Patent Description:
Baccarat and blackjack may be mentioned among many live table games in casino and game facilities. In these games, a standard deck formed of <NUM> playing cards is used, and playing cards are distributed from a shooter provided with a plurality of previously shuffled decks (<NUM> to <NUM> or <NUM> decks) onto a game table for start of the game. In casino or game facilities, game tokens are used in games.

False game tokens should not be used in casino. In order to prevent the use of false game tokens in casino, a technique in which RFID is provided on the game token is adopted in casino. Game tokens attached with RFID are publicly known and are disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> (International Application Publication <CIT>).

Patent Literature <NUM>: International Application Publication <CIT>. Attention is further drawn to <CIT> describing a gaming system that enables real-time cash management to be performed, even while in the play of a game to be performed by employing game media rendering their items of recorded information readable. Having received a result of detection of game chips on a game betting board from a game betting device, a server device accumulates the result of the detection, and judges whether or not movement of game chips has occurred between a dealer and each player, in comparison with a past result. When movement of game chips has occurred between the dealer and such each player, data relevant to a game chip table, a player table, and a dealer table is updated so as to reflect a result of the movement.

The invention is defined by a system according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention provides a management system or a game token that can prevent the use of false game tokens used in casino or game facilities and that can prevent the use of false game tokens and unfair exchange in casino or game facilities. In recent years, manufacturing techniques of false game tokens are progressed to such an extent that truth-or-falsity determination marks and RFIDs can be copied fully accurately. As a result, truth-or-falsity determination marks and RFIDs that are the same as authentic truth-or-falsity determination marks and RFIDs are provided an false game tokens, making it impossible to distinguish false game tokens from true game tokens and making it substantially impossible to perform truth-or-falsity determination.

In order to solve the problem of the prior art, according to the present invention, there is provided a management system for managing gaming chips according to claim <NUM>.

A management system of a game token in a game place having a game table in an embodiment of the present invention will be described. <FIG> is a schematic view of the whole management system. A management system of a game token in a game place having a plurality of game tables <NUM> (only one table in <FIG>) takes images through a plurality of cameras <NUM>, and stores and manages proceeding of a game in a game table <NUM>, including a game participant <NUM> and a dealer <NUM>. In particular, the management system of this game token specifies the type and number of game tokens <NUM> used in the game in the game table <NUM> by analyzing image information obtained by the camera <NUM>. The game token <NUM> is attached with a unique ID <NUM>, and the type and number of the game tokens <NUM> is obtained by determining and reading the ID <NUM>. An ID reading device <NUM> provided within a management control device <NUM> connected to the camera <NUM> analyzes image information obtained from the camera <NUM> and specifies the ID <NUM>. In particular, the management control device <NUM> includes in its interior a chip determination device <NUM> that analyzes image data taken through the camera <NUM> and, from the results of reading of the ID <NUM>, specifies the type and number of the game tokens <NUM> that are provided side by side or in a stacked state.

In a casher <NUM> of a game place, a game token <NUM> is replaced with cash <NUM> paid by a game participant <NUM>, and in the casher <NUM>, the game token <NUM> is stored in a storage <NUM> that stores the game token <NUM>. Further, in the casher <NUM> in the game place, the game token <NUM> brought by the game participant <NUM> is refunded in cash <NUM>. In a game table <NUM>, the game token <NUM> is held by a game table chip tray <NUM>. Game tokens <NUM> bet by a game participant <NUM> who has lost in each game are collected from the table <NUM> by the dealer <NUM> and are returned to the game table chip tray <NUM>. Thereafter, game tokens <NUM> are redeemed to the game participant <NUM> who has won the game. Interaction between the game participant <NUM> and the casher <NUM> or the dealer <NUM> in the game place is wholly photographed and recorded by a camera <NUM>. In the storage <NUM> and the game table chip tray <NUM>, every time when there is an interaction between the game participant <NUM> and the game token <NUM>, the number of game tokens <NUM> stored in the storage <NUM> and the game table chip tray <NUM> is increased or decreased. The type and number of game tokens <NUM> held in the game table chip tray <NUM> and the storage <NUM> are monitored by the ID reading device <NUM> and the chip determination device <NUM> through the camera <NUM> at predetermined timing or on a steady basis. The management control device <NUM> previously holds, on database <NUM>, IDs <NUM> of all the game tokens <NUM> that are contemplated to be used in the game place (in the game place, IDs <NUM> of all the game tokens <NUM> that are contemplated to be used are previously registered).

Thus, the management control device <NUM> that manages IDs <NUM> attached to the game token <NUM> on the database manages, using the database <NUM> in the game place, at least all the IDs <NUM> of game tokens <NUM> present on the game table chip tray <NUM> and the storage <NUM> together with information about location (for example, in the storage <NUM> or the game table chip tray <NUM>, or in transit from a backyard (not shown), or held by the game participant <NUM> on the database <NUM>. The management control device <NUM> specifies all the game tokens <NUM> in the game table chip tray <NUM> and the storage <NUM> at predetermined timing or on a steady basis by IDs <NUM>, and further retrieves the database <NUM> to determine the following events by the retrieval of the database <NUM>.

When the status <NUM>) or <NUM>) is noticed, an error signal that indicates abnormality is generated, and a management section or a security section <NUM> in the game place is informed of the error signal. The management control device <NUM> has the above function.

Since the management control device <NUM> specifies all the game tokens <NUM> in the game table chip tray <NUM> and the storage <NUM> at predetermined timing or on a steady basis by IDs <NUM> and stores the game token <NUM> on the database <NUM>, <NUM>) a fact that IDs <NUM> that have been absent (or are absent) in the database <NUM> are newly present can be determined. Further, <NUM>) a fact that two or more identical I IDs <NUM> are present can also be determined.

The management control device <NUM> further has a function that when there is a change in presence of the game token <NUM> in at least the game table chip tray <NUM> and the storage <NUM>, records, on the database <NUM>, a time or a place (the storage <NUM>, the game table chip tray <NUM>, and the like) at which the change has occurred, in association with the ID <NUM>, retrieves the database <NUM>, and, when two or more identical IDs <NUM> are present, and extracts and stores the ID <NUM> and the time or the place recorded in association with the ID <NUM> on the database <NUM> from the database <NUM>, and specifies, by the database <NUM>, the time at which the detected game token <NUM> (already used or converted) attached with the ID <NUM> goes in or goes out the game table chip tray <NUM> or the storage <NUM>, or the place of the game table chip tray <NUM> or the storage <NUM> in which the game token <NUM> has been held. When the time and the place are specified, for example, a person with suspected misuse of the game token <NUM> can be specified from the record image of the camera <NUM>.

In the game token management system, the management control device <NUM> can specify the type and number of game tokens <NUM> bet on a bet area <NUM> in the game table <NUM> by an ID reading device <NUM>. The game token <NUM> in the bet area <NUM> is photographed by a camera 4b that particularly takes photographs of the bet area <NUM>, and also for IDs <NUM> of the game tokens <NUM> present on the bet area <NUM> in the game table <NUM>, the following events are determined by the retrieval of the database <NUM>.

When the status <NUM>) or <NUM>) is noticed, an error signal is generated. The management control device <NUM> has the above function.

In this system, the management control device <NUM>, the ID reading device <NUM> provided in the interior of the system, and the chip determination device <NUM> that specifies the type and number of game tokens <NUM> have a structure that compositely includes a computer and a program and a memory integrally or as a plurality of constructions.

Next, the game token <NUM> (the so-called "chip") used in this system will be described in more detail. <FIG> is a front view of a game token <NUM> (chip) used in the system of the present invention, the game token <NUM> is formed by laminating a plurality of plastic layers having respective different colors, integrating the laminate, for example, by thermocompression bonding, and punching the laminate into a circular or quadrilateral shape. The game token <NUM> has a multilayer structure that includes a colored layer <NUM> at least as an intermediate layer and that includes a white layer <NUM> or a light-color layer (that is not shown and may be a layer having a lighter color than the colored layer <NUM>) provided between both sides (upper and lower surfaces in <FIG>) of the colored layer <NUM> that the intermediate layer. When the multilayer structure including the colored layer <NUM> and the white layer <NUM> or the light-color layer (that is not shown and is a layer having a lighter color than the colored layer <NUM>) laminated on both sides of the colored layer <NUM> that is the intermediate layer is adopted, as illustrated in <FIG>, as viewed from the side surface, a striped pattern (in a laminated direction) is formed and the type of game tokens <NUM> (for example, <NUM> points, <NUM> points, <NUM> points, and <NUM> points) can be specified by varying the color of the colored layer <NUM> (for example, red, green, yellow, or blue).

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the game token <NUM>, ID <NUM> indicating the type of the game token <NUM> is provided on a side face of the white layer <NUM>. A transparent layer <NUM> is provided on the outermost layer, and the layers are thermocompression-bonded to a structure including at least five layers. These game tokens <NUM> are formed by using an elongated plastic material, subjecting layers in the elongated state (for example, at least the colored layer <NUM> and the white layer <NUM>) to thermocompression bonding to form a bonded state (for example, a five-layer structure) and then punching the laminate, for example, by a press into, for example, a circular or rectangular shape. When punching is carried out by pressing, the dimension of a molding die and a punch for punching is designed, and the end of the transparent layer <NUM> that is the outermost layer is formed in R-shape (round corner). The transparent layer <NUM> may be a coating layer of varnish. The unique ID <NUM> is provided at at least three places of a side face of the game token <NUM>. The unique ID <NUM> has been inkjet-printed with an ink viewable in visible light.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the unique ID6 is constructed and provided by the absence or presence of mark C provided in a plurality of lines and a plurality of rows. In the marks C in the plurality of lines and the plurality of rows, as illustrated in <FIG>, upper and lower marks C are paired to construct a code, and, in <FIG>, a ten-digit code is provided. Pairing of upper and lower marks C to constitute codes (four types) is illustrated in <FIG>. A character Y located next to the mark C is an identification mark for the identification of upper and lower sides of the mark. The code formed of the mark C is constructed so as to specify a predetermined combination of marks C. As a result, in an embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when four types are possible as a combination of marks C in upper and lower two rows, and, when this is printed in <NUM> rows, codes of the tenth power of the four types can be constructed. In ten-digit codes, since four types are possible, codes of the types of the tenth power of four are obtained. Thus, satisfactory unique IDs <NUM> of game tokens <NUM> can be provided.

The game token <NUM> in the present embodiment has a construction having a multilayer structure including a plurality of laminated plastic layers having different colors, at least one layer being a colored layer <NUM>, a white layer <NUM> or a light-color layer being laminated on an outer side of the colored layer <NUM>, the multilayer structure having a striped pattern on a side face thereof in a laminated direction, the type of the game token <NUM> being identifiable by the colored layer <NUM>. The unique ID6 is provided at at least three places (desirably six places) on a side face of the white layer <NUM> or the light-color layer. In the present embodiment, six IDs are provided while providing a predetermined spacing at <NUM> degrees in a rotating direction. In the game token <NUM>, unique IDs <NUM> that are individually identifiable (different from each other one by one) are provided while providing a predetermined spacing at <NUM> degrees in a rotating direction so that IDs <NUM> can be necessarily viewed from the side. The unique ID <NUM> provided on the game token <NUM> is read by the ID reading device <NUM>. For example, the type and information about manufacture of the game token <NUM> can be specified by reading the ID <NUM> with the ID reading device <NUM>, and the ID <NUM> can be managed on the database <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the unique ID has been inkjet-printed with an ink viewable in visible light. The unique IDs <NUM> may be attached by inkjet printing with inks (UV ink, carbon black ink or infrared reaction ink) which are not visible with visible light.

The unique IDs <NUM> attached to the game token <NUM> are read by the ID reading device <NUM>, the ID reading device <NUM> can read game tokens <NUM> held in the storage <NUM> held by the casher in the game place and the game table chip tray <NUM> in the game table, and, in fact, even when game tokens <NUM> are stacked horizontally (laterally) as illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, the IDs <NUM> can be read.

Further, in the game token <NUM>, a mark M formed of UV ink or carbon black ink is provided on a surface (X) of the white layer <NUM>. This mark M is provided for the indication of truth or falsity of the game token <NUM>. When the mark M is exposed to ultraviolet light (or infrared light), the mark M can be viewed with the naked eye. An authentic game token can be determined by combining the shape and number of marks. A transparent layer <NUM> is thermocompression-bonded or coated as an outermost layer so as to cover a print <NUM> (for example, <NUM> points) or mark M for game place specifying purposes on the surface of the game token. The transparent layer <NUM> is subjected to embossing or varnish processing to prevent mutual intimate contact of the game token <NUM> or to improve slipperiness.

The end of the transparent layer <NUM> that is the outermost layer on which the print <NUM> (for example, <NUM> points) is formed in R-shape (R) to prevent appearance of the white layer <NUM> on the side surface due to deformation of the surface of the white layer <NUM> in the step of punching of a game token <NUM>. Further, this prevents a sharp end of the game token <NUM> from damaging hands or other chips T. The colored layer <NUM> may be formed of one colored layer or a plurality of colored layers. In order to increase the weight, metal or ceramics may be incorporated within the layer constituting the colored layer <NUM>. Further, a part of the colored layer <NUM> may be bored, or alternatively a space may be provided between the colored layer <NUM> and the white layer <NUM>, followed by incorporation of RFID in the space. In this case, a combination of IDs by the mark C-derived codes and RFID is adopted as the ID <NUM> of the game token <NUM>.

In the game token <NUM> thus constructed, the type and number of game tokens <NUM> held in the game table chip tray <NUM> and the storage <NUM> are specified by the chip determination device <NUM> through the camera <NUM> and the ID reading device <NUM>, and IDs <NUM> of game tokens <NUM> present on the game table chip tray <NUM> and the storage <NUM>, together with information about location, are managed on the database <NUM>. This makes it possible to examine at least the following events:.

The occurrence of the status <NUM>) or <NUM>) can be realized by the retrieval and determination of all the IDs <NUM>.

The management control device <NUM> may be a control device having an artificial intelligent-type or deep-learning-type structure. The management control device <NUM> can grasp a position <NUM> (a position where the token is bet to a player, a banker, or a pair), the type (different values are allocated for each color in the game token), and the number of game tokens <NUM>, using, for example, artificial intelligence-type computers or control systems, deep-learning (structure) techniques, and self-learning functions.

Claim 1:
A management system for managing gaming chips (<NUM>) at a casino, the management system comprising:
a cashier (<NUM>) including a storage area (<NUM>) in which the gaming chips (<NUM>) are held;
a gaming table tray (<NUM>) configured to hold the gaming chips (<NUM>) at a game table (<NUM>);
an ID reader (<NUM>) configured to read IDs (<NUM>) provided on the gaming chips;
a chip determination device (<NUM>) configured to use the ID reader (<NUM>) to identify the IDs (<NUM>) of the gaming chips (<NUM>) in at least the gaming table tray (<NUM>) and the cashier (<NUM>); and
a database (<NUM>) configured to record the IDs (<NUM>) of the gaming chips (<NUM>) determined by the chip determination device (<NUM>) along with their location information,
wherein the management system is configured to use the database (<NUM>) to determine the gaming chips (<NUM>) owned by the casino, including the gaming chips (<NUM>) existing in the gaming table tray (<NUM>) and the gaming chips (<NUM>) existing in the cashier (<NUM>).