Token Management System

Abstract

To provide a token management system for managing electronic tokens that are exchangeable for physical tokens.SOLUTION: In the token management system, an electronic token management apparatus has a storage device for storing a money amount of electronic tokens owned by a player 61, and includes: a first money amount increase update unit 71 that increases a money amount of electronic tokens stored in the storage device for the player in accordance with a purchase price received from the player in a cage 53 in a casino with a smartphone 62 to specify the money amount of the electronic tokens; a first money amount reduction update unit 72 tha is installed at a gaming table 54 in the casino, and reduces the money amount of electronic tokens in the storage device specified by the smartphone in accordance with the money amount of physical tokens given to the player; and a second money amount increase update unit 73 that increases the money amount of electronic tokens stored in the storage device for the player in accordance with the money amount of physical tokens received from the player.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a token management system for managing electronic tokens that can be exchanged for physical tokens in a casino. [Background technology]

[0002] In casinos, players acquire gaming chips as physical tokens with cash to play games, so players may play games in casinos while carrying large amounts of cash, which is undesirable from a security standpoint.

[0003] On the other hand, electronic betting systems that allow bets and payouts to be made using electronic tokens, without using physical tokens, are also known in casinos (for example, Patent Document 1). Such electronic betting systems are not popular among traditional casino fans because they lack the sense of realism and control that comes from placing bets by moving physical tokens to a betting area at a gaming table. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2004-520089 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a token management system that reduces security risks caused by players playing games in a casino while carrying large amounts of cash, assuming that physical tokens are used at the gaming tables. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the token management system manages electronic tokens that are used by players to place bets in a casino, are paid out to the player based on the bet amount and game result when the player wins a game, and are collected by the casino based on the bet amount and game result when the player loses a game. The token management system is configured to include: a storage means for storing the amount of electronic tokens owned by the player; a player item carried by the player for identifying the amount of electronic tokens owned by the player in the storage means; a first increase / decrease update means for increasing the amount of the electronic tokens stored in the storage means for the player in accordance with the amount of purchase money received from the player at a cage in the casino; a first decrease / decrease update means installed at a game table in the casino for decreasing the amount of the electronic tokens in the storage means identified by the player item in accordance with the amount of physical tokens to be handed over to the player; and a second increase / decrease update means for increasing the amount of the electronic tokens stored in the storage means for the player in accordance with the amount of the physical tokens received from the player.

[0007] The above-mentioned token management system may further include a second deducting / updating means for deducting the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means for the player in accordance with the amount of payment to the player.

[0008] In the above token management system, the first increase updating means may be provided in the player's belongings, and may receive the purchase price by electronic payment.

[0009] In the above token management system, the first increase update means may receive the purchase price from the player by reducing the player's deposit amount.

[0010] In the above token management system, the second increase update means may be installed at the gate of the casino, and the physical token may be prohibited from being taken out of the casino.

[0011] In the above token management system, the second increase update means may be installed at the game table, and the physical token may be usable at the game table where it is handed over to the player, and may be prohibited from being used at other game tables.

[0012] In the above-mentioned token management system, the second increase update means may be provided at a game table in the casino, and may increase the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means for the player in accordance with the payout amount to be paid to the player who wins the game.

[0013] In the above-mentioned token management system, the player's belongings may be provided with an identification information storage means for storing identification information of the player carrying the item or of the player's belongings, and the token management system may further be provided with a history storage means for storing a change history of the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means in association with the identification information.

[0014] In the above-mentioned token management system, the change history may include at least one of the following: (1) a reduction in the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means in response to the delivery of the physical token to the player; (2) an increase in the amount in accordance with the amount of the purchase price received from the player; (3) an increase in the amount of the physical token received from the player; (4) an increase in the amount in accordance with the payout amount to be paid to the player who won the game; and (5) a reduction in the amount of cash to be paid to the player.

[0015] In the above token management system, the storage means may be provided in the player's personal item, and the first deducting / updating means may deduct the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means of the player's personal item according to the amount of the physical token to be handed over to the player.

[0016] In the above token management system, the storage means may be provided in a device other than the player's belongings and may store the amount of electronic tokens owned by the player in association with identification information of the player or the player's belongings, the player's belongings may be provided with identification information storage means for storing identification information of the player or the player's belongings carrying it, and the first reduction update means may read the identification information from the identification information storage means and reduce the amount of the electronic tokens stored in the storage means and associated with the read identification information according to the amount of physical tokens to be handed over to the player.

[0017] The above-mentioned token management system may further include a physical token reading means for reading the amount of the physical token handed over by the player, and the second amount increase update means may increase the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means in accordance with the amount of the physical token read by the physical token reading means.

[0018] The above-mentioned token management system may further include a physical token reading means for reading the amount of the physical token handed over by the player, and a player-carried item reading means for reading the identification information from the identification information storage means of the player-carried item, and the second amount increase update means may increase the amount of the stored electronic token associated with the identification information in accordance with the amount of the physical token read by the physical token reading means in association with the reading of the identification information.

[0019] In the above token management system, the player's belongings may be a dedicated terminal device for managing the electronic tokens that can be used within the casino.

[0020] In the above token management system, the player's belongings may be a general-purpose information processing device that executes a program for managing the electronic tokens.

[0021] In the above token management system, the player's belongings may be a card for managing the electronic tokens that can be used within the casino.

[0022] In the above token management system, the electronic token may have an expiration date set thereto. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a token management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the exchange relationship between cash, electronic tokens, and physical tokens in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the token management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of information stored in a storage device of the smartphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a transaction according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a token management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a token management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of information stored in a database according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The token management system 100 manages electronic tokens that can be exchanged for physical tokens. Here, the physical tokens are used by players to bet in a casino, are paid out to players based on the bet amount and game results when the player wins a game, and are collected by the casino based on the bet amount and game results when the player loses a game, and are typically gaming chips.

[0025] An electronic token is electronic data that contains at least information about the value of a physical token that can be exchanged, i.e., information about the value of the electronic token. That is, the electronic token cannot be directly used to place bets at the gaming tables 54, but can be exchanged for physical tokens that can be used to place bets at the gaming tables 54. In the embodiments described below, the electronic token can be converted into cash. However, the electronic token cannot be used to purchase goods or services outside the casino in the same way as currency. Note that in other embodiments, the electronic token may be used to purchase goods or services outside the casino.

[0026] The electronic token is stored in a storage device. The electronic token may be stored in association with a player ID in a database serving as a storage device. The electronic token may also be stored in a storage medium carried by the player. Blockchain technology may be employed for the electronic token.

[0027] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a token management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a casino 50 is provided with a backyard 51 and a gaming floor 52. A player 61 is not allowed to enter the backyard 51. A cage 53 having a window 531 leading to the gaming floor 52 is installed in the backyard 51. A player 61 on the gaming floor 52 can purchase and exchange tokens for cash with a staff member in the cage 53 through the window 531. A plurality of gaming tables 54 are installed on the gaming floor 52. Each player 61 carries his or her own smartphone 62 as a player-carried item. The player 61 can play games at the gaming table 54.

[0028] A cage system 10 is installed in the cage 53, and a table system 20 is installed on each game table 54. The smartphone 62 is a general-purpose information processing device that has other functions and also has the function of storing and updating electronic tokens owned by the player 61.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the exchange relationship between cash, electronic tokens, and physical tokens in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the conversion of the form of value owned by a player. A player can charge electronic tokens to his / her smartphone 62 by paying cash to the casino (exchange E1). A player can acquire physical tokens by consuming electronic tokens charged to the smartphone 62 (exchange E2). A player 61 can place bets on games at each game table 54 using physical tokens.

[0030] The player 61 can charge electronic tokens to his / her smartphone 62 by paying the casino with physical tokens he / she possesses (exchange E3). In addition, the player 61 can exchange the electronic tokens charged to his / her smartphone 62 for cash (exchange E4).

[0031] Note that Figure 2 shows a method of converting cash held by a player into physical tokens to be used in games via electronic tokens, but casino 50 may also be able to convert cash directly into physical tokens (i.e., physical tokens can be purchased with cash) as in the past, and may also be able to convert physical tokens directly into cash (i.e., physical tokens can be exchanged for cash).

[0032] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a token management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The token management system 100 includes a cage system 10, a table system 20, and a smartphone 62. The cage system 10 includes a short-range communication device 11 and an electronic token management device 12. The table system 20 includes a short-range communication device 21 and an electronic token management device 22. The smartphone 62 includes a short-range communication device 621, an update device 622, and a storage device 623.

[0033] The near field communication devices 11 and 21 are equipped with an antenna and a reader (not shown). The antenna of the near field communication device 11 may be installed, for example, on the counter of the window 531, and the antenna of the near field communication device 21 may be installed, for example, within the table surface at each player position of the game table 54. The near field communication devices 11 and 21 communicate with a near field communication device 621 of a smartphone 62 carried by a player 61 in accordance with a near field wireless communication standard such as NFC. The near field communication devices 11 and 21 may be equipped, for example, with an antenna and an NFC reader / writer (NFC controller), and the near field communication device 621 may be an NFC tag.

[0034] The electronic token management devices 12 and 22 are configured by a computer that is equipped with a processor, memory, etc. and runs on a predetermined OS, executing the computer-readable program of this embodiment. The electronic token management device 12 functions as an update processing unit 120, and the electronic token management device 22 functions as an update processing unit 220.

[0035] The token management system 100 includes a first increase update unit 71, a first decrease update unit 72, a second increase update unit 73, and a second decrease update unit 74. In this embodiment, the first increase update unit 71 and the second decrease update unit 74 are provided in the update processing unit 120 of the cage system 10, and the first increase update unit 71, the first decrease update unit 72, and the second increase update unit 73 are provided in the update processing unit 220 of the table system 20, but the update processing unit 120 of the cage system 10 may further be provided with the first decrease update unit 72 and the second increase update unit 73, and the update processing unit 220 of the table system 20 may further be provided with the second decrease update unit.

[0036] The update device 622 of the smartphone 62 performs an update process to increase or decrease the balance stored in the storage device 623 in response to instructions from the first increase update unit 71, the first decrease update unit 72, the second increase update unit 73, and the second decrease update unit 74. When the update device 622 performs an increase update in cooperation with the first increase update unit 71, such update device 622 also functions as the first increase update unit, when the update device 622 performs a decrease update in cooperation with the first decrease update unit 72, such update device 622 also functions as the first decrease update unit, when the update device 622 performs an increase update in cooperation with the second increase update unit 73, such update device 622 also functions as the second increase update unit, and when the update device 622 performs a decrease update in cooperation with the second decrease update unit 74, such update device 622 also functions as the second decrease update unit.

[0037] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the player-carried object carried by the player is the smartphone 62, but the player-carried object may be, for example, a dedicated device, or may be a card-type object that does not have its own power source, as long as it is equipped with the short-range communication device 621, the update device 622, and the storage device 623.

[0038] 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of information stored in the storage device of the smartphone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The storage device 623 stores, as electronic tokens, transaction history such as the transaction date and time, transaction type, and transaction amount, as well as the balance of the electronic token. Transaction types include "Chip buy-in," which indicates that a physical token has been acquired by consuming an electronic token; "Charge by cash," which indicates that an electronic token has been charged by handing over cash to the casino; "Charge by chips," which indicates that an electronic token has been charged by handing over a physical token to the casino; and "Cash-out," which indicates that part or all of the balance of the electronic token has been converted into cash (not shown). The latest balance indicates the amount of electronic tokens available for consumption at that time.

[0039] That is, in the storage device 623, as a history of changes in the amount of electronic tokens, a reduction in the amount of electronic tokens in response to the delivery of physical tokens to players is recorded as a "Chip buy-in" amount, an increase in the amount of electronic tokens in response to the amount of purchase money received from the player 61 is recorded as a "Charge by cash" amount, an increase in the amount of electronic tokens in response to the amount of physical tokens received from the player 61 is recorded as a "Charge by chips" amount, and a reduction in the amount of electronic tokens in response to the amount of cash paid to the player 61 is recorded as a "Cash-out" amount. Furthermore, as will be described later, in the case where payouts to the player 61 who has won a game are made in electronic tokens, an increase in the amount of electronic tokens in response to the payout amount paid to the player 61 who has won the game may be recorded as a "Pay-out" amount.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a transaction in the first embodiment of the present invention. The processing of each of the update units 71 to 74 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The terms "increase" and "decrease" in each of the update units 71 to 74 mean an increase or decrease in the amount of electronic tokens owned by the player 61, and therefore an increase process refers to a process of increasing the balance of electronic tokens, and a decrease process refers to a process of decreasing the balance of electronic tokens.

[0041] The first increase updating unit 71 performs a process of increasing the balance of the electronic token in exchange for cash (purchase price) paid by the player 61 to the casino (exchange E1 in FIG. 2 ). Specifically, when casino staff (for example, staff at the cage 53 and dealers at the game tables 54) receive cash for the transaction from the player 61, they specify the amount of this cash to the first increase updating unit 71. Having received the specified amount, the first increase updating unit 71 communicates with the near-field communication device 621 of the smartphone 62 via the near-field communication device 11 or 21, and causes the updating device 622 to perform an increase update process. The updating device 622 functions as a first increase processing unit and performs a process of increasing the balance stored in the storage device 623 by the specified amount.

[0042] The first deduction updating unit 72 performs a process of deducting the balance of electronic tokens in exchange for payment of physical tokens from the casino to the player 61 (exchange E2 in FIG. 2 ). Specifically, when the casino staff receives a request for physical tokens and a designation of the amount from the player 61, the casino staff pays the physical tokens of that amount to the player 61 and designates that amount to the first deduction updating unit 72. Having received the designation of the amount, the first deduction updating unit 72 communicates with the near field communication device 621 of the smartphone 62 via the near field communication device 21 and causes the updating unit 622 to perform a deduction update process. The updating unit 622 functions as a first deduction processing unit and performs a process of deducting the designated amount from the balance stored in the storage device 623.

[0043] The second increase updating unit 73 performs a process of increasing the balance of the electronic token in exchange for the physical token delivered from the player 61 to the casino (exchange E3 in FIG. 2 ). Specifically, when the casino staff receives the physical token related to the transaction from the player 61, they specify the amount of this physical token to the second increase updating unit 73. Having received the specified amount, the second increase updating unit 73 communicates with the near field communication device 621 of the smartphone 62 via the near field communication device 21 and causes the updating device 622 to perform an increase update process. The updating device 622 functions as a second increase processing unit and performs a process of increasing the balance stored in the storage device 623 by the specified amount.

[0044] When the dealer pays out physical tokens from the chip tray to the player 61 who has won the game, the dealer may increase the value of the electronic tokens of the winning player 61 instead of the paid-out physical tokens. In this case, the dealer specifies the amount to be paid out to the second increase update unit 73 of the table system 20. Upon receiving the specified amount, the second increase update unit 73 communicates with the near-field communication device 621 of the smartphone via the near-field communication device 21 and causes the update device 622 to perform an update process of the increase. In this case as well, the update device 622 functions as a second increase processing unit and performs a process of increasing the balance stored in the storage device 623 by the specified amount.

[0045] The second deduction updating unit 74 performs a process of deducting the balance of the electronic token in exchange for cash paid from the casino to the player 61 (exchange E4 in FIG. 2 ). Specifically, when the casino staff receives a request for cash and a designation of the amount from the player 61, the casino staff pays that amount of cash to the player 61 and designates that amount to the second deduction updating unit 74. Having received the designation of the amount, the second deduction updating unit 74 communicates with the near field communication device 621 of the smartphone 62 via the near field communication device 11 and causes the updating unit 622 to perform a deduction update process. The updating unit 622 functions as a second deduction processing unit and performs a process of deducting the designated amount from the balance stored in the storage device 623.

[0046] In a casino, it may be prohibited to take physical tokens outside the casino floor 52. In this case, when a player 61 playing on the casino floor 52 leaves the casino floor 52, the player 61 converts the physical token he or she possesses into an electronic token using the second increase update unit 73 at the game table 54 before leaving the casino floor 52.

[0047] Also, some casinos may prohibit taking physical tokens out of the game table 54. In this case, a player who leaves the game table 54 converts the physical tokens he or she possesses into electronic tokens using the second increase update unit 73 of the table system 220 at the game table 54 before leaving the game table 54.

[0048] If taking physical tokens out of a game table 54 is prohibited, the physical tokens can only be used within that game table 54. Therefore, the table system 20 may calculate the amount of physical tokens possessed by each player by keeping track of the amount of physical tokens that the player has acquired in exchange for electronic tokens at that game table 54, the increase or decrease in the number of physical tokens by that player playing the game, and the amount of physical tokens that the player has converted into electronic tokens, and thereby determine whether a player leaving a game table 54 is not possessing physical tokens from that game table.

[0049] (Second embodiment) 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a token management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. A casino 50 is provided with a gate 55 for a player 61 to enter and exit a casino floor 52, and a gate system 30 is installed at the gate 55.

[0050] A database 240 is installed in the back yard 51. The cage system 10, the table system 20, and the gate system 30 are each connected to the database 240 via a LAN. The cage system 10, the table system 20, and the gate system 30 may be connected to the database 240 via a wireless LAN. The database 2490 may be installed on a communication network outside the casino, such as the Internet. In this case, a management system (not shown) that integrates the cage system 10, the table system 20, and the gate system 30 may be provided, and the management system may be connected to the database 240 via the communication network so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0051] 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a token management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The cage system 10, table system 20, and gate system 30 are each equipped with devices for communicating with the database 240. These communication devices 13, 23, and 33 may be LAN ports when the systems 10, 20, and 30 are connected to the database 240 via a wired LAN, or may be wireless LAN modules when connected via a wireless LAN.

[0052] In this embodiment, the player belongings carried by the player 61 is an IC card. In this embodiment, the IC card 62' includes a short-range communication device 621 and a storage device 623, but does not include the update device 622 of the first embodiment. The storage device 623 stores player identification information that identifies the player.

[0053] The gate system 30 includes a short-range communication device 31, an electronic token management device 32, and a communication device 33. In this embodiment, the update processing unit 320 of the electronic token management device 32 of the gate system 30 includes a second increase update unit 73 that converts the physical token held by the player 61 into an electronic token.

[0054] The near-field communication devices 11, 21, and 31 perform near-field communication with the near-field communication device 621 of the IC card 62′, similar to the near-field communication devices 11 and 21 of the cage system 10 and the table system 20 of the first embodiment. In particular, the near-field communication devices 11, 21, and 31 of this embodiment acquire player identification information stored in the storage device 623.

[0055] The update processing units 120, 220, and 320 update the electronic token stored in the database 240 for the player identification information read from the IC card 62′ by the short-range communication devices 11, 21, and 31, respectively. Specifically, the update processing units 120, 220, and 320 access the database 240 via the communication devices 13, 23, and 33 to obtain information from the database 240 and update the information stored in the database 240.

[0056] 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of information stored in a database according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the database 240, player identification information and the electronic token of the player are stored in association with each other. The contents of the electronic token are the same as those in the first embodiment. The update processing units 120, 22, and 320 each specify player identification information to access the database 240, and read or update the electronic token associated with the corresponding player identification information.

[0057] In this embodiment, the player 61 is prohibited from taking the physical token out of the casino from the gaming floor 52. When the player 61 has a physical token and wants to leave the gaming floor 52, he or she hands the physical token to a staff member at the gate 55 to have an electronic token of the same value charged to the physical token. At this time, the staff member specifies the value of the physical token received from the player 61 to the second increase update unit 73 of the update processing unit 320 of the electronic token management device 32. The near-field communication device 31 also reads the player identification information of the player 61 from the IC card of the player 61. Upon receiving the specified amount, the second increase update unit 73 accesses the database 240 via the communication device 33, specifies the read player identification information, and increases the balance of the electronic token associated with the player identification information by the specified amount.

[0058] As described above, according to this embodiment, the electronic token is stored in the database, not in the player's belongings, so that if the player 61 has their player's belongings stolen by another person or loses them, the transaction of the electronic token related to the player identification information can be stopped in the database 240 at the request of the player 61, and the player's belongings of the player 61 will no longer be usable. Therefore, safety is ensured for the player 61.

[0059] In the above-described first and second embodiments, when the second increase updating unit 73 is used to charge an electronic token in exchange for a physical token handed over by the player 61, the staff at the game table 54 or the gate 55 visually checks the physical token handed over by the player 61 and specifies the amount in the second increase updating unit 73. Alternatively, an RFID tag for specifying the amount may be embedded in the physical token, and the total amount of the physical tokens handed over by the player 61 may be ascertained by an antenna and an RFID reader. In this case, the total amount of the amounts of the physical tokens read by the RFID reader is specified in the second increase updating unit 73, and the second increase updating unit 73 performs processing to increase the amount of the electronic token by the amount specified by the RFID reader.

[0060] Alternatively, the physical tokens handed over by the player 61 may be photographed with a camera to generate an image, and the amount of each physical token handed over by the player 61 may be identified by analyzing this image.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments, when using the first increase updating unit 71 to charge an electronic token in exchange for cash handed over by the player 61, the staff member at the cage 53 or the game table 54 visually checks the physical token handed over by the player 61 and specifies the amount in the first increase updating unit 71. Alternatively, the staff member may insert the cash received from the player 61 into a cash reading device and have the cash reading device grasp the total amount of cash handed over by the player 61. In this case, the total amount of the amounts of the banknotes read by the cash reading device is specified in the first increase updating unit 71, and the first increase updating unit 71 performs processing to increase the amount of the electronic token by the amount specified by the cash reading device.

[0062] The first increase updating unit 71 may also receive the purchase price of the electronic token through electronic payment using a credit card, electronic money, virtual currency, or the like. For example, the player 61 may deposit cash in the form of electronic money, and the first increase updating unit 71 may reduce the deposit amount when charging the electronic token. That is, the first increase updating unit 71 may increase the purchase price from the player 61 by reducing the electronic money deposit amount of the player 61. The second decrease updating unit 74 may also perform processing to change the electronic token to the deposit amount. That is, the second decrease updating unit 74 may reduce the electronic token and add the same amount to the remaining electronic money deposit amount of the player 61.

[0063] Furthermore, an unmanned electronic token trading device equipped with update units 71-72 may be installed in a casino instead of or in addition to the cage 53. This unmanned electronic token trading device is configured to receive cash relating to a transaction from a player 61, read it, dispense the cash relating to the transaction to the player 61, receive a physical token relating to the transaction from the player 61, read it, and dispense the physical token relating to the transaction to the player 61. The update units 71-74 then perform an update process to increase or decrease the electronic tokens of the player 61 in response to the receipt and payment of cash and the receipt and payment of physical tokens.

[0064] An expiration date may also be set for the electronic token. In this case, the expiration date may be stored in the storage device 623. The expiration date may be updated each time a transaction of the electronic token is made. For example, the expiration date may be one year. In this case, if no transaction of the electronic token is made within one consecutive year, which is the expiration date, the electronic token becomes invalid.

[0065] In addition, in the first embodiment described above, an electronic token is stored in a player's carried item, and in the second embodiment, player identification information is stored in a player's carried item and the electronic token is stored in a database, but instead, an electronic token and player identification information may be stored in a player's carried item and the electronic token may also be stored in the database, and the electronic token stored in the player's carried item and the electronic token stored in the database may be synchronized and updated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10 Cage System 11 Near field communication device 12 Electronic token management device 13. Communications equipment 20 Table System 21 Near field communication device 22 Electronic token management device 23 Communication equipment 30 Gate System 31 Near field communication device 32 Electronic token management device 33 Communication equipment 40 databases 51 Backyard 52 Game Floor 53 Cage 54 Tables Gate 55 61 Players 62 Smartphones 71 First Increase and Renewal Division 72 First Reduction Renewal Section 73 Second Increase and Renewal Division 74 Second Reduction Renewal Section 100 Token Management System 120 Update processing section 220 Update processing section 320 Update processing section 621 Near field communication device 622 Update device 623 Storage device

Claims

1. A token management system for managing electronic tokens that are mutually exchangeable with physical tokens, which are used by players to bet in a casino, are paid out to players based on the bet amount and game results when the players win a game, and are collected by the casino based on the bet amount and game results when the players lose a game, a storage means for storing the amount of electronic tokens owned by the player; a player-carried item carried by the player for identifying the amount of electronic tokens owned by the player in the storage means; a first increase update means for increasing the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means for the player in accordance with the amount of purchase money received from the player in a cage in the casino; a first deducting / updating means for deducting the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means identified by the player's belongings in accordance with the amount of the physical token to be handed over to the player, the first deducting / updating means being installed on a gaming table in the casino; a second increase update means for increasing the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means for the player in accordance with the amount of the physical token received from the player; A token management system.

2. 2. The token management system according to claim 1, further comprising a second decrement update means for decrementing the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means for the player in accordance with the amount of payment to the player.

3. 2. The token management system according to claim 1, wherein the first increase updating means is provided in the player's belongings and receives the purchase price by electronic payment.

4. The token management system according to claim 1 , wherein the first increase update means receives the purchase price from the player by reducing the player's deposit amount.

5. the second increase updating means is installed at a gate of the casino, The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the physical token is prohibited from being taken outside the casino.

6. the second increase updating means is installed on the gaming table; 5. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the physical token is usable at the game table where it is handed over to the player, and is prohibited from being used at other game tables.

7. The token management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second amount increase update means is provided at a game table in the casino, and increases the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means for the player in accordance with the payout amount to be paid to the player who wins the game.

8. the player's belongings include an identification information storage means for storing identification information of the player carrying the player's belongings or the player's belongings; The token management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a history storage means for storing a change history of the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means in association with the identification information.

9. The change history includes the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means. (1) A deduction in accordance with the delivery of the physical token to the player; (2) An increase in accordance with the amount of the purchase price received from the player; (3) an increase according to the amount of the physical tokens received from the player; (4) an increase in the payout amount to be paid to the player who won the game; and (5) A deduction according to the amount of cash to be paid to the player; The token management system according to claim 8, comprising at least one of:

10. the storage means is provided in the player's belongings, 2. The token management system according to claim 1, wherein the first deducting / updating means deducts the value of the electronic token stored in the storage means of the player's player-carried item in accordance with the value of the physical token delivered to the player.

11. the storage means is provided in a device other than the player's belongings, and stores the amount of electronic tokens owned by the player in association with identification information of the player or the player's belongings; the player's belongings include an identification information storage means for storing identification information of the player carrying the player's belongings or the player's belongings; 2. The token management system according to claim 1, wherein the first deductive update means reads out the identification information from the identification information storage means, and deducts the amount of the electronic token associated with the read identification information stored in the storage means according to the amount of the physical token to be delivered to the player.

12. further comprising a physical token reading means for reading the amount of the physical token handed over by the player; The token management system according to claim 10, wherein the second amount increase update means increases the amount of the electronic token stored in the storage means in accordance with the amount of the physical token read by the physical token reading means.

13. a physical token reading means for reading the amount of the physical token handed over by the player; a player-carried object reading means for reading the identification information from the identification information storage means of the player-carried object; Furthermore, The token management system according to claim 11, wherein the second amount increase update means increases the amount of the stored electronic token associated with the identification information according to the amount of the physical token read by the physical token reading means in association with the reading of the identification information.

14. The token management system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the player's belongings are a dedicated terminal device for managing the electronic tokens that can be used within the casino.

15. The token management system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the player's belongings are a general-purpose information processing device that executes a program for managing the electronic token.

16. The token management system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the player's belongings are cards for managing the electronic tokens that can be used in the casino.

17. The token management system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein an expiration date is set for the electronic token.

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