Game table system and system

Abstract

To provide a gaming table system for reading a gaming chip on a gaming table, by using reading of an RFID tag and image recognition and so effectively utilizing advantages of both.SOLUTION: A gaming table system 100 is provided, comprising: a camera 40 configured to take an image of a chip stack placed on a gaming table 10 to generate an image; an image recognizing portion 81 configured to analyze the image to recognize a position of the chip stack and a type and number of gaming chip 70; a plurality of antennas ANT1-ANT9 configured to read an RFID tag of the gaming chip 70; and a chip judging portion 82 configured to associate a reading result of the RFID tag 72 by each of the plurality of antennas ANT1-ANT9 and a recognizing result of the chip stack by the image recognizing portion 81 with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming table system for reading a gaming chip incorporating an RFID tag on a gaming table and a system for reading an article incorporating an RFID tag at a predetermined location.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, on a gaming table where a game using a gaming chip is played, a camera system is known that reads the gaming chip used in the game by photographing the gaming chip used in the game to generate an image and performing image recognition processing on the image. Since the type (value) of the gaming chip can be specified from its appearance, the type of the gaming chip used in the game can be specified by image recognition processing. In addition, various areas based on the rules of the game are defined on the gaming table, and it is also possible to recognize in which area the gaming chip is placed by image recognition processing.

[0003] The areas defined on the gaming table include, for example, a bet area for placing gaming chips on which a player bets in the game. The camera system can grasp how much gaming chips are bet in which bet area by recognizing the gaming chips (bet chips) bet in the bet area, particularly a chip stack (bet chip stack) formed by stacking a plurality of gaming chips in the bet area.

[0004] On the other hand, an RFID system is also known that incorporates an RFID tag in a gaming chip, stores the type (value) of the gaming chip, chip identification information, etc. in the RFID tag, and provides an antenna for performing wireless communication with the RFID tag in the gaming chip on the gaming table and a reader for reading the information stored in the RFID tag using the antenna, thereby recognizing the gaming chips placed on the gaming table.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a camera system, it is possible to read from an image how many gaming chips of what types are placed in which area (position), but it is difficult to read more detailed information about each gaming chip. For example, it is conceivable to write chip identification information on the outer peripheral side surface of the gaming chip and read this with a camera, but such writing of chip identification information has to be in a small size, and accurate reading is not easy.

[0006] On the other hand, since an RFID system reads the information of each gaming chip by reading an RFID tag, by storing various information in this RFID tag, detailed information about the gaming chip can be obtained. However, in an RFID system, since electromagnetic waves are used to read the RFID tag, even if an attempt is made to distinguish between multiple antennas provided for each area, it is difficult to strictly set the reading range of each antenna, and the antenna for reading a certain area may also read the RFID tag of the gaming chip in the adjacent area, and it is not easy to accurately recognize in which area the gaming chip whose RFID tag has been read by each antenna is located.

[0007] Also, in an RFID system, even if there is a gaming chip with a broken RFID tag or without an RFID tag, such an RFID-illegal gaming chip cannot be detected.

[0008] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a gaming table system for reading gaming chips on a gaming table by using an RFID tag built into the gaming chip to assist the camera system and effectively utilize the advantages of both.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A gaming table system according to one aspect of the present invention is a gaming table system that reads gaming chips incorporating RFID tags on a gaming table. Here, a betting area including a plurality of bet target areas arranged adjacent to or in contact with each other is arranged on the gaming table. The gaming table system includes reading means provided at a plurality of locations on the gaming table and including a plurality of antennas for reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips within a reading range. Here, the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas overlap each other, whereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of bet target areas. Imaging means for generating an image including a chip stack composed of one or more gaming chips placed in the betting area by photographing the betting area including the plurality of bet target areas arranged adjacent to or in contact with each other on the gaming table. Image recognition means for recognizing the position of the chip stack on the gaming table, the types and numbers of the gaming chips constituting the chip stack by analyzing the image. Based on the RFID tag reading results by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, it is possible to estimate which area within the reading range of which antenna among the plurality of antennas within the betting area where the gaming chip is placed and approximately where within the reading range of the corresponding antenna it is located. Chip determination means for associating the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the RFID tag reading results by the reading means based on the estimation result and the recognition result of the chip stack by the image recognition means.

[0010] With this configuration, it is possible to associate the chip stack recognized by image recognition with the reading results of the RFID tags incorporated in the gaming chips of the chip stack.

[0011] In the above-described gaming table system, due to the reading ranges of the adjacent antennas overlapping with each other, the bet area may include one or more areas where the RFID tags of the gaming chips placed therein are read by a plurality of antennas, and the chip determination means may estimate, based on the combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas, an area smaller than the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas as the area where the gaming chip is placed.

[0012] With this configuration, an area smaller than the reading range of the antenna can be estimated as the area where the gaming chip is placed.

[0013] In the above-described gaming table system, the reading means may repeatedly perform reading using the plurality of antennas, the imaging means may repeatedly perform imaging to generate continuous images, and the chip determination means may associate the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means based on the reading result and the recognition result at the timing when the stack is newly placed in the bet area.

[0014] With this configuration, at the bet stage of the chip stack, the association between the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means and the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means can be repeatedly performed.

[0015] In the above-described gaming table system, the reading means may repeatedly perform reading using the plurality of antennas, and the chip determination means may recognize a plurality of the gaming chips read at the same timing by the same antenna as one chip stack, and recognize a plurality of the gaming chips read at different timings by the same antenna as a chip stack different from the one chip stack.

[0016] With this configuration, it is possible to distinguish each chip stack based on the timing of reading by the reading means.

[0017] The above game table system may further include a holder identification means for identifying the holder of the gaming chip based on the reading result of the RFID tag of the gaming chip by the reading means, and the chip determination means may recognize, as one chip stack, a plurality of the gaming chips identified as being held by the same holder by the holder identification means among the plurality of the gaming chips placed in the estimated same area.

[0018] With this configuration, the chip stack can be recognized by identifying the holder based on the reading of the RFID tag.

[0019] In the above game table system, the content stored in the RFID tag incorporated in the gaming chip may include chip identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip, and the chip determination means may associate the chip identification information of the gaming chips included in the chip stack with the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means.

[0020] With this configuration, the chip identification information read from the RFID tag and the chip stack recognized by image recognition can be associated with each other.

[0021] The above game table system including the holder identification means may further include a holder update means for rewriting the holder information of the gaming chips paid by the dealer to the holder of the gaming chips that won the game with the holder information of the gaming chips that won the game as a result of the game using the gaming chips.

[0022] With this configuration, the holder information of the gaming chips paid by the dealer can be rewritten with the holder information of the bet chips.

[0023] In the above-described gaming table system, the chip stack composed of one or more gaming chips placed in the bet area may be a chip stack bet on the game. The chip determination means may associate the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means for the bet chip stack.

[0024] With this configuration, for the bet chip stack, the image recognition result and the RFID tag reading result can be associated with each other.

[0025] In the above-described gaming table system, the chip stack composed of one or more gaming chips placed in the bet area may be a chip stack bet on the game and paid out by the dealer for the chip stack that won the game. The chip determination means may associate the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means for the paid-out chip stack.

[0026] With this configuration, for the paid-out chip stack, the image recognition result and the RFID tag reading result can be associated with each other.

[0027] In the above-described gaming table system, the reading range of the plurality of antennas may cover the entire bet area on the gaming table.

[0028] With this configuration, the chip stack can be read throughout the bet area.

[0029] In the above-described gaming table system, when the number of gaming chips for which the area where they are placed is estimated based on the reading result of the RFID tag is less than the number of gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means as being placed within the area, the chip determination means may determine that the chip stack contains illegal gaming chips with irregularities in the RFID tag within the area.

[0030] With this configuration, it is possible to determine that there are illegal gaming chips including those for which the RFID tag cannot be read.

[0031] In the above-described gaming table system, when the number of gaming chips for which the area where they are placed is estimated based on the reading result of the RFID tag is more than the number of gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means as being placed within the area, the chip determination means may determine that the area contains gaming chips that are in the blind spot of the imaging means and not recognized by the image recognition means.

[0032] With this configuration, it is possible to determine an area that contains gaming chips that are in the blind spot of the imaging means and not recognized by image recognition.

[0033] In the above-described gaming table system, the RFID tag incorporated in the gaming chip may store type identification information for identifying the type of the gaming chip, and when the type and number of gaming chips indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag for the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means are different from the type and number of the gaming chips of the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means, the chip determination means may determine that the chip stack contains illegal gaming chips.

[0034] With this configuration, when the reading result of the RFID tag and the image recognition result do not match in terms of the type and number of gaming chips, it is possible to determine that there are illegal gaming chips.

[0035] In the above-described gaming table system, the RFID tag incorporated in the gaming chip may store type identification information for identifying the type of the gaming chip. The chip determination means may further identify the chip stack including the illegal gaming chip among the chip stacks recognized by the image recognition means based on the type and number of the gaming chips indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag and the type and number of the gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means.

[0036] With this configuration, it is possible to identify the chip stack including the illegal gaming chip by using the information on the type and number of the gaming chips indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag and the image recognition result, respectively.

[0037] In the above-described gaming table system, when the chip determination means cannot identify one chip stack including the illegal gaming chip, the chip determination means may determine a plurality of chip stacks in which the possibility of including the illegal gaming chip is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value as the chip stacks including the illegal gaming chip.

[0038] With this configuration, even when it is not possible to identify one chip stack including the illegal gaming chip, it is possible to determine the chip stacks that may include the illegal gaming chip.

[0039] In the above-described gaming table system, the RFID tag incorporated in the gaming chip may store type identification information for identifying the type of the gaming chip. The type of the gaming chip may correspond to the value of the gaming chip. The chip determination means may determine the value of the chip stack based on the type identification information.

[0040] With this configuration, it is possible to determine the value of the chip stack based on the reading result of the RFID tag.

[0041] The above-described gaming table system may further include player identification means for identifying a player who plays a game on the gaming table, and the chip determination means may further identify a player corresponding to the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means.

[0042] With this configuration, it is possible to identify the player corresponding to the chip stack placed on the gaming table.

[0043] In the above-described gaming table system, the RFID tag incorporated in the gaming chip may store chip identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip. The bet area may include bet areas provided for each of a plurality of players. The above-described gaming table system may further include a database that stores the chip identification information in association with player identification information for identifying a player, player identification means for identifying the player identification information of a player playing at the plurality of player positions, and alert means for outputting an alert when the player identification information identified by the player identification means is not associated with the chip identification information of the gaming chip identified as being at the player position where the player plays in the database.

[0044] With this configuration, an alert can be output when a player other than the player who should possess the gaming chip possesses and uses the gaming chip on the gaming table.

[0045] A system according to an aspect of the present invention is a system that reads an article incorporating an RFID tag at a predetermined location. In the predetermined location, a plurality of divided areas are arranged so as to be adjacent to or in contact with each other. The system includes reading means provided at a plurality of locations in the predetermined location and including a plurality of antennas for reading the RFID tag of the article within a reading range, where the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas overlap each other, whereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of divided areas, imaging means for generating an image including an article group composed of one or a plurality of articles placed at the predetermined location by photographing the plurality of divided areas arranged adjacent to or in contact with each other at the predetermined location, image recognition means for recognizing the position of the article group at the predetermined location, the types and the number of the articles constituting the article group by analyzing the image, and based on the reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, it is possible to estimate in which area corresponding to the reading range of which antenna among the plurality of antennas at the predetermined location where the article is placed and approximately where within the reading range of the corresponding antenna the article is placed, and determination means for associating the article group recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means based on the result of the estimation and the recognition result of the article group by the image recognition means.

[0046] With this configuration, it is possible to associate the article group recognized by image recognition with the reading result of the RFID tags incorporated in the articles of those article groups.

[0047] A gaming table system according to one aspect of the present invention is a gaming table system that reads a gaming chip incorporating an RFID tag on a gaming table. In the gaming table system, a betting area including a plurality of betting target areas arranged adjacent to or in contact with each other is arranged on the gaming table. The gaming table system includes reading means provided at a plurality of locations on the gaming table and including a plurality of antennas for reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip within a reading range, and chip determination means for estimating a position where the gaming chip is placed based on a reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means. Reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas of the reading means overlap each other, whereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of betting target areas of the betting area on the gaming table. The chip determination means estimates an area where the gaming chip is placed at a resolution smaller than the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas based on a combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas.

[0048] With this configuration, by combining the reading results of a plurality of antennas whose reading ranges overlap each other, it is possible to estimate an area where a gaming chip is placed at a resolution smaller than the reading ranges of those antennas.

[0049] A gaming table system according to one aspect of the present invention is a gaming table system that reads a gaming chip incorporating an RFID tag on a gaming table. In the gaming table system, a betting area including a plurality of betting target areas arranged adjacent to or in contact with each other is arranged on the gaming table. The gaming table system includes a reading means provided at a plurality of locations on the gaming table and including a plurality of antennas for reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip within a reading range, and a chip determination means for estimating a position where the gaming chip is placed based on a reading result of the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means. In the gaming table system, the reading means repeatedly reads using the plurality of antennas, and the chip determination means recognizes a plurality of the gaming chips from which the RFID tag is read at the same timing by the same antenna as a group of gaming chips, and recognizes a plurality of gaming chips from which the RFID tag is read at another timing by the same antenna as a group of gaming chips different from the one group.

[0050] With this configuration, a plurality of gaming chips placed within the same reading range can be grouped based on the reading timing by the reading means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0051]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

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Figure 10

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Figure 12

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of implementing the present invention and do not limit the present invention to the specific configurations described below. In implementing the present invention, specific configurations according to the embodiments may be appropriately adopted.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming chip used in the gaming table system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The gaming chip 70 has a disk shape. Numbers indicating the type (value) of the gaming chip 70 are marked on the flat surfaces of the front and back. On the side surface, a center line 71 having a different color according to the type appears. Even when the gaming chips 70 are stacked and only the side surfaces can be observed, the type of the gaming chip 70 can be recognized by this center line 71.

[0054] Note that the gaming chip 70 may not have a center line on its side surface. In this case, by making the colors of the side surfaces different according to the types, the type of the gaming chip 70 can be recognized by the color of the side surface.

[0055] An RFID tag 72 is built into the gaming chip 70. The RFID tag 72 consists of an antenna and an IC chip. The RFID tag 72 performs wireless communication with the antenna described later in a passive manner. The RFID tag 72 may be encapsulated in a capsule for protecting it, and the capsule may be built into the gaming chip 70. Note that the gaming chip may be in a rectangular plate shape.

[0056] The RFID tag 72 stores chip identification information (chip ID) for uniquely identifying the gaming chip 70, the type (value), the manufacturing date, and information for identifying a casino or the like where it is intended to be used.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a gaming table in which the gaming table system according to the embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. The gaming table system 100 is installed on each of a plurality of gaming tables 10 installed in a casino, and reads the gaming chips 70 on the gaming table 10. The gaming table 10 is generally oval. A dealer is located on one side of the gaming table 10, and a plurality of player positions for a plurality of players are provided on the side opposite to the side where the dealer is located. The gaming table 10 of the present embodiment is a table for playing baccarat.

[0058] On the dealer side of the gaming table 10, a chip tray 30 for storing the dealer's gaming chips 70 is provided. Also, on the gaming table 10, a card shoe 50 containing multiple decks of playing cards is placed for drawing the playing cards therefrom. On the playing cards stored in the card shoe 50 and used in the game, a code indicating its rank is marked. The code is printed on the front side of the playing card with ink that can be visualized by a black light. The card shoe 50 is equipped with a black light and a sensor for reading the code of the drawn card. Further, a display 60 is embedded on the dealer side of the gaming table 10.

[0059] At each player position, player-specific bet areas 201 to 205 are provided. The multiple player-specific bet areas 201 to 205 for multiple players are arranged side by side and together constitute the bet area 21 as a whole. In each of the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205, as bet target areas, there are provided a player area "P" for betting on a player win, a banker area "B" for betting on a banker win, a tie area "T" for betting on a tie, a player pair area "PP" for betting on a player pair, and a banker pair area "BP" for betting on a banker pair. These bet target areas are arranged so as to be adjacent to or in contact with each other. Tie, player pair, and banker pair are called side bets, and their bet target areas are called side bet areas. A plurality of antennas are embedded in the bet area 21. The antennas will be described later.

[0060] In addition, in each player-specific betting area 201 to 205, there may further be provided a betting target area for side bets, such as "Lucky 6" and "Super 6", which are bets on the banker winning with a 6. Also, the side bet area may not be provided in each player-specific betting area 201 to 205, but instead, in the central part of the gaming table 10, betting areas for a plurality of player positions may be collectively arranged for each type of side bet. Further, on the gaming table 10, a player hand area 22 for arranging the playing cards that form the player's hand and a banker hand area 23 for arranging the playing cards that form the banker's hand are laid out.

[0061] The player participates in (bets on) the game by placing his / her gaming chip 70 in any of the betting target areas of the player-specific betting areas 201 to 205. The betting chips of the players who lose the game are collected by the dealer into the chip tray 30. For the betting chips of the players who win the game, the gaming chips 70 are paid out by the dealer from the chip tray 30.

[0062] On both sides of the dealer side of the gaming table 10, columns are erected respectively, and cameras 40 and 41 are attached to each column. The two cameras 40 and 41 provided on the same column have different viewing angles and shooting directions from each other. The camera 40 is used to shoot the gaming chip 70 (betting chip) placed in the betting area 21, and the camera 41 is used to shoot the betting chip and the player. In the present embodiment, the viewing angle of the camera 41 is larger than the viewing angle of the camera 40.

[0063] Cameras 40 and 41 take pictures to generate images. Both the right camera 40 and the left camera 40 take pictures so that the entire bed area 21 including a plurality of bed target areas is included in the shooting range. As a result, camera 40 generates an image in which a chip stack (bet chip stack) composed of a plurality of gaming chips 70 stacked on the bed area 21 is reflected. Both the right camera 41 and the left camera 41 take pictures so that the entire bed area 21 and the upper body of the player located at the player position are included in the shooting range. As a result, camera 41 generates an image in which the player betting the gaming chip 70 and the gaming chip 70 to be bet are reflected in the bed area 21.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of player-specific bet areas 201 to 205 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the gaming table 10. In each of the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205, a plurality of bet target areas are arranged side by side in the direction from the player to the dealer. That is, the plurality of bet target areas are arranged in a two-dimensional direction on the gaming table 10. Cameras 40 and 41 shoot the bed area 21 in which the bet target areas are arranged in a two-dimensional direction from obliquely above. As a result, the images generated by cameras 40 and 41 will show the bet chip stack photographed from obliquely above.

[0065] By cameras 40 and 41 photographing the bet chip stack from an oblique upper direction, the image will include information on the position of the bet chip stack, information on the side faces (values) of the bet chips included in the bet chip stack, and information on the number of bet chips. Therefore, by analyzing this image, the position of the bet chip stack, the types and number of bet chips contained therein can be recognized. That is, if the bet chip stack is photographed from directly sideways, information on the value and number can be obtained, but it will be unclear in which part of the two-dimensional bet target area the bet chip stack is arranged. Also, if the bet chip stack is photographed from directly above, the position of the bet chip stack can be clearly grasped, but only the top bet chip of the bet chip stack can be recognized in terms of its type, and it will be unclear which types of bet chips are in the bet chip stack and how many there are.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image photographed by the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. Camera 40 photographs a bet chip stack composed of one or a plurality of gaming chips 70 placed (bet) in the bet area 21 of the gaming table 10 to generate an image. The photographing ranges of the left camera 40 and the right camera 40 overlap at least partially with each other, and the gaming chips 70 placed in the bet area 21 are photographed from different directions by the left camera 40 and the right camera 40.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image photographed by the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. Camera 41 photographs so as to include the player playing at the gaming table 10 and the bet chips to generate an image. The photographing ranges of the left camera 41 and the right camera 41 overlap at least partially with each other, and the player playing at the gaming table 10 and the gaming chips 70 placed in the bet area 21 are photographed from different directions by the left camera 41 and the right camera 41. Note that camera 41 also photographs a back better who bets from behind while standing without sitting on the seat at the player position.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of antennas in the game table system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Nine antennas, ANT1 to ANT9, are arranged on the game table 10. The nine antennas ANT1 to ANT9 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction in order along the bet area 21 extending in the horizontal direction. At this time, adjacent antennas partially overlap in the left-right direction, whereby the reading ranges of adjacent antennas overlap. With such an arrangement of the nine antennas ANT1 to ANT9, the entire bet area 21 is covered, and the RFID tag 72 of the gaming chip 70 in the bet area 21 will be read by at least one antenna (in some cases, two or three antennas).

[0069] In the example of FIG. 5, antennas ANT1, ANT3, ANT5, ANT7, and ANT9 respectively correspond to the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205, and ANT2, ANT4, ANT6, and ANT8 are respectively arranged in the middle of those antennas. The sizes of the respective antennas ANT1 to ANT9 are approximately the same as the sizes of the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205. However, the sizes and arrangements of the antennas ANT1 to ANT9 do not have to correspond to the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the intensity distribution of the electromagnetic wave formed by one antenna according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view seen from the plane direction of the loop formed by the antenna. The electromagnetic wave becomes stronger on the wire of the antenna, slightly weaker toward the center inside the loop, and weaker as it moves away from the antenna outside the loop. It is considered that the intensity of this electromagnetic wave is approximately proportional to the reading ability of the antenna.

[0071] In this embodiment, such antennas are arranged to overlap each other as shown in FIG. 5. If these multiple antennas ANT1 to ANT9 perform reading simultaneously, that is, output electromagnetic waves with an intensity distribution as shown in FIG. 6, the electromagnetic waves will interfere with each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the antennas ANT1 to ANT9 are controlled so as not to perform reading simultaneously at least for the antennas that interfere with each other.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gaming table system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gaming table system 100 includes a plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9, a reader 24, a plurality of cameras 40 and 41, a card shoe 50, a display 60, an information processing device 80, a chip database 90, and a player database 91. The antennas ANT1 to ANT9 are connected to the reader 24, and the reader 24, cameras 40 and 41, card shoe 50, display 60, chip database 90, and player database 91 are connected to the information processing device 80. The information processing device 80 is composed of a computer equipped with an arithmetic processing device and a memory device. The information processing device 80 functions as an image recognition unit 81, a chip determination unit 82, and a player identification unit 83 by reading and executing a program stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium.

[0073] The chip database 90 stores information such as chip identification information (chip ID), type (value), manufacturing date, information for specifying the casino where it is intended to be used, activation status (valid, invalid, etc.), and the history of the holder for each gaming chip 70. The player database 91 stores information such as player identification information (player ID), personal information of the player (face photo, name, nationality, contact information, etc.), bet history, and status (VIP, attention required, etc.) for each player.

[0074] The card shoe 50 stores a game result determination algorithm based on the rules of baccarat, and determines the game result (player win, banker win, tie, player pair, banker pair, etc.) by applying the reading result of the rank of the playing card drawn to the game result determination algorithm. The card shoe 50 has a display (not shown) and displays the reading result and the game result on the display. The card shoe 50 is further provided with a game start button that is operated to cancel the display of the game result and start the next game.

[0075] The progress stage of the game can also be recognized by using the card shoe 50. That is, when the card shoe 50 detects that the game start button has been pressed, it can recognize that the betting stage of the next game has started. After the game start button is pressed, when the card shoe 50 first detects that a playing card has been drawn, it can recognize that the betting stage has ended and the card dealing stage has started. Also, when the game result is determined from the reading result of the drawn playing card, it can be recognized that the card dealing stage has ended and the settlement stage has started. Furthermore, when it detects that the game start button has been pressed again, it can recognize that the settlement stage has ended and the betting stage of the next game has started. The card shoe 50 reports these recognized progress stages of the game to the information processing device 80.

[0076] The reader 24 controls the reading of a plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9. The reader 24 causes an electromagnetic wave to be output to a selected one of the antennas ANT1 to ANT9, receives a reading signal of the RFID tag 72 from the antenna, and outputs a reading result to the information processing device 80. At this time, the reader 24 transmits a radio wave to the RFID tag 72 of the gaming chip 70 via the antennas ANT1 to ANT9, and as a reading result, receives the received signal strength (RSSI) together with the information stored in the RFID tag 72. By sequentially switching the antenna through which the reader 24 performs reading, the reading results of the antennas ANT1 to ANT9 can be sequentially obtained. The plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9 and the reader 24 constitute a means for reading the RFID tag 72 on the gaming table 10.

[0077] The cameras 40 and 41 output the images obtained by photographing to the information processing device 80. The image recognition unit 81 analyzes the image from the camera 40 to recognize the position of the bet chip stack, the types and numbers of the gaming chips 70 included in the bet chip stack. For this purpose, the image recognition unit 81 uses a convolutional neural network having a deep learning structure to recognize the bet chip stack from the image of the camera 40, and further recognizes the gaming chip 70 from the recognized bet chip stack.

[0078] Since images are generated by the left and right cameras 40 respectively, the image recognition unit 81 analyzes each image, and basically the same gaming chip 70 is recognized from both images. However, there may be a gaming chip 70 hidden behind another bet chip stack in the image of one camera 40, and the hidden gaming chip 70 may be shown in the image of the other camera 40. In such a case, a gaming chip 70 that is not recognized in the image of one camera 40 may be recognized from the image of the other camera 40. The image recognition unit 81 finally recognizes the gaming chips 70 bet on the gaming table 10 by synthesizing the results of image recognition from the images of these left and right cameras 40.

[0079] In addition, the image recognition unit 81 recognizes (detects) the bet chip stack by analyzing the image from the camera 41. Further, the image recognition unit 81 associates the bet chip stack recognized from the image from the camera 41 with the bet chip stack recognized from the image from the camera 40. As will be described later, since the bet chip stack recognized from the image from the camera 41 is associated with the player specified by the player specifying unit 83, ultimately, the bet chip stack recognized from the image from the camera 40 and the player specified by the player specifying unit 83 are associated, and it is recognized which player placed what kind of bet.

[0080] The player specifying unit 83 generates a player's skeletal model by recognizing the player's left and right shoulders, left and right elbows, left and right wrists, left and right eyes, left and right ears, and nose by analyzing the image from the camera 41. In addition, the player specifying unit 83 extracts the player's face region from the image from the camera 41 and performs image recognition on this to specify player identification information (player ID) for uniquely specifying the player. Such specification of the player becomes possible by the player registering his / her face image in advance.

[0081] The player specifying unit 83 uses a convolutional neural network having a deep learning structure for generating such a skeletal model and specifying the player by the face image. For a player who has not made a prior registration, the player specifying unit 83 determines that the player is an unknown player or a guest.

[0082] Based on the reading results of the RFID tag 72 by each of the plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9, the chip determination unit 82 estimates which area within the bet area where the gaming chip 70 is placed corresponds to the reading range of which antenna among the plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9, and in which approximate area within the reading range of the corresponding antenna the gaming chip 70 is placed. Further, the chip determination unit 82 associates the bet chip stack recognized by the image recognition unit 81 with the reading results of the RFID tag 72 by the antennas ANT1 to ANT9 based on the result of the estimation and the recognition result of the bet chip stack by the image recognition unit 81.

[0083] As described above, the reading ranges of the adjacent antennas ANT1 to ANT9 overlap with each other. Due to this, the bet areas 201 to 205 include areas where the RFID tag 72 of the gaming chip 70 placed therein is read by the plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9. For example, the gaming chip 70 placed in the area where the antenna ANT1 and the antenna ANT2 overlap is read by the antenna ANT1 and the antenna ANT2. Also, for example, the gaming chip 70 placed between the antenna ANT1 and the antenna ANT3 is read by the antenna ANT1, the antenna ANT2, and the antenna ANT3. The chip determination unit 82 estimates, based on the combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9, an area smaller than the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9 as the area where the gaming chip 70 is placed.

[0084] The chip determination unit 82 further determines a bet chip stack that includes an illegal gaming chip without a normal RFID tag 72 among the bet chip stacks recognized by image recognition, based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 and the image recognition result by the image recognition unit 81. A gaming chip 70 without an RFID tag 72 and a gaming chip 70 with a malfunctioning RFID tag 72 are both determined to be gaming chips 70 without a normal RFID tag 72. The chip determination unit 82 determines that there is an illegal gaming chip when there is an inconsistency between the reading result of the RFID tag 72 and the image recognition result by the image recognition unit 81. More specifically, the chip determination unit 82 determines that there is an illegal gaming chip when there is a gaming chip 70 that is recognized by image recognition but not included in the reading result of the RFID tag 72.

[0085] Specifically, when the number of gaming chips 70 in the area estimated based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 is less than the number of gaming chips 70 recognized by the image recognition unit 81 as being placed in the area, the chip determination unit 82 determines that the bet chip stack in the area includes an illegal gaming chip with an irregularity in the RFID tag 72. Conversely, when the number of gaming chips 70 in the area estimated based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 is greater than the number of gaming chips 70 recognized by the image recognition means as being placed in the area, the chip determination unit 82 determines that the area includes a gaming chip 70 in the blind spot of the camera 40 that is not recognized by the image recognition unit 81.

[0086] When the game progress state is in the bet stage, the information processing device 80 controls the reader 24 to repeatedly read the RFID tag 72 of the gaming chip 70. At this time, as described above, the reader 24 causes the antennas ANT1 to ANT9 to perform reading in order. Also, when the game progress state is in the bet stage, the information processing device 80 controls the camera 40 to continuously perform shooting and continuously acquire images from the camera 40. The image recognition unit 81 sequentially analyzes the images continuously sent from the camera 40 to recognize the gaming chip 70. In this way, the chip determination unit 82 associates the bet chip stack recognized by the image recognition unit 81 with the reading result of the RFID tag 72 based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 at the timing when a new bet chip stack is placed in the bet area 21 and the result of image recognition. That is, in the bet stage, the reading of the RFID tag 72 by the reader 24 and the recognition of the gaming chip 70 by image recognition are performed in real time. Thereby, an illegal gaming chip can be detected in the bet stage, and the illegal gaming chip can be discovered before entering the card dealing stage.

[0087] However, immediately after the player places the gaming chip 70 on the gaming table 10, the gaming chip 70 is hidden by the player's hand, and a situation may occur where the RFID tag 72 is recognized but the corresponding gaming chip 70 is not recognized from the image. For example, in the situation shown in FIG. 4, for the gaming chips 70 on which the male is betting, the gaming chips 70 may not be detected by image recognition, but the RFID tags 72 of those gaming chips 70 may be read. However, even in such a case, this male will eventually place the gaming chips 70 in the bet area 21 and release his hand from the gaming chips 70. Therefore, the chip determination unit 82 may not immediately determine that there is an illegal gaming chip when an inconsistency between the result of image recognition and the reading result of the RFID tag 72 is discovered, but may determine that there is an illegal gaming chip when such an inconsistency continues for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds).

[0088] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the antenna and the gaming chip in the game table according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a table showing the reading result of the RFID tag in the case of FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the type ($) and chip identification information (#) of each gaming chip 70 are shown. In FIG. 9, the received signal strength (RSSI) of each antenna ANT1 to ANT9 for the chip identification information of each gaming chip 70 is represented in the range of 0 to 100.

[0089] Based on the reading results of the antennas ANT1 to ANT9, the chip determination unit 82 estimates the small area within the bet area 21 where each gaming chip 70 is placed. Since the reading ranges of the antennas ANT1 to ANT9 overlap, this small area is narrower than the reading range of a single antenna. Since the reading ranges of the antennas ANT1 to ANT9 overlap, one gaming chip 70 will be read by a plurality of antennas. The chip determination unit 82 estimates the small area where the gaming chip 70 is located based on the reading intensity of each antenna ANT1 to ANT9 for each gaming chip 70.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9, even for a plurality of gaming chips 70 at the same position, the signal strengths are not necessarily the same. Thus, the received signal strength of the RFID tag 72 has ambiguity. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the intensity distribution of the electromagnetic waves of each antenna ANT1 to ANT9 also has a complex shape. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the location of the gaming chip 70 only from the received signal strength of the RFID tag 72. However, there is no such uncertainty in the chip identification information read from the RFID tag 72, and as long as the gaming chip 70 has a normal RFID tag 72, the read content is accurate.

[0091] The chip determination unit 82 estimates, for each gaming chip 70, the possibility of existence in each small area within a range of 0 to 100 based on the received signal strengths of the respective antennas ANT1 to ANT9. In the chip determination unit 82, an arithmetic expression or a table for obtaining the possibility of existence in each small area from the received signal strengths of the respective antennas ANT1 to ANT9 is prepared. The chip determination unit 82 applies the actual received signal strength of each gaming chip 70 to this arithmetic expression or table to obtain the possibility of existence in each small area.

[0092] Similarly, the chip determination unit 82 estimates, for each gaming chip 70, the possibility of existence in each player-specific bet area 201 to 205 within a range of 0 to 100 based on the received signal strengths of the respective antennas ANT1 to ANT9. In the chip determination unit 82, an arithmetic expression or a table for obtaining the possibility of existence in each player-specific bet area 201 to 205 from the received signal strengths of the respective antennas ANT1 to ANT9 is prepared. The chip determination unit 82 applies the actual received signal strength of each gaming chip 70 to this arithmetic expression or table to obtain the possibility of existence in each player-specific bet area 201 to 205.

[0093] Thus, based only on the reading result of the RFID tag 72, it is only possible to obtain, with a probability, in which small area or player-specific bet area 201 to 205 each gaming chip 70 exists, and it is not possible to determine them. On the other hand, as described above, the image recognition unit 81 can recognize the position of each bet chip stack and the type and number of gaming chips 70 included in that bet chip stack. Therefore, the chip determination unit 82 associates each gaming chip 70 (each chip identification information in the reading result) for which the RFID tag 72 has been read with the bet chip stack obtained as a result of image recognition.

[0094] FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of a bet chip stack recognized by the image recognition unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image recognition unit 81 assigns an ID to each recognized bet chip stack, and for each bet chip stack, recognizes the type (value) of the gaming chip 70 included therein and its position (player position, bet target area).

[0095] Based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 shown in FIG. 9 and the result of the image recognition shown in FIG. 10, the chip determination unit 82 assigns the reading result of the RFID tag 72 to any of the bet chip stacks obtained by the image recognition. Since the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205 and the bet target area where each bet chip stack is placed are determined based on the result of the image recognition, the chip determination unit 82 assigns the reading result (chip identification information, type (value), etc.) of the RFID tag 72 to the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205 and the bet target area.

[0096] FIG. 11 is a table showing the result of the determination by the chip determination unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The chip determination unit 82 determines in which bet chip stack each gaming chip 70 exists within a range where the possibility of existence in each small area based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 does not fall below a predetermined reference value (threshold value). At this time, when the number of RFID tags 72 (chip identification information) assigned to the bet chip stack within the threshold range based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 does not match the number of gaming chips 70 included in each bet chip stack recognized by the image recognition, the chip determination unit 82 determines that there are illegal gaming chips in such a bet chip stack. Note that, conversely, when the chip determination unit 82 determines in which bet chip stack each gaming chip 70 exists so as to match the number of each bet chip stack in the image recognition result, and the probability based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 becomes lower than the threshold value due to such a determination, the chip determination unit 82 may determine that there are illegal gaming chips in the bet chip stack having such a reading result of the RFID tag 72.

[0097] In the example of FIG. 11, the chip determination unit 82 determines that there are illegal gaming chips in such a bet chip stack when, based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72, the number of RFID tags 72 (chip identification information) assigned to the bet chip stack within the threshold range does not match the number of gaming chips 70 included in each bet chip stack recognized by image recognition, without considering the type of the gaming chips 70. However, the chip determination unit 82 may also determine in which bet chip stack each gaming chip 70 is present considering the type of the gaming chips 70. That is, as described above, the RFID tag 72 built into the gaming chip 70 stores information (type identification information) for specifying the type of the gaming chip 70, and the center line 71 on the side surface of the gaming chip 70 also represents the type of the gaming chip 70, and the image recognition unit 81 specifies the type of the gaming chip 70 based on this center line 71.

[0098] Therefore, the chip determination unit 82 further assigns the read RFID tag 72 (chip identification information) to one of the bet chip stacks recognized by the image recognition unit 81 so that, for each type, within the threshold range, the number of RFID tags 72 (chip identification information) assigned to the bet chip stack based on the type of the gaming chip 70 specified based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 matches the number of gaming chips 70 included in each bet chip stack recognized by image recognition. And when there is a bet chip stack with a non-matching number, the chip determination unit 82 determines that the bet chip stack contains illegal gaming chips. That is, even when it is not possible to identify a single player-specific bet area 201 to 205 where the gaming chip 70 is placed from the reading result of the RFID tag 72 when simply judging by the number only without considering the type, by considering the type, it may be possible to identify in which bet chip stack the information of the RFID tag 72 read by the reader 24 exists. Therefore, the chip determination unit 82 may assign the read RFID tag 72 (chip identification information) to one of the bet chip stacks recognized by the image recognition unit 81 in consideration of the type information in the reading result of the RFID tag 72 and the type information recognized by the image recognition unit 81.

[0099] Note that before performing the above processing, the chip determination unit 82 first compares the number of gaming chips 70 indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag 72 with the number of gaming chips 70 recognized by the image recognition unit 81 for the entire bet area 21. If the two do not match, as described above, by performing the process of associating the information obtained by reading the RFID tag 72 with the bet chip stack recognized by image recognition, it is possible to identify in which bet chip stack such a mismatch has occurred. In other words, if the number of gaming chips 70 indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag 72 matches the number of gaming chips 70 recognized by the image recognition unit 81 in the entire bet area 21, the chip determination unit 82 may omit the above processing.

[0100] Also, when the image recognition result does not match the reading result of the RFID tag 72, it may not be possible to identify a single player-specific bet area where such a mismatch has occurred, and it may only be possible to narrow it down to two player-specific bet areas. In this case, the chip determination unit 82 determines that there may be illegal gaming chips in the two identified bet chip stacks. That is, when the chip determination unit 82 cannot identify a single bet chip stack containing illegal gaming chips, it determines a plurality of bet chip stacks in which the possibility of containing illegal gaming chips is equal to or greater than the threshold as bet chip stacks containing illegal gaming chips.

[0101] As described above, the image recognition unit 81 recognizes the type of each gaming chip 70. Therefore, for each small area, when the type and number of gaming chips 70 indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag 72 are different from the type and number of gaming chips 70 in the bet chip stack recognized by the image recognition unit 81, the chip determination unit 82 may determine that such a bet chip stack contains illegal gaming chips.

[0102] When the chip determination unit 82 determines that there is an illegal gaming chip, it identifies the player who bet the illegal gaming chip using the information of the player identified by the player identification unit 83. For this purpose, the chip determination unit 82 associates the bet chip stack photographed by the camera 41 with the player identified by the player identification unit 83. That is, the chip determination unit 82 identifies the player who placed the bet chip stack in the bet area 21.

[0103] For this purpose, the image recognition unit 81 extracts the stack of gaming chips 70 (bet chip stack) from the image photographed by the camera 41 when the bet stage ends (that is, when the bet is finalized). Then, the chip determination unit 82 identifies the image (frame) in which the bet chip stack is first recognized at the extraction position of the bet chip stack in a plurality of consecutive images (frames) obtained by the camera 41 continuously photographing during the bet stage. In this image (frame), the chip determination unit 82 identifies the player whose wrist is closest to the bet chip stack as the player who bet the bet chip stack.

[0104] If it is assumed that each time a gaming chip 70 is recognized during the bet stage, the player having the wrist closest to the gaming chip 70 is associated with the gaming chip 70, then not only does the processing load increase because the association process between the gaming chip 70 and the player must always be performed during the bet stage, but also confusion occurs when the player changes the content that has once been bet during the bet stage (which is legal in itself). On the other hand, according to the method of this embodiment, the final association between the bet chip stack and the player can be made, and it is not necessary to always associate the bet chip and the player during the bet stage, thus reducing the processing load.

[0105] In this way, the chip determination unit 82 associates the bet chip stack with the player who bet on the bet chip stack, that is, identifies the player who bet on the bet chip stack. Therefore, when the bet chip stack contains illegal gaming chips, the player who bet on the bet chip stack containing such illegal gaming chips can be identified.

[0106] Also, since the position of the bet chip stack and the types and numbers of the gaming chips 70 included in the bet chip stack are recognized from the image from the camera 40, the chip determination unit 82 recognizes the player, the position of the bet chip stack bet by the player, and the types and numbers of the gaming chips 70 included in the bet chip stack. As described above, since the types of the gaming chips 70 correspond to their values, the chip determination unit 82 further calculates the amount of the bet chip stack based on the types and numbers of the gaming chips 70 included therein for each bet chip stack. Then, the information processing device 80 records the amount of this bet chip stack as the bet amount of the player in the player database 91 or updates the record in the player database 91.

[0107] Also, as described above, although the gaming chip 70 can be identified by its appearance, the information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip 70 cannot be obtained from the appearance. That is, even if the image obtained by photographing the gaming chip 70 is analyzed, the chip identification information of the gaming chip 70 cannot be obtained. On the other hand, as described above, the RFID tag 72 stores the chip identification information. Therefore, the chip determination unit 82 determines which gaming chip 70 with which chip identification information is included in which bet chip stack in the image by associating the reading result of the RFID tag 72 with the result of image recognition. When the information processing device 80 determines the chip identification information of the gaming chip 70 included in each bet chip stack, it uses the chip identification information to query the chip database 90 and obtains the information of the gaming chip 70 from the chip database 90. Then, for example, the information processing device 80 determines whether the activation information is valid in the chip database 90 for the queried chip identification information.

[0108] The display 60 displays various results of the information processing by the information processing device 80. In particular, the display 60 may display, in a comparable manner, the number of gaming chips 70 in each player-specific bet area 201 to 205 based on image recognition shown in FIG. 10 and the number of gaming chips 70 in each player-specific bet area 201 to 205 finally determined by the chip determination unit 82 considering the reading result of the RFID tag 72. If there is a bet chip stack containing an illegal gaming chip, an error display is made for the player-specific bet area 201 to 205 where the bet chip stack is placed. This error display functions as an alert to the dealer, and at this time, the display 60 functions as an alert device.

[0109] Also, if there is a problem as a result of querying the chip database 90 about the chip identification information read from the RFID tag 72 (for example, if the activation information is "invalid"), the information processing device 80 causes the display 60 to display an error according to the problem.

[0110] Also, the display 60 may display information (e.g., the name of the player) for identifying the player who has bet the gaming chip 70 in each of the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205, in combination with the above.

[0111] As described above, according to the gaming table system 100 of the present embodiment, the gaming chip 70 is recognized from the image obtained by photographing with the camera 40, and the reading result of the RFID tag 72 is assigned (mapped) to the recognition result, so that it is possible to determine a bet chip stack including an illegal gaming chip that does not have a normal RFID tag 72.

[0112] (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, a gaming chip 70 that does not have a normal RFID tag 72 is defined as an illegal gaming chip, and a bet chip stack including the illegal gaming chip is specified. The illegal gaming chip is not limited to this, and the gaming table system 100 may determine the presence of such an illegal gaming chip by regarding the gaming chip 70 related to an illegal bet as an illegal gaming chip. Specifically, after the card dealing stage starts, the chip determination unit 82 may regard the gaming chip 70 related to capping (late betting) for adding a winning or likely-to-win bet chip or pinching for removing a losing or likely-to-lose bet chip as an illegal gaming chip, and determine a bet chip stack including such an illegal gaming chip.

[0113] To detect such illegal gaming chips, the image recognition unit 81 recognizes, at a first timing and a subsequent second timing, for the images obtained by taking pictures respectively, the position of the bet chip stack of the gaming chip 70, and the type and number of gaming chips 70 included in the bet chip stack. Further, the information processing apparatus 80 acquires the reading results of the RFID tags 72 by the respective ones of the plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9 at the first timing and the second timing by the reader 24.

[0114] Then, based on the reading results of the RFID tags 72 at the first and second timings respectively and the recognition results of the bet chip stack by the image recognition unit 81 for the images at the first and second timings respectively, the chip determination unit 82 determines the bet chip stack including illegal gaming chips among the bet chip stacks recognized by the image recognition unit 81. Specifically, the chip determination unit 82 determines the type and number of gaming chips 70 included in the bet chip stacks in the bet areas 201 to 205 for each player based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 at the first timing and the image recognition result at the first timing, and determines the type and number of gaming chips 70 included in the bet chip stacks in the bet areas 201 to 205 for each player based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 at the second timing and the image recognition result at the second timing, and determines that there are illegal gaming chips when there are inconsistencies in the determined types and numbers.

[0115] More specifically, the chip determination unit 82 determines that the bet chip stack with more gaming chips 70 at the second timing than at the first timing includes illegal gaming chips related to capping fraud, and determines that the bet chip stack with fewer gaming chips 70 at the second timing than at the first timing includes illegal gaming chips related to pinching fraud.

[0116] In particular, if the first timing is set as the end of the bet stage (i.e., the start of the card dealing stage) and the second timing is set as the end of the card dealing stage (i.e., the start of the settlement stage), it is possible to detect fraud of increasing or decreasing the bet chip in the card dealing stage where the player is not allowed to increase or decrease the bet chip. Note that the first timing and the second timing are not limited to this example, and the start and end of any period during which increasing or decreasing the bet chip is prohibited may be used as the first timing and the second timing.

[0117] (Modification Example 2) As described above, in order for the chip determination unit 82 to identify a bet chip stack including illegal gaming chips and identify the player who bet such a bet chip stack, the chip determination unit 82 associates the gaming chip 70 included in the bet chip stack recognized by the image recognition unit 81 with the player identified by the player identification unit 83. Further, the chip determination unit 82 obtains the amount of the bet chip (bet amount) from the type and number of the gaming chips 70 in each bet chip stack. The information processing device 80 stores the player's bet amount in the player database 91, or updates the player's cumulative bet amount in the player database 91 based on the player's bet amount.

[0118] As described above, the information processing device 80 associates the information read from the RFID tag 72 with each bet chip stack, the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205 where the bet chip stack is bet, and the bet target area. The gaming table system 100 may further determine the winning amount and the losing amount for each player by using the game result information from the card shoe 50, and store them in the player database 91 in association with the player identification information together with the bet amount.

[0119] Furthermore, as described above, since the RFID tag 72 of the gaming chip 70 stores chip identification information that uniquely identifies the gaming chip 70, it is also possible to associate this chip identification information with player identification information. By associating the chip identification information with the player identification information and storing it in the chip database 90, the information processing device 80 can determine which gaming chip 70 each player possesses.

[0120] In this case, for the gaming chip 70 bet on the gaming table 10, it is possible to discover that the player who bet the gaming chip 70 does not match the player stored as the latest possessor of the gaming chip 70 in the chip database 90. Also, for example, when a caster exchanges the gaming chips 70 possessed by a player for cash, it is possible to discover that the player who requests the exchange does not match the player stored as the latest possessor of those gaming chips 70 in the chip database 90. The gaming table system 100 may include an alert device that outputs an alert when such an inconsistency is detected. When such an inconsistency is discovered on the gaming table 10, the display 60 may be used as the alert device. This makes it possible to detect illegal acts such as money laundering and theft.

[0121] (Modification 3) In the above embodiment, at the betting stage, the gaming table system 100 repeatedly reads the RFID tag 72 of the gaming chip 70 in the betting area 21, and the cameras 40 and 41 also continuously take pictures at the betting stage and sequentially output the images to the information processing device 80. The image recognition unit 81 recognizes the position of the bet chip stack and the type and number of gaming chips 70 included in the images sent from the cameras 40 and 41. The chip determination unit 82 assigns the reading result of the RFID tag 72 to the bet chip stack based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 and the image recognition result. As a result, when there is fraud, the bet chip stack including the illegal gaming chip is identified.

[0122] That is, in the betting stage, the gaming table system 100 detected an illegal gaming chip in real time and output an alert using the display 60. As a result, an illegal gaming chip without a normal RFID tag 72 can be discovered before the card dealing starts, and a game using the illegal gaming chip can be avoided from being carried out.

[0123] However, not limited to this, the gaming table system 100 may perform the above-described detection of the illegal gaming chip at the time when the betting stage ends, that is, when the betting content is finalized (No More Bet) and the card dealing stage starts.

[0124] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the gaming table system 100 determined which bet chip stack the chip identification information read from the RFID tag 72 exists in based on the image recognition result and the RFID tag 72 reading result for the bet chip. However, the same process may also be performed for the payout gaming chips paid out from the dealer to the player who won the game. As a result, similar to the above-described embodiment, not only can it be determined whether an illegal gaming chip is included in the payout gaming chips or to which player the payout gaming chips were paid, but also the information processing device 80 can determine whether the payout amount is correct in combination with the bet amount and the game result by grasping the amount of the payout gaming chips. Furthermore, it is also possible to determine which player having which player identification information holds the gaming chip 70 having which chip identification information.

[0125] (Modification Example 4) In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9 return the received signal strength for each RFID tag 72 to the reader 24, and the chip determination unit 82 estimates in which small area the gaming chips 70 read by the plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT9 are located using the information on these received signal strengths. However, the RFID tag 72 may not transmit the received signal strength to the reader 24, but may simply transmit the information stored in the RFID tag 72, or a part thereof, to the reader 24. In this case, instead of FIG. 9, a table having whether it was read (1 or 0) as a value indicating the reading result of each antenna ANT1 to ANT9 can be obtained.

[0126] Even in such a case, the chip determination unit 82 assigns the information read from the RFID tag 72 to any of the bet chip stacks to be image-recognized based on the reading results of the RFID tag 72 by the respective antennas ANT1 to ANT9.

[0127] (Modification 5) In the above-described embodiment, in the bet area 21, the player-specific bet areas 201 to 205 are arranged side by side in the direction in which the player positions are lined up (horizontal direction), and the antennas ANT1 to ANT9 are also arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. In addition to this, or instead of this, by arranging a plurality of antennas in the direction from the player to the dealer (vertical direction), based on the reading results of the RFID tag 72 by such a plurality of antennas, it is also possible to estimate in which of the small areas divided in the vertical direction the gaming chip 70 from which the RFID tag 72 was read exists.

[0128] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modification of the arrangement of antennas in the gaming table system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 12, in the bet area 21, nine antennas are arranged so as to overlap each other in the horizontal direction in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and three antennas are also arranged so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0129] In addition, in the above-described embodiment and the modification of FIG. 12, the plurality of antennas are arranged such that the loops formed by adjacent antennas overlap each other. However, it is not essential that the loops formed by the antennas overlap. It is sufficient that the reading ranges of the respective antennas overlap each other. As a result, for any gaming chip 70 placed at any position within the bet area 21, it is guaranteed that its RFID tag 72 will be read by one of the antennas.

[0130] In this case, the chip determination unit 82 can assign the information read from the RFID tag 72 to the bet chip stack recognized by image recognition based on the reading results of the RFID tag 72 obtained separately in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0131] (Modification 6) In the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus 80 includes the image recognition unit 81, the chip determination unit 82, and the player identification unit 83. However, each of these units may be provided in separate apparatuses. In this case, the respective apparatuses may be capable of communicating via a network. For example, the image recognition unit 81 may be provided in a casino apparatus, and the chip determination unit 82 and the player identification unit 83 may be provided in an apparatus on the cloud that can communicate with the casino apparatus.

[0132] (Modification 7) The chip determination unit 82 may recognize a plurality of gaming chips 70 from which the RFID tag 72 has been read at the same timing by the same antenna as one chip stack or one group of chip stacks, and recognize a plurality of gaming chips 70 from which the RFID tag 72 has been read at different timings by the same antenna as a different chip stack or one group of gaming chips 70 from the above-described one chip stack or one group. In particular, for the bet chips placed on the bet, the plurality of bet chips read at the same timing by the same antenna may be recognized as being bet by the same player.

[0133] (Modification Example 8) The information processing device 80 of the gaming table system 100 may further include an owner identification unit that identifies the owner of the gaming chip 70 based on the reading result of the RFID tag 72 of the gaming chip 70. In this case, the chip determination unit 82 recognizes, as one chip stack, a plurality of the gaming chips 70 that are placed in the estimated same area and are identified by the owner identification unit as being owned by the same owner. The owner identification unit refers to the chip database 90 based on the chip identification information (chip ID) read from the RFID tag 72 of the gaming chip 70 to identify the owner of the gaming chip 70.

[0134] The information processing device 80 of the gaming table system 100 may further include an owner update unit that rewrites the owner information of the gaming chip 70 paid by the dealer to the gaming chip 70 that has won the game, based on the result of the game using the gaming chip 70, to the owner information of the gaming chip 70 that has won the game. Thereby, the owner information of the gaming chip 70 paid from the dealer to the player is appropriately updated.

[0135] (Modification Example 9) In the above embodiment, the gaming table system 100 that recognizes the gaming chip 70 on the gaming table 10 has been described, but the present invention is applicable to more general articles. That is, the present invention is applicable to a system that reads an article incorporating an RFID tag at a predetermined location. In this case, a plurality of divided areas are arranged at the predetermined reading location so as to be adjacent to or in contact with each other. This system includes a reading means provided at a plurality of locations in the reading location and including a plurality of antennas for reading the RFID tags of articles within the reading range. The reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas overlap each other, whereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of divided areas.

[0136] The system further includes imaging means for generating an image including an article group composed of one or more articles placed at a reading location by photographing a plurality of divided areas arranged adjacent to or in contact with each other at the reading location, and image recognition means for recognizing the position of the article group at the reading location and the types and numbers of articles constituting the article group by analyzing the image. The system includes determination means, and the determination means can estimate, based on the RFID tag reading results by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, which area corresponding to the reading range of which antenna among the plurality of antennas at the reading location where the article is placed and around which area within the reading range of the corresponding antenna the article is placed, and based on the estimation result and the recognition result of the article group by the image recognition means, associates the article group recognized by the image recognition means with the RFID tag reading result by the reading means.

[0137] (Modification Example 10) The following techniques are also provided by the above-described embodiments and modification examples. The gaming table system includes reading means provided at a plurality of locations on the gaming table and including a plurality of antennas for reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips within the reading range, chip determination means for estimating the position where the gaming chip is placed based on the RFID tag reading results by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, and the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas of the reading means overlap with each other, whereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of bet target areas of the bet area on the gaming table, and the chip determination means estimates the area where the gaming chip is placed at a resolution smaller than the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas based on the combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas.

[0138] The gaming table system Reading means including a plurality of antennas provided at a plurality of locations on the gaming table for reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips within the reading range; Chip determination means for estimating the position where the gaming chip is placed based on the reading results of the RFID tags by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means; Comprising; The reading means performs repeated reading using the plurality of antennas; The chip determination means recognizes a plurality of the gaming chips read by the same antenna at the same timing as a group of gaming chips, and recognizes a plurality of gaming chips read by the same antenna at different timings as a group of gaming chips different from the one group.

Explanation of Signs

[0139] 10 Gaming table 21 Bet area 30 Chip tray 40, 41 Camera 50 Card shoe 60 Display 70 Gaming chip 71 Center line 72 RFID tag 80 Information processing device 81 Image recognition unit 82 Chip determination unit 83 Player identification unit 90 Chip database 91 Player database 100 Gaming table system 201~205 Player-specific bet area

Claims

1. A gaming table system that reads a gaming chip having an RFID tag on a gaming table, A betting area including a plurality of betting areas arranged close to or adjacent to each other is arranged on the gaming table, The gaming table system includes: a reading means provided at a plurality of locations on the gaming table, the reading means including a plurality of antennas for reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips within a reading range, wherein the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas overlap each other, thereby the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of betting areas; an imaging means for capturing an image of the betting area including the plurality of betting areas arranged close to or in contact with each other on the gaming table, thereby generating an image including a chip stack consisting of one or a plurality of gaming chips placed on the betting area; an image recognition means for analyzing the image to recognize the position of the chip stack on the gaming table and the type and number of the gaming chips constituting the chip stack; a chip determination means for estimating, based on the results of reading the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means, an area corresponding to the reading range of which of the plurality of antennas in the betting area in which the gaming chip is placed and in which area within the reading range of the corresponding antenna the gaming chip is placed, and for associating the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means, based on the result of the estimation and the recognition result of the chip stack by the image recognition means; A gaming table system equipped with the above.

2. The betting area includes one or more areas in which the RFID tags of the gaming chips placed therein are read by a plurality of antennas due to the overlapping read ranges of the adjacent antennas; 2. The gaming table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determination means estimates an area smaller than the reading range of the plurality of antennas as the area in which the gaming chip is placed, based on a combination of the reading results of the plurality of antennas.

3. The reading means repeatedly reads using the plurality of antennas, The imaging means repeatedly captures images to generate successive images; The gaming table system described in claim 1, wherein the chip determination means associates the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means based on the reading result and the recognition result at the time when the chip stack is newly placed in the bet area.

4. The reading means repeatedly reads using the plurality of antennas, 2. The gaming table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determination means recognizes a plurality of gaming chips whose RFID tags are read by the same antenna at the same time as one chip stack, and recognizes a plurality of gaming chips whose RFID tags are read by the same antenna at different times as a chip stack different from the one chip stack.

5. The gaming chip may further include an owner identification means for identifying an owner of the gaming chip based on a result of reading the RFID tag of the gaming chip by the reading means, The gaming table system of claim 1, wherein the chip determination means recognizes, among the gaming chips placed in the same estimated area, the gaming chips identified by the owner identification means as being owned by the same owner as a single chip stack.

6. The contents stored in the RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip include chip identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip, 2. The gaming table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determination means associates chip identification information of the gaming chips included in the chip stack with the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means.

7. The gaming table system according to claim 5, further comprising an owner update means for rewriting owner information of a gaming chip paid by a dealer for the gaming chip that has won a game as a result of a game using the gaming chip to owner information of the gaming chip that has won the game.

8. A chip stack consisting of one or more gaming chips placed in the betting area is a chip stack bet on a game, 2. The gaming table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determination means associates the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the reading result of the RFID tag by the reading means for the bet chip stack.

9. A chip stack consisting of one or more gaming chips placed in the betting area is a chip stack bet on a game and paid by a dealer for a chip stack that has won the game; 2. The gaming table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determination means associates the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means with the result of reading the RFID tag by the reading means for the paid chip stack.

10. 2. The gaming table system according to claim 1, wherein the read ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the entire betting area on the gaming table.

11. 2. The gaming table system of claim 1, wherein the chip determination means determines that the chip stack in the area contains a fraudulent gaming chip with a fraudulent RFID tag when the number of gaming chips in the area estimated based on the results of reading the RFID tag is less than the number of gaming chips recognized as being placed in the area by the image recognition means.

12. 2. The gaming table system of claim 1, wherein the chip determination means determines that the area includes gaming chips that are in a blind spot of the imaging means and are not recognized by the image recognition means when the number of gaming chips in the area estimated based on the reading result of the RFID tag is greater than the number of gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means as being placed in the area.

13. The RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores type identification information for identifying the type of the gaming chip, 2. The gaming table system of claim 1, wherein the chip determination means determines that the chip stack contains fraudulent gaming chips when the type and number of gaming chips indicated by the RFID tag reading result differ from the type and number of gaming chips in the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means.

14. The RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores type identification information for identifying the type of the gaming chip, The gaming table system of claim 11, wherein the chip determination means further identifies the chip stack that includes the fraudulent gaming chip among the chip stacks recognized by the image recognition means based on the type and number of the gaming chips indicated by the reading result of the RFID tag and the type and number of the gaming chips recognized by the image recognition means.

15. The gaming table system according to claim 11, wherein the chip determination means, when it is not possible to identify one chip stack containing the fraudulent gaming chip, determines that multiple chip stacks whose likelihood of containing fraudulent gaming chips is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value are chip stacks containing fraudulent gaming chips.

16. The RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores type identification information for identifying the type of the gaming chip, The type of the gaming chip corresponds to the amount of the gaming chip, 2. The gaming table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determining means determines the amount of the chip stack based on the type specifying information.

17. The game machine further includes a player identification means for identifying a player who plays a game at the game table, 2. The gaming table system according to claim 1, wherein the chip determination means further identifies a player corresponding to the chip stack recognized by the image recognition means.

18. The RFID tag embedded in the gaming chip stores chip identification information for uniquely identifying the gaming chip, the betting area includes a betting area provided at each of a plurality of player positions, a database storing the chip identification information and player identification information for identifying a player in association with each other; a player identification means for identifying the player identification information of players playing at the plurality of player positions; an alert means for outputting an alert when the player identification information specified by the player identification means is not associated with the chip identification information of the gaming chip specified in the database as being at the player position where the player is playing; The gaming table system of claim 1 , further comprising:

19. A system for reading an article having an embedded RFID tag at a predetermined location, comprising: A plurality of partitioned areas are arranged in the predetermined location so as to be adjacent to or in contact with each other, The system comprises: a reading means including a plurality of antennas provided at a plurality of locations in the predetermined location for reading the RFID tags of the items within a reading range, wherein the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas overlap each other, thereby covering the plurality of divided areas; an imaging means for capturing an image of the plurality of partitioned areas arranged adjacent to or in contact with each other in the predetermined location, thereby generating an image including a group of items consisting of one or more items placed in the predetermined location; an image recognition means for recognizing the positions of the group of articles in the predetermined location and the types and numbers of the articles constituting the group of articles by analyzing the image; a determination means capable of estimating, based on the results of reading the RFID tag by each of the multiple antennas of the reading means, the area corresponding to the reading range of which of the multiple antennas at the specified location where the item is placed and in what area within the reading range of the corresponding antenna the item is placed, and which corresponds to the area within the reading range of the corresponding antenna based on the results of the estimation and the recognition results of the item group by the image recognition means, and A system equipped with.

20. A gaming table system that reads a gaming chip having an RFID tag on a gaming table, A betting area including a plurality of betting areas arranged close to or adjacent to each other is arranged on the gaming table, The gaming table system includes: A reading means including a plurality of antennas provided at a plurality of locations on the gaming table for reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips within a reading range; a chip determination means for estimating a position where the gaming chip is placed based on a result of reading the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means; Equipped with the reading ranges of adjacent antennas among the plurality of antennas of the reading means overlap with each other, so that the reading ranges of the plurality of antennas cover the plurality of betting areas of the betting area on the gaming table; The chip determination means estimates the area in which the gaming chip is placed at a resolution smaller than the reading range of the multiple antennas based on a combination of the reading results of the multiple antennas.

21. A gaming table system that reads a gaming chip having an RFID tag on a gaming table, A betting area including a plurality of betting areas arranged close to or adjacent to each other is arranged on the gaming table, The gaming table system includes: A reading means including a plurality of antennas provided at a plurality of locations on the gaming table for reading the RFID tags of the gaming chips within a reading range; a chip determination means for estimating a position where the gaming chip is placed based on a result of reading the RFID tag by each of the plurality of antennas of the reading means; Equipped with The reading means repeatedly reads using the plurality of antennas, The chip determination means recognizes a plurality of gaming chips whose RFID tags are read by the same antenna at the same time as gaming chips constituting one group, and recognizes a plurality of gaming chips whose RFID tags are read by the same antenna at different times as gaming chips of a different group from the one group.

Images