Inspection System and Inspection Device

Abstract

To provide a testing system and a testing device capable of testing a plurality of game coins stored in a case in a state that they remain stored in the case.SOLUTION: A testing system tests a game coin incorporating a wireless tag in which first coin information is stored, on whose lateral face second coin information that can be optically read is attached. The testing system includes a case (100) for storing a plurality of game coins in a superposed manner and a testing device (200) for testing game coins stored in the case (100). The testing system includes an RFID reader (221) for reading an RFID tag of a game coin stored in the case (100) and acquiring the first coin information, an infrared camera (225) and a visible light camera (226) for optically reading the lateral face of the game coin stored in the case (100) and acquiring the second coin information, and a determination part for determining pass or fail of the game coin for each case (100) on the basis of the acquired first coin information and the acquired second coin information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Cross - reference to related applications

[0001] In this application, the benefit of Patent Application No. 2016 - 225540 filed in Japan on November 18, 2016 is claimed, and the content of the said application is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an inspection system and an inspection device for inspecting gaming currency, and particularly to an inspection system and an inspection device for inspecting a plurality of gaming currency stored in a case.

Background Art

[0003] Gaming currency used in gaming places such as casinos is manufactured in a factory, transported to the gaming place, stored in a storage, and then moved from the storage to cashiers or gaming tables in the venue. However, it is necessary to prevent the gaming currency from being stolen or replaced with counterfeits during this process of transportation, storage, and movement. For this purpose, a case for storing gaming currency is used. By sealing the case after it contains a plurality of gaming currency, it becomes possible to detect a situation where the gaming currency has been withdrawn from the case after sealing.

[0004] As gaming currency, there is known one that incorporates a wireless tag storing identification information and type information, and is provided with optically readable code information indicating the identification information and type information on the side surface (for example, Japanese Patent Laid - Open No. 2009 - 66172).

[0005] Japanese Patent Laid - Open No. 2009 - 66172 discloses a system using gaming currency. This system calculates the number of gaming currency placed on the bet board of a gaming table based on the identification information stored in the wireless tag, and also calculates the number of gaming currency based on the identification information provided on the side surface, and collates them. Thereby, when illegal gaming currency is used on the gaming table, it can be detected.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, since the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-66172 calculates the number of gaming coins bet (placed on the betting board) and detects fraud, even with this system, it is not possible to inspect a plurality of gaming coins housed in a case while they are still housed in the case and detect counterfeit gaming coins.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inspection system and an inspection device capable of inspecting a plurality of gaming coins housed in a case while they are still housed in the case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] An inspection system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins having at least first coin information and second coin information, wherein the second coin information is provided on a side surface of the gaming coin in a form optically readable, and includes a case for housing a plurality of gaming coins stacked, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming coins housed in the case. The inspection device includes a first reading device for acquiring the first coin information of the gaming coins housed in the case, a second reading device for optically reading a side surface of the gaming coins housed in the case to acquire second coin information, and a determination unit for determining the authenticity, damage, or number of each value of all the gaming coins present in the case by using the first coin information acquired by the first reading device and the second coin information acquired by the second reading device, and determining the pass / fail of the plurality of gaming coins housed in the case.

[0009] With this configuration, since both the first reading unit and the second reading unit acquire the first currency information and the second currency information from the game currency stored in the case, it is possible to inspect the game currency in the state of being stored in the case. Further, since two pieces of information, namely the first currency information and the second currency information, are acquired from the game currency for inspection, it is possible to surely determine whether the inspection is a pass or a fail.

[0010] In the inspection system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the first aspect, the first currency information and the second currency information in the common game currency include common information, and the determination unit determines that when the common information portions of the plurality of pieces of first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the plurality of pieces of second currency information acquired by the second reading device do not match, the plurality of game currencies stored in the case are determined to be non-conforming.

[0011] With this configuration, when there is an illegal game currency in the case in which the common information portions of the first currency information and the second currency information do not match, the determination unit can determine that the game currency stored in the case is non-conforming.

[0012] For example, when common identification information is recorded on the wireless tag and the side surface, it is determined to be non-conforming when the plurality of pieces of identification information read from the plurality of wireless tags and the plurality of pieces of identification information read from the plurality of side surfaces do not completely match. Further, when the value of the game currency is recorded on the wireless tag and the side surface, it is determined to be non-conforming when the number of each value read from the wireless tag and the number of each value read from the side surface do not match.

[0013] In the inspection system according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the first aspect, both or one of the first currency information and the second currency information includes individual identification information for individually identifying the game currency.

[0014] In the inspection system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the first aspect, the second currency information includes information represented by a designated color representing the value of the game currency, and is information indicating the value of the game currency in the designated color.

[0015] The inspection system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to the third aspect, wherein both the first currency information and the second currency information include individual identification information, and when the individual identification information of the plurality of the first currency information acquired by the first reading device does not match the individual identification information of the plurality of the second currency information acquired by the second reading device, a plurality of game currency stored in the case are determined to be nonconforming.

[0016] With this configuration, when there is illegal game currency in the case in which the individual identification information of the first currency information does not match the individual identification information of the second currency information, the determination unit can determine that the game currency stored in the case is nonconforming.

[0017] The inspection system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to the first aspect, further comprising a storage unit that stores the individual identification information of at least the first currency information or the second currency information of a plurality of game currency to be stored in the case, and the determination unit determines that a plurality of game currency stored in the case are nonconforming when the individual identification information of the plurality of the first currency information acquired by the first reading device or the individual identification information of the plurality of the second currency information acquired by the second reading device does not match the individual identification information of the first currency information or the second currency information stored in the storage unit.

[0018] With this configuration, when there is illegal game currency in the case in which the first currency information or the second currency information is inaccurate, the determination unit can determine that the game currency stored in the case is nonconforming.

[0019] For example, when individual identification information represented by characters is recorded on a wireless tag and individual identification information represented by numbers is recorded on a side surface, the storage unit also stores, for each case, a plurality of pieces of individual identification information represented by characters for the wireless tag and a plurality of pieces of individual identification information represented by numbers for the side surface. When the plurality of pieces of individual identification information read from the plurality of wireless tags do not match the plurality of pieces of individual identification information stored in the storage unit for the wireless tag of that case, or when the plurality of pieces of individual identification information read from the plurality of side surfaces do not match the plurality of pieces of individual identification information stored in the storage unit for the side surface of that case, it is determined as non-conforming.

[0020] The inspection system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores the correspondence relationship between the first currency information and the second currency information in the inspection system according to the first aspect. The determination unit determines that the plurality of pieces of first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the plurality of pieces of second currency information acquired by the second reading device do not match the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit, and determines that the plurality of gaming currencies accommodated in the case are non-conforming.

[0021] With this configuration, when there are gaming currencies with an inaccurate correspondence relationship between the first currency information and the second currency information in the case, it can be determined as non-conforming.

[0022] For example, when identification information is recorded on a wireless tag and a value is recorded on a side surface, the storage unit stores, for each piece of identification information, a value assigned thereto. For the plurality of pieces of identification information read from the plurality of wireless tags, the number of each value is obtained by referring to the storage unit. When the number of each value read from the side surface does not match this, it is determined as non-conforming. Conversely, the same applies when a value is recorded on the wireless tag and identification information is recorded on the side surface. In these cases, the storage unit does not need to store which case contains which gaming currency with which identification information.

[0023] The inspection system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein when the number of the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the number of the second currency information acquired by the second reading device are not a predetermined number, the determination unit determines that a plurality of gaming coins housed in the case are non-conforming.

[0024] With this configuration, when gaming coins are removed from the case or when gaming coins are added to the case, the determination unit can determine that the gaming coins housed in the case are non-conforming.

[0025] For example, when the number of coins that can be housed in the case is 100, it is determined as non-conforming if either the first currency information read from the wireless tag or the second currency information read from the side is not 100.

[0026] The inspection system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the gaming coin includes color information indicating the value of the gaming coin in the second currency information, and includes value information for identifying the value of the gaming coin in the first currency information, and when the color information does not match the value information of the first currency information, the determination unit determines that a plurality of gaming coins housed in the case are non-conforming.

[0027] The inspection system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to the ninth aspect, wherein the second currency information further includes value information of the gaming coin in addition to the color information, and when the value of the gaming coin based on the color information in the second currency information does not match both or one of the value information of the second currency information and the value information of the first currency information, the determination unit determines that a plurality of gaming coins housed in the case are non-conforming.

[0028] The inspection system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the gaming coin has a wireless tag provided with the first currency information.

[0029] The inspection system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein at least one or both of the first currency information and the second currency information include group information indicating the group to which the game currency belongs, and the group is a group divided by the value, manufacturing time, manufacturer, and / or the game arcade where the game currency is used of the game currency.

[0030] The inspection system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to the tenth aspect, wherein when at least one of the color information, the value information of the first currency information and the second currency information, or the common information or the individual identification information does not match, the determination unit determines that a plurality of game currencies housed in the case are unqualified.

[0031] The inspection system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to the tenth aspect, wherein the determination unit determines the number of each value of the plurality of game currencies housed in the case, or the total value of the values of all the game currencies, based on the color information, the first currency information, or the value information of the second currency information.

[0032] The inspection system according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to the first aspect, wherein the second currency information includes information represented by a designated color indicating the value of the game currency on the side surface of the game currency, and is information indicating the value of the game currency in the designated color. The second reading device includes a camera that photographs the side surfaces of a plurality of game currencies housed in the case, and an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera, identifies the designated color of each of the plurality of game currencies, and identifies the value of the plurality of game currencies according to the identified designated color.

[0033] With this configuration, the determination unit can determine pass or fail using the value information of the game currency.

[0034] In the inspection system according to the 16th aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the 15th aspect, the specified color representing the second currency information is sandwiched in the thickness direction of the game currency by a common color that is commonly applied to game currencies with different values on the side surface of the game currency.

[0035] With this configuration, even when a plurality of game currencies are stacked in the case, the identification unit can identify the types of the plurality of game currencies in the case by extracting the specified color sandwiched between the common colors from the side image.

[0036] In the inspection system according to the 17th aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the 1st aspect, the second currency information is notation information optically readable and marked on the side surface, and the second reading device includes a camera that photographs the side surfaces of a plurality of game currencies loaded and stored in the case, and an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the notation information of each of the plurality of game currencies and identifies the second currency information of each of the plurality of game currencies according to the identified notation information.

[0037] With this configuration, the determination unit can determine pass or fail using the notation information of the game currency.

[0038] In the inspection system according to the 18th aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the 17th aspect, the notation information is marked with an infrared reaction ink that emits light in response to infrared rays or an infrared absorption ink that absorbs infrared rays, and the camera is an infrared camera.

[0039] With this configuration, the identification information attached to the side surface can be made invisible under natural light.

[0040] In the inspection system according to the 19th aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the 17th aspect, the notation information is marked with an ink that emits light in response to ultraviolet rays, and the inspection device further includes an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the side surfaces of a plurality of game currencies stored in the case.

[0041] With this configuration, it is also possible to make the identification information attached to the side unreadable under natural light.

[0042] In the inspection system according to the 20th aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the 1st aspect, the case is sealed with a seal that is broken when the accommodated gaming currency is taken out, and the inspection device further includes a detection unit that detects the unbroken seal, and when the detection unit does not detect the unbroken seal, the determination unit determines that a plurality of gaming currencies accommodated in the case are non-conforming.

[0043] With this configuration, when the seal is broken, the determination unit can determine that the gaming currency accommodated in the case is non-conforming.

[0044] In the inspection system according to the 21st aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the 1st aspect, the case has a light-transmitting portion, and the second reading device optically reads the side surface of the gaming currency accommodated in the case through the light-transmitting portion.

[0045] With this configuration, the second currency information can be read while the case is closed.

[0046] In the inspection system according to the 22nd aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the 21st aspect, the light-transmitting portion is composed of a transparent member, and the inspection system according to claim 21.

[0047] With this configuration, a sealed structure can be achieved including the light-transmitting portion in the case.

[0048] In the inspection system according to the 23rd aspect of the present invention, in the inspection system according to the 1st aspect, the inspection device includes a case receiving portion for receiving the case.

[0049] With this configuration, by placing the case in the case receiving portion, the first currency information and the second currency information can be read.

[0050] The inspection system according to the 24th aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to the 21st aspect, wherein the case is portable.

[0051] With this configuration, it is possible to inspect the game currency in the case at any point in the process of moving the case from the factory to the table or the cashier.

[0052] The inspection system according to the 25th aspect of the present invention is the inspection system according to the 1st aspect, wherein the case is a two-stage chip float or chip tray that holds the game currency on the game table.

[0053] The inspection system according to the 26th aspect of the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting game currency provided with a designated color representing a value and notation information optically readable on a side surface, comprising a case for accommodating a plurality of game currencies stacked, and an inspection device for inspecting the game currencies accommodated in the case, the inspection device including a camera for photographing a side surface of the game currencies accommodated in the case, an identification unit for analyzing an image photographed by the camera to identify the designated color and the notation information of each of the plurality of game currencies, and a determination unit for determining the pass or fail of the game currencies for each case based on the designated color and the notation information identified by the identification unit.

[0054] With this configuration, since the identification unit identifies the designated color and the notation information for the game currencies accommodated in the case, it is possible to inspect the game currencies in the state of being accommodated in the case. Further, since the inspection is performed by specifying two pieces of information, the designated color and the notation information, from the side surface of the game currency, it is possible to surely determine the pass or fail.

[0055] The inspection system according to the 27th aspect of the present invention is an inspection system that inspects gaming currency that incorporates a wireless tag storing currency information and has a specified color representing value on its side surface, and includes a case for storing a plurality of gaming currency stacked thereon, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming currency stored in the case. The inspection device includes a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the gaming currency stored in the case to obtain the currency information, a camera that photographs the side surface of the gaming currency stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes the image photographed by the camera to identify the specified color of each of the plurality of gaming currency, and a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit and the specified color identified by the identification unit.

[0056] With this configuration, the reading unit obtains currency information from the gaming currency stored in the case, and the identification unit also identifies the specified color for the gaming currency stored in the case, so that it is possible to inspect the gaming currency in the state of being stored in the case. Further, since the inspection is performed by specifying two pieces of information, namely the currency information and the specified color, from the side surface of the gaming currency, it is possible to reliably determine the pass / fail.

[0057] The inspection device according to the 28th aspect of the present invention is an inspection device that inspects a plurality of gaming currency that incorporates a wireless tag storing first currency information and has second currency information optically readable on its side surface and is stored stacked in a case, and includes a first reading device that reads the wireless tags of the plurality of gaming currency stored in the case to obtain the first currency information, a second reading device that optically reads the side surfaces of the plurality of gaming currency stored in the case to obtain the second currency information, and a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the first currency information obtained by the first reading device and the second currency information obtained by the second reading device.

[0058] With this configuration, since both the first reading unit and the second reading unit acquire the first currency information and the second currency information from the game currency stored in the case, it is possible to inspect the game currency in the state of being stored in the case. In addition, since two pieces of information, the first currency information and the second currency information, are acquired from the game currency for inspection, it is possible to surely determine whether the result is a pass or a fail.

[0059] The inspection device according to the 29th aspect of the present invention is an inspection device that inspects a plurality of game currencies stored in a case with a designated color representing a value and optically readable notation information provided on a side surface thereof, and includes a camera that photographs side surfaces of the plurality of game currencies stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes an image photographed by the camera to identify the designated color and the notation information of each of the plurality of game currencies, and a determination unit that determines whether the game currency is acceptable or not for each case based on the designated color and the notation information identified by the identification unit.

[0060] The inspection device according to the 30th aspect of the present invention is an inspection device that inspects a plurality of game currencies stored in a case with a designated color representing a value provided on a side surface thereof while incorporating a wireless tag storing currency information, and includes a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the plurality of game currencies stored in the case to acquire the currency information, a camera that photographs side surfaces of the plurality of game currencies stored in the case, an identification unit that analyzes an image photographed by the camera to identify the designated color of each of the plurality of game currencies, and a determination unit that determines whether the game currency is acceptable or not for each case based on the currency information acquired by the reading unit and the designated color identified by the identification unit.

[0061] The inspection system according to the 31st aspect of the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency incorporating a wireless tag storing currency information, comprising a case for storing a plurality of gaming currencies stacked thereon, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming currencies stored in the case. The inspection device includes a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the gaming currency stored in the case to acquire currency information, a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the currency information acquired by the reading unit, and a storage unit that stores the currency information of the plurality of gaming currencies to be stored in the case. The determination unit determines that the plurality of gaming currencies stored in the case are non-conforming when the plurality of currency information acquired by the reading unit does not match the currency information stored in the storage unit.

[0062] The inspection device according to the 32nd aspect of the present invention is an inspection device for inspecting a plurality of gaming currencies incorporated with a wireless tag storing currency information and stored stacked in a case, comprising a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the plurality of gaming currencies stored in the case to acquire currency information, and a determination unit that determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the currency information acquired by the reading unit.

[0063] The case according to the 33rd aspect of the present invention is a case for storing a plurality of gaming currencies stacked thereon, and is a case for use in an inspection system for inspecting the gaming currency according to any one of the 1st to 27th aspects.

[0064] The case according to the 34th aspect of the present invention is a case for storing a plurality of gaming currencies stacked thereon, which is composed of an upper part and a lower part combined. The upper part is formed of a transparent resin, and has a structure that enables reading of a designated color representing the value given to the side surface of the stored gaming currency, or notation information optically readable on the side surface, or a structure that enables reading of an RFID tag incorporated in the stored gaming currency with an RFID reader by light passing through the upper part.

[0065] The case according to the 35th aspect of the present invention is the case according to the 34th aspect to which case identification information for uniquely identifying the case is assigned.

[0066] The case according to the 36th aspect of the present invention is the case according to the 35th aspect, in which the case identification information is associated with optically readable currency information of the gaming currency housed in the case or currency information readable by an RFID reader.

[0067] The case according to the 37th aspect of the present invention is the case according to any one of the 34th to 36th aspects, in which the upper surface of the upper part is formed in a flat surface.

[0068] The case according to the 38th aspect of the present invention is a case for housing a plurality of gaming currencies used in an inspection system for inspecting gaming currencies having at least first currency information and second currency information, wherein the second currency information is provided on a side surface of the gaming currency in an optically readable form, and the inspection device used in the inspection system includes a first reading device for acquiring the first currency information of the gaming currency housed in the case, a second reading device for optically reading the side surface of the gaming currency housed in the case to acquire the second currency information, and a determination unit for determining the pass or fail of the plurality of gaming currencies housed in the case by determining the authenticity, damage, or number of each value of all the gaming currencies existing in the case using the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the second currency information acquired by the second reading device.

[0069] The case according to the 39th aspect of the present invention is a case for storing a plurality of gaming coins used in an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins having a designated color representing value on the side surface and notation information optically readable and marked thereon. The inspection device used in the inspection system includes a camera for photographing the side surfaces of the gaming coins stored in the case, an identification unit for analyzing the images photographed by the camera to identify the designated color and the notation information of each of the plurality of gaming coins, and a determination unit for determining the pass or fail of the gaming coins for each case based on the designated color and the notation information identified by the identification unit.

[0070] The case according to the 40th aspect of the present invention is a case for storing a plurality of gaming coins used in an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins having a wireless tag storing currency information and a designated color representing value on the side surface. The inspection device used in the inspection system includes a reading unit for reading the wireless tag of the gaming coins stored in the case to obtain the currency information, a camera for photographing the side surfaces of the gaming coins stored in the case, an identification unit for analyzing the images photographed by the camera to identify the designated color of each of the plurality of gaming coins, and a determination unit for determining the pass or fail of the gaming coins for each case based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit and the designated color identified by the identification unit.

[0071] The case according to the 41st aspect of the present invention is a case for storing a plurality of gaming coins used in an inspection system for inspecting gaming coins having a wireless tag storing currency information. The inspection device used in the inspection system includes a reading unit for reading the wireless tag of the gaming coins stored in the case to obtain currency information, a determination unit for determining the pass or fail of the gaming coins for each case based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit, and a storage unit for storing the currency information of the plurality of gaming coins to be stored in the case.

[0072] The inspection system according to the 42nd aspect of the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting gaming currency having at least first currency information and second currency information, wherein the second currency information is provided on the gaming currency in a form that can be read by a method different from the method of reading the first currency information, and includes a case for storing a plurality of gaming currencies stacked, and an inspection device for inspecting the gaming currencies stored in the case. The inspection device includes a first reading device for acquiring the first currency information of the gaming currency stored in the case, a second reading device for acquiring second currency information from the gaming currency stored in the case, and using the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the second currency information acquired by the second reading device, a determination unit for determining the authenticity, damage, or number of all the gaming currencies present in the case, and thereby determining the pass / fail of the plurality of gaming currencies stored in the case.

[0073] The case according to the 43rd aspect of the present invention is a case for storing a plurality of the gaming currencies stacked, wherein the first currency information is recorded on a wireless tag of the gaming currency, and is inspected by the inspection system according to the 42nd aspect which determines the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case based on the currency information acquired by a reading unit that reads the wireless tag of the gaming currency stored in the case to acquire the currency information.

[0074] The gaming currency according to the 44th aspect of the present invention is stored in the case for storing a plurality of the gaming currencies stacked, wherein the first currency information is recorded on a wireless tag of the gaming currency, the currency information is acquired by the reading unit from the wireless tag of the gaming currency stored in the case, and the pass / fail of the gaming currency for each case is inspected by the inspection system according to the 42nd aspect based on the currency information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0075] According to the present invention, since both the first reading unit and the second reading unit acquire the first currency information and the second currency information from the game currency stored in the case, it is possible to inspect the game currency in the state of being stored in the case. Further, since two pieces of information, i.e., the first currency information and the second currency information, are acquired from the game currency for inspection, it is possible to surely determine pass or fail.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0077] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described below. In implementing the present invention, specific configurations according to the embodiments may be appropriately adopted.

[0078] <Configuration of Inspection System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inspection system 1 includes a case 100 for accommodating game coins in a stacked state, and an inspection device 200 for inspecting a plurality of game coins accommodated in the case 100 while they are accommodated in the case 100.

[0079] The case 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of a transparent resin. The case 100 accommodates disc-shaped game coins C in a stacked state. Five columns for accommodating 20 game coins C are formed in the case 100, and a total of 100 game coins C can be accommodated. The case 100 is portable while accommodating the game coins C. The case 100 consists of a separable upper part 101 and a lower part 102, and by separating the upper part 101 and the lower part 102, it becomes possible to accommodate the game coins C in the case 100 and take out the game coins C from the case 100.

[0080] The inspection device 200 includes a receiving part 210 and a main body part 220. The inspection device 200 can receive the case 100 at the receiving part 210. The receiving part 210 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper surface and front surface as a whole, and is formed by left and right side walls 211, a bottom 212, and a back wall 213, and has a width, height, and depth in which the case 100 just fits.

[0081] The main body part 220 is provided on the back side of the inner wall 213 of the receiving part 210, and includes an RFID reader 221, a computer 222, and a display part 223. The main body part 220 is further provided with an infrared camera 225 and a visible light camera 226. The infrared camera 225 and the visible light camera 226 are attached to the tip of the arm 227 so as to photograph the side surface of the gaming currency C accommodated in the case 100 from the upper surface side of the case 100 accommodated in the receiving part 210.

[0082] The computer 222 is connected to the RFID reader 221, the display part 223, the infrared camera 225, and the visible light camera 226. An RFID antenna 224 is connected to the RFID reader 221. The RFID antenna 224 extends from the RFID reader 221 and extends in a spiral shape within the left and right side walls 211. That is, a spiral RFID antenna 224 is laid inside each of the left and right side walls 211, and each RFID antenna 224 is connected to the RFID reader 221.

[0083] The display part 223 is composed of a liquid crystal panel. Note that a touch sensor may be provided on this liquid crystal panel, and the display part 223 may be configured as a touch panel.

[0084] <Configuration of Gaming Currency> FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gaming currency C in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the gaming currency C in the embodiment of the present invention. The gaming currency C includes a designated color layer 501 characterized by a designated color in the middle, and common color layers 502 characterized by a common color on both sides (upper and lower in FIG. 3) in the thickness direction of the middle designated color layer 501, and a stripe pattern is formed on the side surface (in the thickness direction).

[0085] An RFID tag 503 is inserted as a wireless tag between the designated color layer 501 and one of the common color layers 502 of the gaming currency C. The RFID tag 503 stores, as currency information of the gaming currency C, for example, individual identification information for individually identifying (uniquely specifying) the gaming currency C and information on its value (type). A transparent layer 504 is provided on the outermost layer of the gaming currency C. That is, the gaming currency C has a designated color layer 501 as an intermediate layer, common color layers 502 sandwiching the designated color layer 501 from both sides, and transparent layers 504 as the outermost layers on both sides.

[0086] The gaming currency C is formed by stacking five layers of an elongated strip-shaped plastic material (in the order of the transparent layer 504, common color layer 502, designated color layer 501, common color layer 502, and transparent layer 504). At this time, the RFID tag 503 is arranged at a predetermined interval between the designated color layer 501 and one of the common color layers 502, and the five layers of plastic material are thermocompression bonded. Then, it is punched into a circular or rectangular shape by pressing or the like so that one RFID tag 503 is included in one gaming currency C. When punching by pressing, the dimensions of the die and punch of the mold for punching are designed so that the edge of the outermost transparent layer 504 is subjected to R processing (round corners).

[0087] Note that the transparent layer 504 may be formed by applying varnish to the surface after thermocompression bonding the three layers consisting of the designated color layer 501 and the two common color layers 502. Also, the designated color layer 501 and the two common color layers 502 do not have to be separate members, and after being integrally formed, the designated color layer 501 and the common color layers 502 may be formed by applying the designated color (and common color) to the side surface by inkjet printing or the like.

[0088] The designated color layer 501 represents the value (type) of the gaming currency C in terms of color (designated color). That is, by setting the color of the designated color layer 501 to a different color (such as red, green, yellow, blue, etc.) for each value of the gaming currency C, the value (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) of the gaming currency C can be specified by checking the color of the designated color layer 501 that can be optically read from the side of the gaming currency C. The common color layer 502 is given a common color (common color) for gaming currencies C with different values. The common color is preferably a lighter color than any of the designated colors, and in this embodiment, it is white.

[0089] On the side of the gaming currency C, further, on the side (specifically, the common color layer 502 of the side), code information 505 representing the currency information of the gaming currency C is marked. This code information 505 represents information by the arrangement of a plurality of signs (which may also be referred to as marks, and in this embodiment, square signs). While the designated color layer 501 represents information (the value of the gaming currency C) in terms of color, the code information 505 represents information by the signs marked on the side, so it can be called notation information. Other examples of notation information include a plurality of character strings, number sequences, barcodes, etc.

[0090] The code information 505 of this embodiment is repeatedly marked at a 60-degree cycle in the circumferential direction of the gaming currency C. As a result, the code information 505 will include complete code information 505 within a range of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction when observing the side of the gaming currency C from any direction in the circumferential direction. Note that the repetition period of the gaming currency C is not limited to 60 degrees, and it may be repeatedly marked at least three times at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0091] The code information 505 is represented by invisible ink. In the present embodiment, as the invisible ink, an infrared absorbing ink (specifically, carbon black) that absorbs infrared rays is used and printed by inkjet printing. Since only the printed portion of the code information 505 does not reflect infrared rays, by photographing the side surface of the gaming currency C with the infrared camera 225, the code information 505 will stand out. Note that the infrared camera 225 may be provided with an infrared lamp to irradiate the side surface of the gaming currency C to be photographed with infrared rays in order to clearly lift the printed portion.

[0092] Note that the invisible ink is not limited to the infrared absorbing ink, and for example, an infrared reactive ink that fluoresces in response to infrared rays or a UV ink that fluoresces in response to ultraviolet rays may be used. When using the UV ink, an ultraviolet camera is used instead of the infrared camera 225, and furthermore, a black light that irradiates the side surface of the gaming currency C with ultraviolet rays is used to cause the UV ink to fluoresce.

[0093] Furthermore, on the gaming currency C, a label (mark) m' made of UV ink or carbon black ink is provided on the surface X of the common color layer 502. This label m' indicates the authenticity of the gaming currency 5. When ultraviolet rays (or infrared rays) are applied, the label m' becomes visible, and the genuine one is represented by the combination of its shape and number. The outermost layer is thermally pressed or coated (applied) with a transparent layer 504 so as to cover the surface printing 506 (such as 100 points) for identifying the game venue and the label m'. The transparent layer 504 is embossed or varnished to prevent the gaming currency C from sticking to each other and to improve the sliding performance.

[0094] The edge of the outermost transparent layer 504 with printing 506 (such as 100 points) is subjected to R processing (R), and in the punching process of the game currency C, the surface of the common color layer 502 is prevented from being deformed and appearing on the side surface. Also, it prevents the sharp edge of the game currency C from damaging the remaining hands or other game currencies C. The designated color layer 501 may be formed by one or a plurality of colored layers. Furthermore, a metal or ceramic for increasing the weight may be incorporated in the layer among the layers of the designated color layer 501. Also, the RFID tag 503 may be punched out in a part of the designated color layer 501, or a space may be provided between the designated color layer 501 and the common color layer 502 and incorporated therein.

[0095] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing a plurality of game currencies C housed in the case 100 with the infrared camera 225 and the visible light camera 226. In this case, the case 100 may be a two-stage chip float (the upper movable tray part in a chip tray having two stages, particularly in a game table for holding the game substitute currency C) or a chip tray. Even if the game currencies C are stacked in the vertical direction in the case 100 as shown in FIG. 4, the infrared camera 225 and the visible light camera 226 can photograph the code information 505. Also, by counting the designated color layer 501 in the vertical direction, it becomes possible to count the number of game currencies C. Note that even if it is a two-stage type, by unfolding each stage, it becomes possible to photograph the side surfaces of all the game currencies C housed in the case 100 by the infrared camera 225 and the visible light camera 226.

[0096] In this embodiment, the code information 505 is represented by the arrangement of the labels m in multiple rows and multiple columns. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the code information 505. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper and lower labels m are paired to form one code element. In the example of FIG. 5, one code information 505 is composed of 10-digit code elements. As shown in FIG. 5, there are 4 patterns of one code element formed by pairing the upper and lower labels m, and since 4 types of information can be represented by one code element, the code information 505 composed of 10-digit code elements can represent 4 to the 10th power types of information. The horizontal Y shape of the 10-digit code element is the orientation discrimination mark Y for discriminating the orientation of the code information 505.

[0097] <Configuration of the inspection device> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inspection device 200. The inspection device 200 includes, in addition to the RFID reader 221, computer 222, display unit 223, RFID antenna 224, infrared camera 225, and visible light camera 226 shown in FIG. 1, a barcode reader 228 and a communication unit 229. The computer 222 is composed of a processor, memory, etc. (not shown), and when the processor executes an inspection program, an identification unit 230 and a determination unit 231 are configured.

[0098] The RFID reader 221, RFID antenna 224, and RFID tag 503 embedded in the gaming coin C constitute an RFID system. The coin information of the gaming coin C stored in the RFID tag 503 embedded in the gaming coin C is read non-contact by the RFID reader 221 and used for processing in the computer 222.

[0099] The infrared camera 225 includes an infrared transmission filter that transmits only infrared rays and captures an infrared image. The infrared image generated by photographing with the infrared camera 225 is transmitted to the computer 222 and subjected to the processing of the identification unit 230. The visible light camera 226 captures an image of light in the visible region. The visible light image generated by photographing with the visible light camera 226 is also transmitted to the computer 222 and subjected to the processing of the identification unit 230. As shown in FIG. 1, the infrared camera 225 and the visible light camera 226 are directed from above the case 100 toward the case 100, and photograph the sides of a plurality of game coins C in the case 100 through the upper part 101 of the case 100.

[0100] The barcode reader 228 reads the barcode BC attached to the case 100 and acquires case identification information described later. The display unit 223 displays the determination result of the determination unit 231 of the computer 222. The communication unit 229 performs data communication with the production management device 302 installed in the factory F and the usage management device 303 installed in the game arcade P.

[0101] <Configuration of the case> FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the case 100. The case 100 is configured by combining an upper part 101 and a lower part 102. In the present embodiment, the upper part 101 and the lower part 102 are made of a transparent resin. As described above, in the inspection apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, since the infrared camera 225 and the visible light camera 226 (hereinafter simply referred to as the camera) are installed above the receiving part 210, at least the upper surface of the case 100 needs to transmit light. That is, the case 100 needs to have a light-transmitting portion that transmits light in the portion located between the case 100 and the camera when the case 100 is received by the receiving part 210 of the inspection apparatus 200. In the present embodiment, although the case 100 has a sealed structure composed of the upper part 101 and the lower part 102, the light-transmitting portion may be in a perforated state.

[0102] As described above, the case 100 has a shape in which five columns, each accommodating 20 gaming coins C stacked on top of each other, are formed in parallel. In the example of FIG. 7, the cross-section of each column is polygonal (octagonal) so as to generally follow the shape of the gaming coin C accommodated in the upper part 101 and the lower part 102.

[0103] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified case 100', and FIG. 9 is a plan view of this case 100'. The case 100' also consists of an upper part 101' made of transparent resin and a lower part 102. In this modification, the upper surface of the upper part 101' facing the camera is formed as a flat surface. By making the surface facing the camera flat in this way, as shown in FIG. 9, no linear shadow due to the corners of the polygonal cross-section of the case 100' is reflected in the camera, and in the image analysis of the captured image of the camera, the information on the side surface of the gaming coin C can be accurately identified.

[0104] <Usage mode of the inspection system> FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the usage mode of the inspection system 1 along with the circulation of the gaming coin C. The gaming coin C is manufactured by the manufacturing device 301 in the factory F (s1), and 100 pieces are accommodated in the case 100 one by one (s2). After accommodating the gaming coin C, the case 100 is sealed by a sealing tape in the factory F. Also, a barcode BC indicating the case identification information for uniquely identifying this case 100 is attached to the side surface of the case 100 (s3).

[0105] At this time, the case identification information of the barcode BC attached to the case 100 is input to the production management device 302 in the factory F (s4). Also, the case 100 accommodating the gaming coin C is subjected to the inspection device 200, the coin information (details will be described later) given to the gaming coin C is read, and a pass / fail inspection is performed. Then, the coin information read from the gaming coin C accommodated in the case 100 is sent to the production management device 302 (s5), and is associated with the case identification information by the production management device 302. Note that the production management device 302 may be a personal computer.

[0106] In the inspection device 200 of factory F, the case 100 that has passed the inspection is transported from factory F to the game arcade P (s6). The case 100 is first stored in the storage R at the game arcade P (s7). An inspection device 200 is installed in the storage R, and the case 100 received from factory F is inspected by this inspection device 200.

[0107] On the other hand, from the production management device 302 of factory F, case identification information and currency information associated therewith are transmitted to the usage management device 303 of the game arcade P. The usage management device 303 has a storage unit that acquires the case identification information and the currency information associated therewith from the production management device 302 for each of the plurality of cases 100 containing the game currency C, and stores it for each case 100. Note that the usage management device 303 may be a personal computer.

[0108] In the inspection by the inspection device 200 in the storage R, the inspection is performed using the information stored in this usage management device 303. The case 100 that has passed the inspection in the storage R is transported to the game table T (s9), or transported to the cashier CA (s10). The game table T and the cashier CA also each have an inspection device 200, and the case 100 containing the game currency C is inspected by those inspection devices 200 with the seal intact. Also, at the game table T and the cashier CA, inspections of the cases 100 containing the used game currency C are also performed, and the inspection device 200 is also used for that inspection. In the inspections by the three inspection devices 200 in the game arcade P, the case identification information transmitted from the production management device 302 and stored in the usage management device 303 and the currency information associated therewith are referred to.

[0109] <Configuration of the information to be stored> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the content of the information generated by the production management device 302, transmitted to the usage management device 303, and stored in the usage management device 303. The information is generated for each case 100, and currency information of a plurality (100 in this embodiment) of game currencies C contained in the case 100 is associated with each case identification information (Ca1, Ca2, Ca3,...).

[0110] As currency information, the RFID tag 503 stores information consisting of a combination of individual identification information (aa, ab, ac, ···, du, dv) that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C and information (r, r, r, ···, b, b) that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C. The notation information on the side stores information consisting of a combination of individual identification information (00001, 00002, 00003, ···, 00099, 00100) that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C and information (1, 1, 1, ···, 2, 2) that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C. The color information on the side stores information (red, red, red, ···, blue, blue) that identifies the value (type) of the gaming currency C.

[0111] The information stored in this RFID tag 503 is information that can be electromagnetically read by the RFID reader 221 and corresponds to the first currency information of the present invention. The notation information and color information provided on the side are information that can be optically read and correspond to the second currency information of the present invention.

[0112] <Configuration of the read information> FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the content of information respectively acquired by the barcode reader 228, the RFID reader 221, the infrared camera 225, and the visible light camera 226 from one case 100 in the inspection apparatus 200. From the RFID reader 221, an English character string stored in the RFID tag 503 incorporated in a plurality of gaming currencies C is read. From the infrared camera 225, a numerical sequence that is notation information written on the side is read. Also, from the visible light camera 226, the color of the side is read. The identification unit 230 analyzes the numerical sequence (image) read from the infrared camera 225 to identify the numbers, specifies the information consisting of the numerical sequence, and specifies the designated color from the image of the side read from the visible light camera 226.

[0113] Here, the notation information and the information on the designated color on the side surfaces of the plurality of game currency C can be acquired according to the order of arrangement of the game currency C in the case 100, but the information acquired from the plurality of RFID tags 503 cannot be acquired according to the order of arrangement of the game currency C. That is, it is impossible to specify from which game currency C the information of the RFID tag 503 is obtained.

[0114] <Method for determining pass / fail> Next, a method for determining pass / fail in the computer 222 of the inspection device 200 will be described. As described above, the identification unit 230 identifies the currency information stored in the RFID tag 503 of the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100 based on the reading result of the RFID reader 221, analyzes the infrared image obtained by the infrared camera 225 to identify the currency information indicated by the notation information, and analyzes the visible light image obtained by the visible light camera 226 to identify the color of the designated color layer 501. The determination unit 231 determines the authenticity, damage, or the number of each value of all the game currency present in the case based on this information, and determines the pass / fail of the case 100. In the following description, the currency information stored in the RFID tag 503 is referred to as first currency information, and the notation information provided on the side surface of the game currency C and the information on the color of the designated color layer 501 are referred to as second currency information.

[0115] (First method for determining pass / fail) In the first method for determining pass / fail, as shown in FIG. 13, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game currency C are set to the same information. In the example of FIG. 13, the first currency information is information composed of the individual identification information and value information of each game currency C, and the same content is indicated on the side surface in the form of notation information as the second currency information.

[0116] The RFID reader 221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 503 of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 230, and the infrared camera 225 photographs the side surface of the game currency C, and the identification unit 230 identifies the second currency information. In this case, in the identification unit 230, the correspondence between the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information is unclear.

[0117] The determination unit 231 compares the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 230. When they completely correspond one-to-one, that is, when all the first currency information matches any one of the second currency information without duplication, the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100 is determined to be qualified. When the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 do not completely match, the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100 is determined to be unqualified.

[0118] When the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 do not completely match, it may be the case that any one of the game currency C accommodated in the case 100 is a counterfeit, or the RFID tag 503 or the side surface of any one of the game currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 231 determines the authenticity and damage of all the game currency C existing in the case 100, and thereby determines the pass or fail of the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100.

[0119] (Second pass / fail determination method) Also in the second pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 14, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game currency C are the same information. In the example of FIG. 14, the first currency information is the information on the value of each game currency C, and each game currency C is given a designated color as the second currency information in the designated color layer 501 on the side surface.

[0120] The RFID reader 221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 503 of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 230. The visible light camera 226 photographs the side surface of the game currency C, and the identification unit 230 analyzes this image to identify the second currency information (the color of the designated color layer 501).

[0121] In this case, in the identification unit 230, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information is unknown. Also, among the plurality of first currency information, there are overlapping ones, and among the plurality of second currency information, there are also overlapping ones. In the first currency information and the second currency information in FIG. 14, "r" represents red, "b" represents blue, "y" represents yellow, and "g" represents green, respectively.

[0122] When the number of each specified color (red, blue, yellow, green) in the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 is the same as the number of each specified color (red, blue, yellow, green) in the plurality of second currency information, the determination unit 231 determines it as qualified, and when they do not match, it determines it as unqualified.

[0123] When the number of each specified color in the first currency information does not match the number of each specified color in the plurality of second currency information, it may be the case that any of the game currency C stored in the case 100 is a counterfeit, or the side surface of any of the game currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 231 determines the pass / fail of the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 100 by determining the number of each value of all the game currency C existing in the case 100.

[0124] (Third pass / fail determination method) In the third pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 15, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game currency C are different information. In the example of FIG. 15, in the RFID tag 503 of the game currency C, information in the form of an English character string is stored as the first currency information, and on the side surface of the game currency C, notation information in the form of a numerical string is shown as the second currency information.

[0125] The RFID reader 221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 503 of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 230, and the infrared camera 225 takes a picture of the side surface of the game currency C, and the identification unit 230 identifies the second currency information. In this case, in the identification unit 230, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information is unknown.

[0126] The use management device 303 stores first currency information and second currency information in association with the case identification information of this case 100. The determination unit 231 compares the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 with the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the use management device 303, and determines whether they completely correspond one-to-one. Further, the determination unit 231 compares the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 with the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the use management device 303, and determines whether they completely correspond one-to-one.

[0127] When the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 and the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the use management device 303 completely correspond one-to-one, that is, the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 do not overlap and match any of the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the use management device 303, and when the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 and the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the use management device 303 completely correspond one-to-one, that is, the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 do not overlap and match any of the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the use management device 303, the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100 are determined to be qualified. When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match or any of the plurality of second currency information does not match, the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100 are determined to be unqualified.

[0128] When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match the stored information or any of the plurality of second currency information does not match the stored information, it may be the case that any of the game currency C stored in case 100 is counterfeit, or the RFID tag 503 or the side surface of any of the game currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 231 determines the authenticity and damage of all the game currency C present in case 100, and thereby determines the pass / fail of the plurality of game currency C stored in the case 100.

[0129] (Fourth pass / fail determination method) In the fourth pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 16, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game currency C are different information. In the example of FIG. 16, the RFID tag 503 of the game currency C stores information in the form of an English character string as the first currency information, and the designated color layer 501 on the side surface of the game currency C is colored with a designated color corresponding to the value as the second currency information.

[0130] The RFID reader 221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 503 of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 230. The visible light camera 226 captures an image of the side surface of the game currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 230. The identification unit 230 analyzes this captured image to identify the designated color that is the second currency information. In this case, in the identification unit 230, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of first currency information and the plurality of second currency information is unknown.

[0131] The use management device 303 stores the first currency information and the second currency information in association with the case identification information of this case 100. The determination unit 231 compares the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 with the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the use management device 303, and determines whether they completely correspond one-to-one. Further, the determination unit 231 compares the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 with the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the use management device 303, and determines whether the numbers match for each designated color.

[0132] The determination unit 231 determines that the case 100 is qualified when the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 and the plurality of first currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the usage management device 303 are in one-to-one and complete correspondence, and when the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 230 and the number of each designated color in the plurality of second currency information associated with the case identification information of the case 100 stored in the usage management device 303 all match. When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match, or when the number of any of the designated colors in the plurality of second currency information does not match, the plurality of gaming coins C housed in the case 100 are determined to be unqualified.

[0133] When any of the plurality of first currency information does not match the stored information, or when the number of any of the designated colors in the plurality of second currency information does not match, it is considered that any of the gaming coins C housed in the case 100 is a counterfeit, or the RFID tag 503 or the side surface of any of the gaming coins C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 231 determines the authenticity, damage, and number of each value of all the gaming coins C present in the case 100, and thereby determines the pass / fail of the plurality of gaming coins C housed in the case 100.

[0134] (The fifth pass / fail determination method) In the fifth pass / fail determination method, as shown in FIG. 17, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same gaming coin C are different information. In the example of FIG. 17, the RFID tag 503 of the gaming coin C stores individual identification information consisting of a numerical sequence as the first currency information, and the value information of the gaming coin C is given in the form of the designated color of the designated color layer 501 as the second currency information on the side surface of the gaming coin C.

[0135] The RFID reader 221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 503 of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 230. The visible light camera 226 captures an image of the side of the gaming currency C and outputs it to the identification unit 230. The identification unit 230 analyzes this captured image to identify the designated color, which is the second currency information. In this case, in the identification unit 230, the correspondence between a plurality of pieces of first currency information and a plurality of pieces of second currency information is unknown.

[0136] The use management device 303 stores the correspondence between the first currency information and the second currency information. In the example of FIG. 17, the individual identification information that uniquely identifies the gaming currency C and the designated color of the designated color layer 501 on the side, that is, the information on the value of the gaming currency C, are associated with each other, and when the individual identification information is specified, the value of the corresponding gaming currency C can be known. In the case of this example, the use management device 303 does not need to store the combination of the first currency information and the second currency information for each case identification information. In other words, in this example, it is possible to inspect the gaming currency C housed in the case 100 without using the case identification information.

[0137] The determination unit 231 specifies the first currency information corresponding to the first currency information identified by the identification unit 230 from the first currency information stored in the use management device 303, and specifies the second currency information, that is, the value, associated with the first currency information. The determination unit 231 performs this for all the first currency information identified by the identification unit 230, so that the number of each value in the plurality of pieces of second currency information extracted from the use management device 303 for one case can be obtained.

[0138] The determination unit 231 compares the number of each value thus obtained with the number of each value in the second currency information identified for the case 100 by the identification unit 230. When the number of each value all match, the determination unit 231 determines that the plurality of gaming currencies C housed in the case 100 are qualified, and when the number of any value does not match, the determination unit 231 determines that the plurality of gaming currencies C housed in the case 100 are unqualified.

[0139] In the case where the number of each value in the plurality of second currency information extracted from the usage management device 303 does not match the number of each value in the second currency information identified for the case 100 by the identification unit 230, it is possible that any of the game currency C accommodated in the case 100 is a counterfeit, or the RFID tag 503 or the side surface of any of the game currency C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 231 determines the authenticity, damage, and the number of each value of all the game currency C existing in the case 100, thereby determining the pass / fail of the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100.

[0140] Although illustration is omitted, even when the value of the game currency C is stored as the first currency information and the individual identification information of the game currency C is stored as the second currency information, the pass / fail can be determined in the same manner as described above.

[0141] As described above, the first to fifth pass / fail determination methods have been explained. However, the determination unit 231 may adopt a combination of the above pass / fail determination methods. In addition to the above pass / fail determination methods, when the number of the first currency information and the second currency information read from the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100 is not a predetermined number (100 in this embodiment), the determination unit 231 may determine that the plurality of game currency C accommodated in the case 100 fails.

[0142] The above first and second pass / fail determination methods are pass / fail determination methods that can be executed without using the information stored in the usage management device 303 installed in the game arcade P, and are suitable for execution by the inspection device 200 in the factory F. The third to fifth pass / fail determination methods are pass / fail determination methods that use the information stored in the usage management device 303 installed in the game arcade P and are suitable for execution by the inspection device 200 in the game arcade P. However, the inspection device 200 in the game arcade P may adopt the first or second pass / fail determination method. When all the inspection devices 200 in the game arcade P adopt a pass / fail determination method that does not use the information stored in the usage management device 303 like the first or second pass / fail determination method, the usage management device 303 can be omitted.

[0143] In addition, the inspection device 200 in the game arcade P also inspects the case 100 containing the used game currency C. In this case, the first, second, or fifth pass / fail determination method that does not require storing the information of the game currency to be stored in the case can be adopted.

[0144] Also, in the above embodiment, the game currency C had individual identification information and / or value information as the first currency information and / or the second currency information. Here, the individual identification information is information that uniquely identifies each game currency C, while the value information is information that can overlap among a plurality of game currencies C, and can also be referred to as information (group information) indicating the group to which each game currency belongs. In this embodiment, as the group information of the belonging group, instead of or in addition to the value, for example, information such as the manufacturing date of the game currency, the manufacturer, and / or the information of the game arcade where it is used can also be adopted.

[0145] That is, both the first currency information and the second currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the game currency, both the first currency information and the second currency information may include group information indicating the group to which the game currency belongs, the first currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the game currency, and the second currency information may include group information of the group to which the game currency belongs, or the first currency information may include group information of the group to which the game currency belongs, and the second currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the game currency.

[0146] <Display of pass / fail determination result> FIGS. 18 and 19 are diagrams showing examples of pass / fail result display screens indicating the results of pass / fail determination in the determination unit 231. These pass / fail result display screens are generated by the computer 222 based on the results of pass / fail determination in the determination unit 231 and are displayed on the display unit 223. FIG. 18 shows an example of the display screen in the case of passing, and FIG. 19 shows an example of the display screen in the case of failing.

[0147] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, on the pass / fail result display screen 800, there are a total detection number 801 which is the number of combinations of the first currency information and the second currency information read by the identification unit 230 from the gaming currency C, the correct number 802 of the gaming currency C, and the number 803 of the incorrect gaming currency C.

[0148] The computer 222 sets the larger of the number of the first currency information and the number of the second currency information as the total detection number 801. For example, if 100 gaming currencies C are stored in the case 100, but one of them does not have the RFID tag 503 built in, the identification unit 230 identifies 100 pieces of the second currency information from a plurality of gaming currencies C, but only 99 pieces of the first currency information can be obtained. In this case, the computer 222 sets 100, which is the larger of the first currency information and the second currency information, as the total detection number 801.

[0149] In the case of the above first or second pass / fail determination method, the computer 222 sets the number of combinations of the first currency information and the second currency information determined to match each other as the correct number 802 of the gaming currency C, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the correct number of the gaming currency C from the total detection number 801 as the number 803 of the incorrect gaming currency C.

[0150] In the case of the above third or fourth pass / fail determination method, the computer 222 sets the smaller of the number of the first currency information whose correspondence with the first currency information stored in the use management device 303 is confirmed and the number of the second currency information whose correspondence with the second currency information stored in the use management device 303 is confirmed as the correct number 802 of the gaming currency C, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the correct number of the gaming currency C from the total detection number 801 as the number 803 of the incorrect gaming currency C.

[0151] In the case of the above fifth pass / fail determination method, the computer 222 sets the number of the second currency information whose correspondence with the second currency information stored in the use management device 303 is confirmed as the correct number 802 of the gaming currency C, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the correct number of the gaming currency C from the total detection number 801 as the number 803 of the incorrect gaming currency C.

[0152] The pass / fail result display screen 800 includes a currency information display unit 804 that displays the currency information read by the identification unit 230 from the game currency C. In the currency information display unit 804, when the currency information stored in the use management device 303 is read, or when the first currency information and the second currency information match, the currency information is displayed in color, and the currency information stored in the use management device 303 but not read is displayed in white (see FIG. 19).

[0153] Also, on the pass / fail result display screen 800, when currency information not stored in the use management device 303 is read, or when the first currency information and the second currency information do not match, the currency information is displayed outside the currency information display unit 804 as illegal currency information 805.

[0154] <Modification Example> (RFID Antenna of Inspection Device) FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modification example of the RFID antenna 224 of the inspection device 200. In FIG. 20, the illustration of the arm 227, the infrared camera 225, and the visible light camera 226 is omitted. In the above-described embodiment, the RFID antenna 224 was built into the left and right side walls 211, but the RFID antenna 224 may be built into the bottom 213. Also in this case, the RFID antenna 224 is arranged in a spiral shape inside the bottom 213.

[0155] (Game Currency) FIG. 21 is a side view of a modified game currency C'. In the game currency C of the above-described embodiment, the designated color layer 501 was sandwiched by the common color layer 502, but in the example of FIG. 21, the game currency C' is configured such that the center is the common color layer 502 and both sides (top and bottom) thereof are the designated color layer 501. In the example of FIG. 21, individual identification information represented by a 7-digit numerical sequence is marked (printed) on the side of the game currency C' as code information 505'. In the example of FIG. 21, the code information 505' which is the marking information is marked on the central common color layer 502. The code information 505' in this case can represent 10 to the 7th power types of information.

[0156] Furthermore, either the code information 505 expressed by the presence or absence of the mark m, which was described for the game currency C of the above embodiment, or the code information 505' of the numerical sequence illustrated in FIG. 21 may be written on the side surface of the game currency C. In this case, the code information 505 by the mark m and the code information 505' of the numerical sequence may be printed with different inks. For example, the code information 505 by the mark m may be printed with infrared reaction ink, and the code information 505' by the numerical sequence may be printed with ultraviolet reaction ink. In this case, an infrared camera and an ultraviolet camera may be prepared to photograph the side surface of the game currency C, and the code information 505 by the mark m may be read with the infrared camera, and the code information 505' by the numerical sequence may be read with the ultraviolet camera.

[0157] FIG. 22 is a side cross-sectional view of a game currency C'' of another modification. The game currency C'' has a multilayer structure in which a plurality of plastic layers of different colors are laminated, and at least an intermediate designated color layer (colored layer) 501 is provided, and common color layers (white or light-colored layers) 502 are laminated on both sides of this intermediate designated color layer 501. Note that it is desirable that the color of the common color layer 502 is lighter than the color of the designated color layer 501. Thus, in the game currency C'', by having the designated color layer 501 and forming a multilayer structure in which the common color layers 502 are laminated on both sides of this intermediate designated color layer 501, as shown in FIG. 23, a stripe pattern in the lamination direction is formed on the side surface, and by changing the color of the designated color layer 501 (such as red, green, yellow, or blue), the type of the game currency C'' (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) can be specified.

[0158] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of stacked game tokens C'', FIG. 24 is a side view of game token C'', and FIG. 25 is a plan view of game token C''. As shown in FIG. 23, on the surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) of the common color layer 502, printing 507 (such as 100 points) representing the type (value) of the game token C'' is applied, a transparent layer 504 is provided on the outermost layer, and the layers are thermocompression bonded to form at least a five-layer structure. These game tokens C'' are made of an elongated plastic material, and in the elongated state, the layers (designated color layer 501, common color layer 502, transparent layer 504) are thermocompression bonded to form a closely adhered state (such as a five-layer structure), and then punched into a circular or rectangular shape or the like by pressing or the like. When punching by pressing, the dimensions of the die and punch of the mold for punching are designed so that the edge of the outermost transparent layer 504 is subjected to R processing (round corners).

[0159] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of stacked game tokens C'', FIG. 24 is a side view of game token C'', and FIG. 25 is a plan view of game token C''. As shown in FIG. 23, on the surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) of the common color layer 502, printing 507 (such as 100 points) representing the type (value) of the game token C'' is applied, a transparent layer 504 is provided on the outermost layer, and the layers are thermocompression bonded to form at least a five-layer structure. These game tokens C'' are made of an elongated plastic material, and in the elongated state, the layers (designated color layer 501, common color layer 502, transparent layer 504) are thermocompression bonded to form a closely adhered state (such as a five-layer structure), and then punched into a circular or rectangular shape or the like by pressing or the like. When punching by pressing, the dimensions of the die and punch of the mold for punching are designed so that the edge of the outermost transparent layer 504 is subjected to R processing (round corners).

[0160] The edge of the outermost transparent layer 504 with the printing 507 (such as 100 points) is subjected to R processing (R), preventing the surface of the common color layer 502 from deforming and appearing on the side surface during the punching process of the game token C''. Also, the game token C'' prevents sharp edges from damaging the hands or other game tokens C''.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 22, the designated color layer 501 may be formed by a plurality of layers (three layers in FIG. 22) colored with the designated color. Since the plurality of layers (three layers in FIG. 22) colored with the designated color are thermocompression bonded to each other, the three-layer structure is not visible as shown in FIG. 22, and FIG. 2 represents the three layers of the designated color layer 501 for explanatory purposes. Further, a partial cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the designated color layer 501, and the RIFD tag 503 is built therein.

[0162] As shown in FIGS. 2, 21, and 22, the gaming coins C, C', C'' have a stacked multi-layer structure, and stripe patterns in the stacking direction are clearly formed on the side surfaces. Therefore, compared with conventional chips, it is possible to easily and accurately measure the color (type of gaming coin) and the number of the designated color layer 501 by image analysis. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing the stacked gaming coins. As shown in FIG. 26, by photographing the side surface of the gaming coin C with the visible light camera 226, the designated color layer 501 can be clearly identified. Further, if an artificial intelligence-utilizing computer or control system or deep learning (structure) technology is used for this image analysis, the analysis and determination of the image can be made more accurate. Since the artificial intelligence-utilizing computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology are already known and available to those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0163] (Detection of seal) As described above, after the case 100 houses a predetermined number of gaming coins C, it is sealed with a seal. The seal is broken when the stored gaming coins are opened so as to be removable. The detection device 200 may include a detection unit that detects an unbroken seal attached to the case 100. The detection unit may detect the seal optically or magnetically. In this case, when the detection unit does not detect an unbroken seal, the determination unit 231 determines that the plurality of gaming coins C housed in the case 100 are non-conforming.

[0164] (Arrangement of components of inspection device) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, all the components of the inspection apparatus 200 were arranged in one apparatus, but these may be distributed. For example, part or all of the computer 222, the display unit 223, and the communication unit 224 may be realized by a personal computer connected to the inspection apparatus 200. The distributed components may be communicably connected by wire or wirelessly, or may be connected via a network such as the Internet therebetween.

[0165] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the infrared camera 225 and / or the visible light camera 226 and the arm 227 may be separated from the inspection apparatus 200, and these cameras may be connected to the computer 222. FIG. 27 shows an example in which only one of the infrared camera 225 or the visible light camera 226 is provided separately from the inspection apparatus 200, and FIG. 28 shows an example in which the infrared camera 225 is provided separately from the inspection apparatus 200 and the visible light camera 225 is provided integrally with the inspection apparatus 200. In addition to the infrared camera 225 and the visible light camera 226, an ultraviolet camera may be provided as a third camera together with an ultraviolet lamp, or any of the cameras in FIGS. 27 and 28 may be an ultraviolet camera with an ultraviolet lamp.

[0166] (Monetary information) In the above-described embodiment, for the gaming currency C, the monetary information is stored in the RFID tag 503, the code information 505 as the monetary information is also indicated on the side surface, and the designated color of the designated color layer 501 on the side surface is also treated as the monetary information representing the value of the gaming currency C. One gaming currency C had these three pieces of monetary information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gaming currency C may have only two of these pieces of monetary information. If the gaming currency C has two pieces of monetary information, the first to fifth pass / fail determination methods can be executed.

[0167] Also, in the above first to fifth pass / fail determination methods, two pieces of monetary information were used. However, when the gaming currency C has three pieces of monetary information, the determination unit 231 may perform a pass / fail determination using these three pieces of monetary information.

[0168] (Display unit) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the display unit 223 is configured by a liquid crystal panel has been described. However, the display unit 223 may be simply a lamp that indicates only pass or fail, or may be a lamp that digitally displays only the total number of detections 801, the number 802 of correct game coins C, and the number 803 of illegal game coins C.

[0169] (Calculation of total value) As described above, the determination unit 231 in the above-described embodiment can specify the number of each value of the plurality of game coins C accommodated in the case 100. Therefore, the determination unit 231 may further calculate the total value of the plurality of game coins C accommodated in the case 100 based on the number of each value. The calculated total amount may be displayed on the pass / fail result display screen (see FIGS. 18 and 19) displayed on the display unit 233.

Claims

1. An area configured such that a plurality of gaming coins each including an RFID tag are arranged, and an inspection device, wherein the inspection device is a first detection device that acquires first gaming coin information from the plurality of gaming coins arranged in the area by RFID; a camera that photographs the plurality of gaming coins arranged in the area to generate an image; a second detection device that determines the presence or absence of gaming coins arranged in the area by analyzing the image and determines second gaming coin information indicating the determined presence or absence of the gaming coins; a processor that determines the damaged state of the gaming coins arranged in the area by using (a) the first gaming coin information acquired by the first detection device and (b) the second gaming coin information determined by the second detection device, and combining (a) the first gaming coin information acquired by the first detection device and (b) the second gaming coin information determined by the second detection device; An inspection system including the above.

2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, in order to determine the damaged state, the processor further determines whether the gaming coin is damaged.

3. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, in order to determine the damaged state, the processor further determines, for each value of a plurality of gaming coins, the number corresponding to each value of the gaming coins among the gaming coins arranged in the area, based on (a) the acquired first gaming coin information and (b) the second gaming coin information.

4. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein each RFID tag stores individual identification information for individually identifying each of the plurality of gaming coins.

5. Further comprising a storage unit for storing the individual identification information, wherein the processor determines that it is a damaged or counterfeit product when the individual identification information acquired by the first detection device does not match the individual identification information stored in the storage unit. The inspection system according to claim 4.

6. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein each of the RFID tags stores information indicated by a designated color indicating the value of each of the gaming coins including the RFID tag.

7. The plurality of gaming tokens include color information indicating the value of each of the plurality of gaming tokens, and, as the first gaming token information, include respective value information for identifying the value of each of the plurality of gaming tokens. The second gaming token information includes first color information of the gaming token. When the color information does not match the value information of the first gaming token information, the processor determines that the first set of the plurality of gaming tokens arranged on the area is in a defective state. The inspection system according to claim 1.

8. The second gaming token information further includes respective value information of the gaming tokens in addition to the color information. When the value of each gaming token among the plurality of gaming tokens indicated by the color information in the second gaming token information of each gaming token does not match the value information of the second gaming token information and / or the value information of the first gaming token information, the processor determines that the second set of the plurality of gaming tokens arranged on the area is in a defective state. The inspection system according to claim 7.

9. Based on the color information or the value information of the first gaming token information or the second gaming token information, the processor determines, for each value, the number of each of the plurality of gaming tokens arranged in the area or the total amount of the values of all the gaming tokens. The inspection system according to claim 8.

10. The second gaming token information further includes respective value information of the gaming tokens in addition to the color information. When the color information does not match at least one of (a) the value information of the first gaming token information or the second gaming token information, (b) the common information of the first gaming token information and the second gaming token information, or (c) the individual identification information included in the first gaming token information or the second gaming token information, the processor determines that the third set of the plurality of gaming tokens arranged on the area is in a defective state. The inspection system according to claim 7.

11. The first gaming token information is included in respective RFID tags of the gaming tokens. The inspection system according to claim 1.

12. The first gaming currency information and / or the second gaming currency information includes group information indicating each group to which each of the gaming currencies belongs, and the groups are classified according to the value, manufacturing date, manufacturer, and / or the gaming parlor in which each of the gaming currencies is used. The inspection system according to claim 1.

13. The second gaming currency information includes respective designated colors indicating the respective values of the gaming currencies on respective sides of the gaming currencies. The second detection device A camera that photographs the side surface of the gaming currency arranged on the area to obtain an image, A second processor that analyzes the image acquired by the camera, identifies and outputs the respective designated colors of the gaming currency based on the analysis, and identifies and outputs the respective values of the gaming currency according to the identified designated colors. The inspection system according to claim 1.

14. The inspection system according to claim 13, wherein the designated colors are respectively sandwiched between common colors commonly assigned to gaming currencies having different values in the thickness direction of the side surface of the gaming currency.

15. The second gaming currency information is notation information optically readable and written on the side surface of the gaming currency. The second detection device A camera that photographs the side surface of the gaming currency stacked and arranged on the area to obtain an image, A second processor that analyzes the image acquired by the camera, specifies the respective notation information of the gaming currency based on the analysis, and specifies and outputs the second gaming currency information of the gaming currency according to the specified respective notation information. Including The inspection system according to claim 1.

16. The notation information is written using infrared reaction ink that emits light in response to infrared rays or infrared absorption ink that absorbs infrared rays. The camera is an infrared camera. The inspection system according to claim 15.

17. The notation information is written using ink that emits light in response to ultraviolet rays. The inspection device further includes an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates the side surface of the gaming currency arranged in the area with ultraviolet rays. The inspection system according to claim 15.

18. The area is a case having a seal that is broken when the case is opened so that the gaming currency can be taken out of the case. The inspection device further includes a sensor that detects whether or not the seal is unbroken. When the unbroken seal is not detected by the sensor, the processor determines that the gaming currency is in a defective state. The inspection system according to claim 1.

19. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the area is defined by a container.

20. The inspection system according to claim 19, wherein the container includes a case or a chip tray.

21. The inspection system according to claim 20, wherein the case is portable.

22. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the area includes a three-dimensional space.

23. The first detection device acquires the first gaming currency information of the gaming currency arranged in the area, and the second detection device optically reads a side surface of the gaming currency arranged in the area. The inspection system according to claim 22.

24. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the first detection device is different from the second detection device.

25. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the first detection device includes a first camera, and the second detection device includes a second camera.

26. The inspection system according to claim 25, wherein the first camera is different from the second camera.

27. The first detection device optically reads the plurality of gaming currencies, acquires the first gaming currency information based on the optical reading of the gaming currencies, and the second detection device acquires the second gaming currency information based on the optical reading of the side surfaces of the gaming currencies. The inspection system according to claim 1.

28. The first detection device acquires a first image of the plurality of gaming currencies in order to optically read the plurality of gaming currencies, and the second detection device acquires a second image of the gaming currency in order to optically read the plurality of gaming currencies. The inspection system according to claim 1.

29. The inspection system according to claim 28, wherein the first image is different from the second image.

Images