

[0221] 2. Description of the Related Art There are known gaming currencies that incorporate wireless tags that store identification information and type information (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-246103).

[0222] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-246103 discloses gaming currency with a structure that makes it difficult for the wireless tag to be removed, thereby realizing a structure that makes it difficult for the wireless tag to become defective.

[0223] However, when the number of gaming coins disclosed in JP 2008-246103 A is read using a wireless tag, the number of gaming coins is calculated based on the read wireless tag information. Therefore, if the wireless tag built into the gaming coin is broken or not built in, the currency information cannot be obtained, resulting in a discrepancy between the actual number of gaming coins and the number of gaming coins calculated by reading the wireless tag.

[0224] Therefore, an object of the present embodiment is to provide an inspection system and an inspection device that can detect when a wireless tag is broken.

[0225] The inspection system according to the first aspect of the fourth embodiment is an inspection system that inspects game currency having a built-in wireless tag that stores currency information and a color or marking on the outer surface that indicates value while the game currency is stored in a case with a maximum number of coins that can be stored, The game coins are stored in the case in which the game coins can be stored in a state where the game coins are stacked in a thickness direction and formed into a row, A reading device that reads the wireless tag of the game currency in the case and acquires currency information of the game currency; a determination unit that compares the currency information acquired by the reading device with the maximum number of game currency that can be stored in the case itself, and determines whether there is an abnormality in the game currency in the case when the number of game currency obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device differs from the maximum number that can be stored; The inspection system includes:

[0226] Furthermore, the judgment unit has a function of comparing and judging the physical information of the gaming currency obtained from the physical characteristics of the case itself or a physical measuring means other than the reading device with the number of physical information pieces of the gaming currency obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device, and if the two do not match, judges that an abnormal gaming currency is present among the gaming currency contained in the case and outputs this.

[0227] Furthermore, the physical information is the number or height obtained optically, or the weight obtained by weighing.

[0228] Furthermore, the inspection system may further have a wireless tag information database that can query information from the wireless tags embedded in the gaming currency, and the judgment unit may be configured to detect abnormalities in the gaming currency being inspected by comparing the currency information of the gaming currency read by the reading device with the wireless tag information database.

[0229] Furthermore, the judgment unit may have a function, when it determines that there is an abnormal gaming coin among the gaming coins in the case, to compare the information of the wireless tags of all the gaming coins in the case with a pre-registered information database of wireless tags, and identify the presence of an abnormal wireless tag that is not in the information database of wireless tags.

[0230] Furthermore, the judgment unit may be equipped with a function that, when it judges that an abnormal gaming coin is present among the gaming coins in the case, identifies that an abnormal gaming coin is present among the gaming coins in the case, and information from the wireless tag cannot be obtained.

[0231] Furthermore, the determination unit may have a function of analyzing the information of the wireless tag obtained by the reading device, and emitting a signal when two or more gaming coins having the same information obtained from the wireless tag are present in the case.

[0232] Furthermore, the wireless tag information database is an information database of wireless tags of gaming currency stored or in use in the gaming facility, The determination unit may have a function of analyzing the information of the wireless tag acquired by the reading device, and emitting a signal when the information obtained from the wireless tag is identical to the information of the wireless tag of gaming currency present at another location within the gaming facility.

[0233] The inspection device according to the second aspect of the fourth embodiment is an inspection device for inspecting game currency having a built-in wireless tag that stores currency information and a color or marking on the outer surface that indicates value, an inspection table capable of inspecting the gaming coins in a state where the gaming coins are stacked in a thickness direction and arranged in a row with a maximum stacking number being limited; A reading device that reads the wireless tags of the lined game coins and acquires currency information of the lined game coins; a determination unit which compares the currency information acquired by the reading device with the maximum number of coins which can be stacked on the inspection table itself, and determines whether there is an abnormality in the gaming currency present on the inspection table when the number of gaming coins obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device differs from the maximum number of coins which can be stacked; It is equipped with the following:

[0234] Furthermore, the judgment unit may have a function of determining that an abnormal gaming currency is present among the gaming currencies present on the inspection table and outputting this when the currency information of the gaming currency acquired by the reading device does not match the physical information of the gaming currency.

[0235] Furthermore, the physical information may be the number or height obtained optically, or the weight obtained by weighing.

[0236] Furthermore, the inspection device may further have a wireless tag information database that can query information on the wireless tags embedded in the gaming currency, and the judgment unit may be configured to compare the currency information of the gaming currency read by the reading device with the wireless tag information database to detect abnormalities in the gaming currency to be inspected on the inspection table.

[0237] Furthermore, the judgment unit may have a function, when it determines that an abnormal gaming coin is present among the gaming coins on the inspection table, to compare the information of the wireless tags of all the gaming coins on the inspection table with a pre-registered information database of wireless tags, and identify the presence of an abnormal wireless tag that is not present in the information database of wireless tags.

[0238] Furthermore, the judgment unit may be equipped with a function that, when it judges that an abnormal gaming coin is present among the gaming coins in the case, identifies that an abnormal gaming coin is present among the gaming coins in the case, and information from the wireless tag cannot be obtained.

[0239] Furthermore, the determination unit may have a function of analyzing the information of the wireless tag obtained by the reading device, and emitting a signal when two or more gaming coins having the same information obtained from the wireless tag are present in the case.

[0240] Furthermore, the wireless tag information database is an information database of wireless tags of gaming currency stored or in use in the gaming facility, The determination unit may have a function of analyzing the information of the wireless tag acquired by the reading device, and emitting a signal when the information obtained from the wireless tag is identical to the information of the wireless tag of gaming currency present at another location within the gaming facility.

[0241] According to this embodiment, gaming coins are stored in a container with a fixed storage capacity and the number of coins is determined, so that an inspection can be performed that will tell if the wireless tag is damaged.

[0242] The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0243] <Inspection system configuration> 35 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inspection system in the fourth embodiment. The inspection system 51 includes a case 5100 for storing game coins in a stacked state, and an inspection device 200 for inspecting the multiple game coins stored in the case 5100 while they are still stored in the case 5100.

[0244] The case 5100 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of transparent resin. The case 5100 stores disc-shaped game coins C in a stacked state. The case 5100 has five columns 5100C each storing 20 game coins C, and can store a total of 100 game coins C. The case 5100 is portable while storing game coins C. The case 5100 is made up of a separable upper portion 5101 and a lower portion 5102, and by separating the upper portion 5101 and the lower portion 5102, it is possible to store game coins C in the case 5100 and to remove game coins C from the case 5100.

[0245] The inspection device 5200 is composed of a receiving section 5210 and a main body section 5220. The inspection device 5200 can receive the case 5100 in the receiving section 5210. The receiving section 5210 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the top and front open as a whole, and is formed by left and right side walls 5211, a bottom section 5212, and a back wall 5213, and has a width, height, and depth that are just large enough to fit the case 5100 inside.

[0246] The main body 5220 is provided on the rear side of the inner wall 5213 of the receiving section 5210 , and includes a reading device 5221 , a determination section 5222 , and a display section 5223 .

[0247] The determination unit 5222 is connected to the reading device 5221 and the display unit 5223. The reading device 5221 is connected to a wireless tag antenna 5224. The wireless tag antenna 5224 extends from the reading device 5221 and extends in a spiral shape inside the left and right side walls 5211. That is, inside each of the left and right side walls 5211, the spiral wireless tag antenna 5224 is installed, and each wireless tag antenna 5224 is connected to the reading device 5221.

[0248] The display unit 5223 is configured with a liquid crystal panel. Note that a touch sensor may be provided on the liquid crystal panel, and the display unit 5223 may be configured as a touch panel.

[0249] <Inspection equipment configuration> Fig. 36 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an inspection device 5200. In addition to the reading device 5221, the determination unit 5222, the display unit 5223, and the wireless tag antenna 5224 shown in Fig. 35, the inspection device 5200 includes a barcode reader 5228 and a communication unit 5229. The determination unit 5222 is configured by a processor, a memory, etc. (not shown), and the recognition unit 5230 and the recognition content determination unit 5231 are configured by the processor executing an inspection program.

[0250] A wireless tag system is configured by the reading device 5221, the wireless tag antenna 5224, and the wireless tag 5503 embedded in the gaming currency C. The currency information of the gaming currency C stored in the wireless tag 5503 embedded in the gaming currency C is read out by the reading device 5221 in a non-contact manner and used for processing in the determination unit 5222.

[0251] The barcode reader 5228 reads the barcode BC attached to the case 5100 to obtain case identification information. The display unit 5223 displays the determination result of the identification content determination unit 5231 of the determination unit 222. The communication unit 5229 communicates data with a manufacturing management device 5302 installed in the factory F and an information database 5303 installed in the game center P.

[0252] <Case configuration> 37 is a perspective view of case 5100. Case 5100 is configured by joining upper part 5101 and lower part 5102. In this embodiment, upper part 5101 and lower part 5102 are made of transparent resin. Note that, in this embodiment, case 5100 has a sealed structure consisting of upper part 5101 and lower part 5102, but the light transmitting part may have a hole.

[0253] As described above, the case 5100 has five columns 5100C arranged in parallel, each of which can store 20 game coins C stacked together, and in the example of Fig. 37, the cross section of each column is polygonal (octagonal) so that the upper portion 5101 and the lower portion 5102 are roughly in line with the shape of the game coins C to be stored. Each column 5100C is shaped so that it cannot store 21 or more game coins C.

[0254] Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a modified case 5100', and Fig. 39 is a plan view of the case 5100'. The case 5100' also has an upper part 5101' and a lower part 5102' made of transparent resin. 102. In this modification, the top surface of the upper portion 5101' facing the camera is formed as a flat surface. By making the surface facing the camera flat in this manner, as shown in Fig. 39, linear shadows caused by corners of the polygonal cross section of the case 5100' are not reflected on the camera, and information on the side surface of the game currency C can be accurately identified in image analysis of the image captured by the camera.

[0255] (Gaming currency) 40 is a side cross-sectional view of the gaming currency C of this embodiment. The gaming currency C has a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of plastic layers of different colors are laminated, and the gaming currency C has at least a designated color layer (colored layer) 5501 in the middle, and common color layers (white or light color layers) 5502 are laminated on both sides of the designated color layer 5501.

[0256] The designated color layer 5501 may be formed of a plurality of layers (three layers in FIG. 58) colored in a designated color, as shown in Fig. 40. The plurality of layers (three layers in FIG. 40) colored in a designated color are thermocompression bonded together, so the three-layer structure is not visible as in Fig. 40, and for the sake of explanation, Fig. 40 shows three layers of the designated color layer 5501. Furthermore, a cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the designated color layer 5501, and the wireless tag 5503 is embedded therein.

[0257] The inspection system 51 inspects game currency C, which has a built-in wireless tag 5503 that stores currency information and has a color 5501 or display 5507 indicating value on the outer surface, stored in a case 5100 with a limited maximum storage capacity. The game currency C is stored in the case 5100, which can store game currency C in a row stacked in the thickness direction, and includes a reading device 5221 that reads the wireless tag 5503 of the game currency C in the case 5100 and acquires currency information of the game currency C, and a determination unit 222 that compares and determines the currency information acquired by the reading device 5221 with the maximum number that the case 5100 itself can store (set to a maximum of 100 in this embodiment), and determines an abnormality of the game currency C in the case 5100 when the number of game currency C obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device 5221 differs from the maximum number that can be stored (100).

[0258] The inspection system 51 further has an information database 5303 of wireless tags 5503 that can inquire about information on wireless tags 5503 built into the gaming currency C, and the judgment unit 5222 is configured to be able to detect abnormalities in the gaming currency C to be inspected by checking the currency information of the gaming currency C read by the reading device 5221 against the information database 5303 of the wireless tags 5503. The information database 5303 stores information on all the wireless tags 5503 of gaming currency used in the gaming arcade in advance.

[0259] When the judgment unit 5222 judges that there is an abnormal gaming currency C among the gaming currency C in the case 5100, the judgment unit 5222 has a function of comparing the information of the wireless tags 5503 of all the gaming currency C in the case 5100 with an information database 5303 of pre-registered wireless tags 5503, and identifying the presence of an abnormal wireless tag 5303 that is not present in the information database of the wireless tags 5503.

[0260] When the determination unit 5222 determines that an abnormal gaming currency C exists among the gaming currencies C in the case 5100, the determination unit 5222 has a function of identifying that an abnormal gaming currency C exists among the gaming currencies C in the case 5100 from which information cannot be obtained from the wireless tag 5503.

[0261] The display unit 5223 displays the abnormality when it is determined that the abnormal game currency C as described above is present.

[0262] As shown in Figures 42 and 43, the pass / fail result display screen 5800 includes a total detection number 5801, which is the number of pieces of information of the wireless tags 5503 read by the recognition unit 5230 from the gaming currency C, and the number of fraudulent gaming currency C 5803.

[0263] 42 and 43 are diagrams showing examples of pass / fail result display screens showing the results of the determination of abnormalities of the gaming currency by the identified content determination unit 5231. These pass / fail result display screens are generated by the determination unit 5222 based on the results of the determination of abnormalities of the gaming currency by the identified content determination unit 5231, and are displayed on the display unit 5223. Fig. 42 shows an example of the display screen in the case of pass, and Fig. 43 shows an example of the display screen in the case of fail.

[0264] 44 is a diagram showing another modified inspection device 5400. The inspection device 5400 inspects game currency C which has a built-in wireless tag 5503 storing currency information and has a color 5501 or a mark 5507 on its outer surface which indicates its value. The inspection table 5427 is equipped with an inspection unit 5427 capable of inspecting gaming coins C in a state in which the gaming coins are stacked in the thickness direction to form a row with a limited maximum stacking number, a reading device 5421 that reads the wireless tags 5531 of the row of gaming coins C and acquires currency information of the row of gaming coins C, and a judgment unit 5422 that compares the currency information acquired by the reading device 5421 with the maximum stackable number of the inspection table 5427 itself (set at a maximum of 20 in this embodiment), and judges whether there is an abnormality in the gaming coins C present on the inspection table 5427 when the number of gaming coins C obtained from the currency information acquired by the reading device 5421 differs from the maximum stackable number (20).

[0265] The inspection device 5400 is provided with a number control plate 5425 that limits the maximum number of game currencies C that can be stacked in a row.

[0266] The inspection device 5400 has an optical sensor 5426 and judges the physical number of individual game currencies C. The judgment unit 5422 has a function of judging that an abnormal game currency C is present among the game currencies C present on the inspection table 5427 and outputting the result when the currency information of the game currency acquired by the reading device 5421 does not match the physical information of the game currency C.

[0267] <How the inspection system is used> 45 is a diagram for explaining an example of a usage mode of the inspection system 1 along with the circulation of game currency C. Game currency C is manufactured by a manufacturing device 5301 in a factory F (s1), and is stored in a case 5100 in batches of 100 (s2). After storing game currency C in the case 5100, the case 5100 is sealed with a seal in the factory F. In addition, a barcode BC indicating case identification information for uniquely identifying the case 5100 is affixed to the side of the case 5100 (s3).

[0268] At this time, the case identification information of the barcode BC affixed to the case 5100 is input to the manufacturing management device 5302 of the factory F (s4). The case 5100 containing the game currency C is subjected to the inspection device 5200, which reads the currency information (described in detail below) attached to the game currency C and inspects whether the case is pass or fail. The currency information read from the game currency C contained in the case 5100 is sent to the manufacturing management device 5302 (s5), where it is associated with the case identification information. The manufacturing management device 5302 may be a personal computer.

[0269] The case 5100 that has passed inspection by the inspection device 5200 in the factory F is transported from the factory F to the amusement center P (s6). In the amusement center P, the case 5100 is first stored in a storage facility R (s7). The storage facility R is equipped with an inspection device 5200, and the case 5100 that arrives from the factory F is inspected by this inspection device 5200.

[0270] Meanwhile, the case identification information and the associated currency information are transmitted from the production management device 5302 of the factory F to the information database 5303 of the game center P. The information database 5303 has a storage unit that acquires the case identification information and the associated currency information from the production management device 5302 for each of the multiple cases 5100 containing game currency C, and stores them for each case 5100. The information database 5303 may be a personal computer.

[0271] In the inspection by the inspection device 5200 in the storage R, the inspection is performed using the information stored in the information database 5303. The case 5100 that has passed the inspection in the storage R is carried to the game table T (s9) or carried to the cashier CA (s10). The game table T and the cashier CA are also provided with an inspection device 5200, and the case 5100 containing the gaming currency C is inspected by the inspection device 5200 while still sealed. In addition, the game table T and the cashier CA also inspect the case 5100 containing the used gaming currency C, and the inspection device 5200 is also used for the inspection. In the inspection by the three inspection devices 5200 in the game center P, the case identification information and the currency information associated therewith that are transmitted from the manufacturing management device 5302 and stored in the information database 5303 are referenced.

[0272] In the above embodiment, the gaming currency C has identification information and / or value information as wireless tag information. Here, the identification information is information that uniquely identifies each gaming currency C, whereas the value information is information that may overlap with multiple gaming currencies C, and can also be called information indicating the group to which each gaming currency belongs (group information). In this embodiment, instead of or in addition to the value, for example, information on the manufacturing date, manufacturer, and / or gaming facility where the gaming currency is used can be adopted as the group information of the group to which the gaming currency belongs.

[0273] That is, the wireless tag information may include identification information for identifying the gaming currency, and may also include group information indicating the group to which the gaming currency belongs.

[0274] (Seal detection) As described above, the case 5100 is sealed with a seal after storing a predetermined number of game coins C. The seal is destroyed when the case 5100 is opened to allow removal of the stored game coins. The detection device 5200 may include a detection unit that detects an unbroken seal affixed to the case 5100. The detection unit may detect the seal optically or magnetically. In this case, the identification content determination unit 5231 determines that the multiple game coins C stored in the case 5100 are unacceptable if the detection unit does not detect an unbroken seal.

[0275] (Layout of components of inspection equipment) In the above embodiment, all the components of the inspection device 5200 are arranged in one device as shown in Fig. 36, but they may be distributed. For example, some or all of the determination unit 5222, the display unit 5223, and the communication unit 5224 may be realized by a personal computer connected to the inspection device 5200. The distributed components may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly, and may be connected via a network such as the Internet.

[0276] (Display) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the display unit 5223 is configured with a liquid crystal panel, but the display unit 5223 may simply be a lamp indicating pass / fail, or may be a lamp that digitally displays only the total detection number 5801, the number of valid gaming coins C 5802, and the number of invalid gaming coins C 5803.

[0277] (Total value calculation) As described above, the identified content determination unit 5231 of the above embodiment can specify the number of each value of the multiple game currencies C contained in the case 5100. Therefore, the identified content determination unit 5231 may further calculate the total value of the multiple game currencies C contained in the case 5100 based on the number of each value. The calculated total value may be displayed on a pass / fail result display screen (see Figs. 42 and 43) displayed on the display unit 5233.

[0278] <<Fifth embodiment>> Conventionally, there have been known inspection systems that embed an RF tag (wireless tag) inside gaming currency to inspect the authenticity of gaming currency. When these inspection systems detect gaming currency whose RF tag cannot be read or whose information read from the RF tag is not the specified information (typically counterfeit gaming currency or gaming currency with a broken RF tag, hereinafter referred to as "illegal gaming currency"), they record the fact in a recording device or sound an alarm with an alarm device.

[0279] However, gaming currency is passed back and forth between the dealer (casino) and the player, and if the casino inspects gaming currency held by the casino and discovers illegal gaming currency, it would be inconvenient if it was not clear when and from which player the currency was handed over to the casino.

[0280] Therefore, in this embodiment, an inspection system is provided that can detect that the illegal gaming money is the illegal gaming money when it is handed over from the player to the dealer, or as soon as possible after it is handed over.

[0281] For this purpose, an inspection system of one aspect of this embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency having an embedded RF tag, and is equipped with a storage means for storing a dealer's gaming currency in a casino game, an RF reading means for reading the RF tags of the multiple gaming currency stored in the storage means, a detection means for detecting at least the number of the multiple gaming currency stored in the storage means at regular intervals or constantly using a method other than RFID, and an alarm means for generating an alarm when the number of gaming currency whose RF tags have been read by the RF reading means does not match the number of gaming currency detected by the detection means.

[0282] With this configuration, the RF reading means detects the number of gaming coins stored in the storage means, the detection means detects the number of gaming coins stored in the storage means at regular time intervals or all the time by a method other than RFID, and the alarm means generates an alarm if the numbers do not match, so that the alarm means can generate an alarm when illegal gaming coins are stored in the storage means or within a regular time after they are stored. The RF reading means may also read the RF tags at regular time intervals or all the time.

[0283] The detection means may detect whether or not there is a change in the number of the game currency stored in the storage means. When the detection means detects that there is a change in the number of the game currency, the warning means may compare the number of the game currency detected by the detection means with the number of the game currency whose RF tag is read by the RF reading means, and determine whether or not the two match.

[0284] The storage means may be used to store the gaming currency collected by a dealer in a casino game when the dealer collects the gaming currency from a player. With this configuration, it is possible to detect illegal gaming currency when the dealer collects the gaming currency from a player.

[0285] The detection means may detect the presence of each of the plurality of game coins stored in the storage means by a method other than RFID.

[0286] The storage means may be configured to store a plurality of the gaming coins stacked in a predetermined stacking direction, and the detection means may have a plurality of photosensors arranged along the stacking direction to detect each of the plurality of the gaming coins stacked and stored in the storage means.

[0287] The storage means may have a groove extending in the stacking direction, the multiple photosensors may be arranged in multiple rows along the stacking direction, and the gaming coins may be detected by the photosensors arranged in different rows in stacking order.

[0288] The containing means may have a plurality of rows of grooves extending in the stacking direction, and the RF reading means may read the RF tags for each row or for each plurality of rows of the grooves.

[0289] The detection means may include a plurality of photosensors for detecting each of the plurality of game coins stored in the storage means.

[0290] The detection means may detect the number of the game coins stored in the storage means by optically reading the game coins stored in the storage means. Such detection means may be, for example, an optical scanner that scans the stacked game coins in the stacking direction.

[0291] The storage means may store the multiple gaming coins in a stacked manner from a predetermined reference position, and the detection means may detect the number of the multiple gaming coins stored in the storage means by measuring the distance from a predetermined observation position to the gaming coin that is farthest from the predetermined reference position.

[0292] With this configuration, the number of the gaming coins stacked in the storage means can be detected based on the height (length) of the gaming coins in the stacking direction. Such a detection means may be, for example, a distance sensor that is installed at the beginning of the stacking direction and measures the distance from the reference position to the farthest gaming coin.

[0293] The RF reading means may read the RF tags of a plurality of gaming coins including the newly stored gaming coin within the first time interval after the new gaming coin is stored in the storage means by reading the RF tags at a first time interval, and the detection means may detect the number of the plurality of gaming coins including the newly stored gaming coin within the second time interval after the new gaming coin is stored in the storage means by detecting the number of the plurality of gaming coins stored in the storage means at a second time interval.

[0294] With this configuration, when new gaming currency is added to the storage means, the RF tag is read within the first time interval and the number is detected within the second time interval, so that reading of the RF tag and detection of the number by means other than RFID are completed at the latest within either the first time interval or the second time interval, whichever is longer, after the new gaming currency is added to the storage means, and an alarm can be generated as necessary. Therefore, by storing the gaming currency collected from the player according to the game result in the storage means, the gaming currency can be inspected immediately when collected from the player.

[0295] Another aspect of the inspection system of this embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins used in games played at a table, and is equipped with a storage means that is installed on the table for storing a plurality of gaming coins that increase or decrease with each game, and an inspection means that inspects the gaming coins that increase or decrease with each game within the storage means.

[0296] Another aspect of the inspection system of this embodiment is an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins having embedded RF tags, and is equipped with a storage means capable of storing a predetermined number of gaming coins, an RF reading means for reading the RF tags of the multiple gaming coins stored in the storage means, and an alarm means for generating an alarm if the number of gaming coins whose RF tags have been read by the RF reading means does not match the predetermined number.

[0297] With this configuration, the storage means is kept filled with the maximum number of gaming coins it can hold, and the RF tags are read by the RF reading means, which in turn is compared with the maximum number that can be held, thereby making it possible to detect gaming coins whose RF tags cannot be read and generate an alarm.

[0298] The game machine may further include dummy coins having the RF tag built therein, which are stored in the storage means together with the gaming coins so that, when the gaming coins do not reach the specified number, the number of dummy coins together with the gaming coins reaches the specified number.

[0299] With this configuration, when inspecting a number of gaming coins that is less than the number that the storage means can store (the storage capacity), dummy coins are stored in the storage means to make up the shortfall, and an alarm can be generated when the ideal number of RF tags that the RF reading means should read does not match the storage capacity.

[0300] The inspection system of this embodiment is not limited to an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency, and can be applied as an inspection system for inspecting any valuable with an RF tag built in. In this case, the inspection system for valuable includes valuables with unique IDs that can be individually identified, a table that uses the valuables, a tray that holds the valuables on the table, a determination means that identifies the number of the valuables held on the tray using the unique ID, a detection means that takes an image of the valuables on the table including at least the tray to generate an image and detects at least the number of the valuables based on the image, a storage means that stores the number detected by the detection means, and an inspection means that checks the relationship between the number determined by the determination means and the number detected by the detection means.

[0301] The inspection system of this embodiment is not limited to an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency, but can be applied as an inspection system for inspecting any object with a built-in RF tag. In this case, the inspection system includes an RF reading means for reading the RF tag of the object placed at a predetermined location, a detection means for detecting at least the number of the objects placed at the predetermined location by a method other than RFID, and an alarm means for generating an alarm when the number of the objects whose RF tags have been read by the RF reading means does not match the number detected by the detection means.

[0302] Specific embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the following description is merely an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the following example. A gaming currency used in the inspection system of this embodiment has an RF tag built in that stores information (tag information) such as its type and identification information. Any of the gaming currencies C described in the third and fourth embodiments can be used as the gaming currency used in this embodiment. The tag information stored in the RF tag can be read by reading the RF tag built in the gaming currency with an RF reader described later.

[0303] 46 is a plan view of a game currency tray that stores game currency. A plurality of grooves 6171 are formed in the game currency tray 617 to store game currency C stacked in the thickness direction. The grooves 6171 are formed in a semi-tubular shape to store disc-shaped game currency C. Each groove 6171 can store 40 game currency C, and the game currency tray 617 has 14 grooves 6171 formed in parallel to each other in the vertical direction.

[0304] A plurality of photosensors 6173 are embedded in both the right and left sides of the inner wall of each groove 6171. Although not shown in Fig. 46, an antenna of an RF reader is embedded inside each groove 6171. The gaming currency tray 617 is embedded in front of the dealer's position at a gaming table in a casino.

[0305] Fig. 47 is a diagram showing an antenna of an RF reader (hereinafter, referred to as an "RF antenna") 6172. The RF antennas 6712 are provided inside or at the bottom of the game currency tray 671 in correspondence with each groove 6171. Note that Fig. 47 shows only four grooves, but the other grooves 6171 are similar.

[0306] 47, one RF antenna 6172 is provided for one groove 6171. The RF antenna 6172 wirelessly communicates with an RF tag embedded in the game currency C stored in the corresponding groove 6171 to read RF information from the RF tag. Note that a radio wave shielding wall may be provided between adjacent grooves 6171 so that each RF antenna 6172 does not read the RF tag of the game currency C stored in the adjacent groove 6171.

[0307] Fig. 48 is an enlarged plan view and a front cross-sectional view of the groove 6171. The game coins C are stacked in the longitudinal direction of the groove 6171 and stored in the groove 6171. In the example of Fig. 48, 40 game coins C can be stored in one groove 6171.

[0308] A plurality of photosensors 6713 are embedded with their sensing surfaces flush with the inner wall on the right and left sides of the inner wall of the semicircular cross section of the groove 6171. The photosensors 6713 are reflective photosensors, and detect the gaming currency C when the gaming currency C is stored in the groove 6171 and the sensing surface is blocked by the gaming currency C.

[0309] On the right and left sides of the inner wall, a plurality of photosensors are arranged at intervals of a pitch equivalent to the thickness of two game currencies C. In this example, since one groove 6171 can accommodate 40 game currencies C as described above, 20 photosensors 6173 are provided on the right side and 20 photosensors 6173 are provided on the left side.

[0310] The row of the multiple photosensors 6173 on the right side and the row of the multiple photosensors 6173 on the left side are arranged to be shifted in the arrangement direction by the thickness of one game currency C. Therefore, the multiple game currency C stacked and stored in the groove 6171 are detected by the photosensors 6173 arranged in different rows in the stacking order. Specifically, the game currency C stored at the bottom position of the groove 6171 is detected by the bottommost photosensor 6173 on the right side, the second game currency from the bottom is detected by the bottommost photosensor 6173 on the left side, the third game currency C from the bottom is detected by the second-lowest photosensor 6173 on the right side, and the fourth game currency C from the bottom is detected by the second-lowest photosensor 6173 on the left side. In this way, the right photosensor 6183 and the left photosensor 6173 alternately detect the game currency C from the bottom.

[0311] By arranging the multiple photosensors 6173 alternately in different rows in this manner, it is possible to arrange multiple photosensors 6173 that read each of the multiple game coins C stored in the groove 6171 in a stacked manner in the thickness direction.

[0312] Fig. 49 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system. As shown in Fig. 49, the inspection system 600 includes an RF reader 6100 equipped with an RF antenna 6172, a plurality of photosensors 6173, an inspection and alarm unit 6200 connected to the RF reader 6100 and the plurality of photosensors 6173, and a storage unit 6300 connected to the inspection and alarm unit 6200. The inspection and alarm unit 6200 is configured by a computer equipped with a processor and a memory, and is realized by the processor executing the inspection and alarm program of this embodiment.

[0313] The RF reader 6100 receives radio waves from the RF tag of the game currency C via the RF antenna 6172 and reads information (tag information) stored in the RF tag. The RF reader outputs the read tag information to the inspection / alarm unit 6200. As shown in FIG. 47, the inspection system 600 is provided with a plurality of RF antennas 6172, but these multiple RF antennas 6172 may be connected to one RF reader 6100, or multiple RF readers 6100 corresponding to the multiple RF antennas 6172 may be provided.

[0314] The multiple photosensors 6173 are each connected to the inspection / alarm unit 6200, and transmit sensing information to the inspection / alarm unit 6200. The sensing information of each photosensor 6173 is information indicating the presence or absence of game currency C.

[0315] The inspection / alarm unit 6200 compares the number of pieces of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 with the number of pieces of detection information of the game currency C obtained from the multiple photosensors 6173. In this case, the inspection / alarm unit 6200 may determine whether the tag information is genuine or not, and compare only the number of pieces of tag information determined to be genuine with the number of pieces of detection information from the photosensors 6173.

[0316] If all of the multiple game currencies stored in the game currency tray 617 have genuine RF tags built in, the number of pieces of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 should match the number of game currencies C detected by the photosensor 6173. Therefore, the inspection / alarm unit 6200 judges whether these numbers match, and generates an alarm if they do not match.

[0317] The generated alarm is output by an alarm means (not shown) in a manner that can be perceived by humans. For example, if the alarm means is a speaker, the inspection / alarm unit 6200 generates a signal for outputting a predetermined alarm sound from the speaker as the alarm. If the alarm means is a lamp, the inspection / alarm unit 6200 generates a signal for turning on the lamp as the alarm.

[0318] The RF reader 6100 reads tag information at a predetermined time interval (for example, one second interval). The photosensor 6173 also performs detection at a predetermined time interval (for example, two second interval). The RF reader 6100 and the photosensor 6173 may always read and detect.

[0319] Also, the RF reader may read tag information at predetermined time intervals or constantly, and the inspection and alarm unit 6200 may determine whether or not a change occurs in the multiple tag information read, and if a change occurs, the photosensor 6173 may perform detection under the control of the inspection and alarm unit 6200. Conversely, the multiple photosensors 6173 may detect the gaming currency C at predetermined time intervals or constantly, and the inspection and alarm unit 6200 may determine whether or not the number of detected gaming currency C changes, and if a change occurs, the RF reader 6100 may read tag information under the control of the inspection and alarm unit 6200.

[0320] When the inspection / alarm unit 6200 generates an alarm, the alarm means immediately outputs an alarm. As a result, when the illegal gaming currency is stored in the gaming currency tray 617, an alarm is output within a predetermined time or immediately. Therefore, it is possible to know that the illegal gaming currency has been brought in by any of the players playing at the table at that time. It is also possible to stop the subsequent game once to prevent further use of the illegal gaming currency. In some cases, it is also possible to identify the player who brought in the illegal gaming currency from among the players playing at that table.

[0321] The inspection / alarm unit 6200 records the inspection (comparison) results and the generated alarm in the recording unit 6300 together with date and time information.

[0322] Fig. 50 is a plan view showing another example of the gaming currency tray. In the example of Fig. 50, in addition to a plurality of vertical grooves (stock grooves) 6171 for storing gaming currency C, a horizontal groove (collection groove) 6174 for storing gaming currency C collected by a dealer from a player is provided above them. Also, in the example of Fig. 50, a photosensor 6173 is not provided in the stock groove 6171, but a photosensor 6173 is embedded in the collection groove 6174 in the same arrangement as in Fig. 48, and an RF antenna 6172 (not shown) is embedded below the collection groove 6174.

[0323] The number of gaming currency C stored in the collection groove 6174 increases or decreases for each game. Therefore, by providing the collection groove 6174 with a photosensor 6173 and an RF antenna 6172 and shortening the inspection interval sufficiently, it is possible to inspect the gaming currency C immediately after it is collected from the player for each game, and if illegal gaming currency is detected, it is possible to identify the person who possessed it or to interrupt the game. Note that when a certain number or more of gaming currency C are stored in the collection groove 6174 or the storage capacity thereof, some or all of them may be transferred to the stock groove 6171.

[0324] Fig. 51 is a plan view showing yet another example of the gaming coin tray. In the example of Fig. 51, a collection groove 6175 is provided vertically at the right end. A photosensor 6173 and an RF antenna 6172 (not shown) are provided in this collection groove 6175.

[0325] Fig. 52 is a plan view showing yet another example of a gaming currency tray. In the example of Fig. 52, the vertical groove is divided into upper and lower two grooves 6176 and 6177 each capable of storing 20 gaming currency C. Each groove 617 can store 20 gaming currency C. As in the example of Fig. 46, each groove 617 is provided with photo sensors 6173 alternately on both the left and right sides. According to the gaming currency tray 617 of this example, since the number of gaming currency C to be stacked is small, it is possible to prevent a large deviation between the stacked gaming currency C and the photo sensor 6173.

[0326] In the examples of Figs. 51 and 52 as well, the photosensor 6173 and the RF antenna 6172 are provided in the collection groove, so that the game currency C can be inspected immediately after collection.

[0327] Fig. 53 is a diagram showing another configuration of the RF antenna. In the above-mentioned fifth embodiment, one RF antenna is provided for one groove 6171, but as shown in Fig. 53, one RF antenna 6172 may be configured and arranged to read the RF tags of the game currency C stored in a plurality of grooves 6171.

[0328] In the above-mentioned fifth embodiment, the gaming currency C is inspected by determining whether the number of gaming currency C whose RF tags are read by the RF reader 6100 matches the number of gaming currency C detected by a physical means other than RFID, thereby detecting fraudulent gaming currency that does not have an RF tag or has a damaged RF tag. As a means for physically detecting the number of gaming currency C by a means other than RFID, a plurality of photosensors 6173 that detect the presence or absence of gaming currency one by one are used.

[0329] However, the means for physically detecting the number of game currency C other than RFID is not limited to a plurality of photosensors. Other examples of the detection means will be described below.

[0330] Fig. 54 is a diagram showing one groove of a gaming currency tray using a line sensor as a detection means. As shown in Fig. 54, a slit 6178 extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove 6171 is formed in the bottom of the inner wall of the groove 6171, and a line sensor 6179 is provided below the slit 6178 along the slit 6178. The pixel pitch in the longitudinal direction of the line sensor 6179 is set to be smaller than the thickness of the gaming currency C (the number of pixels in the longitudinal direction of the line sensor 6179 is set to be sufficiently larger than the number of gaming currency C accommodated in the groove 6171).

[0331] Fig. 55 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example of Fig. 54. The line sensor 6179 is connected to the inspection and alarm unit 6200. The line sensor 6179 captures a line image by photographing. The line sensor 6179 outputs the acquired line image to the inspection and alarm unit 6200. The inspection and alarm unit 6200 determines how far the gaming currency C is from the bottom based on the line image, thereby detecting the number of gaming currency C stored in the groove 6171.

[0332] The inspection / alarm unit 6200 performs an inspection by comparing the number of pieces of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 with the number of pieces of game currency C detected from the line image, and generates an alarm if the numbers do not match. The recording unit 6300 records the results of the inspection by the inspection / alarm unit 6200 and the generated alarm.

[0333] Fig. 56 is a diagram showing one groove of a gaming coin tray using a scanner as a detection means. As shown in Fig. 56, a slit 6178 extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove 6171 is formed in the bottom of the inner wall of the groove 6171, and a rail 6181 is provided below the slit 6178 and along the slit 6178. An imaging element 6180 moves on this rail 6181 to form a scanner.

[0334] Fig. 57 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example of Fig. 56. The imaging element 6180 is connected to the inspection and alarm unit 6200. The imaging element 6180 takes images while moving on the rail 6178, and outputs information on its position on the rail and the images taken at that position to the inspection and alarm unit 6200. The inspection and alarm unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C stored in the groove 6171 by determining the presence or absence of game coins C from a plurality of images taken by the imaging element 6180 while moving in one direction from one end to the other on the rail 6181.

[0335] FIG. 58 is a diagram showing one groove of a game currency tray using a laser distance meter as a detection means. As shown in FIG. 58, a laser distance meter 6182 is provided at the upper end of the groove 6171. The laser of the laser distance meter 6182 is set to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the groove 6171. When game currency C is stored in the groove 6171 by stacking it from the bottom up, the laser emitted from the laser distance meter 6182 is reflected by the surface of the top game currency C and returns to the laser distance meter 6182. Thus, the laser distance meter 6182 measures the distance from the observation position to the game currency C farthest from the reference position (the game currency C stacked highest) with the upper end of the groove 6171 as the observation position and the lower end as the reference position.

[0336] Fig. 59 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example of Fig. 58. The laser distance measuring device 6182 is connected to the inspection and warning unit 6200, and outputs the measured distance to the inspection and warning unit 6200. Since the measured distance decreases as the number of game coins C stored in the groove 6171 increases, the inspection and warning unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C stored in the groove 6171 based on the distance measured by the laser distance measuring device 6182.

[0337] Fig. 60 is a diagram showing one groove of a game tray using a weight scale as a detection means. As shown in Fig. 21, the groove 6171 is placed on a weight scale 6183. When game currency C is stored in the groove 6171, the weight measured by the weight scale 6183 increases.

[0338] Fig. 61 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example of Fig. 60. The weighing scale 6183 is connected to the inspection and warning unit 6200, and outputs the measured weight to the inspection and warning unit 6200. Since the measured weight increases as the number of game coins C stored in the groove 6171 increases, the inspection and warning unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C stored in the groove 6171 based on the weight measured by the weighing scale 6183.

[0339] In the above examples, a detection means is provided for detecting the number of game currencies C stored in the groove 6171 by means other than RFID, but this detection means does not have to be provided. Since the groove 6171 has a maximum number of game currencies C that can be stored therein, if the RF tag is read with the maximum number of game currencies C stored in the groove 6171, the number of game currencies C physically present at that time is already known as the maximum number.

[0340] Therefore, the inspection / alarm unit 6200 can detect fraudulent gaming coins that do not have RF tags or whose RF tags are damaged by comparing the number of gaming coins C whose tag information has been read by the RF reader with the known maximum number.

[0341] However, it is not always possible to store the maximum number of game coins C in the groove 6171 to be inspected. Therefore, a spacer may be used as a dummy coin to fill the empty portion of the groove 6171. The spacer may be prepared in the same shape as the game coin C (disc shape) or in the same shape as the multiple stacked game coins C (cylindrical shape).

[0342] 62 is a diagram showing a state in which the empty space in the groove is filled with spacers. This groove 6171 can store 40 game coins C (the maximum number that can be stored is 40), and 30 game coins C are stored in this groove 6171. To fill the empty space for 10 coins, one spacer 6184 for 5 coins, one spacer 6184 for 3 coins, and two spacers 6184 for 1 coin are stored in the groove 6171.

[0343] The number of RF tags built into the spacers 6184 corresponds to the number of spacers 6184. For example, five spacers 6184 have five RF tags built into them, three spacers 6184 have three RF tags built into them, and one spacer 6184 has one RF tag built into it.

[0344] Therefore, if all 30 gaming coins C stored in the groove 6171 are genuine, the RF reader 6100 will read 40 pieces of tag information, including the RF tag embedded in the spacer 6184. If the number of pieces of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 does not match this predetermined value, i.e., the number of gaming coins C that can be stored in the groove 6171, the inspection / alarm unit 6200 determines that illegal gaming coins are present and generates an alarm.

[0345] Fig. 63 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 in the example of Fig. 62. As described above, in the example of Fig. 62, a detection means is not necessary, but when inspection is performed at any timing, empty space may be generated in the groove 6171, and the RF reader 6100 may not be able to read a predetermined number of pieces of tag information, causing an alarm to be generated. Therefore, in the example of Fig. 63, a switch 6185 is provided to instruct the inspection / alarm unit 6200 to perform an inspection. The switch 6185 generates an ON signal when pressed.

[0346] The switch 6185 is connected to the inspection and alarm unit 6200, and outputs an ON signal to the inspection and alarm unit 6200. Upon receiving the ON signal from the switch 6185, the inspection and alarm unit 6200 commands the RF reader 6100 to execute reading.

[0347] When the dealer collects the gaming currency C from the player who lost the game, he places it in the groove 6171, places the spacer 6184 in the empty space, and when there is no empty space in the groove 6171, he presses the switch 6185. Then, the RF reader 6100 reads the RF tag, and the inspection / alarm unit 6200 performs an inspection by determining whether the number of pieces of tag information read matches a predetermined value.

[0348] In the fifth embodiment, a system for inspecting gaming currency used in casino games has been described, but the object to be inspected may be a valuable object other than the gaming currency C. Also, although an RF tag is embedded in the gaming currency, a unique ID that can be individually identified by another method may be attached to the gaming currency.

[0349] In addition, in the fifth embodiment, various means for detecting the number of gaming coins C other than RFID have been described, but the means for detecting the number of gaming coins C may be any means that detects the number of gaming coins C that a player or dealer recognizes as gaming coins C, including illegal gaming coins, and may be, for example, a means for photographing the gaming coins C stored in the gaming coin tray 617 with a camera and detecting the number based on the image, as in the example described below.

[0350] Additionally, the inspection system may inspect objects other than items of value.

[0351] FIG. 64 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inspection system that inspects objects with built-in RF tags. The inspection system 6001 is equipped with a stand B on which an object is placed. The object placed on the stand B is photographed by a camera 6400, and a photographed image is generated. The camera 6400 is connected to an inspection / baton unit 6200, and the photographed image is output to the inspection / alarm unit 6200. The inspection / alarm unit 6200 is equipped with a neural network trained by deep learning, and this neural network recognizes how many objects are present from the photographed image, thereby detecting the number of objects.

[0352] Furthermore, an RF antenna 6172 is built into the table B. An RF tag built into an object placed on the table B transmits radio waves to the RF antenna 6172, and the RF reader 6100 reads the tag information.

[0353] The inspection / alarm unit 6200 compares the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 with the number of objects recognized by the neural network, and generates an alarm if the two do not match. In this way, the camera 6400, which is a means other than RFID, detects the number of objects that exist, although their authenticity is unknown, and at the same time, reads the RF tags of those objects and compares the number of tag information read with the number detected by the camera 6400, making it possible to detect objects whose RF tag information cannot be read.

Claims

1. An inspection system for inspecting valuables, the type of which can be identified by a weight difference, the valuables being equipped with RF tags that record information about the valuables, comprising: an RF reader that reads information about the valuables from the RF tags of the valuables placed on a table; A weight measuring device that measures and records the weight of the valuables; A management control device that grasps the total weight of the valuables on the platform using the measurement results of the weight measuring device, The management control device has a function of determining the weight of the valuables on the platform based on the standard weight of the valuables from information obtained from an RF reading device, measuring the total weight of the valuables on the platform using the measurement results of the weight measuring device, comparing the calculated weight of the valuables obtained from the RF reading device with the total weight of the valuables obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device, and estimating based on the comparison whether the total number of the valuables whose RF tags have been read by the RF reading device matches the total number of the valuables whose weights have been measured by the weight measuring device.

2. 2. An inspection system for inspecting valuables according to claim 1, The information of the RF tag includes weight information of the valuables, The management control device is an inspection system having a function of determining the weight of the valuables on the platform from weight information obtained from an RF reader.

3. 3. An inspection system for inspecting valuables according to claim 1 or 2, The management control device is an inspection system having a function of determining the weight of each type of valuable item on the platform from information from an RF reading device, identifying the total weight of the valuable items on the platform using the measurement results of the weight measuring device, and determining the excess weight of the total weight of the valuable items obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device relative to the sum of the weights of each type of valuable item obtained from the RF reading device.

4. 4. An inspection system for inspecting valuables according to claim 3, The management control device is an inspection system that has a function of identifying, based on the excess weight, the type of valuable that causes a discrepancy between the sum of the weights of each type of valuable obtained from the RF reading device and the total weight of the valuables obtained from the measurement results of the weight measuring device, or the type of valuable that does not cause a discrepancy.

5. An inspection system for inspecting valuables according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The management control device is an inspection system having a function of determining the total value of the valuables on the platform from information from the RF reading device.

Images