Table game management system and substitute currency for play

Abstract

To address such a problem that patterns of game tokens (chips) in a game table are complicated and it is difficult for an image analysis technique to determine whether or not a dealer accurately pays off chips corresponding to bet chips and prevention of a mistake is not sufficient.SOLUTION: A detection system according to the present invention includes control device 9 that detects a fraud executed on a game table 1 using an image analysis result by an image analysis apparatus 6. A game token for use in the present detection system has a multilayer structure formed by superposing plastic layers with a plurality of different colors, including a colored layer 101 at least at an intermediate part, and superposing white layers 102 or light-colored layers (not shown, however, it may be a light-colored layer having a lighter color than that of the colored layer 101) on both sides of the intermediate colored layer 101. Accordingly, the game token has the colored layer 101 and has the multilayer structure formed by superposing the white layers 102 or light-colored layers (not shown, however, it may be the light-colored layer having the lighter color than that of the colored layer 101) on both sides of the intermediate colored layer 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system for table games in a casino.

Background Art

[0002] In casinos and other gaming establishments, attempts have been made to prevent handling errors of various dealers' gaming tokens (chips). The gaming establishment is equipped with surveillance cameras for monitoring the handling of dealers' chips, and prevents errors and fraud by determining, from the images obtained from the surveillance cameras, errors such as the collection or repayment of gaming tokens different from the winning or losing results.

[0003] On the other hand, it has been proposed to attach an IC tag to each gaming token in order to grasp the number and total amount of the wagered gaming tokens and to grasp the amount of the gaming tokens.

[0004] In the card game monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, it is determined by analyzing the movement of the gaming tokens in an image whether the gaming tokens placed on the gaming table are collected or repaid as per the winning or losing results, and monitoring of handling errors of dealers' chips is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In gaming venues such as casinos, substitute gaming tokens are stacked up and placed on the gaming table. However, there is a problem that the total amount cannot be accurately read by the IC tag reader installed under the gaming table. If the sensitivity of the reader is increased, substitute gaming tokens placed at different positions (where the outcome of the game depends on the position) will be added up, and the total amount of substitute gaming tokens for each position cannot be grasped. Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the patterns of substitute gaming tokens (chips) T are complex. When a large number of chips are stacked, there is a problem that the number of chips accurately stacked cannot be grasped by the camera.

[0007] In addition, fraud in the gaming table has become more sophisticated. New problems have been identified, such as fraud using sophisticated betting methods that cannot be detected by simply detecting a large amount of winnings at the gaming table, which cannot be discovered by the camera.

[0008] Also, the dealer needs to collect or refund the substitute gaming tokens placed on the gaming table according to the outcome of the game. Even if an attempt is made to determine this by analyzing the images of the chips, due to the complex patterns of the substitute gaming tokens (chips), it is impossible to determine whether the dealer accurately refunded the corresponding chips at the time of refund using existing practical image analysis techniques, and there is a problem that error prevention is not sufficient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To solve the above various problems, the table game management system of the present invention includes a card distribution device that determines and displays the outcome of each game on the gaming table, a measuring device that measures the types and numbers of substitute gaming tokens placed on the gaming table using a camera, a management control device that, in each game, uses the measurement results of the measuring device to identify, store the position, type, and number of substitute gaming tokens placed on the gaming table by the game participants. The substitute currency for the game is a multi-layer structure in which plastic layers of different colors are laminated, with at least a colored layer in the middle, and white layers or light-colored layers are laminated on both sides of the middle colored layer, so as to form a stripe pattern in the lamination direction on the side surface, and the type of the substitute currency for the game can be specified by the colored layer. The management control device has a computing function for determining the winners and losers of the participants in each game and calculating the casino's revenue and expenditure on the game table for each game, using the win-loss results obtained from the card distribution device and the measurement results of the position, type, and number of substitute currencies for the game placed by the game participants.

[0010] Furthermore, there is a management system. The management control device has a function of measuring the number of colored layers, white layers, or light-colored layers of the substitute currencies for the game placed by each game participant to determine the number of substitute currencies for the game.

[0011] To solve the above various problems, the substitute currency for the game of the present invention is a structure in which plastic layers of different colors are laminated, with at least a colored layer in the middle, and white layers or light-colored layers are laminated on both sides of the colored layer, so as to form a stripe pattern in the lamination direction on the side surface, and the type of the substitute currency for the game can be specified by the colored layer.

[0012] Furthermore, the substitute currency for the game has printing indicating the type of the substitute currency for the game on the surface of the white layer or light-colored layer, a transparent layer is provided on the outermost layer, and each layer is thermally pressed to form at least a five-layer structure.

[0013] Furthermore, the substitute currency for the game may have marks made of UV ink or carbon black ink on the surface of the white layer or light-colored layer, or the outermost transparent layer may be embossed, or R processing may be performed on the edge of the outermost transparent layer, or the colored layer may be formed by a plurality of layers, and furthermore, an RFID may be built into the colored layer.

[0014] To solve the above various problems, an inspection device for inspecting the substitute currency for the game of the present invention is A passage having an entrance and an exit through which a substitute game currency can pass in the radial direction, a chip type determination device that photographs the side surface of the substitute game currency passing through the passage and determines the color of the stripe pattern in the stacking direction of the side surface, a mark reading device that reads a mark made of UV ink or carbon black ink provided on the surface of the substitute game currency passing through, a print inspection device that reads a print representing a type provided on the surface of the substitute game currency from a direction perpendicular to the passage, and a control device for the entire device, The control device is configured to inspect whether the chip type determined by the chip type determination device matches the content of the print representing the type obtained from the print inspection device.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the system of the present invention, even when a large number of substitute game currencies (chips) are stacked, the number of chips can be determined by image analysis, and the total amount of relatively overlapping substitute game currencies can be grasped by the position and color.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] A table game management system in a casino having a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall overview of the system. A table game management system in a casino having a plurality of game tables 1 records the progress state of the game being played on the game table 1 as a video via a plurality of cameras 4 including game participants 2 and a dealer 3, and an image analysis device 5 that analyzes the recorded video of the progress state of the game. A measuring device 6 is provided, and further, a card distribution device 7 that determines and displays the win / loss result of each game on the game table 1 is provided. The card distribution device 7 is already known to those skilled in the art. It is a so-called electronic shoe, in which the rules of the game are programmed in advance, and it has a structure capable of reading the information (rank and suit) of the distributed card C and determining the win / loss of the game. For example, in the baccarat game, the win of the banker, the win of the player, and a tie (draw) are basically determined by the ranks of two to three cards each, and the determination result (win / loss result) is displayed on a display lamp 8.

[0018] The management control device 9 reads the information (rank and suit) of the card C obtained from the card distribution device 7 to determine the win / loss result of each game, and uses the measurement results of the position, type, and number of substitute game money 100 (chips T) placed by the game participant 2 to determine the winner 2W and the loser 2L among the participants 2 in each game. Further, it has a computing function for performing a casino-side income and expenditure calculation (the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of substitute game money 100 (chips T) repaid to the winner 2W among the participants 2 from the total amount of substitute game money 100 (chips T) bet by the loser 2L) for each game on the game table 1.

[0019] The image analysis device 5, the measurement device 6, and the management control device 9 in this detection system have a structure that comprehensively includes a computer and a program, and a memory, which are composed of an integrated or multiple components.

[0020] Next, the details of the substitute game currency (chip) used in this detection system will be described. FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the substitute game currency (chip T) 100 used in this detection system. A plurality of plastic layers with different colors are laminated, and at least a coloring layer 101 is provided in the middle. A white layer 102 or a light-colored layer (not shown, as long as it is a layer lighter in color than the coloring layer 101) is laminated on both sides of this middle coloring layer 101, forming a multi-layer structure. By having such a coloring layer 101 and laminating a white layer 102 or a light-colored layer (not shown, as long as it is a layer lighter in color than the coloring layer 101) on both sides of this middle coloring layer 101, a stripe pattern in the lamination direction is formed on the side as shown in FIG. 5. By changing the color of the coloring layer 101 (such as red, green, yellow, or blue), the types of the substitute game currency 100 (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) can be specified.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(b), on the surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) of the white layer 102 of the substitute game currency 100, printing 103 (such as 100 points) indicating the type of the substitute game currency 100 is applied. A transparent layer 104 is provided on the outermost layer, and each layer is thermocompression bonded to form at least a five-layer structure. These substitute game currencies 100 are made of an elongated plastic material. In the elongated state, the layers (coloring layer 101, white layer 102, transparent layer 104) are thermocompression bonded to form a closely adhered state (such as a five-layer structure). Then, they are punched into a circular or rectangular shape by a press or the like. When punching by a press, the dimensions of the die and punch of the mold for punching are designed, and R processing (round corners) is applied to the edge of the outermost transparent layer 104.

[0022] Furthermore, on the surface of the white layer 102 of the substitute game currency 100, there is a mark M made of UV ink or carbon black ink. This mark M represents the authenticity of the substitute game currency 100. When ultraviolet light (or infrared light) is applied, the mark becomes visible, and the genuine one is represented by the combination of its shape and number. A transparent layer 104 is thermally pressed or coated (applied) on the outermost layer so as to cover the printing 103 and the mark M. This transparent layer 104 is embossed to prevent the substitute game currencies 100 from adhering to each other.

[0023] The edge of the outermost transparent layer 104 with the printing 103 (such as 100 points) is subjected to R processing (R), which prevents the surface of the white layer 102 from being deformed and appearing on the side surface during the punching process of the substitute game currency 100. Also, the substitute game currency 100 prevents sharp edges from damaging the hands or other chips T.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the colored layer 101 may be formed by a plurality of colored layers (three layers in FIG. 3). Since the plurality of colored layers (three layers in FIG. 3) are thermally pressed to each other, the three-layer structure as shown in FIG. 3 is not in a visible state, and FIG. 3 represents three layers for explanatory purposes. Further, a partial cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the colored layer 101, and an RFID is built therein.

[0025] The management control device 9 captures an image of the substitute game currency 100 placed by the game participant 2 on the game table 1 with the camera 4, and measures, by a measuring device 6 equipped with an image analysis device 5, separately for each placed area 24 (whether it is bet on the banker, on the player, on a pair (PAIR), or on a tie (TIE)). At the same time, the measuring device 6 (using the information obtained by the image analysis device 5) analyzes and measures the number and color of the colored layer 101 (or light-colored layer) or the white layer 102 of the substitute game currency 100 (chip T) stacked in each area to determine the type and number of the substitute game currency 100.

[0026] The management control device 9 may be a control device having an artificial intelligence utilization type or a deep learning structure. The management control device 9 can grasp the position 24 (the position bet on the player, the banker, or the pair), the type (the substitute game currency 100 has different value amounts assigned for each color), and the number of the substitute game currency T wagered by each participant 2 via the camera 4 and the image analysis device 5. In an artificial intelligence utilization type computer or control system, or deep learning (structure) technology, using a self-learning function or the like, it is possible to grasp the position 24 (the position bet on the player, the banker, or the pair), the type (the substitute game currency has different value amounts assigned for each color), and the number of the substitute game currency T. Therefore, according to the win / loss result of the game determined by the card distribution device 7 in each game, whether the collection of the substitute game currency 100 wagered by the losing participant 2L in each game (indicated by the arrow L) and the repayment (payment (TW)) of the winning substitute game currency 100 to the winning game participant 2W are properly performed according to the win / loss result of the game is determined by the management control device 9 by analyzing the video of the game progress state via the image analysis device 5.

[0027] In such a case, as shown in FIG. 4 (compared with the conventional chip shown in FIG. 2), it has a laminated multi-layer structure, and the stripe pattern in the lamination direction is clearly formed on the side surface. Therefore, the measuring device 6 including the image analysis device 5 can easily and accurately measure the type and number of the chips. Furthermore, by using an artificial intelligence utilization type computer or control system, or deep learning (structure) technology, the analysis and determination of the image can be made more accurate. Since the artificial intelligence utilization type computer or control system, or deep learning (structure) technology is already known and available to those skilled in the art, detailed description is omitted.

[0028] The management control device 9 can analyze and grasp the total amount of the substitute game currency T in the game substitute currency tray 10 of the dealer 3 on the gaming table 1 using the image analysis device 5. After the game ends and is settled, according to the recovery of the losing substitute game currency T wagered by each game participant 2 and the amount TW of the winning substitute game currency paid to the winning game participant 2W, it is possible to compare and calculate whether the total amount of the substitute game currency T in the substitute game currency tray 10 has increased or decreased according to the winning or losing result of the game. Even if the total amount of the substitute game currency T in the substitute game currency tray 10 is constantly grasped by means such as RFID, whether the increase or decrease amount is correct or not is determined by the management control device 9 analyzing the video of the game progress state via the image analysis device 5. These may also utilize an artificial intelligence utilization type or a deep learning structure.

[0029] The management control device 9 grasps the position (the position wagered on the player, banker, or pair) and the amount (type and number of pieces) of the substitute game currency wagered at each play position 22 on the gaming table 1, and compares the winning and losing history of each game participant 2 obtained from the winning and losing results of each game and the amount of the substitute game currency obtained (the winning amount) with the statistical data of a large number (big data) of past games to extract it as a special situation (set by the casino). It may be an artificial intelligence utilization type or a deep learning structure. Typically, the occurrence of a winning amount of a certain amount (one million dollars) or more, or at a play position 22 on a certain gaming table 1, where the amount of the wagered substitute game currency when losing is small and the amount of the wagered substitute game currency when winning is large continues for several games, and this can be extracted as a special situation compared with the statistical data (big data, etc.) of past games. It is equipped with a management control device 9 of an artificial intelligence utilization type or a deep learning structure.

[0030] The management control device 9 has a structure that can perform comparison calculations to determine whether the increase or decrease in the substitute game currency corresponding to the settlement is correct after the total amount of the substitute game currency 100 in the dealer's 3 substitute game currency tray 10 on the gaming table 1 is settled with the substitute game currency 100 bet by each participant 2 after each game. In the chip tray 10 for holding the substitute game currency 100 of the dealer 3 shown in FIG. 1, the type and number of the substitute game currency 100 can be determined by measuring the number and color of the colored layer 101 or white layer 102 of the substitute game currency 100 (chip T) stacked in the horizontal direction by the measuring device 6 (using the information obtained by the image analysis device 5). The total amount of the substitute game currency 100 in the holding chip tray 10 is always (or at a predetermined time interval) grasped in this way. Since the management control device 9 has a computer function for calculating the settlement amount for each game (the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of the substitute game currency 100 (chip T) repaid to the winner 2W among the participants 2 from the total amount of the substitute game currency 100 (chip T) bet by the loser 2L in the casino's profit and loss calculation on the gaming table 1) (see paragraph 0016), the total amount of the substitute game currency 100 in the chip tray 10 is always (or at a predetermined time interval) verified. That is, it is verified whether the increase or decrease in the substitute game currency matches the settlement amount for each game by the dealer 3 based on the image analysis result by the image analysis device 5.

[0031] Next, an inspection device 200 for inspecting the substitute game currency 100 which is an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The inspection device 200 is provided with a passage 203 having an inlet 201 and an outlet 201 through which the substitute game currency 100 can pass in the radial direction (arrow Y direction). The passage 203 is inclined, and the substitute game currency 100 passes in the direction of arrow Y. In the passage 203, there are a determination device 204 for determining the chip type by photographing the side surface of the substitute game currency 100 and determining the color of the stripe pattern in the lamination direction of the side surface, a mark reading device 205 for reading a mark M made of UV ink or carbon black ink provided on the surface of the passing substitute game currency 100, a print inspection device 206 for reading a print 103 indicating the type provided on the surface of the substitute game currency from a direction perpendicular to the passage 203, and a control device 207 for the entire device. The control device 207 is configured to inspect whether the chip type determined by the chip type determination device 204 matches the content of the print indicating the type obtained from the print inspection device 206.

[0032] With this inspection device 200, it is possible to inspect whether the print 103 of the manufactured substitute game currency 100 matches the chip type according to the color of the stripe pattern of the substitute game currency 100 and is printed correctly.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1 Game table 2 Player 3 Dealer 4 Camera 5 Image analysis device 6 Measuring device 7 Card distribution device for determining and displaying the winning or losing result of the game 9 Management control device 10 Substitute game currency tray 100(T) Substitute game currency 200 Inspection device

Claims

1. A system for determining the value of each of one or more substitute game tokens that make up one or more stacks placed on a gaming table, wherein the substitute game tokens have markings representing their value on a flat surface, and on a side surface, have a first colored portion representing the value and a second colored portion not representing the value, and the first colored portion and the second colored portion are arranged in layers by extending in the circumferential direction of the substitute game tokens, a camera that photographs substitute game tokens placed on the gaming table to generate an image, one or more processors that use deep learning technology, analyze the image in which one or more of the first colored portions and one or more of the second colored portions appear, and a processor that identifies the value of one or more substitute game tokens that make up one or more stacks in the image based on the color of one or more of the first colored portions in the image, A system comprising:

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor identifies the position of the substitute game token.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor identifies the total amount of the substitute game tokens in one stack based on the value and number of the substitute game tokens.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor extracts the first colored portion from the image and identifies the value of the substitute game token based on the color of the extracted first colored portion.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substitute game token has a pattern on a side surface in which at least a part of the first colored portion is sandwiched between other colored portions.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the processor identifies the number of the one or more substitute game tokens according to the number of the extracted first colored portions.

7. The substitute game token has information capable of identifying the value other than the first colored portion, further comprises a reading device that reads the information from the substitute game token, and the system according to claim 1, wherein the processor checks whether the value represented by the notation read by the reading device matches the value identified based on the first colored portion.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the information is stored in an RFID built into the substitute game token, and the reading device is an RFID reader.

Images