Casino equipment management system

Abstract

To provide a management system of a gaming chip with an RFID tag.SOLUTION: The RFID tag stores identification information including a tag ID assigned at the time of manufacturing the RFID tag and a chip ID assigned at the time of manufacturing the gaming chip, the management system 30 includes an antenna 361a and a chip tray reader / writer 362a that read the identification information from the RFID tag for the gaming chip present in the reading range, and a table verification device 363 that controls the chip tray reader / writer, and the table verification device causes the chip tray reader / writer to repeatedly perform a first reading to read the chip ID without reading the tag ID. When a new chip ID is read in the first reading, the chip tray reader / writer is caused to perform second reading for reading the tag ID.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] In this application, the benefit of Patent Application No. 2020-128081 filed in Japan on July 29, 2020 is claimed, and the content of said application is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a management system for casino supplies equipped with RFID tags.

Background Art

[0003] As casino supplies used in casinos, those equipped with RFID tags are known. The RFID tag stores identification information, and the database stores identification information of valid gaming supplies. By reading the RFID tag of the casino supply in the casino and comparing it with the database, it is possible to determine whether the gaming supply is genuine and ensure security.

[0004] The RFID tag has a TID (Tag Identifier) area and an EPC area (Electronic Product Code) area as storage areas, and it is possible to store tag identification information unique to the RFID tag and supply identification information unique to the casino supply using the RFID tag in each area.

[0005] When reading the RFID tag, for example, the collation may be performed using only the supply identification information, or the collation may be performed using both the tag identification information and the supply identification information. The former can perform reading and collation in a relatively short time, but the security level is relatively low. On the other hand, the latter takes a relatively long time for reading and collation, but the security level is high (see, for example, International Application Publication No. WO2008 / 120749).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a new technology that achieves security for casino equipment using tag identification information and equipment identification information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a management system for casino goods equipped with RFID tags, wherein the RFID tag stores identification information including tag identification information assigned at the time of manufacture of the RFID tag and product identification information assigned at the time of manufacture of the casino goods, and the management system comprises an RFID reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tag for casino goods within a reading range, and a control device that controls the RFID reader, wherein the control device repeatedly causes the RFID reader to read the product identification information without reading the tag identification information, and when new product identification information is read in the first reading, causes the RFID reader to perform a second reading to read the tag identification information.

[0008] This configuration allows the RFID reader to repeatedly read RFID tags, normally reading the product identification information while also reading the tag identification information for newly read RFIDs. This reduces the time required for reading while ensuring a high level of security.

[0009] In the management system described above, the control device may cause the RFID reader to perform a second reading on the casino goods whose product identification information was newly read in the first reading.

[0010] In the management system described above, the control device may decide, based on the number of item identification information read in the first read and the number of newly read item identification information, whether to have the RFID reader perform the second read for all of the casino items, or to have the second read only for the casino items whose item identification information has been newly read.

[0011] In the management system described above, the control device may, in the second reading of the casino item from which the item identification information was newly read in the first reading, specify the newly read item identification information and have the control device read the tag information of the casino item.

[0012] In the management system described above, if the tag information cannot be read in the second read specifying the newly read product identification information, the control device may repeatedly perform the second read specifying the newly read product identification information.

[0013] The above management system may include a database that stores combinations of tag identification information and item identification information as identification information assigned to the same casino item, and a matching device that compares the identification information read from the RFID tag with the identification information stored in the database. The control device may, in the second read specifying the newly read item identification information, if the tag information cannot be read, cause the matching device to compare the newly read item identification information with the item identification information stored in the database. In the second read specifying the newly read item identification information, if the tag information can be read, cause the matching device to compare the newly read item identification information and the read tag information with the item identification information and tag information stored in the database.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention is a management system for casino goods equipped with RFID tags, wherein the RFID tags store identification information including tag identification information assigned at the time of manufacture of the RFID tags and product identification information assigned at the time of manufacture of the casino goods, and the management system comprises an RFID reader that reads the identification information from the RFID tags and a control device that controls the RFID reader, wherein the control device causes the RFID reader to selectively perform a first read, which reads the product identification information without reading the tag identification information from the RFID tags, and a second read, which reads the tag identification information from the RFID tags.

[0015] This configuration allows the RFID reader to switch between reading only product identification information or tag identification information, enabling a choice between high security and quick reading depending on the situation.

[0016] In the management system described above, the control device may, as the second reading, cause the RFID reader to read the tag identification information along with the product identification information from all the readable RFID tags.

[0017] In the management system described above, the control device may, as the second reading, cause the RFID reader to read the tag identification information of a specified selection of casino goods.

[0018] The above management system may further include a database that stores combinations of tag identification information and product identification information as identification information assigned to the same casino product, and a matching device that compares the identification information read from the RFID tag with the identification information stored in the database.

[0019] In the management system described above, when the RFID reader performs the first reading, the matching device may compare the product identification information read from the RFID tag with the product identification information stored in the database.

[0020] In the management system described above, when the RFID reader performs the second reading, the matching device may compare the tag identification information read from the RFID tag with the tag identification information stored in the database.

[0021] In the management system described above, the database may store information indicating whether or not each of the casino items is activated, and the matching device may further verify whether or not the casino item corresponding to the identification information read from the RFID tag is activated.

[0022] The above management system may include a storage device for storing the identification information read by the RFID reader.

[0023] In the management system described above, the matching device may detect changes in the identification information read by the RFID reader by comparing the latest identification information read by the RFID reader with the most recent identification information read by the RFID reader and stored in the storage device.

[0024] In the management system described above, the casino goods may be gaming chips, the RFID reader may be installed on a game table in the casino and read the RFID tags of the gaming chips bet on the game table, and the control device may, with respect to the gaming chips bet on the game table, first cause the RFID reader to read the tag identification information and the goods identification information from the RFID tag as a second reading, and then cause the RFID reader to repeatedly read the goods identification information without reading the tag identification information from the RFID tag as a first reading.

[0025] The above management system may further include a storage device for storing the identification information read by the RFID reader, and when the control device reads the supply identification information from the RFID tag, the control device may store the supply identification information in the storage device.

[0026] In the above management system, when the RFID reader reads the supply identification information from the RFID tag, the collation device may compare the supply identification information read from the RFID tag with the supply identification information stored in the storage device, and determine the presence or absence of the newly read supply identification information and / or the supply identification information that has stopped being read.

[0027] In the above management system, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, as the second reading, the control device may cause the RFID reader to read the tag identification information from the RFID tag of the gaming chip bet on the game table.

[0028] The above management system may further include a shoe for pulling out one playing card for use in the game, and the predetermined condition may be that the first playing card in the game is drawn.

[0029] In the above management system, the casino supplies may be gaming chips. The RFID reader may be installed in the chip tray of the game table in the casino to read the RFID tag of the gaming chips housed in the chip tray. For the gaming chips housed in the chip tray, first, as the second reading, the control device may cause the RFID reader to read the tag identification information and the supply identification information from the RFID tag, and then, as the first reading, the control device may cause the RFID reader to repeatedly read the supply identification information without reading the tag identification information from the RFID tag.

[0030] The above management system may further include a storage device for storing the identification information read by the RFID reader, and the control device may store the product identification information in the storage device when it reads the product identification information from the RFID tag.

[0031] In the management system described above, the matching device may, when the RFID reader reads the product identification information from the RFID tag, compare the product identification information read from the RFID tag with the product identification information stored in the storage device to determine whether there is any newly read product identification information and / or product identification information that is no longer read.

[0032] In the management system described above, the control device may perform the first reading on the gaming chip housed in the chip tray if it determines that there is newly read product identification information or product identification information that is no longer read.

[0033] In the management system described above, the control device may cause the RFID reader to perform the second reading when it receives a predetermined instruction.

[0034] In the management system described above, if the matching device determines that there is newly read item identification information, the control device may cause the RFID reader to read the tag identification information from the RFID tag of the casino item having the newly read item identification information.

[0035] In the management system described above, the control device may decide whether to perform the first reading or the second reading depending on the number of newly read product identification information or the number of product identification information that is no longer read.

[0036] In the management system described above, the control device may, when certain conditions are met, perform a second read by having the RFID reader read the tag identification information from the RFID tag of the gaming chip housed in the chip tray.

[0037] The above management system may further include a shoe for drawing out playing cards one by one to be used in the game, and the predetermined condition may be that the first card in the game is drawn.

[0038] In the management system described above, the control device may perform the first read operation during the game and the second read operation after the game has ended.

[0039] In the management system described above, the RFID reader may be equipped with multiple antennas that read the RFID tags of the gaming chips in each of the multiple sub-regions into which the chip tray is divided, and the control device may, when the matching device determines that there is newly read item identification information by one of the multiple antennas, cause one of the multiple antennas and the other antennas to read the tag identification information from the RFID tag of the casino item having the newly read item identification information.

[0040] In the management system described above, if the control device fails to read the tag identification information from the RFID tag of the casino item having the newly read item identification information using one of the multiple antennas and the other antennas, the control device may cause all of the multiple antennas to read the tag identification information from the RFID tag of the casino item having the newly read item identification information.

[0041] In the management system described above, the control device may cause the RFID reader to perform the second reading at predetermined intervals.

[0042] In the management system described above, the RFID reader may be installed on a game table in the casino, and the control device may cause the RFID reader to perform the second reading at a predetermined timing related to the game on the game table.

[0043] In the management system described above, the RFID tag may also store the value of the casino item, and the matching device may, when the RFID reader performs the second reading, decide whether to match only the item identification information or to match both the tag identification information and the item identification information, depending on the magnitude of the value.

[0044] In the management system described above, the second reading may involve reading the tag identification information based on the product identification information, or reading the product identification information and the tag identification information simultaneously.

[0045] A management system in yet another aspect of the present invention is a management system for casino goods equipped with RFID tags, wherein the RFID tags store identification information including tag identification information assigned at the time of manufacture of the RFID tags and product identification information assigned at the time of manufacture of the casino goods, and the management system comprises a plurality of RFID readers that read the identification information from the RFID tags, each of which is located at a plurality of casino goods handling locations that handle the casino goods, and the plurality of RFID readers may include a first RFID reader that performs a first read which reads the product identification information without reading the tag identification information, and a second RFID reader that selectively performs the first read and a second read which reads the tag identification information.

[0046] The above management system may further include a database that stores combinations of tag identification information and item identification information assigned to the same casino item, and a matching device that compares the identification information read from the RFID tag with the identification information stored in the database.

[0047] In the management system described above, the casino goods may be gaming chips, at least one of the plurality of RFID readers may be placed in a cash exchange facility where the gaming chips are exchanged for cash, the RFID reader placed in the cash exchange facility may perform the second reading on the gaming chips subject to exchange, and the matching device may compare the tag identification information read from the RFID tag of the gaming chip subject to exchange by the RFID reader with the tag identification information stored in the database.

[0048] In the management system described above, the casino goods may be gaming chips, at least one of the plurality of RFID readers may be placed at a place where the gaming chips are purchased, the RFID reader placed at the place of purchase may perform the first reading on the gaming chips to be purchased, and the matching device may compare the goods identification information read from the RFID tag of the gaming chips to be purchased by the RFID reader with the goods identification information stored in the database.

[0049] In the management system described above, the casino supplies may be gaming chips, at least one of the plurality of RFID readers may be installed on a game table or pit in the casino, the RFID reader installed on the game table or pit may perform the second reading on the gaming chips being replenished in the game table or pit, and the matching device may compare the tag identification information read from the RFID tag of the gaming chip being replenished in the game table or pit by the RFID reader with the tag identification information stored in the database.

[0050] In the management system described above, the casino supplies may be gaming chips, at least one of the plurality of RFID readers may be located in a bank that collects the gaming chips from game tables in the casino, the RFID reader located in the bank may perform the second reading on the gaming chips collected from the game tables, and the matching device may compare the tag identification information read from the RFID tag of the gaming chip collected from the game table by the RFID reader with the tag identification information stored in the database. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0051] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the process of manufacturing and using casino supplies according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a gaming chip as a casino item according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the information stored in the RFID tag of the gaming chip according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a casino system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the data structure of the information of each gaming chip recorded in the database of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the table system in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the RFID tag reading operation in a table system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart of another modified example of the RFID tag reading operation in the table system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a perspective view of a gaming chip (with the decal removed) as a casino item according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an overall overview of a modified table game management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a database of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of an RFID tag on a game substitute currency in a second example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a method for recording data for game substitute currency in a second example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows an overall overview of a game currency management system for a second example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows a reading device and writing device for game substitute currency, which are a second example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17A] Figure 17A is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of a game substitute currency in a second example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17B] Figure 17B is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of a game substitute currency in another example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a diagram showing a database of other examples of modifications of embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a diagram showing an overall overview of a table game management system in a gaming arcade having multiple gaming tables, which is a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] Figure 20 shows the results of reading a chip using a camera and RFID in a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] Figure 21 shows a modified example of a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22]Figure 22 shows the state of substitute currency used for games placed on a game table in a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] Figure 23 shows the state of substitute currency used for games placed on a game table in a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24A] Figure 24A shows details of a modified chip tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24B] Figure 24B shows another example of a chip tray that is a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a diagram of a modified game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] Figure 26 shows the results of reading a chip using a camera and RFID in a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] Figure 27 shows a game table representing another example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] Figure 28 shows a game table representing another example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] Figure 29 shows a game table of another example of a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a perspective view of a modified example of a substitute currency for games according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of a substitute currency for games according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of a substitute currency for games according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0052] The management system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the components in the embodiments described below include those that can be easily imagined by those skilled in the art or that are substantially the same.

[0053] The following example illustrates casino supplies as gaming chips, but casino supplies may be other items, such as shuffled playing card packages containing multiple decks of playing cards that have been shuffled and packaged. Furthermore, casino supplies do not have to be items that circulate within the casino, like gaming chips, nor do they have to be items that are consumed and discarded in large quantities within the casino, like shuffled playing card packages.

[0054] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the manufacturing and use process of casino supplies according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a gaming chip as a casino supply according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the side of the gaming chip 72 displays a pattern representing the value of the gaming chip 72, and a decal 723 is affixed to the center of its front and back surfaces, with a number indicating the price of the gaming chip 72 written on the decal 723. In addition, an RFID tag 721 is embedded in the gaming chip 72.

[0055] As shown in Figure 1, the chip manufacturing plant 200, acting as a chip manufacturer, procures RFID tags 721 from the RFID tag manufacturing plant 100, uses them to manufacture gaming chips 72 with embedded RFID tags 721, and supplies them to the casino 300. The casino 300 procures the gaming chips 72 with embedded RFID tags 721 from the chip manufacturing plant 200 and operates games using the gaming chips 72 on floor 302.

[0056] Figure 3 shows the information stored in the RFID tag of a gaming chip according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the RFID tag 721 includes a TID area 211 for storing tag identification information assigned by the manufacturer of the RFID tag 721 (RFID tag factory 100) and an EPC area 212 for storing product identification information assigned by the manufacturer of the gaming chip 72 incorporating the RFID tag 721 (chip manufacturing factory 200). The TID area 211 stores tag identification information by the RFID tag manufacturing factory 100 that manufactures the RFID tag 721, and the EPC area 212 stores product identification information by the chip manufacturing factory 200 that manufactures the gaming chip 72.

[0057] The TID area 211 stores the tag ID unique to the RFID tag 721 as tag identification information, and the EPC area 212 stores the chip ID unique to the gaming chip 72 as product identification information. In addition to the chip ID, the EPC area 212 also stores type information such as the attributes of the gaming chip (whether it is a non-cashable NN chip or a cashable cash chip) and its value (e.g., $10, $100, $1000), manufacturing information such as the manufacturing plant ID and manufacturing date to identify the manufacturing plant that produced the gaming chip 72, and the casino ID to identify the casino in which the gaming chip 72 will be used, and furthermore, activation information such as the activation status ("enabled" or "inactive") and its update date and time. Note that at the time the gaming chip 72 is manufactured at the chip manufacturing plant 200, the activation status is "inactive".

[0058] The activation status may also be represented by a flag. In this case, if the flag is set, it is interpreted as "enabled," and if the flag is not set, it is interpreted as "inactive" or "not enabled." In addition, some or all of the type information, manufacturing information, casino ID, chip ID (product identification information), and activation information may be stored in a user area (not shown) of the RFID tag 721, rather than in the EPC area 212.

[0059] To manufacture a gaming chip 72 with an embedded RFID tag 721 at the chip manufacturing plant 200, the RFID tag 721 is first manufactured at the RFID tag manufacturing plant 100. At this time, tag identification information to identify the RFID tag 721 is written to the TID area 211 of the RFID tag 72. The RFID tag 72 manufactured at the RFID tag manufacturing plant 100 is provided to the chip manufacturing plant 200. At the chip manufacturing plant 200, the gaming chip 72 with the embedded RFID tag 721 is manufactured. Then, at the chip manufacturing plant 200, the chip ID and other information (see Figure 3) are written to the EPC area 212 of the RFID tag 721.

[0060] At the chip manufacturing plant 200, in parallel with the manufacturing of gaming chips 72, a data file 73 is prepared that records the combination of tag ID and chip ID (hereinafter, tag ID and chip ID are collectively referred to as "identification information"). The chip manufacturing plant 200 supplies the manufactured gaming chips 72 to the casino 300, and also provides the data file 73 to the casino 300 through a separate route. The data file 73 may be sent to the casino 300 by email from the manufacturer of the gaming chips 72, or it may be recorded on a portable storage medium and given to the casino 300 from the manufacturer of the gaming chips 72, or it may be stored in cloud storage by the manufacturer of the gaming chips 72 and downloaded by the casino 300. In this case, the data file 73 is provided from the chip manufacturing plant 200 to the casino 300 in an encrypted state using an appropriate method.

[0061] Casino 300 has a backyard 301 that players 74 cannot enter, and a floor 302 where players 74 play games. The backyard 301 includes a warehouse 31 for storing gaming supplies, including gaming chips 72, a procedure room 32 for activating the gaming chips 72, and a cashier 33 and bank 34 that lead to floor 302.

[0062] Cashier 33 has a window leading to floor 302. Cashier 33 gives gaming chips 72 to players 74 on floor 302 in exchange for cash, and gives cash to players 74 in exchange for the gaming chips 72 given to them by players 74 on floor 302. In other words, players 74 can purchase gaming chips 72 using cash through the window of cashier 33, and can exchange gaming chips 72 for cash.

[0063] Bank 34 performs the filling and crediting of gaming chips 72 with Pit 35. In the case of filling, if Pit 35 does not have enough gaming chips 72 to supply to Table 36, Bank 34 will supply gaming chips 72 to Pit 35. In the case of crediting, if Pit 35 has enough gaming chips 72, gaming chips 72 will be returned from Pit 35 to Bank 34. For this purpose, Bank 34 is provided with a passage or window for the deposit and withdrawal of gaming chips 72 to and from Floor 302.

[0064] Gaming chips 72 supplied from the chip manufacturing plant 200 to the casino 300 are first stored in a warehouse 31 in the backyard 301. In the processing room 32, an activation procedure is performed on the gaming chips 72 stored in the warehouse 31. After the activation procedure, the gaming chips 72 are brought to the floor 302 via the cashier 33 or bank 34. Alternatively, the activated gaming chips 72 may be temporarily stored in the warehouse 31 and then provided from the warehouse 31 to the cashier 33 or bank 34.

[0065] Player 74 can purchase gaming chips 72 at cashier 33 or at table 36. Player 74 bets gaming chips 72 in games played at table 36. If they win, they receive the gaming chips 72 back from dealer 75; if they lose, the bet 72 gaming chips are taken back by dealer 75. In this way, the amount of gaming chips 72 owned by dealer 75 at table 36 increases or decreases depending on the game. If there is a shortage of gaming chips 72 at table 36, gaming chips 72 are replenished from pit 35 to table 36. If there is an excess of gaming chips 72 at table 36, gaming chips 72 are moved from table 36 to pit 35. Player 74 can also enter and exit floor 302 via gate 38. Some casinos allow players to enter and exit floor 302 while possessing gaming chips 72.

[0066] The warehouse 31, processing room 32, cashier 33, bank 34, each pit 35, each table 36, and gate 38 in Casino 300 are all places that handle gaming chips 72 as casino supplies, and hereinafter these will be collectively referred to as casino supplies handling locations.

[0067] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a game equipment management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The management system 30 comprises a procedure room system 320 provided in the procedure room 32, a cashier system 330 provided in the cashier 33, a bank system 340 provided in the bank 34, a pit system 350 provided in each pit 35, and a table system 360 provided in each table 36.

[0068] These procedure room systems 320, cashier systems 330, banking systems 340, pit systems 350, and table systems 360 are connected to each other in a communicative manner. Communication between these systems may be wired or wireless. Thus, the casino system 30 is a network system comprising multiple subsystems (i.e., procedure room systems 320, cashier systems 330, banking systems 340, pit systems 350, and table systems 360) installed at each casino supplies handling location.

[0069] The procedure room system 320 includes an antenna 321 and an activation reader / writer 322 for reading RFID tags 721 embedded in gaming chips 72 brought into the procedure room 32, a central verification device 323 for verifying whether the gaming chips 72 at each casino supplies handling location are registered, an input device 324 for inputting data, a registration device 325 for activating (validating, registering) the gaming chips 72, and a database 326 for storing information on each gaming chip 72, including identification information and activation status.

[0070] The cashier system 330 includes an antenna 331 and a cashier reader / writer 332 for reading the RFID tag 721 of a gaming chip 72 brought into the cashier 33 or taken out of the cashier 33 to the floor 302, and a cashier verification device 333 for verifying the gaming chip 72 using the information read by the cashier reader / writer 332.

[0071] The bank system 340 includes an antenna 341 and a bank reader / writer 342 for reading the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 brought into bank 34 or taken out of bank 34 to floor 302, and a bank verification device 343 for verifying the gaming chips 72 using the information read by the bank reader / writer 342.

[0072] The pit system 350 includes an antenna 351 and a pit reader / writer 352 for reading the RFID tags 721 of gaming chips 72 brought into the pit 350 from table 36 or bank 34, or taken out of the pit 350 to table 36 or bank 34, and a pit verification device 353 for verifying the gaming chips 72 using the information read by the pit reader / writer 352.

[0073] Figure 5 shows a table according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the table 36 of this embodiment is a table for playing baccarat. The table 36 and the table system 360 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 4. The table 36 is provided with a chip tray or chip float (hereinafter simply referred to as "chip tray") 36a for holding the dealer's gaming chips 72. The table 36 is also provided with betting areas 36b1 to 36b6 for betting gaming chips 72 for each player position.

[0074] Furthermore, the table 36 is equipped with an electronic shoe 36c for drawing out playing cards one by one. The electronic shoe 36c is equipped with a sensor for detecting the playing card drawn out by the dealer and for detecting at least the rank information of that playing card. The electronic shoe 36c is connected to the table matching device 363 and notifies the table matching device 363 that the first playing card in the game has been drawn.

[0075] Specifically, the electronic shoe 36c has a button that is operated by the dealer 75 at the end or start of the game, and the end or start of the game is determined by the operation of this button. The electronic shoe 36c also determines the end of the game according to the game rules by reading the rank of the card that is drawn. Then, when the electronic shoe 36c detects that the first playing card has been drawn after the end or start of the game, it outputs a signal to the table matching device 363 to notify that betting has ended.

[0076] The table system 360 includes an antenna 361a and a chip tray reader / writer 362a provided on the chip tray 36a to read the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 housed in the chip tray, and antennas 361b1 to 361b6 (collectively referred to as "antenna 361b") and a bet chip reader / writer 362b, respectively, located in the betting areas 36b1 to 36b6 of the table 36 to read the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 placed (bet) in the betting areas of the table 36.

[0077] The table system 360 further includes a pit verification device 363 for verifying the gaming chip 72 using information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a and the bet chip reader / writer 362b, and a table storage device 364 for storing the information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a and the bet chip reader / writer 362b. The gate 38 may also be provided with a gate system similar to that of each subsystem described above.

[0078] (Activation) The following describes the activation procedure performed in the procedure room 32. The gaming chips 72 manufactured in the chip manufacturing plant 200 are brought to the backyard 301 of the casino 300 and stored in the warehouse 31. In the procedure room 32, the gaming chips 72 stored in the warehouse 31 are retrieved, and the activation procedure for the gaming chips 72 is performed using the procedure room system 320.

[0079] The procedure room system 320 is provided with a data file 73 containing identification information from the chip manufacturing plant 200 (manufacturer of the gaming chip 72), and the procedure room system 320 receives this data file 73 via the input device 324. Since the data file 73 is encrypted, the input device 324 decrypts it. In addition to the identification information, the data file 73 may also contain some or all of the other information stored in the RFID tag 721 of each gaming chip 72 (see Figure 3).

[0080] The antenna 321 and the activation reader / writer 322 read the tag ID and chip ID, which are identification information, from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 to be activated. The registration device 325 determines (verifies) whether the identification information read from the gaming chip 72 by the activation reader / writer 322 exists in the identification information stored in the data file 73 decoded by the input device 324, thereby determining whether the gaming chip 72 is genuine, officially manufactured at the chip manufacturing plant 200, or a counterfeit not officially manufactured at the chip manufacturing plant 200, or whether the RFID tag 721 is faulty. In other words, the registration device 325 determines the authenticity of the gaming chip 72 by whether the identification information stored in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 matches the identification information stored in the data file 73.

[0081] If the registration device 325 determines that the gaming chip 72 is genuine in the authenticity determination process, it registers the gaming chip 72 by recording its identification information (tag ID and chip ID) in the database 326. At this time, if other information such as manufacturing information is recorded in the RFID 721 and / or data file 73 of the gaming chip 72, that information is also recorded in the database 326 in association with the identification information. Furthermore, the registration device 325 records the activation information of each gaming chip 72 in the database 326.

[0082] Figure 6 shows the data structure of the information of each gaming chip recorded in the database of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the database 326 records, for each gaming chip 72, the tag ID as tag identification information 261, the attributes and value as type information 262, the manufacturing plant ID and manufacturing date as manufacturing information 263, the chip ID and chip marking ID as chip identification information 264, the activation status and update date and time as activation information 265, and the history of combinations of location and read date and time as location history information 266.

[0083] When the registration device 325 registers a gaming chip 72 that has been successfully verified and determined to be genuine in the database 326, it records the status of its activation information 265 as "enabled" and records the date and time of that registration as the update date and time, thereby activating (enabling) the gaming chip 72 to be usable. This allows the database 326 to determine whether the activation status of each gaming chip 72 is "enabled" or "inactive," and also to know when the activation was performed (when it was registered).

[0084] In this embodiment, since activation information is also recorded in the EPC area 212 of the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72, the registration device 325 controls the writer function of the activation reader / writer 322 as part of the process of registering usable gaming chips 72. Through the antenna 321, it rewrites the activation status recorded on the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 that has been successfully verified and determined to be genuine, from "invalid" to "valid". As a result, the systems 330-360 at each gaming equipment handling location can determine whether the activation status of the gaming chip 72 is "valid" or "invalid" simply by reading the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72.

[0085] As described above, gaming chips 70 are invalid until they are transported from the chip manufacturing plant 200 to the casino 300 and activated in the processing room system 320. Therefore, even if gaming chips 72 are stolen during transport, the stolen gaming chips 72 cannot be used on floor 302 of casino 300. The casino only needs to strictly manage gaming chips 72 after they have been activated through the activation procedure, which allows for a higher level of security and lower security costs compared to a situation where strict management is required from the manufacturing stage of gaming chips 72.

[0086] (Verification at casino supply locations) At the casino supply handling locations—cashier 33, bank 34, pit 35, and table 36—the identification information and activation status of the gaming chips 72 handled there are verified using the cashier system 330, bank system 340, pit system 350, and table system 360, respectively. The following describes each casino supply handling location.

[0087] In the cashier 33, the antenna 331 and cashier reader / writer 332 of the cashier system 330 read the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 in the cashier 33 to obtain the tag ID, chip ID, and activation status. The cashier verification device 333 has the function of performing verification as well as the function of a control device that controls the reading and writing of the cashier reader / writer 332. First, if the activation status read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 is "invalid", the cashier verification device 333 outputs an error signal indicating that. If an error signal is output, the cashier 33 stops handling the gaming chip 72.

[0088] The cashier verification device 333 further transmits the identification information (tag ID and chip ID) acquired by the cashier reader / writer 332 to the procedure room system 320. The central verification device 323 in the procedure room 330 verifies whether the identification information received from the cashier system 330 is stored in the database 326 and confirms whether the activation status associated with that identification information is valid.

[0089] If the corresponding identification information is stored in the database 326 (i.e., authentic) and the activation status is valid, the central verification device 323 determines that the gaming chip 72 is authentic and valid and sends a response signal to the cashier system 330 to that effect. On the other hand, if the gaming chip 72 being queried is not authentic, the central verification device 323 sends an error signal to the cashier system 330 as a response signal indicating that it is not authentic. If the gaming chip 72 being queried is authentic but its activation status is invalid, the central verification device 323 sends an error signal to the cashier system 330 as a response signal indicating that it is authentic but invalid.

[0090] Furthermore, if the activation status read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 by the cashier verification device 333 is valid, but the database 326 records that the activation status of the gaming chip 72 is invalid, the cashier verification device 333 will determine that the gaming chip 72 is counterfeit and will control the writer function of the cashier reader / writer 332 to rewrite the activation status of the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 to "invalid" via the antenna 331. Alternatively, the cashier verification device 33 may rewrite the activation status to "unknown".

[0091] Furthermore, even if the database 326 records the activation status as "enabled," if the activation status read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 by the cashier verification device 333 is "invalid," the device may determine that the activation status stored in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 has been overwritten for some reason, and may rewrite the activation status stored in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 to "enabled." Alternatively, the activation status of such a gaming chip 72 may be rewritten to "invalid" or "unknown," and its handling may be discontinued.

[0092] Gaming chips 72 brought directly from the processing room 32 or via the warehouse 31 to the cashier 33 are unlikely to be counterfeit or fraudulent because they have already been activated in the processing room 32. However, there is a possibility that counterfeit or fraudulent gaming chips 72 may exist among those brought in by users from the floor 302 for cashing. Therefore, the cashier verification device 333 may, in particular, verify the identification information and confirm the activation status of the gaming chips 72 that are to be cashed, and show the results to the player 74 and the cashier staff. Alternatively, when the player 74 purchases a gaming chip 72, if the value information stored in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 is read and shown to the player 74, the identification information verification and confirmation of the activation status may also be performed at the same time, and the results, along with the value information, may be presented to the player 74.

[0093] For gaming chips 72 (brought-in chips, buy-in chips) brought in by users from floor 302 and exchanged for cash, the cashier verification device 333 reads the tag ID and chip ID from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 and transmits them to the central verification device 323 for verification. When a player 74 purchases a gaming chip 72, the cashier verification device 333 reads only the chip ID from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 (take-out chips, cashing chips) that is given to the player 74 and transmits it to the central verification device 323 for verification. In this way, the cashier verification device 333 decides whether to perform verification using only the chip ID or using both the tag ID and chip ID, depending on whether the gaming chip 72 being handled is a brought-in chip or a take-out chip.

[0094] In this embodiment, the cashier system 330 uses a single antenna 331 and cashier reader / writer 332 to read both incoming and outgoing chips. Therefore, the operator (staff at the cashier 33) specifies to the cashier verification device 333 whether the gaming chip 72 to be read is an incoming or outgoing chip. Upon receiving this specification, the cashier verification device 333 controls the cashier reader / writer 332 to determine whether to read only the chip ID or both the tag ID and the chip ID.

[0095] The antennas 331 are divided into those for incoming chips and those for outgoing chips. When a single cashier reader / writer 332 uses these antennas 331, the cashier reader / writer 332 specifies which antenna 331 to use according to instructions from the cashier verification device 333.

[0096] Alternatively, sets of antenna 331 and cashier reader / writer 332 may be provided separately for incoming chips and outgoing chips. In this case, the cashier verification device 333 determines which set of antenna 331 and cashier reader / writer 332 to use according to instructions from the operator.

[0097] Furthermore, a separate cashier system 330 may be provided for incoming chips and a separate cashier system 330 for outgoing chips. In this case, the cashier system 330 for incoming chips is configured to read the tag ID and the chip ID, while the cashier system 330 for outgoing chips is configured to read the chip ID without reading the tag ID.

[0098] The bank system 340 operates in essentially the same way as the cashier system 330. The gaming chips 72 to be filled are transported from bank 34 to pit 35 on floor 302. Since these gaming chips 72 have been activated in the processing room 32, it is unlikely that counterfeit or fraudulent gaming chips 72 are mixed in. However, the gaming chips 72 brought from floor 302 to bank 34 during crediting include those that have been in the hands of players 74 and then recovered by dealers, so there is a possibility that counterfeit or fraudulent gaming chips 72 may be mixed in. Therefore, the bank system 340 may perform identification information verification and activation status checks, especially for gaming chips 72 brought in from floor 302.

[0099] The bank system 340 is similar to the cashier system 330; that is, for gaming chips 72 (incoming chips, credit chips) brought in from floor 302, the bank verification device 343 reads the tag ID and chip ID from their RFID tags 721 to perform verification, and for gaming chips 72 (removed chips, fill chips) taken out of bank 340 to the floor, it reads the chip ID without reading the tag ID and performs verification using only the chip ID. In addition to the function of performing verification, the bank verification device 343 also functions as a control device that controls reading and writing in the bank reader / writer 342.

[0100] Furthermore, the bank system 340 may also be divided into a bank system 340 for incoming chips and a bank system 340 for outgoing chips. In this case, the bank system 340 for incoming chips reads the tag ID and chip ID from the incoming chips and performs verification, while the bank system 340 for outgoing chips reads only the chip ID from the outgoing chips without reading the tag ID and performs verification.

[0101] The pit system 350 operates in essentially the same way as the cashier system 330. Gaming chips 72 are filled from bank 34 and any excess chips 72 from table 36 are brought into pit 35. The pit system 350 verifies the gaming chips 72 brought into pit 35 in this manner. In addition, any excess gaming chips 72 in pit 35 are moved to bank 34 (as credits), or if there is a shortage of gaming chips 72 at table 36, gaming chips 72 are replenished from pit 35 to table 36. The pit system 350 also verifies the gaming chips 72 that leave pit 35 in this manner.

[0102] The pit system 350 is similar to the cashier system 330 and the bank system 340; that is, the pit verification device 353 reads the tag ID and chip ID from the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 (brought-in chips) brought in from the table 36 and performs verification, while for other gaming chips 72, it reads the chip ID without reading the tag ID and performs verification using only the chip ID. In addition to the function of performing verification, the pit verification device 353 also functions as a control device that controls the reading and writing of the pit reader / writer 352.

[0103] The operation of the table system 360 is as follows: In table 36, the dealer 75 redeems the winning player 74 with a gaming chip 72 from the chip tray 36a. An antenna 361a is provided on the chip tray 36a, and the chip tray reader / writer 362a reads the identification information and activation status from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 housed in the chip tray 36a. The identification information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a is verified by the table verification device 363 and stored in the table storage device 364. If multiple gaming chips 72 are housed in the chip tray, the table storage device 364 stores multiple pieces of identification information corresponding to the multiple gaming chips 72.

[0104] In addition to performing verification, the table verification device 363 also functions as a control device that controls the reading and writing of the chip tray reader / writer 362a and the bed chip reader / writer 362b, and stores information in the table storage device 364. First, the table verification device 363 compares the most recent past identification information stored in the table storage device 364 with the current identification information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a to determine whether the two match.

[0105] If the table matching device 363 finds that the identification information read by the chip tray reader / writer 362a contains identification information that is not present in the latest identification information stored in the table storage device 364, it will perform the same check as the cashier matching device 333 above to determine whether such identification information is stored in the database 326 and whether the activation status corresponding to that identification information in the database is "enabled".

[0106] (Reading the tip tray) The following describes in detail how to read the gaming chips 72 housed in the chip tray 36a. The table matching device 363 controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to repeatedly read the gaming chips 72 in the chip tray 36a at predetermined time intervals. Normally, the table matching device 363 instructs the chip tray reader / writer 362a to read the chip ID without reading the tag ID from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72. The table matching device 363 compares the read chip ID with the most recent chip ID registered in the table storage device 364 to determine whether there is a gaming chip 72 with a new chip ID that was not read in the previous reading, that is, whether a new gaming chip 72 has been brought into the chip tray 36a.

[0107] If no new gaming chip 72 has been brought into the chip tray 36a, that is, if the read chip ID matches the most recent chip ID stored in the table storage device 364, or if some of the most recent chip IDs stored in the table storage device 364 have not been read but no new chip ID has been read, the table matching device 363 stores the read chip ID as the latest information in the table storage device 364 and controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to read the chip ID without reading the tag ID during the next read.

[0108] On the other hand, if, as a result of the addition of a new gaming chip 72 to the chip tray 36a, the chip tray reader / writer 362a reads a chip ID that is not stored in the table storage device 364 as the latest chip ID from the past, the table matching device 363 controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to specify the newly read chip ID in the next read and read the tag ID of the gaming chip 72 having that chip ID based on the specified chip ID. The table matching device 363 then compares the tag ID read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 with the tag ID recorded in the database 326.

[0109] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the RFID tag reading operation in a table system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antenna 361a and the chip tray reader / writer 362a read the chip IDs from the RFID tags 721 of all gaming chips 72 in the chip tray 36a (step S61). The table matching device 363 compares these read sets of chip IDs with the sets of chip IDs stored in the table storage device 364 as the most recent chip IDs in the past, and determines whether there are any new chip IDs among the read sets that are not stored in the table storage device 364 (step S62).

[0110] If a new chip ID is read (YES in step S62), the antenna 361a and the chip tray reader / writer 362a specify the new chip ID and, based on that new chip ID, read the tag ID from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 having that new chip ID. They then transmit this combination of chip ID and tag ID to the procedure room system 320, which compares it with the information stored in the database 326 (step S63). Finally, all the read chip ID pairs are stored in the table storage device 364 as a new set of past chip IDs (step S64).

[0111] Furthermore, if no new chip IDs are read by the table matching device 363 (NO in step S62), that is, if no new gaming chips 72 have been added to the chip tray 36a since the previous reading, the device compares the set of chip IDs read with the set of the most recent chip IDs stored in the table storage device 364 to determine whether or not there are any chip IDs that were read in the previous reading but were not read in the current reading (step S65).

[0112] If there are chip IDs that can no longer be read, that is, if a gaming chip 72 has been removed from the chip tray 36a (YES in step S65), all the sets of chip IDs that have been read are stored in the table storage device 364 as the most recent set of chip IDs (step S64). On the other hand, if there are no chip IDs that can no longer be read (NO in step S65), that is, if there has been no increase, decrease or change in the number of gaming chips 72 in the chip tray 36a, the table storage device 364 is not updated.

[0113] Thus, in this embodiment, the chip tray 36a of table 36 normally reads the chip ID stored in the EPC area 212 at predetermined time intervals to monitor its changes. If there is a change in the chip ID, especially if a new chip ID is read, the system checks the gaming chip 72 with the new chip ID against the database 326 and verifies the activation status of the database 326. This reduces the processing load and shortens the processing time required per cycle (improves processing speed).

[0114] The table matching device 363 may also perform a check with the database 326 and verify the activation status of the database 326 at a predetermined timing and / or under predetermined conditions, regardless of whether or not a new chip ID has been read. For example, the table matching device 363, upon receiving notification that the first playing card has been drawn from the electronic shoe 36c, may cause the chip tray reader / writer 362a to read the chip ID, tag ID, and activation status from the gaming chip 72 in the chip tray 36a, and then perform a check with the database 326 and verify the activation status. The table matching device 363 may also control the chip tray reader / writer 362a to read the chip ID and tag ID when a button is pressed at the end or start of a game on the electronic shoe 36c.

[0115] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a modified example of the RFID tag reading operation in a table system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the antenna 361a and the chip tray reader / writer 362a read the chip IDs from the RFID tags 721 of all gaming chips 72 in the chip tray 36a (step S81). The table matching device 363 compares these read sets of chip IDs with the sets of chip IDs stored in the table storage device 364 as the most recent chip IDs in the past to determine whether there are any new chip IDs among the read sets that are not stored in the table storage device 364 (step S82).

[0116] If a new chip ID is read (YES in step S82), the antenna 361a and the chip tray reader / writer 362a read the chip ID and tag ID from the RFID tag 721 for all gaming chips 72, and transmit this combination of chip ID and tag ID to the procedure room system 320 for comparison with the information stored in the database 326 (step S83). Then, all the read chip ID pairs are stored in the table storage device 364 as new past chip ID pairs (step S84).

[0117] Furthermore, if no new chip IDs are read (NO in step S82), that is, if no new gaming chips 72 have been added to the chip tray 36a since the last read, the table matching device 363 compares the set of read chip IDs with the set of the most recent chip IDs stored in the table storage device 364 to determine whether or not there are any chip IDs that were read in the previous read but were not read in the current read (step S85).

[0118] If there are chip IDs that can no longer be read, that is, if a gaming chip 72 has been removed from the chip tray 36a (YES in step S85), all the sets of chip IDs that have been read are stored in the table storage device 364 as the most recent set of chip IDs (step S84). On the other hand, if there are no chip IDs that can no longer be read (NO in step S85), that is, if there has been no increase, decrease or change in the number of gaming chips 72 in the chip tray 36a, the table storage device 364 is not updated. If there are chip IDs that can no longer be read, the table matching device 363 controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to read the chip IDs that can no longer be read again for verification. In this case, the chip ID may be specified to read the tag ID.

[0119] Figure 9 is a flowchart of another variation of the RFID tag reading operation in the table system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the antenna 361a and the chip tray reader / writer 362a read the chip IDs from the RFID tags 721 of all gaming chips 72 in the chip tray 36a (step S91). The table matching device 363 compares these read sets of chip IDs with the sets of chip IDs stored in the table storage device 364 as the most recent chip IDs in the past to determine whether there are any new chip IDs among the read sets that are not stored in the table storage device 364 (step S92).

[0120] If a new chip ID is read (YES in step S92), the table matching device 363 decides whether to read the chip IDs and tag IDs of all gaming chips simultaneously (full scan read) or to specify a newly read chip ID and read the tag ID based on that chip ID (specified read) (step S93), based on the number of gaming chips 72 contained in the chip tray 36a at that time and the number of newly read chip IDs. In this modified example, if the ratio of the number of newly read chip IDs to the number of gaming chips 72 contained in the chip tray 36a is greater than a predetermined threshold, the table matching device 363 decides to perform a full scan read ("full" in step S93) and controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a accordingly. Antenna 361a and chip tray reader / writer 362a read the chip ID and tag ID from the RFID tag 721 for all gaming chips 72, and transmit this combination of chip ID and tag ID to the procedure room system 320 for comparison with the information stored in the database 326 (step S94).

[0121] Meanwhile, the table matching device 363 decides to perform a specified reading (specified in step S93) if the ratio of the number of newly read chip IDs to the number of gaming chips 72 housed in the chip tray 36a is less than a predetermined threshold, and controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a accordingly. The antenna 361a and the chip tray reader / writer 362a specify the new chip ID and read the tag ID from the RFID tag 721 based on that chip ID, and transmit this combination of chip ID and tag ID to the procedure room system 320 for comparison with the information stored in the database 326 (step S95).

[0122] After reading the tag IDs using either step S94 or step S95, the table matching device 363 stores all the read chip ID sets in the table storage device 364 as the most recent chip ID sets from the past (step S96).

[0123] In this modified example, if no new chip IDs are read by the table matching device 363 (NO in step S92), that is, if no new gaming chips 72 have been added to the chip tray 36a since the last read, the table matching device 363 updates the table matching device 364 by comparing the set of read chip IDs with the set of the most recent chip IDs stored in the table matching device 364, regardless of whether there are any chip IDs that were read in the previous read but not in the current read (step S96).

[0124] In the case of specified reading, it is necessary to search by specifying each chip ID one by one, and it takes time to search for the gaming chip 72 that has the specified chip ID, so it takes a relatively long time to read the necessary tag ID. On the other hand, in full scan reading, it takes a relatively long time to read the chip ID and tag ID from all gaming chips 72. Therefore, if the number of newly read chip IDs is relatively small, specified reading will be completed in a shorter time, but if the number of newly read chip IDs is large, full scan reading without searching for gaming chips 72 will be completed in a shorter time. Accordingly, in this modified example, the table matching device 363 decides whether to perform a full scan reading or specified reading based on the size of the total number of gaming chips 72 and the number of newly read chip IDs (the number of gaming chips 72 newly added to the chip tray 36a). For example, at specified times, such as when the chip tray 36a is powered on or when the table 36 is opened, a full scan is performed to read both the chip ID and tag ID and then compare them.

[0125] (Reading the betting area) When a player 74 places a bet on a game, they place the gaming chips 72 to bet in a designated betting area on the game table. Antennas 361b1 to 361b6 are positioned beneath the betting areas on the table surface of the game table, and a bet chip reader / writer 362b reads identification information from the RFID tags 721 of the bet gaming chips 72 for each betting area 36b1 to 36b6. The identification information read by the bet chip reader / writer 362b is verified by a table verification device 363 and stored in a table storage device 364. If multiple gaming chips 72 are bet in betting areas 36b1 to 36b6, the table storage device 364 stores multiple pieces of identification information corresponding to the multiple gaming chips 72.

[0126] Antennas 361b1 to 361b6 and the bet chip reader / writer 362b read not only the gaming chips 72 bet by the player 74 in the bet areas 36b1 to 36b6, but also the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 dispensed from the chip tray 36a by the dealer 75, and the table storage device 374 also reads the RFID tags 721 of the gaming chips 72 dispensed in this manner.

[0127] The table matching device 363 also checks the activation status and verifies the identification information read from the RFID tag 721 by the bet chip reader / writer 362b, in the same way as the gaming chip 72 housed in the chip tray 36a. Specifically, the table matching device 363 does not always verify the identification information read by the bet chip reader / writer 362b against the database 326. Instead, when new identification information that is not present in the most recent identification information stored in the table storage device 364 as having been read by the bet chip reader / writer 362b is read by the antenna 361b and the bet chip reader / writer 362b, the table matching device 363 performs verification against the identification information stored in the database 326 and checks the activation status stored in the database 326 via the central matching device 323.

[0128] The following describes in detail how to read the gaming chips 72 placed in betting areas 36b1 to 36b6. As described above, the electronic shoe 36c outputs a signal to the table matching device 363 indicating the end of betting. Upon receiving this signal, the table matching device 363 first controls the bet chip reader / writer 362b to read the chip ID and tag ID of all gaming chips 72 placed in betting areas 36b1 to 36b6. The table matching device 363 then transmits the read chip ID and tag ID to the central matching device 323, which then compares the chip ID and tag ID with the database 326. The read chip ID is also stored in the table storage device 364.

[0129] Subsequently, the table matching device 363 controls the bet chip reader / writer 362b to repeatedly read the bet areas 362b1 to 36b6 at predetermined time intervals. At this time, the table matching device 363 instructs the bet chip reader / writer 362b to read the chip ID of the gaming chip 72, but not the tag ID. The table matching device 363 determines whether the read chip ID matches the chip ID stored in the table storage device 364 as the chip ID at the end of betting.

[0130] It is against the rules for 72 gaming chips to bet in areas 36b1-36b6 after betting has ended and the first playing card has been drawn (late betting or capping). It is also against the rules for 72 gaming chips to be removed from areas 36b1-36b6 after betting has ended and the first playing card has been drawn (pinching). The only time the number of 72 gaming chips read in areas 36b1-36b6 after the first playing card has been drawn is when the dealer collects losing chips, and the only time the number of 72 gaming chips is allowed is when the dealer redeems winning chips.

[0131] Therefore, if the chip ID stored in the table storage device 364, which was read when the first playing card was drawn, is no longer read from the betting areas 36b1 to 36b6, the table verification device 363 controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to read the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 in the chip tray 36a and monitors whether the chip ID that was no longer read in the betting areas 36b1 to 36b6 is read in the chip tray 36a. If the chip ID that was no longer read in the betting areas 36b1 to 36b6 is not read in the chip tray 36a within a predetermined time, the table verification device 363 outputs an error signal. In this case, it is suspected that there was fraudulent pinching or fraudulent activity by the dealer stealing the gaming chip 72 when collecting the losing chips.

[0132] Furthermore, if a chip ID other than the chip ID read when the first playing card was drawn is read in the betting area 36b1 to 36b6, the table verification device 363 determines whether the newly read chip ID is stored in the table verification device 364 as the chip ID of a gaming chip 72 from a previous chip tray 36a. If the newly read chip ID is not stored in the table verification device 364 as the chip ID of a gaming chip 72 from a previous chip tray 36a, the table verification device 363 outputs an error signal. In this case, late betting or capping fraud is suspected.

[0133] Thus, in this embodiment, when betting is completed, the bet chip reader / writer 362b reads and verifies the chip ID and tag ID from the gaming chips 72 bet in the betting areas 36b1 to 36b6. After that, it reads the chip ID without reading the tag ID and monitors its fluctuations. Therefore, since the reading to monitor fluctuations is completed in a relatively short time, the reading interval can be shortened.

[0134] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the method of reading only the chip ID or both the chip ID and the tag ID is changed according to the progress of the game, thus achieving both security and a shortened reading interval.

[0135] The electronic shoe 36c may determine when betting is complete and when collection or payment is made. For example, the completion of betting may be detected when the first card is drawn from the electronic shoe 36c, and the timing of collection or payment may be detected when the win / loss determination button on the electronic shoe 36c is pressed or when the winner or loser is determined by the hand of cards drawn. Alternatively, when a player pair or banker pair is determined based on the hand of cards drawn, it may be detected that payment or collection may be made for the pair.

[0136] (Invalidate registration) As described above, the registration device 325 registers the gaming chip 72 in the database 326 by storing information including the identification information of the new gaming chip 72 obtained from the factory in the database 326. On the other hand, the registration device 325 deactivates the activation status of any faulty or outdated gaming chip 72 that has been activated.

[0137] At each casino supplies handling station, gaming chips 72 whose RFID tags 721 could not be read (i.e., gaming chips 72 with damaged RFID tags 721) are excluded from the gaming chips 72 available for immediate use. Similarly, gaming chips 72 whose identification information read from RFID tags 721 failed to match are also excluded from the gaming chips 72 available for immediate use. Furthermore, gaming chips 72 with invalid activation status are also excluded. These problematic gaming chips 72 are deactivated or invalidated by the registration device 325. Additionally, gaming chips 72 that have not encountered any problems but have passed a predetermined period (e.g., one year) since their initial activation are deactivated in order to be discarded.

[0138] In the deactivation process, the registration device 325 updates the activation status of the gaming chip 72 recorded in the database 326 to "deactivated" and records the date and time of the update. Alternatively, the registration device 325 may delete the information of the gaming chip 72 to be deactivated from the database 326. If the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 is faulty, the identification information to be deactivated cannot be read from such a gaming chip 72. In such cases, the registration device 325 deactivates such a gaming chip 72 as follows.

[0139] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a gaming chip with the decal removed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gaming chip 72 carries information for identifying the gaming chip 72 in a manner other than that of the RFID tag 721. The gaming chip 72 has a circular recess in the center, and the decal 723 is attached to the bottom surface 722 of the recess. A number representing the value of the gaming chip 72 is inscribed on this decal 723. When this decal 723 is removed, the chip inscription ID is inscribed on its bottom surface (dical attachment surface) 722 as identification information unique to the gaming chip 72. The chip inscription ID may be inscribed on the bottom surface 722 of the recess of the gaming chip 72 by laser engraving, or it may be printed on the decal attachment surface 722 with some kind of ink.

[0140] The registration device 325 identifies the identification information that should be invalidated for gaming chips 72 whose identification information cannot be read from the RFID tag 721, using the chip marking ID to identify the gaming chip 72, and invalidates the registration. For gaming chips 72 whose identification information cannot be read because the RFID tag 721 has malfunctioned, to invalidate it, the operator peels off the decal 723, visually checks the chip marking ID written on the decal attachment surface 722, and inputs it into the registration device 325 via the input device 324. The registration device 325 refers to the database 326 and identifies the identification information corresponding to the input chip marking ID (see Figure 5). In this way, even for gaming chips 72 whose RFID tag 721 has malfunctioned, the database 326 can identify the gaming chip 72 and perform the invalidation procedure.

[0141] As described above, the gaming chips 72 given to player 74 circulate among multiple players 74 and tables 36 through bets by player 74 and payouts by dealer 75, and are finally returned to bank 34 via pit 35. At this time, as described above, any gaming chips 72 that have been excluded at each casino supplies handling location are invalidated by the registration device 325.

[0142] Furthermore, gaming chips 72 that are not excluded as problematic and are collected in bank 34 undergo identification information verification and activation status checks in the bank system 34, and it is determined whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the initial activation. If any gaming chips 72 are detected that failed to verify their identification information, whose activation status was not "valid", or for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the initial activation, a procedure for deactivating those gaming chips 72 is performed.

[0143] Furthermore, at each casino supplies handling location, if, as a result of comparing the read identification information with the database 326, a gaming chip 72 is not registered in the database 326, or if the activation status of a gaming chip 72 is not "active", the registration device 325 may immediately perform a procedure to invalidate the gaming chip 72 without waiting for the gaming chip 72 to be returned to the backyard 301. In addition, if the activation status of such a gaming chip 72 is "active", the reader / writer at each casino supplies handling location may change the activation status to "inactive".

[0144] (Gaming chip trace) As described above, the information for each gaming chip 72 in the database 326 includes location history information 266. The central referral device 323 updates the location history information 266 corresponding to the identification information each time it receives an introduction of identification information from each casino supplies handling location. Specifically, when the central referral device 323 receives an inquiry for identification information from each casino supplies handling location, it records the information identifying the casino supplies handling location as location information and the date and time at that time as the read date and time in the location history information 266 corresponding to the identification information. The database 326 can record a predetermined number of pieces of information as this location history information, and after the predetermined number of location history entries have been recorded, the oldest information is overwritten.

[0145] Location information, as described above, is information that identifies the location of each casino supply handling facility. For example, if cashier 33 has multiple counters, the counter ID that identifies the specific counter can be used as location information. Similarly, since there are multiple pits 35 and tables 36, the pit ID and table ID that identify which pit 35 and which table are being referred to can be used as location information.

[0146] Furthermore, when the gaming chip 2 is passed to player 74, the player ID of player 74 is recorded as location information. For example, if an antenna 361b is provided for each player position at table 36, the player ID for each player position can be identified by the member's card held by player 74, or by facial recognition of the image of the player playing at table 36.

[0147] Furthermore, by detecting which player position the gaming chip 72 is dispensed to, it is possible to determine which player ID the gaming chip 72 was dispensed to. Also, when player 74 purchases a gaming chip 72 at the cashier 33, the player ID of player 74 is identified and recorded as location information.

[0148] By recording location information and the history of the date and time of reading in the database 326 in this way, it is possible to understand how the gaming chip 72 has moved by referring to the database 326.

[0149] (A modified example of a table matching device) As described above, the table matching device 363 instructs the chip tray reader / writer 362a to read the chip ID from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 without reading the tag ID, compares the read chip ID with the most recent chip ID in the past registered in the table storage device 364, and determines whether there is a gaming chip 72 with a new chip ID that was not read in the previous reading, that is, whether a new gaming chip 72 has been brought into the chip tray 36a.

[0150] Then, if the chip tray reader / writer 362a reads a chip ID that is not stored in the table storage device 364 as the latest chip ID in the past, as a result of the addition of a new gaming chip 72 to the chip tray 36a, the table matching device 363 controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to specify the newly read chip ID in the next read and read the tag ID of the gaming chip 72 having that chip ID based on the specified chip ID.The table matching device 363 then compares the tag ID read from the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72 with the tag ID recorded in the database 326.

[0151] Thus, when the chip tray reader / writer 362a specifies a chip ID and reads the tag ID of a gaming chip 72 having that chip ID, the reading may not be stable, and the tag ID corresponding to the specified chip ID may not be read. In this case, the table matching device 363 provisionally determines that the matching was successful (tentative OK) and stores this fact along with the chip ID. The table matching device 363 controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to specify the chip ID that was provisionally OK and read the tag ID again during the next reading.

[0152] Furthermore, if the table matching device 363 cannot read the tag ID corresponding to the specified chip ID, it may first compare the chip ID with the chip ID recorded in the database 326, and if a match is found, it may tentatively determine that it is OK.

[0153] If the chip tray reader / writer 362a obtains a tag ID corresponding to the specified chip ID, the table matching device 363 compares the read tag ID with the tag IDs recorded in the database 326.

[0154] In this way, even if the corresponding tag ID cannot be obtained for a newly added chip ID, it is treated as a provisional OK, and the reading is considered to have been successful. At that point, the gaming chip 72 that should be in the chip tray 36a is compared with the gaming chip 72 that is actually in the chip tray 36a, and it is possible to determine whether the settlement, such as the collection of losing chips, has been performed correctly. If the gaming chip 72 for which the corresponding tag ID cannot be obtained is treated as a reading error or NG, the system will conclude that the settlement was not performed correctly when determining whether the settlement was performed correctly. Therefore, as described above, even if the tag ID cannot be read, it is treated as a provisional OK, and the amount of the gaming chip 72 is obtained based on the chip ID, allowing for a determination of the accuracy of the settlement.

[0155] (A modified version of the chip tray antenna) In the example shown in Figure 5, the antenna 361a provided on the chip tray 36a was provided as a single antenna covering the entire chip tray 36a. However, instead, multiple antennas may be used to cover different sub-regions of the chip tray 36a. For example, eight antennas may be used to cover multiple sub-regions and read the entire area of ​​the chip tray 36a. In this case, one chip tray reader / writer 362a may be provided corresponding to one antenna, or one chip tray reader / writer 362a may be provided corresponding to multiple antennas.

[0156] Furthermore, if one antenna reads the chip ID of a newly added gaming chip 72, the table matching device 363 controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to read the tag ID by specifying that chip ID with the antenna that read the chip ID and other antennas adjacent to it. In this way, if the tag ID cannot be read by reading with the antenna that read the chip ID and other antennas adjacent to it, it is possible that the antenna that read the chip ID read the chip ID of a gaming chip 72 located in a distant sub-region.

[0157] Therefore, if the antenna that read the chip ID and other adjacent antennas attempt to read the tag ID specifying the chip ID a predetermined number of times but the corresponding tag ID cannot be read, the table matching device 363 controls the chip tray reader / writer 362a to perform the tag ID reading of the chip ID specifying the chip ID with all antennas.

[0158] Furthermore, even when multiple antennas are used to divide the reading of a portion of the chip tray 36a, if each antenna can accurately read only the chip ID of the gaming chip 72 in its assigned area, it will not read the chip ID of a gaming chip 72 in a distant area as described above, and the above control will not be necessary. This division of reading duties for the chip tray 36 by multiple antennas can also be applied, for example, when the chip tray 36 is a double chip tray and the upper and lower sections are read by different antennas. It can also be similarly applied to differentiating the reading of each bet area.

[0159] (modified version) In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 5 of the above embodiment, the location history information was stored in the database 326, but the location history information may also be recorded in the RFID tag 721 of the gaming chip 72.

[0160] With conventional gaming currency based on existing technology, it was possible to determine the authenticity of the gaming currency itself by reading the RFID and obtaining information written to the memory area. However, it was not possible to record or determine information obtained during use in a casino, particularly information regarding the owner of the gaming currency. Therefore, even if a gaming currency is genuine, if it has an abnormal usage history, such as being used or exchanged by an owner other than the original owner, its existence could not be detected by reading the RFID, and it was not possible to prevent such gaming currency with an unusual usage history from being used in a casino.

[0161] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a system that enables a dealer to track and record which player has acquired ownership of a game currency when the dealer pays the game currency to a player and ownership of the game currency is transferred from the casino to the player, in order to enhance security by constantly tracking and managing the ownership information of each game currency.

[0162] (Example 1) The overall overview of the first example of a modified table game management system will be explained using Figure 11. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the overall overview of the system. The game table 1004 for the baccarat game has betting areas for player 1441, banker 1442, tie 1443, player pair 1444, and banker pair 1445 for each player position 1131 to 1135. In addition, a chip placement area 1025 is provided for each player position, and a chip reader 1002 is provided to read the RFID of the game currency 1001 placed in the chip placement area.

[0163] Furthermore, each chip placement area 1025 is provided with a pay area 1026 for the dealer to place the game currency 1001 taken from the chip tray 1009 of the game table 1004 when dispensing game currency 1001 to the winning player.

[0164] Furthermore, the system includes a control device 1003 that captures the RFID reading results of the game currency 1001 read by the chip reader 1002.

[0165] Initially, players participating in the game place their game currency 1001 in the betting area within the chip placement area. The chip reader 1002 reads the RFID of the placed game currency 1001, and the control device 1003 obtains the ID information of the RFID and the information about the owner of the game currency 1001 that is associated with it in the database.

[0166] Based on the game's outcome, if the casino wins, the dealer collects the game currency 1001 wagered by the losing player and places it in the chip tray 1009. The RFID tags of the game currency 1001 in the chip tray 1009 are read by the chip reader 1002, and the control device 1003 records in the database that the casino is the owner of the game currency 1001 collected by the casino.

[0167] Based on the outcome of the game, the dealer, in accordance with the rules of the game, pays out 1001 game currency from the chip tray to the winning player, in an amount corresponding to the amount of chips bet.

[0168] When disbursing, the payment chips may be placed in the aforementioned pay area 1026, or in any chip placement area other than the pay area.

[0169] Here, we will explain how to record the owner information of the payment chips using Figure 12. Figure 12 shows how to record information about the owner of the game currency 1001 when paying chips to the winning player.

[0170] If multiple players place betting chips within the same player position, resulting in two or more stacks, the chip reader 1002 reads all the game currency 1001 placed in the chip placement area 1025 at once. Therefore, during the game, it obtains the ID 1010 of the bet game currency without knowing which game currency 1001 belongs to which player. After the game's outcome is determined, when paying the winning player, the dealer pays out from the chip tray 1009 for each player (each stack). The game currency 1001 removed from the chip tray 1009 is placed in the chip placement area 1025. The chip reader 1002 reads the ID 1011 of the payment chips placed in the chip placement area 1025.

[0171] The dispensed game currency 1001 is received by the winning player along with the initially wagered game currency 1001. At this time, since the wagering chips and payment chips move outside the chip placement area 1025, the IDs of the wagering chips and payment chips are removed from the reading results by the chip reader 1002. As a result, the control device 1003 determines which player the dispensed payment chips went to by associating them with information about the owner of the wagering chips.

[0172] The control device 1003 stores information about the owner of the identified payment chip in a database, associating it with the ID of the game currency.

[0173] As a result, it becomes possible to trace the owner of the game currency 1001, and if there is any fraudulent transfer of game currency 1001, it will be possible to discover that the owner information stored in the database differs from the actual owner.

[0174] Furthermore, the actual owner can be identified using facial recognition technology or IDs such as membership cards.

[0175] Furthermore, while the above explanation describes managing the ID of each game currency in a database, it is also acceptable to have a configuration where the owner information is stored in the game currency 1001 itself.

[0176] Furthermore, in addition to having one pay area 1026 for each player position, the pay area may be configured independently of each player position, and the chip reader 1002 may also read the chips independently.

[0177] Furthermore, the configuration may allow for the selection of whether or not to use the pay area 1026 depending on the reading performance of the chip reader 1002.

[0178] Furthermore, this table game management system may be configured to be connected to an RFID reader that reads chips in the chip tray 1009, a camera that reads bet chips, a shoe or other device that determines the outcome of the game, and to allow for the mutual use of information.

[0179] (Second example) First, we will describe the substitute currency used in the management system for substitute currency in the second example of the modified version. Figure 13 shows the substitute currency 1 used in the system. In this figure, the substitute currency 1 has an RFID tag 2 embedded in it that can store various information. The RFID tag 2 has a data-rewritable area 21 and a data-rewritable area 22.

[0180] Area 21, where data cannot be rewritten, stores fixed information 3, which is information that will not be changed, will not be changed, or should not be changed while the substitute currency 1 for gaming is in use. Specifically, fixed information 3 stores production information, product information, casino information, monetary value information, serial number, etc., for the substitute currency 1 for gaming. Production information includes the date and time the substitute currency for gaming was manufactured and the manufacturing machine, etc. Product information includes, for example, information indicating that it is a chip for the VIP area of ​​a casino, and information indicating the type of chip (for example, information indicating that it is a rolling chip or a cash chip).

[0181] The area 21 where data cannot be rewritten may be an area that is functionally unwriteable according to the specifications of the RFID tag, or it may be an area that has been locked to prevent further data writing after the necessary information has been written to the writable area.

[0182] The data rewritable area 22 stores variable information 4, which is information that changes while the game substitute currency 1 is being used. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the variable information 4 stores location information 220, which includes date and time information 221, location and event information 222, owner information 223, etc.

[0183] Fixed information 3 and variable information 4 may be encrypted to prevent unauthorized reading or writing of the information by others. Furthermore, fixed information 3 and variable information 4 may be stored as metadata.

[0184] Figure 14 shows an example of a method for recording data for the fluctuation information 4 of the substitute currency 1 used for games. As shown in Figure 14, location information 220, consisting of date and time, time information 221, place, event information 222, and owner information 223, is treated as a single block, and the information in this block is linked in a chain-like manner so that the history of the location information 220 of the substitute currency 1 used for games can be grasped.

[0185] Figure 14 shows an example of the fluctuation information 4 stored in the substitute currency 1 used for gambling, and the movement of the substitute currency 1 can be understood as follows: At 4:02 PM on January 28, 2019, Mr. A exchanges cash for substitute currency 1 at cage 5. At 4:15 PM on the same day, Mr. A places a bet at table No. 325 using substitute currency 1. At 4:43 PM on the same day, Mr. B receives substitute currency 1 as a winnings from his bet at table No. 325. At 5:01 PM on the same day, Mr. B leaves the casino with the substitute currency 1.

[0186] The fluctuation information 4 may be configured to store only the latest information, as shown in Figure 14, or it may store all the location information that has been written to it. Alternatively, it may store some of the location information from among several. If some is selected to store, it may store information on multiple locations, including at least the latest location information 220 from all the location information 220. With the above configuration, the history of use or movement of a game substitute currency 1 can be determined from the fluctuation information 4 of that game substitute currency 1. In other words, the traceability information of the game substitute currency 1 is written to the game substitute currency 1 itself and is configured to be trackable.

[0187] Next, we will explain the management system for the substitute currency 1 used in this example. Figure 15 shows an overview of the system.

[0188] First, at the factory 6, the substitute currency for games 1 has variable information 4, including information on completion of manufacturing or shipment from the factory, written as location information 220 to the rewritable area 22 of the RFID tag 2 by the writing device 14.

[0189] The game currency 1 shipped from factory 6 is processed in the casino's backyard 7. In backyard 7, a reader 13 reads the variable information 4 stored in the rewritable area 22 of the game currency 1. Based on the reading result, the management control device 15 determines whether location information 220 indicating that it was written at factory 6 has been written as the latest variable information 4. If there is no record of writing at factory 6, an error signal is generated, indicating that the game currency is suspected of being fraudulent. This allows the casino to refuse to accept the game currency or to request an investigation from the factory. If there is no problem with the write record, the write device 14 writes the location information 220 indicating the backyard to the rewritable area 22 of the RFID tag 2. When writing, location information indicating the backyard may be added in addition to location information indicating the factory, or location information indicating the factory may be deleted and location information indicating the backyard may be added. Furthermore, the reading and writing of substitute currency for gaming in the aforementioned backyard 7 can be performed in conjunction with the normal validation and activation of the substitute currency for gaming.

[0190] The game currency 1, which has completed its acceptance inspection in backyard 7, is transported to the casino's warehouse 8 or cage 9. In warehouse 8 or cage 9, the reader 13 reads the variable information 4 stored in the rewritable area 22 of the game currency 1. Based on the reading result, the management control device 15 determines whether the location information 220, indicating that it was written in backyard 7, has been written as the latest variable information 4, as the information that should be written. It may also check whether information indicating factory 6 has been written in the history of variable information 4. The management control device 15 determines whether there are any abnormalities in the history of location information, similar to the inspection in backyard 7 described above. If there are no problems with the reading result, the write device 14 writes the location information 22 indicating warehouse 8 or cage 9 to the rewritable area 22.

[0191] The player purchases game currency 1 in cage 9. When the player purchases game currency 1, the writing device 14 in cage 9 writes the time the game currency was purchased and information indicating that the ownership of the game currency has changed from the casino to the customer as change information 4. The player may also be identified and recorded using facial recognition technology or an ID card such as a casino membership card or My Number card.

[0192] Players place bets using the exchanged game currency 1 by placing it in the betting area 11 at the game table. The reader 13 reads location information 220 from the RFID tag 2 of the bet game currency 1, consisting of date and time information 221, location and event information 222, and owner information 223, and the management control device 15 determines whether there is an abnormality. For example, an abnormality can be determined if a certain period of time has passed since the last written information, such as the date and time of use at the game table or the exchange information at the cage, or if the owner information 223 stored in the game currency 1 differs from the owner information 223 identified by facial recognition or ID card.

[0193] If there are no problems with the reading result, the writing device 14 writes location information 220 to the rewritable area 22 of the bet substitute currency 1. The location information 220 includes date and time information 221, location and event information 222, and owner information 223. At the table, for example, the writing device 14 writes change information 4, which includes the player position number where the substitute currency 1 is placed and the player's information. The player's information may be identified by an ID card or facial recognition. Normally, multiple substitute currency 1 are stacked and placed in the betting area 11, so the data is written to them all at once while they are stacked.

[0194] When a player takes the substitute currency 1 used for gaming from the casino floor, they go through the exit process at gate 10. Upon exit, the reader 14 reads location information 220, and the management control device 15 determines whether there are any abnormalities in the change information 4. At gate 10, the write device 14 also writes the change information 4, which includes the location indicating the exit, event information 222, and owner information 223.

[0195] When a player enters the casino floor and brings in a substitute currency 1 that they previously took out, the reader 13 reads information about its location, and the management control device determines whether there are any abnormalities in the fluctuation information 4. For example, if the owner of the substitute currency 1 that was taken out of the casino is different from the owner at the time of entry, it can be determined that the substitute currency was exchanged outside the casino.

[0196] The aforementioned control device 15 may output an alarm to the cage 9 or gate 10 if the determination based on the reading result of the reader 13 is abnormal. When the owner of the substitute currency 1 for the game attempts to exchange it for cash at the cage 9 or exits through the gate 10, the control device 15 can refuse the exchange or perform individual checks upon exit based on the alarm it outputs. In addition, if the determination result is abnormal, the control device 15 may issue a warning to the dealer at each game table to interrupt the game, or issue a warning to the pit, allowing the pit manager to decide whether to interrupt or continue the game, or to take action such as exchanging the substitute currency 1. Alternatively, the control device 15 may be connected to the casino's overall control device 18 and configured to issue a warning to the overall control device 18.

[0197] Similarly, when a cash exchange is performed in the cage, the management control device 15 may read the fluctuation information 4 from the reader device 13 and determine if there is an abnormality. Specifically, an abnormality may be determined if a certain period of time has passed since the last written information regarding use in the game table or cash exchange in the cage, or if a person other than the owner information 223 stored in the substitute game currency 1 is attempting to exchange it. If an abnormality is determined, the management control device 15 may output a warning and refuse to exchange the substitute game currency 1 that has been determined to be abnormal.

[0198] Furthermore, although the above description assumes a configuration in which reading is performed by the reader 13, determination is made by the management control device, and then writing is performed by the write device 14, a configuration in which reading and writing are performed simultaneously is also possible.

[0199] The following provides details on the application of this example.

[0200] At factory 6, RFID tags 2 are read and / or written to upon completion of production or shipment. Production information and product information are written as fixed information 3, and if necessary, they are locked to prevent rewriting, while variable information 4 is also written.

[0201] In backyard 6, when receiving the game currency 1 shipped from the factory and activating it as usable game currency 1, the RFID tag 2 is read and / or written to.

[0202] In warehouse 8, when moving the game substitute currency 1 from warehouse 8 to cage 9, or when moving the game substitute currency 1 from cage 9 to warehouse 8, the RFID tag 2 is read and / or written to. Alternatively, the RFID tag 2 may be read and / or written to the game substitute currency 1 stored in warehouse 8 at regular intervals or at predetermined timings.

[0203] In cage 9, RFID tags 2 are read and / or written to when moving items from or to warehouse 8, and when exchanging customer cash for game currency 1. When an exchange takes place in cage 9, the location indicating the exchange, event information 222, and the player who made the exchange are written as owner information 223, and change information 4 is written to them. Owner information 223 can be obtained from the player's casino ID card, facial recognition system, credit card, etc.

[0204] At Gate 10, RFID tags 2 are read and / or written to when players enter and exit. When a player leaves the casino, all gaming currency 1 taken out of the casino are registered by writing the location indicating the take-out, event information 222, and owner information 223 indicating the player taking the take-out as variable information 4. Similarly, when entering, the location indicating the bring-in, event information 222, and owner information 223 indicating the player bringing the bring-in are written as variable information 4 and registered for the gaming currency 1 brought into the casino.

[0205] In the betting area 11, RFID tags 2 are read and / or written to the substitute currency 1 used for betting that players place in the betting area 11 to participate in betting. In addition, RFID tags 2 are read and / or written to the substitute currency 1 used for betting that dealers place in the betting area 11 as reimbursement to players.

[0206] The chip tray 12 reads and / or writes to the game substitute currency 1 collected in the chip tray and the game substitute currency 1 stored in the tray.

[0207] The game table further includes a payment area, which includes area 2007 and pay area 1026, and the dealer may read and / or write to the game substitute currency 1 placed in the betting area 11 as a reimbursement to the player using RFID tags 2.

[0208] The management control device 15 has a function to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the location information 220 obtained from the reading results of the reading device 13 at each location. To determine whether or not there is an abnormality, it can determine whether or not either of the following events has occurred: the device has not been used for a predetermined period of time since the last write, or the location information that should have been written has not been written.

[0209] The event that the account has not been used for a specified period of time since the last post is: 1) The most recent location information indicates cage 9, and the following information has been written more than the specified time: 2) The most recent location information indicates entry at Gate 10, and the following information has not been written for more than the specified time: 3) The most recent location information indicates exit at Gate 10, and the following information has been written more than the specified time: It is one of the following situations.

[0210] The event in which the location information that should be written is not written is, 4) When entering the game hall, the latest location information of the area 22 where the data of the substitute currency 1 for gameplay can be rewritten does not contain information indicating exit at gate 10. 5) When used in cage 9, information indicating backyard 7 is not written. 6) When leaving the gaming area, if information indicating cage 9 or backyard 7 is not written, It is one of the following situations.

[0211] The control device 15 determines whether an event is abnormal or not based on the owner information 223 obtained from the reading device 13, 1) A person other than the last owner stored in the data-rewritable area 22 exchanges or cashes the game currency 1 within the game hall, or leaves the game hall. 2) A person other than the owner at the time of departure, whose data is stored in area 22 where data can be rewritten, brings the substitute currency for the game into the game hall. It is possible to determine one of the following situations.

[0212] The control device 15 determines whether an event is abnormal or not based on information indicating the location of the bet area 11, the location of the chip tray 12, or the payment area, obtained from the reader device 13. 1) A person other than the last owner stored in the data rewritable area 22 uses the game substitute currency 1 at the game table. 2) A substitute game currency 1, which has no record of use at the game table, is exchanged for cash at cage 9 by a person different from the person who purchased the substitute game currency 1 at cage 9. 3) A substitute game currency 1 that does not have information indicating cage 9 or backyard 7 is used within the game hall. 4) The most recent location information is information indicating the betting area 11 or the payment area, and after a specified period of time has elapsed, it will be used for cashing out or playing at the game table in cage 9. Determine one of the situations described in 1) through 4) above.

[0213] Figure 18 shows a database of another example of a modified form. The management system further includes a database 17 that records similar fixed information 3 and variable information 4 in addition to the substitute currency 1 used for games. Based on the reading results of the reader 13, the management control device 15 records information in the database 17 and can also compare the fixed information 3 and variable information 4 stored in the substitute currency 1 with the information in the database to determine any abnormalities.

[0214] In RFID tag 2 in this example, the functionally unwriteable area of ​​the non-rewritable data area 21 may be the TID. After writing the necessary information to the non-rewritable data area 21, the area that is locked to prevent further data writing may be the EPC or user area. The rewritable data area 22 may be the EPC or user area.

[0215] The reading device 13 and writing device 14 may take different forms depending on the location. For example, in factory 6 they are on a table as shown in Figure 16, in gate 10 they are box-shaped, and in betting area 11 and chip tray 12 the betting area 11 and chip tray 12 themselves may have the functions of the reading device 13 and writing device 14. Also, the substitute currency 1 for games may be stacked as is, or they may be read and / or written to while contained in a chip case or the like. Furthermore, the reading device 13 and writing device 14 may be integrated into one unit.

[0216] The above modifications describe a case where the substitute currency for gaming has one RFID tag, and this single RFID tag has an area where data cannot be written and an area where data can be rewritten. In contrast, it is also conceivable that the substitute currency for gaming has two RFID tags, with one RFID tag storing fixed information and locked to prevent data from being written, and the other RFID tag being made rewritable to record variable information.

[0217] However, in this case, when multiple game currency units are read at once, as shown in Figure 17A, the fixed information group 3 and the variable information group 4 are read separately. This makes it impossible to determine the combination of fixed and variable information for a specific game currency unit, and thus it becomes impossible to identify game currency units with abnormal variable information.

[0218] In contrast, when using a single RFID tag, as shown in Figure 17B, the reader can understand the correspondence between the fixed and variable information read by the reader even when reading multiple substitute currency items for gaming at once. Therefore, it is considered better to implement this using a single RFID tag.

[0219] Furthermore, since RFID tags generally have higher reading accuracy the larger their diameter, when incorporating RFID tags into substitute currency for gaming, it is desirable that the RFID tags have a diameter at least greater than the radius of the substitute currency. However, it is undesirable to reduce the diameter of individual RFID tags by incorporating two RFID tags into a substitute currency. In addition, incorporating two RFID tags increases the number of RFID tags to be read, which can lead to a decrease in reading speed when reading multiple substitute currencies.

[0220] For the reasons mentioned above, it is considered more effective to implement this using a single RFID tag.

[0221] (Third example) The following describes an overview of a table game management system in a game arcade having multiple game tables, as a third example of a modified configuration. Figure 19 shows an overview of the system, and the table game management system in a game arcade having multiple game tables 2004 includes a game recording device 2011 that records games played on the game tables 2004 as images via multiple cameras 2002, including game substitute currency 1; an image analysis device 2012 that performs image analysis on the recorded images; a chip reader 25 that reads the RFID attached to the game substitute currency 1; and a game result determination device 18 that determines and displays the game results of each game on the game tables 2004.

[0222] The game result determination device 18 is, for example, a card distribution device 2003, which is a so-called electronic shoe already used by those skilled in the art. The rules of the game are programmed in advance, and the device is structured to read the information of the distributed cards C and determine the outcome of the game. For example, in a baccarat game, the banker wins, the player wins, or it's a tie is basically determined by the rank of 2-3 cards, and the result (win or loss) is displayed on the result display lamp 2013.

[0223] In the figure, the game table 2004 is a baccarat table with five sitting numbers 13 ("Sitting Number 1" 131, "Sitting Number 2" 132, "Sitting Number 3" 133, "Sitting Number 5" 134, and "Sitting Number 6" 135), allowing five players to participate in the game. A betting area 44 is provided for each sitting number 13. The betting area 44 for sitting number 13 includes areas for Player 441, Banker 442, Tie 443, Player Pair (P) 444, and Banker Pair (B) 445. Each player places a bet by placing the amount of their bet (game currency 1) in the position corresponding to the item they wish to bet on. In Figure 19, for example, two game currency 1 are placed in Tie 443 and two in Player 441 at sitting number 5. The game table 2004 is further provided with a player card area 45 for placing drawn player cards and a banker card area 46 for placing drawn banker cards.

[0224] The control device 2014 can determine, via the camera 2002 and image analysis device 2012, which position (player, banker, tie, or pair) in the betting area 2008 each player 2006 has bet with their substitute currency 1, the type of substitute currency 1 bet (each color of substitute currency 1 is assigned a different value), and the number of coins bet. For example, it can determine that 2 coins have been bet on tie 443 and 2 coins on player 441 at sitting number 5.

[0225] As shown in Figure 19, the chip reader 25 is arranged so that it can read the RFIDs of the game currency 1 within each reading area, treating the entire betting area as a single reading area for each sitting number. The RFIDs attached to the game currency 1 contain unique ID information, the amount, type, manufacturing information, and owner information. Alternatively, the ID information may be linked and stored in a database. By reading the RFIDs attached to the game currency 1, the chip reader 25 can determine the number of game currency 1 for each sitting number and determine the total amount or number of coins. That is, for example, if four game currency coins are bet on sitting number 5, the type, amount, and ID of each can be determined.

[0226] As shown in Figure 20, the control device 2014 determines the total amount or total number of game currency 1 bet on each bet area of ​​each sitting number based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device 2012, and compares this with the total amount or total number of game currency 1 for each sitting number based on the RFID information of the game currency 1 read by the chip reader 25 to determine whether they match. Furthermore, it can output sitting numbers for which the above determination does not match, making it possible to identify the sitting numbers that had problems.

[0227] If the total amount or number of game currency 1 for each sitting number, based on the reading results of the chip reader 25, is less than the total amount or number of game currency 1 for each sitting number, based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device, it is possible that the RFID attached to the game currency 1 is broken, unreadable, or that the game currency 1 does not have an RFID attached. In Figure 20, the total number of readings based on the image analysis device 2012 for game currency 1 bet on sitting number 1 is 4, while the total number of readings based on the RFID reading by the chip reader 25 is 3. Therefore, it is possible that the RFID of one of the four game currency 1 bet on sitting number 1 was unreadable.

[0228] If the total amount or number of substitute game currency 1 for each sitting number, based on the reading results of the chip reader 25, is greater than the total amount or number of substitute game currency 1 for each sitting number, based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device, it is possible that the image analysis device 2012 was unable to read the substitute game currency 1 due to factors such as the substitute game currency 1 being in the camera's blind spot. In Figure 20, the total number of substitute game currency 1 bet on sitting number 3, based on the image analysis device 2012, is 1, while the total number of substitute game currency 1 bet on sitting number 3, based on the RFID reading by the chip reader 25, is 2. Therefore, it is possible that there were 2 substitute game currency 1 bet on sitting number 3, but the image analysis device only recognized 1.

[0229] The RFID ID information attached to the substitute currency 1 for gaming is registered in the casino's database, which records information such as production and shipping information from the factory, as well as information on receipt, validation, and activation at the casino. The control device 2014 can compare the RFID information read by the chip reader 25 with the information in the database and determine whether it is genuine or not, as it is registered to be used in the casino.

[0230] This configuration allows the camera to determine the type and number of game currency 1 placed in each betting area, and based on the RFID information of the game currency 1 read by the chip reader 25, it is possible to determine whether the game currency 1 is counterfeit or defective for each sitting number.

[0231] Furthermore, the system includes means for identifying game participants using a facial recognition system or player ID card, and the control device 2014 can link the game participant information identified by the game participant identification means with the sitting number. The control device 2014 can store the bet amount, redemption or recovery amount, and win / loss information stored for each sitting number for each game participant. It can also store information on multiple games played by a game participant at multiple tables.

[0232] The control device 2014 can determine the total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 2005 at the game table 2004 using the chip tray determination device 12. After the game ends and settlement is complete, the control device can compare and calculate whether the total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the chip tray 17 has increased or decreased according to the game's outcome, based on the amount of the lost substitute game currency 1 bet by each player 2006 collected and the amount of winning chips 9W paid to the winning player 2006W. The chip tray determination device may determine the total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the chip tray 17 by photographing the substitute game currency 1 contained in the chip tray 17 using the camera 2002 and analyzing the results of an image analysis device, or it may detect the total amount of substitute game currency 1 contained in the chip tray 17 by providing an RFID reader on the chip tray 17.

[0233] In this example, fraud and errors are detected based on the game's outcome, information on how many of each type of substitute currency 1 were bet in each position (player, banker, tie, or pair) in the betting area 2008, and the increase or decrease in the substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 after the collection of losing chips and the redemption of winning substitute currency 1. Therefore, fraud and errors can be detected without knowing the movement of the substitute currency 1 after the game ends, i.e., whether the bet substitute currency 1 moved to the player's side or the dealer's side.

[0234] Here, the outcome of a game can be determined according to the rules of baccarat, for example, by reading the rank of card C dealt in the game using the card distributing device 2003. Alternatively, the outcome of a game can also be determined by taking a picture of the game table 2004 with the camera 2002, analyzing the image with the image analysis device 2012, and comparing the analysis results with the game rules using the control device 2014. In this case, the game result determination device consists of the camera 2002, the image analysis device 2012, and the control device 2014. Information on how many of each type of substitute currency 1 was bet by each player at sitting number 7 at each position (player, banker, tie, player pair, banker pair) in the betting area 2008 is obtained by taking a picture of the substitute currency 1 placed in the betting area 2008 with the camera 2002 and analyzing the image for each playing position 7 with the image analysis device 2012.

[0235] Furthermore, the increase or decrease in the amount of substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 before and after the collection of substitute currency 1 for losing games and the redemption of substitute currency 1 for winning games can be calculated by comparing the total amount of substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 before the collection of substitute currency 1 for losing games and the redemption of substitute currency 1 for winning games with the total amount of substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 after the collection of substitute currency 1 for losing games and the redemption of substitute currency 1 for winning games.

[0236] For example, suppose the total amount of substitute currency 1 in chip tray 17 is Bb before the start of the game, and the total amount of substitute currency 1 in chip tray 17 after the game has ended, with the collection of losing chips and the redemption of winning chips being completed is Ba. Also, suppose that in this game, the total amount of substitute currency 1 bet on all 7 play positions in the player area is bp, the total amount of substitute currency 1 bet on all 7 play positions in the banker area is bb, and the total amount of substitute currency 1 bet on all 7 play positions in the tie area is bt. For example, if the outcome of this game is a banker win, then Ba - Bb = bp - bb + bt should hold true. Alternatively, the total amount of substitute currency 1 in chip tray 17 after the end of the game, Ba, should be (Bb + bp - bb + bt). If this is not the case, it can be determined that there was fraud or error in the collection or redemption of chips.

[0237] Figure 24A shows details of the chip tray in this example, and Figure 24B shows another example of a chip tray. The chip tray 17 is equipped with a collection chip tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing the substitute game currency 1L wagered by the losing player 2006L, and a redemption chip tray 172 for storing the substitute game currency 1W to be redeemed. The image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 determine the location, type, and number of substitute game currency 1L wagered by the losing player 2006L, and calculate the increase in the substitute game currency 1L in the game (the amount of substitute game currency 1 that should be in the collection chip tray 171). Furthermore, the image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 determine the actual total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the chip tray 171 after collection, and compare the expected total amount with the actual total amount to determine if there is a difference.

[0238] The control device 2014 can further redeem the substitute game currency 1 to be redeemed, and when the redemption is complete, it can compare the actual total amount in the chip tray with the total amount that should be in the chip tray, which is calculated from the position, type, and number of chips bet by each game participant on the game table and the game result, and determine if there is a difference between the total amount that should be in the chip tray and the actual total amount.

[0239] Furthermore, the redemption of the game substitute currency 1W to the winning player 2006W is performed using the game substitute currency 1 in the redemption chip tray 172, which allows sufficient time for the image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 to determine the actual total amount of game substitute currency 1 in the collection chip tray 171 after collection.

[0240] As described above, in the third example, the control device 2014 calculates the chip balance for each game from the amount of chips bet on the game table 2004 and the outcome of the game, and verifies the increase in the chip balance in the chip tray 17 after the game. If the control device 2014 detects a difference in this verification, it issues an alarm or adds a record to that effect to the video recording captured by the camera 2002. The casino operator can investigate the cause of the difference by reviewing the video.

[0241] The third example of a table game management system adds or subtracts the increase or decrease in chips in a game, calculated from the total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the chip tray 17 before settlement of each game, based on the position, type, and number of substitute game currency 1 bet by all players 2006 in that game and the win / loss result of that game obtained by the win / loss result determination device. It then compares the expected total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the chip tray 17 after settlement at the end of the game with the actual total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the chip tray 17 at the end of the game, obtained via the image analysis device 2012, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

[0242] The control device 2014, via the image analysis device 2012, determines the position, type, and number of chips bet by each player, and when all of the losing chips bet by each player have been collected, it determines the actual total value of chips in the chip tray, and compares the actual total value of the substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 with the actual total value of the substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17, which is calculated by adding the increase in the chip tray 17 for that game based on the position, type, and number of chips bet by the losing players, from the total value of chips in the chip tray 17 before settlement of each game, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total value and the actual total value.

[0243] The control device 2014 compares the total amount of substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 before settlement of each game with the actual total amount of substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17, which is calculated by adding the increase in the chip tray 17 for that game based on the position, type, and number of substitute currency 1 bet by losing players, to the total amount of substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 before settlement of each game. If it determines that there is no difference between the total amount and the actual total amount, and if it determines that there is a difference between the total amount and the actual total amount, it determines that there is a payment error and generates a payment error signal to indicate the payment error.

[0244] The chip tray 17 is equipped with a collection chip tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing the substitute game currency 1 wagered by losing players. The image analysis device 2012 compares the expected total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the collection chip tray 171, which is calculated by adding the increase in the amount of substitute game currency 1 wagered in the game based on the position, type, and number of substitute game currency 1L wagered by losing players, with the actual total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the collection chip tray 171, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

[0245] When the control device 2014 determines that the actual total amount of substitute game currency 1 known in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 2005 on the game table 2004 does not correspond to the increase or decrease in chips calculated from the amount of chips bet by all players and the outcome of the game, the game recording device 2011 can either assign an index or timestamp to the acquired video, or identify and play back the scene of the collection or payment of substitute game currency 1, so that the record of the game in which the above difference occurred can be analyzed.

[0246] Thus, the control device 2014 obtains the total amount of chips in the chip tray 17 after settlement at the end of the game via the image analysis device 2012. In this case, the decision after settlement is made when any of the following 1) to 4) occurs. 1) When the redemption of the winning substitute currency 1 is completed, 2) When card C used in the game is collected and discarded to the discard area 41 or discard slot 42 of the table, 3) When a predetermined button attached to the win / loss result determination device is pressed, 4) When the win / loss marker 43 is returned to its original position.

[0247] Furthermore, the control device 2014 is an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning structure that can extract unique situations (set by the casino) when a player's winning or losing history and the amount of chips won (amount won) are obtained from the win / loss results of each game, by comparing them with statistical data from a large number of past games (big data). Typically, this includes situations where a winning amount of more than a certain amount (1 million dollars) occurs, or when, at a particular play position 7 of a game table 2004, the amount of chips bet when losing is small and the amount of chips bet when winning is large for several games in a row, and this is extracted as a unique situation when compared with statistical data from past games (big data, etc.).

[0248] Furthermore, the control device 2014 of this table game management system (integrated with the image analysis device 2012) is structured to identify individual players 2006 at play position 7 who have been extracted as unique situations or have won more than a predetermined amount. Such identification of players 2006 is achieved by the image analysis device 2012 obtaining facial images through feature point extraction, etc., and assigning them an identity number (ID, etc.). The control device 2014 then has a warning function that notifies the other game table of the identified player 2006's presence when the player leaves their seat and takes a seat at another game table. Specifically, it notifies the pit manager or the person in charge of each game table (which may be a dealer) to prevent further unique phenomena.

[0249] The control device 2014 can identify the collected gaming substitute currency 1 for each sitting number based on the RFID ID information of the collected gaming substitute currency 1 determined by the chip tray determination device and the RFID ID information of the gaming substitute currency 1 read by the chip reader 25.

[0250] In Figure 21, the substitute currency 1 for gaming is bet as shown in the detailed tables in Figures 22 and 23. Analysis by the image analysis device 2012 allows us to determine where the substitute currency 1 is bet (player, banker, etc.) and the number of coins (and the amount). Meanwhile, reading by the chip reader 25 allows us to determine the RFID ID attached to each substitute currency 1 for gaming for gaming for each sitting number. Furthermore, the chip tray determination device 25 can determine the ID of the substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 9, so by determining the increase in IDs before and after collection, it is possible to determine which substitute currency 1 has been collected. Figures 23-25 ​​show that when the game result is a banker win, the analysis results from the image analysis device 2012 indicate that the two chips that were bet on the banker pair should be collected. Of the IDs of the collected chips determined by the chip tray determination device, the chip reader 25 read that IDs 6 and 18 were bet on sitting number 5, and these two chips were collected.

[0251] The control device 2014 further understands the total amount or total number of game substitute coins 1 to be collected for each sitting number, determined using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount, and number of game substitute coins 1 based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device. Therefore, the control device 2014 can compare the total amount or total number of collected game substitute coins 1 for each sitting number determined based on RFID with the total amount or total number of game substitute coins 1 to be collected based on the image analysis results, and determine whether they match.

[0252] For example, if the reading result from the chip reader 25 for sitting number 1 is "A, B, C, D, E", the analysis result from the image analysis device 2012 is "2 chips on tie, 2 chips on banker", the game result is "Banker wins", and the reading result from the chip tray determination device 18 is "A, B", then it can be seen that the chips A and B that were bet on tie were correctly collected.

[0253] The control device 2014 can further determine whether the RFID ID information of the recovered substitute game currency 1 determined by the chip tray determination device matches the RFID ID information of the substitute game currency 1 that was wagered, as read by the chip reader 25. This determination allows the device to determine whether the substitute game currency 1 collected in the chip tray is the substitute game currency 1 that was wagered on the game table, or whether it is a substitute game currency 1 that was illegally collected from another location.

[0254] The control device 2014 can further determine the type of chip, such as a cash chip, rolling chip, or promotional chip, based on the RFID information read by the chip reader 25, and can store the amount wagered, recovered, or redeemed for each determined chip type.

[0255] Rolling chips are special chips that can only be purchased by specific members and cannot be exchanged for cash. The amount of rolling chips purchased by each member is managed. They must be used and consumed through betting, and repayments for bets made with rolling chips are made with cash chips. By storing the amount of rolling chips bet or collected based on the RFID information read by the chip reader 25, it is possible to determine the amount of rolling chips that a particular member should possess.

[0256] The chip reader 25 also has a confirmation area function and can read the substitute game currency 1 placed for redemption. As shown in Figure 25, when redeeming the banker for sitting number 2, the substitute game currency 1 for redemption is placed in the chip reader 25 and read. In Figure 25, it is placed next to the winning substitute game currency 1 bet on the banker for sitting number 2. The control device 2014 compares the redemption amount determined using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount, and number of substitute game currency 1 based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device with the amount of the substitute game currency 1 placed for each sitting number based on the reading results of the chip reader 25, and can determine whether the redemption amounts match or not and output the result. In Figure 26, the total number of substitute game currency 1 to be paid for sitting number 1 is 4, but the reading result from the chip reader 25 is 3, resulting in a mismatch. When the redemption amount does not match, a mismatch signal is output, and the dealer can rearrange the substitute game currency 1 for redemption based on the output signal. If the substitute game currency 1 is rearranged, the judgment is made again and the judgment result is output. The area where the substitute game currency 1 for redemption is placed can be anywhere within the chip reader 25. Also, as shown in Figure 25, a payment confirmation area 26 may be placed on the dealer side of the betting area, separate from the betting area. In Figure 25, the substitute game currency 1 for redemption is placed in the payment confirmation area 26 for sitting number 6, the chip reader 25 reads it, the control device 2014 makes a judgment, and the redemption chip is placed next to the winning substitute game currency 1 placed in the banker.

[0257] Furthermore, the confirmation area may also be subjected to image analysis by the image analysis device 2012, and the control device 2014 may compare it with the reading results of the chip reader 25 to determine whether the total number of chips matches.

[0258] The control device 2014 can output a signal based on the judgment it has made. The signal may be displayed on the display unit of the chip tray 9 or the display unit of the card dispensing device 13, or it may be output to the pit manager or the casino's back room.

[0259] As shown in Figure 27, the chip reader 25 may treat the entire betting area as one reading area for each sitting number, or as shown in Figure 28, it may treat the player, player pair, and bunker pair betting areas as one reading area for each sitting number. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 29 and 32, the side betting areas for the tie, player pair, and bunker pair betting areas may each be treated as a separate reading area.

[0260] The following describes the substitute currency 1 used in this example. Figure 30 is an external view of the substitute currency 1 used in this system, and Figure 31 is a front cross-sectional view. It has a multilayer structure in which multiple layers of different colored plastics are laminated, with at least a colored layer 101 in the middle, and white layers 102 or light-colored layers (not shown, but any layer lighter in color than the colored layer 101) laminated on both sides of this intermediate colored layer 101. By having a colored layer 101 and a multilayer structure in which white layers 102 or light-colored layers (not shown, but any layer lighter in color than the colored layer 101) are laminated on both sides of this intermediate colored layer 101, a striped pattern in the direction of lamination is formed on the side as shown in Figure 31, and by changing the color of the colored layer 101 (red, green, yellow, blue, etc.), the type of substitute currency 1 (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) can be identified.

[0261] As shown in FIG. 31, the coloring layer 101 may be formed by a plurality of colored layers (three layers in FIG. 31). Since the plurality of colored layers (three layers in FIG. 31) are thermocompression bonded to each other, the three-layer structure is not visible as shown in FIG. 31, and FIG. 31 represents three layers for explanatory purposes. Further, a partial cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the coloring layer 101, and an RFID is built therein.

[0262] Also, the gaming substitute currency 1 is not limited to a structure in which plastics are laminated, and may have an appearance similar to that of the coloring layer 101.

[0263] The method by which the image analysis device 2012 analyzes the gaming substitute currency 1 is shown in detail below. The image analysis device 2012 performs image analysis on the image recorded in the recording device 11, and recognizes at least two colors of a reference color R different from the specific color 121 that is at least partially applied to the gaming substitute currency 1 and present in the image. Note that the specific color 121 is at least partially applied at a predetermined position or in a predetermined shape of the gaming substitute currency 1. For example, it may be applied as the coloring layer 101, applied circumferentially on the side surface of the gaming substitute currency 1, or applied as a predetermined mark on the surface of the gaming substitute currency 1. Further, the reference color R may be, for example, the color of a specific area of the gaming table 2004, or a color applied at a location different from the specific color 121 in the gaming substitute currency 1.

[0264] The image analysis device 2012 includes, for example, an artificial intelligence device 12a that identifies a specific color by means of deep learning technology or the like, and determines the number and types of the gaming substitute currency 1 arranged on the gaming table 2004. The recognition device 12 may further determine the position of the gaming substitute currency 1 on the gaming table 2004.

[0265] The image analysis device 2012 acquires multiple images of the substitute game currency 1 and the reference color R illuminated at different illuminances. It learns by having a human provide training data using the acquired images and the correct colors of the specific color 121 of the substitute game currency 1 and the reference color R in each image, thereby creating a learning model 13a (recognition program). Images of the substitute game currency 1 and the reference color R illuminated under the same illuminance conditions allow for the acquisition of the relative relationship between the specific color 121 and the reference color R, since the specific color 121 and the reference color R are illuminated at the same illuminance. For example, this relative relationship may be used for the recognition of the specific color 121.

[0266] Alternatively, the chip recognition device 12 may extract the center line C of the game substitute currency 1 by measuring image features such as shape, brightness, saturation, and hue, using the results of image analysis captured by the camera 200212, without using artificial intelligence.

[0267] The artificial intelligence device 12a further includes a configuration that recognizes at least two colors in the surrounding image, namely the specific color 121 and the reference color R which is different from the specific color 121, by performing image analysis on a predetermined range of the surrounding image around the extracted center line C (for example, a range of 8 pixels perpendicular to the center line, centered on the center line). When performing image analysis on the surrounding image of the predetermined range around the extracted center line C, the image may be analyzed as is, or it may be analyzed after image processing such as color enhancement or noise reduction to facilitate the recognition of the specific color 121.

[0268] In summary, the artificial intelligence device 12a of the recognition device 12 is configured to extract a center line C from an image of the substitute currency 1 for gaming, and to recognize at least two colors in the surrounding image, namely a specific color 121 and a reference color R different from the specific color 121, by performing image analysis of the surrounding image within a predetermined range centered on the center line C. The artificial intelligence device is taught using multiple surrounding images of the substitute currency 1 and the reference color R illuminated at different illuminances as training data.

[0269] In another example, the control device 2014 further 1) In each game, check for any movement of chips between the start of card drawing or the dealer's game start operation and the display of the game's outcome by the card distribution device. 2) After each game has ended, while the dealer is collecting the chips bet by the losing players, check to see if there have been any chip movements by anyone other than the dealer. 3) After each game ends, while the dealer is collecting the chips bet by the losers among the game participants, check whether any chips have been added. 4) After each game has finished, the dealer has checked whether he has paid out the chips that the winners among the game participants had placed. 5) After each game has finished, the winner among the game participants must determine whether they have taken the chips they wagered and the chips they have received. It includes a function to determine at least one of the following.

[0270] Furthermore, the control device 2014 may be configured to determine at least one of 1) to 5) above by using the analysis results of the image analysis device to detect the hand movements of the dealer and the game participants, the movement of the chips, or the hand movements and the movement of the chips.

[0271] The control device 2014, as a characteristic function of the present invention, has the following functions 1) to 5) in accordance with the rules of the baccarat game and determines whether or not any cheating in violation of the rules has occurred. That is, 1) In each game, from the moment the card dispensing signal from the card dispensing device 2003 is received, or from the moment the dealer 2005 presses the start button 4s to initiate the game, until the card dispensing device 2003 displays the game's win / loss result, the camera 2002 is used to monitor for any movement of the substitute currency 1, using information obtained by the image analysis device 2012. 2) After each game has finished, while the dealer 2005 is collecting the substitute game currency 1 that the losers among the game participants 2006 had bet, the camera 2002 is used to monitor whether the losers 6 have taken the substitute game currency 1 fraudulently, using information obtained by the image analysis device 2012. 3) After each game has ended, while the dealer 2005 is collecting the substitute game currency 1 that the losers among the game participants had bet, the camera 2002 is used to monitor, using information obtained by the image analysis device 2012, whether anyone other than the dealer 2005 (winners or losers) has added winning substitute game currency 1W or placed new substitute game currency 1 on the winning side that has not bet. 4) After each game ends, the camera 2002 is used to monitor whether the dealer 2005 has correctly placed the game currency 1W for payment in the location where the winning game participant 2006 had placed their bet, using information obtained by the image analysis device 2012. 5) After each game has finished (the dealer 2005 operates the card distribution device 2003 to display the win / loss result on the display lamp 13), the camera 2002 is used to monitor whether the winner 6W among the game participants 2006 has taken the bet substitute currency 1 and the substitute currency 1W that was paid out, using information obtained by the image analysis device 2012.

[0272] In the above example, the image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 were devices that utilized artificial intelligence or had a deep learning structure. Specifically, the image analysis device 2012 and the control device 2014 may use a scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm, a convolutional neural network (CNN), deep learning, machine learning, or similar methods to perform image analysis and the various controls described above. These technologies are techniques for recognizing objects contained in captured images by performing image recognition on the captured image. In particular, in recent years, deep learning techniques with multi-layered neural networks have been used to recognize objects with high accuracy. This deep learning technique generally recognizes objects with high accuracy by stacking multiple layers in the intermediate layers between the input and output layers of the neural network. In this deep learning technique, convolutional neural networks, in particular, are attracting attention because they have higher performance than conventional methods of recognizing objects based on image features.

[0273] In a convolutional neural network, labeled target images are trained to recognize the main object contained within those images. If multiple main objects exist within a training image, a region rectangle is used to specify it, and the corresponding image is labeled for training. Furthermore, a convolutional neural network can also determine the main object within an image and its position.

[0274] To further explain convolutional neural networks, the recognition process involves extracting candidate regions based on local features by performing edge extraction and other operations on the target image. These candidate regions are then input into a convolutional neural network to extract feature vectors, which are then classified. The candidate region with the highest confidence level is then recognized as the result. Confidence level is a measure of how much higher the similarity between a given image region and the subject of the image (as learned along with its label) is relative to the similarity between other classes.

[0275] Although various examples have been described above, it goes without saying that the embodiments described above can be modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention, and the apparatus of this embodiment may be appropriately modified as needed for the game to which it is applied.

[0276] (Note) To solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the management system for substitute currency for games of the present invention is: A single RFID tag having an area where data cannot be rewritten and an area where data can be rewritten is attached to the substitute currency for gaming. The area of ​​the RFID tag in which the data cannot be rewritten stores, as fixed information, at least one of the following: production information, product information, casino information, monetary information, and serial number of the substitute currency for the game. The area in which the aforementioned data can be rewritten stores information regarding the location of the substitute currency used for the game as variable information. The configuration allows for the extraction of variable information stored in a rewritable area of ​​the same RFID tag from the fixed information stored in a non-rewritable area of ​​the data. The aforementioned system, A writing device that adds information regarding the location of the substitute currency for the game to the area where the data can be rewritten, A reading device that collectively reads the fixed information stored in an area where the data of the plurality of substitute game tokens cannot be rewritten, and reads the information regarding the location stored in an area where the data corresponding to each fixed information can be rewritten based on the read fixed information; A management control device that examines the information regarding the location obtained from the reading device; and further includes: The area where the data can be rewritten stores information regarding a plurality of locations, including at least the latest information regarding the location among all the information regarding the locations written by the writing device. The management control device has a function of determining whether there is an abnormality in the history of the information regarding the location obtained from the reading device. If there is an abnormality, it generates an error signal and is configured to be able to specify the fixed information of the substitute game token determined to be abnormal.

[0277] Furthermore, the area where the data can be rewritten is configured to store information regarding the time when the writing device wrote to the substitute game token together with the information regarding the location. The management control device determines, as the determination of whether there is an abnormality or not, from the information regarding the location obtained from the reading device, whether there is any event that it has not been used for a predetermined period or more since the previous writing, or the information regarding the location that should have been written has not been written.

[0278] Furthermore, the management control device includes at least one of information indicating a cage, information indicating entry or exit, or information indicating a backyard in the information regarding the location. The event that it has not been used for a predetermined period or more since the previous writing is as follows: 1) The information regarding the latest location indicates a cage, and the writing of the next information has passed a predetermined time. 2) The information regarding the latest location indicates entry, and the writing of the next information has passed a predetermined time. 3) The information regarding the latest location indicates exit, and the writing of the next information has passed a predetermined time. It is one of the following situations: The aforementioned event in which the location information that should be written is not written is, 4) When entering the amusement arcade, if the latest location of the rewritable area of ​​the substitute currency used for the game does not contain information indicating departure, 5) When used in a cage, information indicating the backyard is not written on it. 6) When leaving the gaming area, if information indicating a cage or back area is not written on it, It could be any of the following situations.

[0279] Furthermore, the aforementioned location information may include information about the owner of the substitute currency used for the game.

[0280] Furthermore, the control device determines whether or not an abnormality is occurring based on the information about the owner obtained from the reading device, 1) A person other than the last owner of the data stored in the rewritable area exchanges or cashes the substitute currency for the game within the game hall, or leaves the game hall. 2) A person other than the owner at the time of departure, whose data is stored in a rewritable area, brings the substitute currency for the game into the game hall. It may be equipped with a function to determine either situation 1) or 2) above.

[0281] Furthermore, information regarding the owner of the aforementioned substitute currency for gaming may be identified by facial recognition or ID card reading.

[0282] Furthermore, the location information may include information indicating the location of the chip tray of the particular gaming table, or information indicating the location of the betting area, or information indicating the payment area.

[0283] Furthermore, the control device determines whether or not an abnormality exists based on the information obtained from the reading device indicating the location of the chip tray on the gaming table, or the location of the betting area, or the payment area, as an event that determines whether or not an abnormality exists. 1) A person other than the last owner whose data is stored in the rewritable area uses the substitute currency for the game at the game table. 2) A person other than the person who purchased the substitute currency at the cage exchanges for game currency that has no record of use at the game table. 3) Game currency without information indicating a cage or backyard is used within the game hall. 4) The most recent location information indicates a betting area or payment area, and after a specified period of time has elapsed, it is used for cashing out at the cage or at the gaming table. It may be equipped with a function to determine any of the situations described in 1) through 4) above.

[0284] Furthermore, the information contained in the RFID tag may be encrypted.

[0285] Furthermore, the area where the data cannot be rewritten may be configured in a way that prevents data from being written functionally, or it may be configured in a way that locks it to prevent data from being written.

[0286] Furthermore, the reading device is configured to read both the fixed information stored in the area where the data cannot be rewritten and the location information stored in the area where the data can be rewritten, all at once. The management control device may be configured to extract and grasp information regarding the location of a plurality of game substitute coins stored in a rewritable area of ​​the same RFID tag from the plurality of fixed information of the plurality of game substitute coins read by the reader.

[0287] To solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the game substitute currency of the present invention comprises a single RFID tag having an area where data cannot be rewritten and an area where data can be rewritten. The area where the aforementioned data cannot be rewritten stores, as fixed information, at least one of the following: production information, product information, casino information, monetary information, and serial number of the substitute currency used for the game. The area in which the aforementioned data can be rewritten is configured to store information regarding the location of the substitute currency used for the game, which is written by the writing device, as variable information. This configuration allows for the extraction of variable information stored in the same non-rewritable area of ​​the RFID tag from the fixed information stored in the non-rewritable area of ​​the data.

[0288] Furthermore, the substitute currency for games may be configured such that a reader can read the fixed information stored in an area where the data of multiple substitute currency pieces cannot be rewritten, and based on the read fixed information, read the location information stored in an area where the data can be rewritten.

[0289] To solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the table game management system of the present invention uses game substitute currency with individually identifiable RFID tags, A game table for playing a game using the aforementioned substitute currency for games, A game recording device that records the substitute currency wagered by each game participant in a game played at the aforementioned game table as an image via a camera, An image analysis device for performing image analysis on the recorded images of the substitute currency used for games, A chip reader that reads the RFID attached to the substitute currency used for the game, which each game participant bets on, The system includes a control device that grasps the image analysis results of the image analysis device and the reading results of the chip reader, The aforementioned gaming table is equipped with multiple betting areas, each seating number including at least a player betting area and a banker betting area. The chip reader reads the game substitutes for each sitting number by treating the entire betting area as a single reading area, or by dividing the entire area into multiple reading areas fewer than the number of betting areas and reading the game substitutes for each reading area. The control device, based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device, independently determines the type and number of game substitutes bet for each betting area, including at least the player's betting area and the banker's betting area. The control device is configured to determine whether the total amount or total number of game substitutes for each sitting number or reading area based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device matches the total amount or total number of game substitutes for each sitting number or reading area based on the reading results from the chip reader, and to output the determination result.

[0290] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to output sitting numbers for which the determination result does not match.

[0291] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to generate a signal indicating that the RFID attached to the game substitute currency is broken or that the game substitute currency does not have an RFID attached if the total amount or total number of game substitute currency for each sitting number based on the reading results of the chip reader is less than the total amount or total number of game substitute currency for each sitting number based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device.

[0292] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to generate a signal indicating the possibility of a reading error of the substitute game currency by the image analysis device if the total amount or total number of substitute game currency for each sitting number based on the reading results of the chip reader is greater than the total amount or total number of substitute game currency for each sitting number based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device.

[0293] Furthermore, the system includes a database that stores the RFID IDs attached to the aforementioned substitute currency for gaming. The control device may be configured to compare the RFID ID based on the reading result of the chip reader with the ID stored in the database, determine the authenticity of the substitute currency for the game, and output the determination result.

[0294] Furthermore, the game table includes a chip tray for holding substitute currency used by the dealer for gameplay, A chip tray determination device capable of determining the type and number of the substitute coins for the game contained in the chip tray, The system includes a game result determination device that determines the game result of each game on the gaming table, The control device is equipped with a calculation function that performs a calculation of the casino's profit and loss calculation at the game table for each collection and redemption, using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount, and number of substitute currency used for games based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device. A collection determination function determines whether there was any fraud or error in the collection of substitute currency for games by comparing the amount of chips to be collected in the game, calculated from the position, type, and number of chips bet by each game participant on the game table and the game result, with the actual amount collected in the chip tray, and determining whether there is a difference between the amount to be collected and the actual amount collected. The system may include a redemption determination function that redeems chips that are to be redeemed, and when the redemption is complete, compares the actual total amount in the chip tray with the total amount that should be in the chip tray, calculated from the position, type, and number of chips bet by each game participant on the game table and the game result, and determines that there was fraud or error in the redemption if there is a difference between the total amount that should be in the chip tray and the actual total amount.

[0295] Furthermore, the control device identifies the collected game substitute currency for each sitting number based on the RFID ID information of the collected game substitute currency determined by the chip tray determination device and the RFID ID information of the game substitute currency read by the chip reader. The system may be configured to compare the ID, amount, or number of the identified substitute game currency with the ID, amount, or number of the substitute game currency to be collected for each sitting number, determined using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount, and number of substitute game currency based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device, and to determine whether they match for each sitting number.

[0296] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to determine the type of the substitute game currency, categorized by its intended use or purpose, based on the RFID ID information of the substitute game currency read by the chip reader, for each game, and to store the amount wagered or recovered or redeemed for each type of substitute game currency for each sitting number.

[0297] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to store, for each sitting number and for each type of substitute currency used for the game, the cumulative amount wagered or the cumulative amount recovered or redeemed in multiple games.

[0298] Furthermore, the type of substitute currency used for gaming may be at least cash chips, rolling chips, or promotional chips.

[0299] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to identify the owner based on the ID information of the rolling chip and to store for each owner the cumulative amount wagered on the rolling chip or the cumulative amount recovered or redeemed.

[0300] Furthermore, the chip reader reads the substitute game currency placed in the chip reader for redemption for each sitting number. The control device may be configured to compare the redemption amount determined using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount, and number of substitute game currency based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device with the amount of the substitute game currency placed for each sitting number based on the reading results from the chip reader, and to determine whether the redemption amounts match or not and output the result.

[0301] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to display a mismatch if the determination result of the redemption amount is inconsistent, and to perform another determination if there is a change in the amount of substitute currency for games placed in the chip reader for each sitting number read by the chip reader, and to output a re-output indicating a match or mismatch.

[0302] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to compare the amount of the substitute game currency placed for redemption for each sitting number with the increase or decrease in the chip tray before and after redemption, and to determine whether or not there is a difference.

[0303] The chip reader may also include a payment confirmation area located on the dealer side of the betting area where the substitute currency for the game is placed for redemption.

[0304] Furthermore, the system includes a means of identifying game participants using a facial recognition system or player ID card. The control device may be configured to link the sitting number with the information of the game participant identified by the game participant identification means.

[0305] The system may further include a display device that displays information based on the output of the control device.

[0306] Furthermore, the gaming table is further equipped with a betting area for side bets. The aforementioned side bed area is provided with adjacent bed areas for each sitting number. The chip reader is capable of reading at least one of the side bet betting areas at once. The control device may be configured to determine the type and number of the substitute game currency bet on the at least one side bet area based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device, determine whether the total amount or total number of substitute game currency in the at least one side bet area based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device matches the total amount or total number of substitute game currency in the side bet area based on the reading results from the chip reader, and output a signal of the determination result.

[0307] Another aspect of the present invention is a management system for table games, Game currency with individually identifiable RFID tags, A game table for playing a game using the aforementioned substitute currency for games, A game recording device that records the substitute currency wagered by each game participant in a game played at the aforementioned game table as an image via a camera, An image analysis device for performing image analysis on the recorded images of the substitute currency used for games, A chip reader that reads the RFID attached to the substitute currency used for the game, which each game participant bets on, The system includes a control device that grasps the image analysis results of the image analysis device and the reading results of the chip reader, The aforementioned gaming table is equipped with a betting area consisting of a player betting area, a banker betting area, and a side betting area. The aforementioned side bed area is provided with adjacent bed areas for each sitting number. The chip reader is capable of reading at least one of the side bet betting areas at once. The control device is configured to independently determine the type and number of the substitute game currency bet for at least one of the side bet areas based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device, and to determine whether the total amount or total number of substitute game currency for at least one side bet area based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device matches the total amount or total number of substitute game currency for that side bet based on the reading results from the chip reader, and to output a signal of the determination result.

[0308] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to output the side bet for which the determination result is inconsistent.

[0309] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to generate a signal indicating that the RFID attached to the game substitute currency is broken or that the game substitute currency does not have an RFID attached if the total amount or total number of game substitute currency for each side bet, based on the reading results of the chip reader, is less than the total amount or total number of game substitute currency for each side bet, based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device.

[0310] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to generate a signal indicating the possibility of a reading error of the game substitute currency by the image analysis device if the total amount or total number of game substitute currency for each side bet based on the reading results of the chip reader is greater than the total amount or total number of game substitute currency for each side bet based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device.

[0311] Furthermore, the system includes a database that stores the RFID IDs attached to the aforementioned substitute currency for gaming. The control device may be configured to determine the authenticity of the substitute currency for gaming by comparing the RFID ID based on the reading result of the chip reader with the ID stored in the database.

[0312] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to identify the collected game substitute currency for each side bet based on the RFID ID information of the collected game substitute currency determined by the chip tray determination device and the RFID ID information of the game substitute currency read by the chip reader, and to compare the ID, amount, or number of game substitute currency to be collected for each side bet, determined using the game results obtained from the game result determination device and the measurement results of the position, amount, and number of game substitute currency based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device, with the ID, amount, or number of game substitute currency collected for each side bet, and to determine whether the collected amount matches or does not match for each side bet.

[0313] If there is only one chip or chip stack to be paid for within a single chip reader 25, the owner information can be linked by pairing the betting chip with the payment chip without detecting that the chip has moved outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25. In other words, if there is one betting chip consisting of one game currency 1001 or a stack of several game currency 1001s within a single chip reader 25, the owner information can be linked by pairing the betting chip with the payment chip based on information that the payment chip has disappeared from the chip tray or information that the payment chip has been read by the chip reader 25 on the table, without detecting that the chip has moved outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25. Of course, the betting chip can also be recognized based on information that the chip has moved outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25, and the owner information of the payment chip can be linked by pairing the payment chip with the betting chip using some of the information from the chip removed from the chip tray, the chip placed in the betting area, and the chip that has moved outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25, thereby linking the owner information of the payment chip with the owner information of the betting chip. Alternatively, the chip ID may be read by RFID, and the type and number of chips, including stack identification, may be recognized by a camera.

[0314] The case where there is one chip or chip stack to be paid for within a single chip reader 25 includes cases where there is one chip or chip stack in the area at the time of betting, or cases where there were multiple stacks at the time of betting, but as payment progresses, only one stack remains. It is also possible to configure the system so that only the last stack of bet chips is paired with the payment chip and its owner information is linked. In this case, by making the last stack remaining a chip bet by a member, it is possible to reliably trace the chips of member players. It is desirable that each chip reader (for example, per player position) bets by one member player and multiple non-member players. When there is one member player per player position, the chip and its owner are linked, so the information of the member player assigned to each player position can be obtained from the information of the chips bet. In addition, if there is a rule that member players bet chips before non-member players, the first chip bet within a player position may be linked to, or confirmed to be linked to, the member player assigned to that player position (for example, sitting in player position 1). Membership cards may be used to assign members to player positions.

[0315] The chip reader 25 may be provided for each area such as player, banker, tie, and pair, or for each player position, or for the entire table to be divided into multiple sections such as player positions 1-3 and player positions 4-6, or there may be one large reader 25 for the entire table. In any case, information such as when chips have moved outside the area of ​​the chip reader 25 (i.e., when chips are no longer read by the chip reader 25), the ID of a payment chip that has disappeared from the chip tray, and the ID of a payment chip placed in the betting area can be used to pair betting chips with payment chips and update owner information, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0316] 31 Warehouse 32 Procedure Room 33 Cashier 34 Bank 35 Pit 36 tables 36a Tip Tray 36b1~36b6 Bed Area 36c Electronic Shoe 72 Gaming Chips 73 Data files 74 players 75 Dealer 100 RFID tag manufacturing plants 200 chip manufacturing plants 211 TID area 212 EPC area 300 Casinos 301 Backyard Floor 302 320 Procedure Room System 321 Antenna 322 Activation Reader / Writer 323 Central Verification Device 324 Input Devices 325 Registered device 326 databases 327 Barcode reader 328 Operating device 330 Cashier System 340 Bank System 350 Pit System 360 Table System 720 Chip Case 722 barcode 721 RFID tags 3291 Camera 3292 Image recognition device

Claims

1. A management system for casino supplies equipped with RFID tags, An RFID reader that reads some or all of the information on the RFID tags of the casino goods that are within the reading range, A control device for controlling the RFID reader, Equipped with, The control device is a management system that causes the RFID reader to repeatedly perform a first read, which reads first information that is part of the information of the RFID tag, and when new first information is read during the first read, causes the RFID reader to perform a second read, which reads all of the information of the RFID tag.

2. The control device causes the RFID reader to perform a second reading on the casino equipment from which the first information was newly read in the first reading, according to the management system according to claim 1.

3. The control device determines, based on the number of first pieces of information read in the first reading and the number of newly read first pieces of information, whether to cause the RFID reader to perform the second reading for all of the casino items or to perform the second reading only for the casino items from which the first information has been newly read, according to claim 1.

4. The control device, in a second reading of the casino equipment from which the first information has been newly read in the first reading, specifies the newly read first information and causes it to read all the information on the RFID tag of the casino equipment, as described in claim 2.

5. The control device, if the RFID tag information cannot be read in the second read specifying the newly read first information, repeatedly performs the second read specifying the newly read first information, as described in claim 4.

6. A database storing the information assigned to the same casino equipment, A matching device that compares the information read from the RFID tag with the information stored in the database, Equipped with, The aforementioned information includes a second piece of information that is different from the first piece of information. The control device is In the second reading, which specifies the newly read first information, if the information cannot be read, the matching device will compare the newly read first information with the first information stored in the database. The management system according to claim 5, wherein in the second reading which specifies the newly read first information, if the information is read, the matching device is instructed to compare the newly read first information and the read second information with the first information and the second information stored in the database.

7. A management system for casino supplies equipped with RFID tags, The RFID tag stores information including first information assigned during the manufacturing of the casino equipment and second information assigned during the manufacturing of the RFID tag. The aforementioned management system is An RFID reader that reads the information from the RFID tag, A control device for controlling the RFID reader, Equipped with, The control device is a management system that causes the RFID reader to selectively perform a first read, which reads the first information without reading the second information from the RFID tag, and a second read, which reads both the second information and the first information from the RFID tag.

8. The control device, as the second reading, causes the RFID reader to read the second information along with the first information from all the readable RFID tags, as the control device, according to claim 7.

9. The control device, as the second reading, causes the RFID reader to read the second information of a specified portion of casino supplies, as described in claim 7.

10. The system further includes a database that stores combinations of the second information and the first information as information assigned to the same casino equipment, A matching device that compares the information read from the RFID tag with the information stored in the database, The management system according to claim 7, further comprising:

11. The management system according to claim 10, wherein when the RFID reader performs the first reading, the matching device matches the first information read from the RFID tag with the first information stored in the database.

12. The management system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein when the RFID reader performs the second reading, the matching device matches the second information read from the RFID tag with the second information stored in the database.

13. The database stores information indicating whether each of the casino items is activated or not. The management system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising the matching device confirming whether the casino equipment corresponding to the information read from the RFID tag is activated.

14. The management system according to claim 7, further comprising a storage device for storing the information read by the RFID reader.

15. The management system according to claim 14, further comprising a verification device that detects changes in the information read by the RFID reader by comparing the latest information read by the RFID reader with the most recent information read by the RFID reader and stored in the storage device.

16. The aforementioned casino supplies are gaming chips used within the casino. The RFID reader is installed on a game table in the casino and reads the RFID tags on the gaming chips placed on the game table. The control device, with respect to the gaming chips bet on the game table, first causes the RFID reader to read the second information and the first information from the RFID tag as a second read, and then causes the RFID reader to repeatedly read the first information from the RFID tag as a first read, without reading the second information from the RFID tag, as described in claim 7.

17. The device further comprises a storage device for storing the information read by the RFID reader, The management system according to claim 13, wherein the control device stores the first information in the storage device when it reads the first information from the RFID tag.

18. The management system according to claim 17, wherein the matching device, when the RFID reader reads the first information from the RFID tag, compares the first information read from the RFID tag with the first information stored in the storage device to determine whether there is newly read first information and / or first information that is no longer read.

19. The management system according to claim 16, wherein the control device, when a predetermined condition is met, causes the RFID reader to read the second information from the RFID tag of the gaming chip bet on the game table as a second read.

20. It also features a shoe for drawing out the playing cards used in the game one by one. The management system according to claim 19, wherein the predetermined condition is that the first playing card in the game is drawn.

21. The aforementioned casino supplies are gaming chips used within the casino. The RFID reader is installed in the chip tray of a game table in the casino and reads the RFID tags of the gaming chips contained in the chip tray. The control device, with respect to the gaming chip housed in the chip tray, first causes the RFID reader to read the second information and the first information from the RFID tag as a second read, and then causes the RFID reader to repeatedly read the first information without reading the second information from the RFID tag as a first read, according to claim 7.

22. The device further comprises a storage device for storing the information read by the RFID reader, The management system according to claim 21, wherein the control device stores the first information in the storage device when it reads the first information from the RFID tag.

23. The management system according to claim 22, further comprising a verification device that, when the RFID reader reads the first information from the RFID tag, compares the first information read from the RFID tag with the first information stored in the storage device to determine whether there is newly read first information and / or first information that is no longer read.

24. The management system according to claim 23, wherein the control device causes the gaming chip housed in the chip tray to perform the first reading when the verification device determines that there is newly read first information or first information that is no longer read.

25. The control device, when given a predetermined instruction, causes the RFID reader to perform the second reading, as described in claim 21.

26. The management system according to claim 23, wherein the control device, when it determines that the matching device has newly read the first information, causes the RFID reader to read the first information and the second information from the RFID tag of the casino goods having the newly read first information.

27. The control device determines whether to perform the first reading or the second reading according to claim 26, based on the number of newly read first pieces of information or the number of first pieces of information that are no longer read.

28. The control device, when a predetermined condition is met, reads the first information and the second information from the RFID tag of the gaming chip housed in the chip tray as a second read using the RFID reader, according to any one of claims 21 to 26.

29. It also features a shoe for drawing out the playing cards used in the game one by one. The management system according to claim 28, wherein the predetermined condition is that the first card in the game is drawn.

30. The control device performs the first reading during the game and the second reading after the game has ended, as described in claim 29.

31. The RFID reader includes a plurality of antennas that read the RFID tags of the gaming chips in each of the multiple sub-regions into which the chip tray is divided, The management system according to claim 26, wherein the control device, when the matching device determines that there is newly read first information by one of the plurality of antennas, causes one of the plurality of antennas and the other antennas to read the first information and the second information from the RFID tag of the casino goods having the newly read first information.

32. The control device, in the event that one of the plurality of antennas and the other antennas are unable to read the second information from the RFID tag of the casino item having the newly read first information, causes all of the plurality of antennas to read the first information and the second information from the RFID tag of the casino item having the newly read first information, as described in claim 31.

33. The control device causes the RFID reader to perform the second reading at predetermined intervals, as described in claim 7.

34. The RFID reader is installed on a game table in the casino. The control device causes the RFID reader to perform the second reading at a predetermined timing related to the game on the game table, as described in claim 7.

35. The RFID tag also stores the value of the casino item, The management system according to claim 10, wherein the matching device determines, when the RFID reader performs the second reading, whether to perform matching on the first information only or to perform matching on both the second information and the first information, according to the magnitude of the value.

36. The management system according to claim 7, wherein the second reading involves reading the second information based on the first information, or reading the first information and the second information simultaneously.

37. A management system for casino supplies equipped with RFID tags, The RFID tag stores information including first information assigned during the manufacturing of the casino goods and second information assigned during the manufacturing of the RFID tag. The management system comprises a plurality of RFID readers, each of which is placed at a plurality of casino supplies handling locations that handle casino supplies, and reads the information from the RFID tags. The aforementioned plurality of RFID readers are A first RFID reader that performs a first read, which reads the first information without reading the second information, A second RFID reader that selectively performs the first reading and a second reading that reads the first information and the second information, A management system that includes this.

38. A database storing combinations of the second information and the first information assigned to the same casino equipment, A matching device that compares the information read from the RFID tag with the information stored in the database, The management system according to claim 37, further comprising the above.

39. The aforementioned casino supplies are gaming chips, At least one of the plurality of RFID readers is placed at a cash exchange facility where the gaming chips are exchanged for cash. The RFID reader located at the exchange station performs the second reading of the gaming chip related to the exchange, The management system according to claim 38, wherein the matching device matches the second information read from the RFID tag of the gaming chip related to the cash exchange by the RFID reader with the second information stored in the database.

40. The aforementioned casino supplies are gaming chips, At least one of the plurality of RFID readers is located at the purchase location where the gaming chip is purchased. The RFID reader located at the purchasing location performs the first reading of the gaming chip related to the purchase. The management system according to claim 38, wherein the matching device matches the first information read from the RFID tag of the gaming chip purchased by the RFID reader with the first information stored in the database.

41. The aforementioned casino supplies are gaming chips used within the casino. At least one of the plurality of RFID readers is installed on a game table or pit in the casino, The RFID reader installed on the game table or pit performs the second reading on the gaming chips being replenished in the game table or pit. The management system according to claim 38, wherein the matching device matches the second information read from the RFID tag of the gaming chip replenished in the game table or pit by the RFID reader with the second information stored in the database.

42. The aforementioned casino supplies are gaming chips used within the casino. At least one of the plurality of RFID readers is placed in a bank that collects the gaming chips from the game tables in the casino. The RFID reader located in the bank performs the second reading on the gaming chip recovered from the game table. The management system according to claim 38, wherein the matching device matches the second information read from the RFID tag of the gaming chip recovered from the game table by the RFID reader with the second information stored in the database.

Images