Table game management system

Abstract

To provide a table game management system which grasps positions, kinds and the number of gaming-purpose substitute coins for a game placed on a game table respectively on the basis of an image photographed by a camera device and can detect defect or defective chips by using an RFID in a casino or another game facility using gaming-purpose substitute coins.SOLUTION: A table game management system is provided with a function to grasp the kind and the number of gaming-purpose substitute coins that are bet independently in respective bet areas including at least bet area for players and a bet area for a bunker on the basis of a result of an image analysis by an image analysis device and to determine whether or not a total amount or a total number of gaming-purpose substitute coins for each sitting number or reading area based on the result of the image analysis by the image analysis device matches the total amount or the total number of gaming-purpose substitute coins every sitting number or every reading area based on a result of reading of a chip reader.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a management system for table games that prevents the use of illegal game tokens in gaming facilities that use casino or other game tokens.

Background Art

[0002] In gaming facilities such as casinos, attempts have been made to detect and prevent illegal acts in table games or mistakes and illegal acts during betting or settlement of game tokens.

[0003] For a casino, it is important to find illegal game tokens when they are placed on the gaming table. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for attaching an RFID tag to a game token to prevent the use of counterfeit game tokens 1 in a casino, reading the RFID-tagged game tokens bet on the table, and determining the authenticity of the game tokens.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Traditionally, attempts have been made to recognize which betting area RFID-equipped game currency was placed in by embedding RFID antennas in casino game tables and reading the ID information. However, this conventional technology for reading game currency had a problem: it could not recognize the presence of game currency that did not have RFID or whose RFID was broken, thus failing to detect fraudulent or defective game currency. There is a concern that game currency without RFID or with a broken RFID cannot be detected, and a solution is needed.

[0006] Conventional RFID reading layouts, as shown in Figure 14, have problems such as requiring a large separation between the player and bunker areas, and the inability to read side bets individually. Furthermore, embedding individual RFID antennas is costly.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a table game management system that can determine the position, type, and number of substitute game currency placed on a game table based on images captured by a camera device, and can also detect fraudulent or defective chips using RFID.

[0008] 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 substitute currency 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 substitute currency for each reading area. The control device is configured to independently determine the type and number of the substitute game currency bet for each betting area, including at least the player betting area and the banker betting area, 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 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 substitute game currency for each sitting number or reading area based on the reading results from the chip reader, and to output the determination result.

[0009] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to output sitting numbers for which the determination result does not match.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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 game 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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 in each game, and to store for each sitting number the amount wagered or recovered or redeemed for each type of substitute game currency.

[0016] 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.

[0017] Furthermore, the type of substitute currency used for gaming may be at least cash chips, rolling chips, or promotional chips.

[0018] Further, the control device may be configured to identify an owner based on the ID information of the rolling chip and store, for each owner, the cumulative amount wagered on the rolling chip or the cumulative amount recovered or repaid.

[0019] Further, the chip reader reads the gaming substitute currency placed for repayment on the chip reader for each sitting number. The control device compares the repayment amount determined using the measurement results of the position, amount, and number of gaming substitute currencies based on the game result obtained from the game result determination device and the image analysis result by the image analysis device with the amount of the gaming substitute currency placed for each sitting number based on the reading result of the chip reader, determines whether they match or not, and may be configured to output the result.

[0020] Further, when the determination result of the repayment amount does not match, the control device displays a non - match, and further, when there is a change in the amount of the gaming substitute currency placed on the chip reader for each sitting number read by the chip reader, it may be configured to perform a re - determination and re - output whether they match or not.

[0021] Further, the control device may be configured to compare the amount of the gaming substitute currency placed for repayment for each sitting number with the increase or decrease amount of the chip tray before and after repayment and determine whether there is a difference.

[0022] Further, the chip reader may be provided with a payment confirmation area arranged on the dealer side of the bet area where the gaming substitute currency for repayment is placed.

[0023] Furthermore, it may further include a game participant identification means using a face recognition system or a 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.

[0024] The system may further include a display device that displays information based on the output of the control device.

[0025] 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 at least one of the side bet areas based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device, determine whether the total amount or total number of substitute game currency in 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 that side bet area based on the reading results from the chip reader, and output a signal of the determination result.

[0026] Another embodiment 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 betting 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 betting 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 betting area based on the reading results from the chip reader, and to output a signal of the determination result.

[0027] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to output the side bet area for which the determination result is inconsistent.

[0028] 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.

[0029] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to generate a signal indicating the possibility of a reading error of the substitute currency by the image analysis device if the total amount or total number of 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 substitute currency for each side bet based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device.

[0030] 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.

[0031] Furthermore, the control device may be configured to identify the collected game substitute currency for each side bet area 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 area, 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 area, and to determine whether the collected amount matches or does not match for each side bet area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overall overview of a table game management system in a gaming arcade having multiple gaming tables according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the results of reading a chip using a camera and RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the state of the substitute currency used for games placed on a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the state of the substitute currency used for games placed on a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A]Figure 6A shows details of a chip tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B shows another example of a chip tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram of a game table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the results of reading a chip using a camera and RFID according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram of a game table according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram of a game table according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram of a game table according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a substitute currency for games according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a substitute currency for games according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows a layout for reading a conventional RFID tag. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The following describes an overview of a table game management system in a gaming arcade having multiple gaming tables according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the system, and the table game management system in a gaming arcade having multiple gaming tables 4 includes a game recording device 11 that records games played on the gaming tables 4 as images via multiple cameras 2, including substitute game currency 1; an image analysis device 12 that performs image analysis on the recorded images; a chip reader 25 that reads the RFID attached to the substitute game currency 1; and a game result determination device 18 that determines and displays the game results of each game on the gaming tables 4.

[0034] The game result determination device 18 is, for example, a card dispensing device 3, 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 cards C that are distributed and determine the outcome of the game. For example, in a baccarat game, the banker wins, the player wins, or it is a tie (draw) is basically determined by the rank of 2-3 cards, and the result (win or loss) is displayed on the result display lamp 13.

[0035] In the figure, the game table 4 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 the 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 are betting on. In Figure 1, for example, two game currency 1 are placed in Tie 443 of Sitting Number 5 and two in Player 441. The game table 4 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.

[0036] The control device 14 can determine, via the camera 2 and image analysis device 12, which position in the betting area 8 (player, banker, tie, or pair) each player 6 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 sitting number 5, tie 443, and 2 coins on player 441.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the chip reader 25 is arranged so that it can read the RFID tags of the game currency 1 within each sitting number, treating the entire betting area as a single reading area. The RFID tags 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 RFID tags 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.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the control device 14 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 12, 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 sitting numbers with problems.

[0039] 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 2, the total number of readings for game currency 1 placed on sitting number 1, based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device 12, 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 placed on sitting number 1 was unreadable.

[0040] 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 greater 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 image analysis device 12 was unable to read the game currency 1 due to factors such as the game currency 1 being in a blind spot of the camera. In Figure 2, the total number of game currency 1 read by the image analysis device 12 based on the image analysis results for sitting number 3 is 1, while the total number of reads based on the RFID reading by the chip reader 25 is 2. Therefore, it is possible that there were 2 game currency 1 bet on sitting number 3, but the image analysis device only recognized 1.

[0041] 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 at the factory, as well as information on receipt, validation, and activation at the casino. The control device 14 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Furthermore, the system includes means for identifying game participants using a facial recognition system or player ID card, and the control device 14 can link the game participant information identified by the game participant identification means with the sitting number. The control device 14 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.

[0044] The control device 14 can determine the total amount of substitute game currency 1 in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 using a chip tray determination device. 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 6 and the amount of the winning chips 9W paid to the winning player 6W. 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 a camera 2 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.

[0045] 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 of the betting area 8 (player, banker, tie, or pair), and the increase or decrease in the amount of 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.

[0046] Here, the outcome of a game can be determined according to the rules of baccarat, for example, by reading the rank of the card C dealt in the game at the card distributing device 3. Alternatively, the outcome of a game can also be determined by taking a picture of the game table 4 with camera 2, analyzing the image with image analysis device 12, and comparing the analysis results with the game rules at control device 14. In this case, the game result determination device consists of camera 2, image analysis device 12, and control device 14. Information on how many of each type of substitute currency 1 was bet by each player at sitting number 7 at each position in the betting area 8 (player, banker, tie, player pair, banker pair) is obtained by taking a picture of the substitute currency 1 placed in the betting area 8 with camera 2 and analyzing the image for each play position 7 with image analysis device 12.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Figure 6A shows details of the chip tray in this embodiment, and Figure 6B shows another example of the chip tray. The chip tray 17 is provided with a collection chip tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing the substitute game currency 1L wagered by losing players 6L, and a redemption chip tray 172 for storing the substitute game currency 1W to be redeemed. The image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 grasp the location, type, and number of substitute game currency 1L wagered by losing players 6L, 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 12 and the control device 14 grasp 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 whether there is a difference.

[0050] The control device 14 further redeems the substitute game currency 1 to be redeemed, and when the redemption is complete, it compares 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 at the game table and the game result, and can determine if there is a difference between the total amount that should be in the chip tray and the actual total amount.

[0051] Furthermore, by using the game substitute currency 1W in the redemption chip tray 172 to redeem the winning player 6W, sufficient time is provided for the image analysis device 12 and control device 14 to determine the actual total amount of game substitute currency 1 in the collection chip tray 171 after collection.

[0052] As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 14 calculates the chip balance for each game based on the amount of chips bet on the game table 4 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 14 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 2. The casino operator can investigate the cause of the difference by reviewing the video.

[0053] The table game management system of this embodiment adds or subtracts the increase or decrease in chips in the 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 6 in that game and the win / loss result of the 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 12, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

[0054] The control device 14, via the image analysis device 12, grasps the position, type, and number of chips each player places, and when all of each player's lost chips have been collected, it grasps the actual total value of chips in the chip tray. It then compares the actual total value of the game substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 with the total value of chips in the chip tray before settlement of each game, plus the increase in the chip tray 17 for that game based on the position, type, and number of chips placed by the losing players, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total value and the actual total value.

[0055] The control device 14 compares the actual total amount of game substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 with the total amount of game substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17 before settlement of each game, plus the increase in the chip tray 17 for that game calculated from the position, type, and number of game substitute currency 1 bet by losing players, and determines that there is no difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount. If the control device 14 determines that there is a difference between the expected 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.

[0056] 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 12 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.

[0057] When the control device 14 determines that the actual total amount of substitute game currency 1 known in the chip tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 does not correspond to the increase or decrease in chips calculated from the amount of chips bet by all players and the win / loss results of the game, the game recording device 11 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.

[0058] Thus, the control device 14 obtains the total amount of chips in the chip tray 17 after settlement at the end of the game via the image analysis device 12. 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.

[0059] Furthermore, the control device 14 is an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning structure that can extract unique situations (set by the casino) when a player wins or loses a game, or when a player loses a game, by comparing the win / loss history and the amount of chips won (amount won) of each player 6 obtained from the win / loss results of each game with statistical data from a large number of past games (big data). Typically, it includes an artificial intelligence-based or deep learning structure that can extract unique situations when a player wins a game, such as when a player wins a game, and the amount of chips bet when they lose is small, and the amount of chips bet when they win is large, for several games in a row, by comparing this with statistical data from past games (big data, etc.).

[0060] Furthermore, the control device 14 of this table game management system (integrated with the image analysis device 12) is structured to identify individual players 6 at play positions 7 that have been extracted as unusual situations or have won more than a predetermined amount. Such identification of players 6 is done by the image analysis device 12, which obtains facial images by feature point extraction, etc., and assigns an identity number (ID, etc.) to them. The control device 14 then has a warning function that notifies the other game table of the presence of the identified player 6 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 4 (which may also be a dealer) to prevent further unusual phenomena.

[0061] The control device 14 can identify the collected game substitute currency 1 for each sitting number based on the RFID ID information of the collected game substitute currency 1 determined by the chip tray determination device and the RFID ID information of the game substitute currency 1 read by the chip reader 25.

[0062] In Figure 3, the substitute currency 1 for gameplay is bet as shown in the detailed tables in Figures 4 and 5. Analysis by the image analysis device 12 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 the substitute currency 1 for each sitting number. Furthermore, the chip tray determination device can determine the ID of the substitute currency 1 in the chip tray 17, so by determining the increase in IDs before and after collection, it is possible to determine which substitute currency 1 has been collected. In Figures 3-5, if the game result is a banker win, the analysis results from the image analysis device 12 show that the two coins bet on the banker pair should be collected, and of the IDs of the collected chips determined by the chip tray determination device, it can be seen that the two chips with IDs 6 and 18, which the chip reader 25 read as being bet on sitting number 5, have been collected.

[0063] The control device 14 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 14 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.

[0064] 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 12 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 is "A, B", then it can be seen that the chips A and B that were bet on tie were correctly collected.

[0065] The control device 14 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 control device 1 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.

[0066] The control device 14 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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 7, 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 7, it is placed next to the winning substitute game currency 1 bet on the banker for sitting number 2. The control device 14 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 and output whether the redemption amounts match or not. In Figure 8, 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, so there is a mismatch. If the redemption amount does not match, a mismatch signal is output, and the dealer can reposition the substitute game currency 1 for redemption based on the output signal. If the substitute game currency 1 is repositioned, the judgment is performed 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. In addition, as shown in Figure 7, a payment confirmation area 26 may be placed on the dealer side of the betting area, separate from the betting area. In Figure 7, the substitute game currency 1 for redemption is placed in the payment confirmation area 26 of sitting number 6, the chip reader 25 reads it, the control device 14 makes a judgment, and the redemption chip is placed next to the winning substitute game currency 1 placed in the banker.

[0069] Furthermore, the image analysis device 12 may also perform image analysis on the confirmation area, and the control device 14 may compare it with the reading result of the chip reader 25 to determine whether the total number of chips matches.

[0070] The control device 14 can output a signal based on the judgment it has made. The signal may be displayed on the display unit of the chip tray 17 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.

[0071] As shown in Figure 9, the chip reader 25 may treat the entire betting area as one reading area for each sitting number, or as shown in Figure 10, it may treat the player's betting area and the bunker's betting area as one reading area, and the tie betting area, player pair betting area, and bunker pair betting area as one reading area for each sitting number. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 11 and 14, the side betting areas for the tie betting area, player pair betting area, and bunker pair betting area may each be treated as a separate reading area.

[0072] The following describes the substitute currency 1 used in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is an external view of the substitute currency 1 used in this system, and Figure 13 is a front cross-sectional view. Multiple layers of different colored plastics are laminated together, with at least one 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, forming a multilayer structure. By having a colored layer 101 and laminating white layers 102 or light-colored layers (not shown, but any layer lighter in color than the colored layer 101) on both sides of this intermediate colored layer 101, a striped pattern in the lamination direction is formed on the side as shown in Figure 12, 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.

[0073] The colored layer 101 may be formed by multiple colored layers (three layers in Figure 13), as shown in Figure 13. Since the multiple colored layers (three layers in Figure 13) are heat-pressed together, the three-layer structure is not visible as shown in Figure 13, and Figure 13 represents the three layers for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, a cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the colored layer 101, and an RFID is embedded within it.

[0074] Furthermore, the substitute currency 1 for games is not limited to a structure made of laminated plastic, but may have an appearance similar to that of the colored layer 101.

[0075] The following describes in detail how the image analysis device 12 analyzes the substitute game currency 1. The image analysis device 12 analyzes the image recorded in the recording device 11 and recognizes at least two colors: a specific color 121 that is at least partially applied to the substitute game currency 1 and a reference color R that is different from the specific color 121 and is present in the image. The specific color 121 is applied at least partially to the substitute game currency 1 in a predetermined position or shape. For example, it may be applied as a colored layer 101, applied circumferentially to the side of the substitute game currency 1, or applied as a predetermined mark on the surface of the substitute game currency 1. The reference color R may be, for example, the color of a specific area of ​​the game table 4, or a color applied to a location on the substitute game currency 1 different from the specific color 121.

[0076] The image analysis device 12 includes an artificial intelligence device 12a that identifies specific colors using, for example, deep learning technology, and determines the number and type of substitute game currency 1 placed on the game table 4. The image analysis device 12, as a recognition device, may further determine the position of the substitute game currency 1 on the game table 4.

[0077] The image analysis device 12 acquires multiple images of the substitute 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 currency 1 and the reference color R in each image, and creates a learning model 13a (recognition program). Images of the substitute 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.

[0078] Alternatively, the image analysis device 12, which functions as a chip recognition device, 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 212, without employing artificial intelligence.

[0079] 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.

[0080] In summary, the artificial intelligence device 12a of the image analysis device 12 as a recognition device 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 image analysis of the surrounding image within a predetermined range centered on the center line C. The artificial intelligence device is taught multiple surrounding images of the substitute currency 1 and the reference color R illuminated at different illuminances as training data.

[0081] In another embodiment of the present invention, the control device 14 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.

[0082] Furthermore, the control device 14 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.

[0083] The control device 14, 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 3 is received to begin drawing cards, or from the moment the dealer 5 presses the start button 4s to start the game, until the card dispensing device 3 displays the game's win / loss result, the camera 2 is used to monitor whether there is any movement of the substitute currency 1, using information obtained by the image analysis device 12. 2) After each game has finished, while the dealer 5 is collecting the substitute game currency 1 that the loser among the game participants 6 had bet, the camera 2 is used to monitor whether the loser 6 has taken the substitute game currency 1 fraudulently, using information obtained by the image analysis device 12. 3) After each game has ended, while the dealer 5 is collecting the game currency 1 that the losers among the game participants 6 had bet, the camera 2 is used to monitor, using information obtained by the image analysis device 12, whether anyone other than the dealer 5 (winners or losers) has added winning game currency 1W or placed new game currency 1 on the winning side that has not bet. 4) After each game ends, the dealer 5 monitors whether the dealer 5 has correctly placed the game currency 1W for payment in the location where the winning game participant 6 had placed their bet, using information obtained by the image analysis device 12 via the camera 2. 5) After each game has finished (the dealer 5 operates the card distribution device 3 to display the win / loss result on the display lamp 13), the camera 2 is used to monitor whether the winner 6W among the game participants 6 has taken the substitute game currency 1 that they wagered and the substitute game currency 1W that was paid out, using information obtained by the image analysis device 12.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 were devices that utilized artificial intelligence or had a deep learning structure. Specifically, the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 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 using 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, have attracted attention because they have higher performance than conventional methods of recognizing objects based on image features.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the above embodiments can be modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention, and the apparatus of these embodiments may be appropriately modified as needed for the game to which they are applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Substitute coin for games 2 cameras 3. Card distribution device 4 Gaming Tables 5 Dealer 6. Players (Game Participants / Players) 7 chairs 8 Betting Areas 9 chips 10 areas 10P Player Area 10B Bunker Area 11 Game recording device 12 Image analysis device 13. Result display lamp 14 Control device

Claims

1. It 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 that each game participant bets, A control device that grasps the image analysis results of the image analysis device and the reading results of the chip reader, It has, 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 substitute currency for the game within a reading area formed from a plurality of betting areas. The control device is Based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device, the type and number of substitute game currency bets are determined independently for each betting area, including at least the player's betting area and the banker's betting area. The image analysis device determines whether the total amount or total number of substitute game currency for each sitting number or each reading area, based on the image analysis results, matches the total amount or total number of substitute game currency for each sitting number or each reading area, based on the reading results of the chip reader. Output the result of the judgment. A management system for table games.

2. A table game management system according to claim 1, The control device is configured to output sitting numbers for which the result of the determination does not match, in a table game management system.

3. A table game management system according to Claim 1, A table game management system comprising the control device, further configured to generate a signal indicating that the RFID attached to the game currency is broken or that the game currency does not have an RFID attached if the total amount or total number of game 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 currency for each sitting number based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device.

4. A table game management system according to claim 1, A table game management system, wherein the control device is further configured to generate a signal indicating a possible reading error of the substitute game currency by the image analysis device when 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.

5. A table game management system according to claim 1, The system further includes a database that stores the RFID IDs attached to the aforementioned substitute currency for gaming, A table game management system comprising a control device that compares the RFID ID based on the reading result of the chip reader with an ID stored in the database, determines the authenticity of the substitute currency used for the game, and outputs the determination result.

6. A table game management system according to claim 1, 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 substitute game currency placed in the chip tray, The aforementioned game table includes a game result determination device that determines the game result of each game, The control device is A calculation function that uses 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 to calculate the casino's profit and loss at the game table for each collection and redemption for each game, A collection determination function determines whether there was any fraud or error in the collection of the substitute game currency when the collection of the substitute game currency wagered by each game participant has been completed. This function compares the amount of substitute game currency to be collected, calculated from the position, type, and number of substitute game currency wagered by each game participant on the game table and the game results, with the actual amount collected in the chip tray, and determines whether there is a difference between the amount to be collected and the actual amount collected. A table game management system comprising: a redemption determination function that redeems the substitute currency 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 substitute currency bet by each game participant at the game table and the game result, and determines that there was fraud or error in the redemption if a difference is found between the total amount that should be in the chip tray and the actual total amount.

7. A table game management system according to claim 6, The control device is Based on the RFID ID information of the recovered 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 recovered game substitute currency is identified for each sitting number. The ID, value, or number of the identified substitute game currency is compared with the ID, value, 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, value, and number of substitute game currency based on the image analysis results from the image analysis device. A table game management system capable of determining whether the amount or number of substitute currency used for games matches.

8. A table game management system according to claim 1, A table game management system configured to store, for each sitting number, the control device determines the type of the substitute game currency classified according to its intended use or purpose, based on the RFID ID information of the substitute game currency read by the chip reader in each game, and stores the amount wagered or recovered or redeemed for each type of substitute game currency.

9. A table game management system according to claim 8, The control device is 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, as a management system for table games.

10. A table game management system according to claim 8, A table game management system in which the type of substitute currency for gaming is at least cash chips, rolling chips, or promotional chips.

11. A table game management system according to claim 10, A table game management system comprising a control device that identifies the owner based on the ID information of the rolling chips and stores for each owner the cumulative amount wagered or the cumulative amount recovered or redeemed by the rolling chips.

12. A table game management system according to claim 6, The chip reader reads the game substitute currency placed in the chip reader for redemption for each sitting number, A table game management system configured to output whether the control device matches or does not match, by comparing 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 by determining and outputting the result.

13. A table game management system according to claim 12, A table game management system comprising the control device, which displays a mismatch if the determination result of the redemption amount is inconsistent, and further performs a determination again 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 is configured to output a re-output of whether it matches or is inconsistent.

14. A table game management system according to claim 12, wherein the control device is configured to compare the amount of the substitute currency for games 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.

15. A table game management system according to claim 12, A table game management system comprising a chip reader and a payment confirmation area located on the dealer side of the betting area for placing the substitute currency for the game to be redeemed.

16. A table game management system according to claim 1, The system further includes a means of identifying game participants using a facial recognition system or player ID card. A table game management system, wherein the control device is configured to link a sitting number with information about the game participant identified by the game participant identification means.

17. A table game management system according to claim 1, A table game management system further comprising a display device that performs a display based on the output of the control device.

18. A table game management system according to claim 1, The aforementioned gaming table further includes 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. A table game management system comprising the control device, which determines the type and number of game currency bets placed in the at least one side bet area based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device, determines whether the total amount or total number of game currency bets in the at least one side bet area based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device matches the total amount or total number of game currency bets in the side bet area based on the reading results of the chip reader, and outputs a signal of the determination result.

Images