Patent Description:
Some of the many table games played in casinos and other amusement facilities include baccarat and blackjack. Casinos use gaming chips as a substitute currency for these games. The exchange of gaming chips and cash currency (i.e. bills and coins) is done face-to-face at a designated exchange station in the casino or on the gaming table by a cash currency exchanger or a dealer in charge of the gaming table.

On the other hand, an automatic exchange device for chips and cash currency used in amusement facilities has been proposed. In the device for automatic purchase of prize chips as described in the patent document <NUM>, the inserted prize chips are automatically sorted, true or false of the prize chips are identified, then cash currency of amount corresponding to the value of the prize chips is automatically paid out.

<CIT> is reflected in the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Casinos are also required to introduce automatic exchange devices for gaming chip and cash currency that can be operated without human intervention. Since conventional exchange devices cannot identify the person wishing exchange P activity, and it has a problem that cannot obtain information on the exchange activity performed by a customer who is suspected of receiving a large amount of gaming chips as by fraudulent activity.

The present invention has been invented in view of the circumstances, and provides a gaming chip and cash currency exchange device equipped with a function recognizing for the person wishing exchange P activity.

The invention is set out in claim <NUM>.

In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is an exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, wherein the gaming chip has a color or indication on the outer surface that represents a value, the exchange device comprising:.

Further, the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency may further comprise a user recognition section configured to recognize a person wishing exchange.

Further, in the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, the user recognition section may have a function to capture an image of a person wishing exchange using a camera at a time of executing the exchange and to extract and identify an image of the face of the person wishing exchange from the image captured by the camera.

Further, the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency may further comprise a user ID information input section to which inputs ID information of the person wishing exchange, the user recognition section may have a function to identify the person wishing exchange from the information on the person wishing exchange obtained by the user ID information input section.

Further, in the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, the user ID information input section may be configured to obtain the information on the person wishing exchange by means of a member's card.

Further, the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency may further comprise a user management section which stores in a database information on number of times or amount of cash currency exchanged during a predetermined period of time for a specific user recognized by the user ID recognition section.

Further, in the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, the user management section may be configured to grant points or status to the user under a predetermined condition, and may be capable of outputting the same.

Further, in the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, the user management section may be configured to allow a predetermined exchange ratio to be set for each user under a predetermined condition.

Further, the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency may further comprise:.

Further, in the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, the gaming chip dispensing section may have a function to pay out the gaming chips individually or in batches.

Further, in the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, the gaming chip may have an embedded wireless tag storing chip information, the exchange device may further comprise:.

Further, in the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, the take-out section may be further provided with an openable door,
the door may be closed while the determining section is determining, and the door may be opened when the determining section determines that there is no abnormality.

Further, the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency as may further comprise an appearance inspection section which inspects an appearance of the gaming chip placed on the take-out section.

Further, the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency may further comprise an appearance inspection section which inspects an appearance of the gaming chip placed on the take-out section,.

Further, in the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency, the gaming chip may have a multi-layered structure in which a plurality of plastic layers of different colors are stacked, with a colored layer at least in the middle, and a white layer or a light colored layer on both sides of the colored layer in the middle to form a striped pattern on the sides in the direction of stacking, so that the type of gaming chip can be identified by the colored layer,
the appearance inspection section may be configured to ascertain the number or value of the gaming chip by the colored layer.

A device for exchanging gaming chips and cash currency in another embodiment of the invention is configured as follows:.

Further, the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency may further comprise a user recognition section configured to recognize a person wishing exchange.

Further, in the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency, the user recognition section may have a function to capture an image of a person wishing exchange using a camera at the time of executing the exchange and to extract and identify an image of the face of the person wishing exchange from the image captured by the camera.

Further, the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency may further comprise a user ID information input section to which ID information of the person wishing exchange is input,
the user recognition section may have a function to identify a person wishing exchange from information on the person wishing exchange obtained by the user ID information input section.

Further, in the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency, the user ID information input section may be configured to obtain the information on the person wishing exchange by means of a member's card.

Further, the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency may further comprise a user management section configured to store in a database information on number of times or amount of cash currency to be exchanged during a predetermined period of time for a specific user recognized by the user ID recognition section.

Further, in the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency, the user management section may be configured to grant points or status to a user under a predetermined condition, and is capable of outputting the same.

Further, in the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency, the user management section may be configured to allow a predetermined exchange ratio to be set for each user under a predetermined condition.

Further, the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency may further comprise:.

Further, the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency may further comprise an appearance inspection section configured to inspect an appearance of the gaming chip inserted through the insertion opening.

Further, in the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency, the appearance inspection section may have a function to optically ascertain the number or value of gaming chips inserted through the insertion opening,
the determining section may be configured to compare and determine the chip information of the gaming chip obtained from the wireless tag reading section and the number or value of the gaming chip obtained from the appearance inspection section, and if both of them match, the gaming chip may be determined to be free of abnormalities.

Further, in the device for exchanging gaming chips for cash currency, the gaming chip may have a multi-layered structure in which a plurality of plastic layers of different colors are stacked, with a colored layer at least in the middle, and a white layer or a light colored layer on both sides of the colored layer in the middle to form a striped pattern on the sides in the direction of stacking, so that the type of gaming chip can be identified by the colored layer,
the appearance inspection section may be configured to ascertain the number or value of the gaming chips by the colored layer.

An exchange device for a gaming chip and cash currency in another embodiment of the present invention is configured as follows:.

According to the exchange device for gaming chip and cash currency of the present invention, it is possible to identify a user who has carried out a gaming chip and cash currency exchange using the device.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Cash currency, as used in this description, includes coin, hard cash, or hard currency and bank bill, banknote, or paper currency.

First, details of the gaming chip G used in the device will be described. As shown in <FIG>, the gaming chip G has a multi-layered structure with at least a colored layer <NUM> in the middle, and a white layer <NUM> or a light-colored layer (which is not shown in the figure, but can be a lighter-colored layer than the colored layer <NUM>) laminated on both sides of the middle colored layer <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, this multi-layered structure forms a striped pattern on the sides of the chip in the direction of stacking, allowing the type of gaming chip G to be identified by identifying the color of the colored layer <NUM>. A wireless tag <NUM> is also incorporated in the gaming chip G. Specifically, a portion of the colored layer <NUM> is hollowed out, and a wireless tag <NUM> is installed in the hollow. In addition to the value (amount) information of the gaming chip G, the wireless tag <NUM> stores unique ID information set for each casino, manufacturing information and related information such as the manufacturing line and manufacturing date, individual ID information for each chip, and other information as currency information.

<FIG> shows an exchange device <NUM> of a gaming chip G and cash currency C in a first embodiment of the present invention. The exchange device <NUM> of gaming chip G and cash currency C is provided with an insertion opening <NUM> through which the gaming chip G can pass to insert the gaming chip G to be exchanged into the exchange device <NUM>.

The exchange device <NUM> is provided with a gaming chip holding section <NUM> that temporarily holds a gaming chip G inserted through the insertion opening <NUM>.

The exchange device <NUM> is provided with a wireless tag reading section <NUM> that reads a wireless tag <NUM> of a gaming chip G inserted from the insertion opening <NUM> and held in a gaming chip holding section <NUM>, and obtains currency information of the gaming chip G. Further, a determining section <NUM> is provided to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the currency information of the gaming chip G obtained from the wireless tag reading section <NUM>. The determining section <NUM> sets in advance as an abnormality of the currency information, the abnormality includes situations in which, for example, the unique ID information of the casino cannot be read, or the expiration date of the chip based on the manufacturing date information of the gaming chip G has been reached, etc., and determines whether or not an abnormality exists based on the criteria for the abnormality set in advance. When the determining section <NUM> determines there is an abnormality, it is processed as an error, and the contents of the error are displayed on the display <NUM> provided in the exchange device <NUM>. Details of the display <NUM> will be described later.

The exchange device <NUM> is further provided with an appearance inspection section <NUM> that inspects the appearance of the gaming chip G held in the gaming chip holding section <NUM>. The appearance inspection section <NUM> can, for example, use a camera to optically ascertain the condition of the gaming chip and detect damage, dirt, or the like. In addition, an infrared camera or the like may be used to read a special mark M or the like on the surface of the gaming chip to determine the authenticity of the gaming chip. Based on the appearance information of the gaming chip G obtained from the appearance inspection section <NUM>, the determining section <NUM> determines whether or not there is an abnormality based on the predetermined criteria of abnormality. If the determining section <NUM> determines an abnormality, it is processed as an error and the error details are displayed on the display <NUM> provided in the exchange device <NUM>. The appearance inspection section <NUM> may read the information on the outer surface (e.g., denomination information of cash currency appeared on the surface or the color information of the colored layer <NUM>) to ascertain the type and number of chips for gaming G inserted.

The determining section <NUM> may compare and determine the currency information of the gaming chip G obtained from the wireless tag reading section <NUM> and the currency information of the gaming chip G obtained from the appearance inspection section <NUM>, and may determine whether or not they match, and if they do, determine the inserted gaming chip G to not be abnormal.

The exchange device <NUM> is equipped with a chip counter <NUM> that counts the number of chips of each type of inserted gaming chip G based on the currency information of the gaming chip G obtained from the wireless tag reading section <NUM> or the appearance inspection section <NUM>. The chip counter <NUM> further calculates the total amount of the inserted gaming chips G by adding the individual amounts of the gaming chips G that are determined by the determining section <NUM> not to be abnormal.

The total amount of gaming chips G calculated by the chip counter <NUM> is displayed on an inserted amount display section <NUM>. The inserted amount display section <NUM> may be integrated with the display <NUM>.

The display <NUM> provided in the exchange device <NUM> will be described here. The display <NUM> in this embodiment is a touch display. The display <NUM> has an exchange start button 31a, a button for executing the exchange execution button 31b, and a exchange cancellation button 31c. The display <NUM> does not need to be a touch display. The exchange start button 31a, the exchange execution button 31b, and the exchange cancellation button 31c do not necessarily have to be displayed on the display <NUM> and may be provided separately from the display <NUM>. The exchange start button 31a will be described below.

When the total amount of the inserted gaming chips G is displayed on the inserted amount display section <NUM>, the display <NUM> displays the exchange execution button 31b and the exchange cancellation button 31c. When the amount of cash currency displayed in the inserted amount display section <NUM> is confirmed by the person wishing exchange P and the cash currency exchange is cancelled, the gaming chip G held in the gaming chip holding section <NUM> is returned to the cash currency exchanger P from the predetermined return port (not shown) by pressing the exchange cancellation button 31c. When the cash currency exchange is executed, the cash currency exchange is executed by pressing the exchange execution button 31b, and the chips held in the gaming chip holding section <NUM> are sent to the gaming chip storage section <NUM> by means of a pusher or conveyor.

The gaming chip storage section <NUM> stores the gaming chips G sent from the gaming chip holding section <NUM> at the time of exchange execution. The gaming chip storage section <NUM> can store gaming chips G by type. The gaming chip storage section <NUM> is designed to be removable from the main body of the exchange device, which allows for easy collection of gaming chips G in the exchange device <NUM> by the casino staff.

The exchange device <NUM> is equipped with a cash currency storage section <NUM> for storing cash currency C for disbursement by type. The replenishment of cash currency C into the cash currency storage section <NUM> may be performed periodically by the casino staff or the person in charge of the management of the exchange device <NUM>, and the cash currency storage section <NUM> may be structured so that more than one types of currency can be stored. In addition, the exchange device <NUM> is equipped with a cash currency dispensing section <NUM> that dispenses cash currency for dispensing from the cash currency storage section <NUM>. The cash currency dispensing section <NUM> disburses, by means of a pusher or a conveyor, the cash currency C corresponding to the total amount of gaming chips G, which is determined by the determining section <NUM> not to be abnormal, from the cash currency storage section <NUM> in accordance with the instructions of the control section <NUM>, which controls the entire apparatus. The cash currency dispensing section <NUM> is equipped with a cash currency counter <NUM>, which confirms the type and number of cash currency to be disbursed from the cash currency storage section <NUM>. The cash currency exchanger P receives the disbursed cash currency C from the withdrawal point (not shown).

The control section <NUM>, which controls the entire device, has a user recognition section <NUM> and a user management section <NUM>.

The user recognition section <NUM> obtains identifying information to identify a person wishing exchange P. The identifying information is a face image information of the customer concerned or a user ID registered in the database D. The both of the information is associated with each other on the database.

In the standby state, the exchange device <NUM> has the exchange start button 31a on the display. When the exchange start button 31a is pressed, the user recognition section <NUM> captures an image of the cash currency exchanger P using the camera <NUM>, and extracts the face image of the person wishing exchange P from the captured image. The extracted face image is checked against the face image data of casino customers in the database D, and when the face image data matches a specific face image data in the database D thereby the face image data is identified, the person wishing exchange P can be identified as the identifying information is obtained.

In the case where the face image of the person wishing exchange P could not be extracted, or where the person wishing exchange P is a new user who has not been registered in the database D, etc., thereby no identifying information can be obtained due to failure to match the face image data in the database D, a message indicating that the exchange cannot be executed is displayed on display <NUM>. In addition, a message encouraging the user to exchange at a predetermined exchange place in the casino may be displayed.

An artificial intelligence type device using deep learning technology can be used to extract a face image of the person wishing exchange P from the image captured by the camera <NUM> and to identify the person wishing exchange P by comparing the extracted face image with the face image on the database D.

The camera <NUM> captures images of a person wishing exchange P when the person wishing exchange P presses the exchange start button 31a displayed on the display <NUM>, but the image may be captured after the exchange is made or the image may be captured at all times.

Instead of the camera <NUM>, the exchange device <NUM> may obtain the identifying information by the user ID information input section <NUM> to identify the person wishing exchange P. In this case, the information obtained by reading the member's card or passport is checked against the customer information in the database D, and when the user ID is identified in database D, the identifying information is obtained and the person wishing exchange P is identified. The user ID information input section may obtain the identifying information by directly receiving the user ID through keyboard input or touch screen input on the display <NUM>. Fingerprint information and vein information of customers may be stored in the database D as identifying information, and the person wishing exchange P may be identified by identifying the customer in the database D by fingerprint authentication or vein authentication.

Furthermore, both identification of a person wishing exchange P using camera <NUM> as described above and identification of a person wishing exchange P using the user ID information input section <NUM> as described above may be performed. In addition, it may be switched to identifying the person wishing exchange P using the user ID information input portion <NUM> when the above-described camera <NUM> fails to identify the person wishing exchange P. The user ID information input portion <NUM> may be used to identify the person wishing exchange P.

The user management section <NUM> stores information on the number of times or amount of cash currency exchanged in a predetermined period of a user (person wishing exchange P) identified by the user recognition section <NUM> in the database D. In accordance with predetermined conditions, points or statuses can be granted to the user and output the points or statuses. The points may be used to avail of preferential treatment at a hotel or restaurant attached to a casino, for example, or a qualification for admission to a VIP room or other special area may be obtained by obtaining a predetermined status.

Furthermore, it is possible to set a predetermined exchange ratio for each user under predetermined conditions. For example, it may be set that $<NUM> of cash currency C will be paid out for $<NUM> of inserted gaming chips G to a user who has a total exchange of $<NUM>,<NUM> or more in a month. It may also be configured to provide special gaming chips G with different conversion rates or dividend rates.

The user management section <NUM> may be connected to an external system or external server by wire or wirelessly. This allows, for example, access to an external database <NUM> in the casino's customer management system to make comparisons and judgments or to share the acquired data between a plurality of exchange devices <NUM> in the casino.

Next, the operation of the exchange of the gaming chip G for cash currency C will be described. <FIG> is a flow diagram of the exchange process from gaming chip G to cash currency C.

In the standby state, the exchange device <NUM> displays the exchange start button 31a on the display <NUM>. Alternatively, when a person wishing exchange P comes in front of the exchange device <NUM>, the presence of the person wishing exchange P may be detected by a sensing sensor or the like, and the display <NUM> may be activated, and the exchange start button 31a is displayed on the display <NUM>. The exchange start button 31a, the exchange execution button 31b and the exchange cancellation button 31c, which will be described later, do not necessarily have to be displayed on the display <NUM> and may be provided separately from the display <NUM>.

When the exchange start button 31a is pressed by the person wishing exchange P, the cash currency exchange process is started (step S10). The exchange operation begins by recognizing the person wishing exchange P. The user recognition section <NUM> captures an image of the person wishing exchange P using the camera <NUM> (step S111), extracts the face of the person wishing exchange P from the captured image, matches the extracted face image with the face image data of the casino customers in the database D, and identifies the person wishing exchange P (step S12). Another method of recognition is to identify the person wishing exchange P by inputting a user ID using a member's card or the like by the user ID information input section <NUM> (step S112).

If the user recognition section <NUM> is unable to identify the person wishing exchange P, an error signal is output and an error message is displayed on the display <NUM> to the effect that the exchange is not allowed to be carried out. In addition, if the user is recognized as a user who is on a so-called black list or who has imposed a restriction on the use of the exchange device <NUM>, the function of the exchange device <NUM> is stopped or the insertion of the chip into the insertion opening <NUM> is made impossible, and it is notified that the exchange device <NUM> is not allowed to be use by way of display on the display <NUM> or an alarm.

After identifying the person wishing exchange P by the user recognition section <NUM>, the determination process (step S131) of the exchange ratio between the gaming chip G and the cash currency C to the person wishing exchange P is performed based on the past exchange information and benefit information stored in the database D.

When the person wishing exchange P is identified, a notice is displayed on the display <NUM> urging insertion of the gaming chip G, and the person wishing exchange P inserts the gaming chip G (S14). The inserted gaming chip G is sent to the gaming chip holding section <NUM>.

The gaming chip G held in the gaming chip holding section <NUM> is read by the wireless tag reading section <NUM>, which reads the wireless tag <NUM> embedded in the gaming chip G, and information on the authenticity and value of the inserted gaming chip G is obtained (step S151).

The condition of the gaming chip G is also ascertained by the appearance inspection section <NUM>, and information on the authenticity and value of the chip is obtained by detecting damage, dirt, etc. (S152).

The currency information of the gaming chip G obtained by the wireless tag reading section <NUM> and the appearance inspection section <NUM> is judged by the determining section <NUM> to determine whether the gaming chip G meets predetermined criteria established by the casino and determine the authenticity and value of the gaming chip G (step S16). A gaming chip G that does not meet the criteria is considered to be an abnormal item and an error signal is output and the error information is notified on the display <NUM>.

If there is no abnormality in the gaming chips G, the inserted amount of the inserted gaming chips G is displayed in the inserted amount display section <NUM> (step S17), and the person wishing exchange P confirms the amount displayed in the inserted amount display section <NUM>. The display <NUM> also displays the exchange execution button 31b and the exchange cancellation button 31c. When the exchange is cancelled, the gaming chip held in the gaming chip holding section <NUM> is returned from the predetermined return port (not shown) by pressing the exchange cancellation button 31c.

The exchange is executed by pressing the exchange execution button 31b, and an amount of cash currency is disbursed from the cash currency disbursement section <NUM> in accordance with the amount of the inserted gaming chip that is determined based on the exchange ratio between the gaming chip and cash currency for each user having been determined by the user management section <NUM> (Step S18), and the person wishing exchange P receives the disbursed cash currency C from the withdrawal point (not shown).

The user management section <NUM> stores the exchange information (such as the amount of cash currency exchanged and the time of cash currency exchange) in the database (step S132) and grants points to the person wishing exchange P based on the exchange information (step S133).

After the cash currency C is disbursed, the gaming chip holding section <NUM> moves the gaming chip G held in the gaming chip holding section <NUM> to the gaming chip storage section <NUM> by a pusher or conveyor mechanism (step S19).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to identify a person wishing exchange P at the time of exchange from the gaming chip G to the cash currency C, and it is possible to associate the person wishing exchange P with exchange information.

The second embodiment of the present invention will now be described using <FIG>. Parts that perform the same operation as in the first embodiment will be described in the second embodiment using the same sign as in the first embodiment.

<FIG> shows an exchange device <NUM> of the second embodiment for exchanging the cash currency C and the gaming chip G. The exchange device <NUM> for the cash currency C and the gaming chip G is provided with a cash currency insertion opening <NUM> through which the cash currency C to be exchanged can be inserted into the exchange device <NUM>.

The exchange device <NUM> is provided with a cash currency holding section <NUM> that temporarily holds the cash currency C inserted from the cash currency insertion opening <NUM>.

The exchange device <NUM> is provided with a cash currency reading section <NUM> that obtains the authenticity and currency information of the cash currency C inserted from the cash currency insertion opening <NUM> and held in the cash currency holding section <NUM>. Further, the exchange device <NUM> is provided with a cash currency determining section <NUM> that determines abnormality of the cash currency based on the authenticity of the cash currency and the currency information obtained from the cash currency reading section <NUM>. The cash currency determining section <NUM> sets in advance criteria of abnormality of the currency information, such as a case where the authenticity of the cash currency is unknown or the type of the cash currency cannot be identified, and determines whether or not there is an abnormality based on the criteria of the abnormality set in advance. When an abnormality is detected by the cash currency determining section <NUM>, the abnormality is treated as an error and the error details are displayed on the display <NUM> provided in the exchange section <NUM>. Details of the display <NUM> are described below.

The exchange device <NUM> is equipped with a cash currency counter <NUM> that counts the number of each type of cash currency C inserted, based on the currency information obtained from the cash currency reading section <NUM>. The cash currency counter <NUM> further calculates a total amount of the inserted cash currency C by adding the individual amounts of the cash currency C that the cash currency determining section <NUM> has determined to be free of abnormalities.

The total amount of cash currency C calculated by the cash currency counter <NUM> is displayed on the inserted cash currency amount display section <NUM>. The inserted cash currency amount display section <NUM> may be integrated with the display <NUM>.

When the total amount of the inserted cash currency C is displayed by the inserted cash currency amount display section <NUM>, the display <NUM> shows the exchange execution button 31b and the exchange cancellation button 31c. When the amount of cash currency displayed by the inserted cash currency amount display section <NUM> is confirmed by the person wishing exchange P and the exchange is cancelled, the cash currency C held in the cash currency holding section <NUM> is returned to the person wishing exchange P from a predetermined return port (not shown) by pressing the exchange cancellation button 31c. The cash currency exchange is executed by pressing the exchange execution button 31b, and the cash currency C held in the cash currency holding section <NUM> is sent to the cash currency storage section <NUM> by means of a pusher or conveyor.

The cash currency storage section <NUM> stores the cash currency C sent from the cash currency holding section <NUM> at the time of exchange execution. The cash currency storage section <NUM> can store the cash currency C by type. The cash currency storage section <NUM> is designed to be removable from the main body of the exchange device, which allows for easy collection of the cash currency C in the exchange device <NUM>, which is performed by the casino staff.

The exchange device <NUM> has a gaming chip storage section <NUM> that stores gaming chips G for payout by type. The setting of gaming chips G into the gaming chip storage section <NUM> is performed periodically by the casino staff and the manager of the exchange device <NUM>. In addition, the exchange device <NUM> is provided with a gaming chip dispensing section <NUM> that dispenses the gaming chips G for payout from the gaming chip storage section <NUM>. The gaming chip dispensing section <NUM>, in accordance with the instructions of the controller <NUM> controlling the entire apparatus, determines types and number of the gaming chip G to be disbursed from the gaming chip storage section <NUM> using a pusher or a conveyor, the gaming chip to be disbursed corresponds to the total amount of cash currency C determined by the cash currency determining section <NUM> to be free of abnormalities.

The gaming chips G paid out of the gaming chip dispensing section <NUM> are sent to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM>.

The exchange device <NUM> is provided with a wireless tag reading section <NUM> that reads the wireless tag <NUM> of the gaming chip G sent from the gaming chip dispensing section <NUM> to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM> and obtains the currency information of the gaming chip G. Further, a determining section <NUM> is provided to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the currency information of the gaming chip G obtained from the wireless tag reading section <NUM>. The determining section <NUM> sets in advance abnormalities of the currency information as criteria, for example, when the unique ID information of the casino cannot be read, or when the expiration date of the chip based on the manufacturing date information of the gaming chip G has been reached, and the determining section <NUM> determines whether or not there is an abnormality based on the criteria of the abnormality set in advance. If the determining section <NUM> determines an abnormality, it is treated as an error and the error details are displayed on the display <NUM> provided in the exchange section <NUM>.

The exchange device <NUM> further comprises an appearance inspection section <NUM> that inspects the appearance of the gaming chip G sent to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM>. The appearance inspection section <NUM> can, for example, use a camera to optically ascertain the condition of the gaming chip and detect damage, dirt, and the like. In addition, an infrared camera or the like may be used to read a special mark M or the like on the surface of the gaming chip to determine the authenticity of the gaming chip. Based on the appearance information of the gaming chip G obtained from the appearance inspection section <NUM>, the determining section <NUM> determines whether or not there is an abnormality based on predetermined criteria of abnormality. If the determining section <NUM> determines an abnormality, it is treated as an error and the error details are displayed on the display <NUM> provided in the exchange device <NUM>. The appearance inspection section <NUM> may also read the information on the outer surface (e.g., amount information on the surface and color information of the colored layer <NUM>) to ascertain the type and number of the gaming chips G sent to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM>.

The determining section <NUM> may, compare and determine the currency information of the gaming chip G obtained from the wireless tag reading section <NUM> and the currency information of the gaming chip G obtained from the appearance inspection section <NUM>, determine whether or not they match, and if they do, determine the inserted gaming chip G to be free of defects.

The exchange device <NUM> is provided with a chip counter <NUM> that counts the number of chips of each type of gaming chip G sent to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM> based on the currency information of the gaming chip G obtained from the wireless tag reading section <NUM> or the appearance inspection section <NUM>. The chip counter <NUM> further adds the individual amounts of the gaming chips G that are determined by the determining section <NUM> to be free of abnormalities and calculates the total amount of the gaming chips G sent to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM>.

The gaming chip take-out section <NUM> is provided with a door <NUM> that restricts the take-out of the gaming chip G from the gaming chip take-out section <NUM>. The door <NUM> is closed while the determining section <NUM> is determining to restrict the taking out of the gaming chip G from the gaming chip take-out section <NUM>. When the determining section <NUM> determines that there is no abnormality, the control section <NUM> opens the door <NUM> and allows the gaming chip G placed in the gaming chip take-out section <NUM> to be taken out of the gaming chip take-out section <NUM>.

The controller <NUM>, which controls the entire device, has a user recognition section <NUM> and a user management section <NUM>.

The user recognition section <NUM> obtains identifying information to identify a person wishing exchange P. The identifying information is face image information of the customer or a user <NUM>. The face image information and the user ID are associated with each other on the database.

In the standby state, the exchange device <NUM> displays the exchange start button 31a on the display. When the exchange start button 31a is pressed, the user recognition section <NUM> captures an image of the person wishing exchange P using the camera <NUM>, and extracts the face image of the person wishing exchange P from the captured image. The extracted face image is checked against the face image data of the casino customers in the database D, and when face image data is identified in agreement with the specific face image data in the database D, the identifying information is obtained, and the person wishing exchange P can be identified.

If no identifying information can be obtained due to failure to match the face image data in the database D, for example, in the case where the face image of the person wishing exchange P could not be extracted, or where the person wishing exchange P is a new user who is not registered in the database D, etc., a message indicating that the exchange cannot be executed is displayed on display <NUM>. In addition, a message encouraging the user to exchange at a predetermined exchange in the casino may be displayed.

An artificial intelligence type device using deep learning technology can be used in extracting an image of the face of the person wishing exchange P from the image captured by the camera <NUM>, and in identifying the person wishing exchange P by comparing the extracted face image with the face image on the database D.

A timing when the camera <NUM> captures the person wishing exchange P is when the person wishing exchange P presses the exchange start button 31a displayed on the display <NUM>, but the camera <NUM> may capture the image after the cash currency exchange is performed, or the camera <NUM> may capture the image at all times.

The exchange device <NUM> may identify the person wishing exchange P by obtaining the identifying information by the user ID information input section <NUM> instead of the camera <NUM>. In this case, the identifying information is obtained when the user ID is identified on the database D by reading the member's card or passport, and the identifying information is obtained when the user ID is identified on the database D, and the person wishing exchange P is identified. The user ID information input section may obtain the identifying information by directly inputting the user ID by keyboard input or touch screen input on the display <NUM>. The exchange device <NUM> may be configured in which fingerprint information and vein information of the customer are stored in the database D as identifying information, and the person wishing exchange P may be identified by identifying the customer in the database D using fingerprint or vein authentication.

Furthermore, both of the identification of the person wishing exchange P using the camera <NUM> as described above and identification of the person wishing exchange P using the user ID information input section <NUM> as described above may be performed. In addition, exchange device <NUM> may be configured to switch to the identification of the person wishing exchange P by the user ID information input section <NUM> when the above-described identification by camera <NUM> is not possible.

The user management section <NUM> stores, in the database, information on the number of times of the cash currency exchanges or amount of cash currency exchanged in a predetermined period by a user (person wishing exchange P) identified by the user recognition section <NUM>. In accordance with predetermined conditions, points or statuses can be granted to the user and output the points or statuses. The points may be used to avail of preferential treatment at a hotel or restaurant attached to a casino, for example, or qualification for admission to a VIP room or other special area may be obtained by obtaining a predetermined status.

Furthermore, a predetermined exchange ratio can be set for each user under predetermined conditions. For example, it may be set that a user who has a total exchange value of $<NUM>,<NUM> or more per month can receive a gaming chip G equivalent to $<NUM> for $<NUM> in inserted cash currency C. It may also be configured to provide special gaming chips G with different conversion rates and dividend rates.

The user management section <NUM> may be connected to an external system or external server by wire or wirelessly. This allows, for example, access to an external database O in the casino's customer management system to make comparisons and judgments or to share the acquired data between a plurality of exchange devices <NUM> in the casino.

Next, the operation of the exchange of cash currency C for gaming chip G will be described. <FIG> is a flow diagram of the exchange process from cash currency C to gaming chip G.

In the standby state, the exchange device <NUM> displays the exchange start button 31a on the display <NUM>. Alternatively, when the person wishing exchange P comes in front of the exchange device <NUM>, the presence of the person wishing exchange P may be detected by a sensing sensor or the like, and the display <NUM> may be activated and the exchange start button 31a is displayed on the display <NUM>. The exchange start button 31a, the exchange execution button 31b, and the exchange cancellation button 31c, which will be described later, need not necessarily be displayed on the display <NUM> and may be provided separately from the display <NUM>.

If the user recognition section <NUM> fails to identify the person wishing exchange P, it outputs an error signal and displays an error message on the display <NUM> to the effect that the exchange is not allowed to be carried out. In addition, if the user is recognized as a user who is on a so-called black list or who has imposed a restriction on the use of the exchange device <NUM>, the function of the exchange device <NUM> is stopped or the insertion of the chip into the insertion opening <NUM> is made impossible, and it is notified that the exchange device <NUM> is not allowed to be use by way of display on the display <NUM> or an alarm.

After identifying the person wishing exchange P by the user recognition section <NUM>, the process of determining the exchange ratio of the cash currency C and the gaming chips G to the person wishing exchange P is performed (step S2131) based on past exchange information and benefit information stored in the database D.

When the person wishing exchange P is identified, a notice is displayed on the display <NUM> urging insertion of cash currency C, and the person wishing exchange P inserts the cash currency C (S214). The inserted cash currency C is sent to the cash currency holding section <NUM>.

From the cash currency C held in the cash currency holding section <NUM>, the information on the authenticity and type of the inserted cash currency C inserted is acquired by the cash currency reading section <NUM> (step S215).

The information on the cash currency C obtained by the cash currency reading section <NUM> is judged by the cash currency determining section <NUM> to determine whether the cash currency C meets the predetermined criteria established by the casino and whether the cash currency C is genuine and valuable (step S216). The cash currency C that does not meet the criteria is considered to be an abnormal item and an error signal is output and the error information is notified on the display <NUM>.

If there is no abnormality in the cash currency C, the inserted amount of the inserted cash currency C is displayed on the inserted cash currency amount display section <NUM> (step S217), and the person wishing exchange P confirms the amount displayed on the inserted cash currency amount display section <NUM>. The display <NUM> also shows the exchange execution button 31b and the exchange cancellation button 31c. When the cash currency exchange is cancelled, by pressing the exchange cancellation button 31c, the cash currency C held in the cash currency holding section <NUM> is returned from the predetermined return slot (not shown).

The exchange is executed by pressing the exchange execution button 31b, and an amount of the gaming chip G is paid out to the gaming chip dispensing section <NUM> by a pusher or conveyor mechanism to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM> in accordance with the amount of the inserted cash currency C that is determined based on the exchange ratio between the cash currency C and the gaming chip G for each user having determined by the user management section <NUM> (step S218).

The gaming chip G sent to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM> is read by the wireless tag reading section <NUM>, which reads the wireless tag <NUM> embedded in the gaming chip G, and information on the authenticity and value of the gaming chip G sent to the gaming chip take-out section <NUM> is acquired (step S2191).

The condition of the gaming chip G is also ascertained by the appearance inspection section <NUM>, to detect damage, dirt, etc. and obtain information on the authenticity and the value (S2192).

The currency information of the gaming chip G obtained by the wireless tag reading section <NUM> and the appearance inspection section <NUM> is judged by the determining section <NUM> to determine whether the gaming chip G meets predetermined criteria established by the casino and determine the authenticity and value of the gaming chip G (step S220). A gaming chip G that does not meet the criteria is considered to be an abnormal item and an error signal is output and the error information is notified on the display <NUM>.

If there is no abnormality in the state of the gaming chip G, the control section <NUM> opens the door <NUM> of the gaming chip take-out section <NUM> (step S221).

The user management section <NUM> stores the exchange information (such as the amount of cash currency exchanged and the time of cash currency exchange) in a database (step S2132) and grants points to the person wishing exchange P based on the exchange information (step S2133).

After disbursing the gaming chips G, the cash currency holding section <NUM> moves the cash currency C held in the cash currency holding section <NUM> to the cash currency storage section <NUM> by a pusher or conveyor mechanism (step S222).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to identify a person wishing exchange P at the time of exchange from the cash currency C to the gaming chip G, and it is possible to associate the person wishing exchange P with exchange information.

The third embodiment of the present invention will now be described using <FIG>. Parts that perform the same operation as in the first and second embodiments will be described in the third embodiment using the same sign as in the first and second embodiments.

<FIG> shows exchange device <NUM> of a third embodiment of the present invention for exchanging the gaming chip G and the cash currency C.

The exchange device <NUM> is provided with an insertion opening <NUM> for inserting a gaming chip G into the exchange device <NUM> and a cash currency insertion opening <NUM> for inserting cash currency C into the exchange device <NUM>.

The exchange device <NUM> has a display <NUM>, and the display <NUM> includes the exchange start button 31a, the exchange execution button 31b, and the exchange cancellation button 31c. The exchange start button 31a, the exchange execution button 31b, and the exchange cancellation button 31c do not necessarily have to be displayed on the display <NUM> and may be provided separately from the display <NUM>.

The gaming chip G inserted through the insertion opening <NUM> is exchanged for the cash currency C in the same procedure as described in the first embodiment.

The cash currency C inserted through the cash currency insertion opening <NUM> is exchanged for the gaming chip G in the same procedure as in the second embodiment.

The insertion opening <NUM> and the cash currency insertion opening <NUM> may be a single shared insertion opening (not shown) that allows both the insertion of the gaming chip and the cash currency C.

The inserted amount display section <NUM>, which displays the amount of the inserted gaming chips G, and the inserted amount display section <NUM>, which displays the amount of the inserted cash currency C, may be a single shared inserted amount display section (not shown) that displays both the amount of the inserted gaming chips G and the amount of the inserted cash currency C.

The gaming chip storage section <NUM>, which is provided in the exchange device <NUM> and stores the inserted gaming chips G when the exchange from the gaming chip G to the cash currency C and the gaming chip storage section <NUM>, which stores the gaming chip G for payout when exchanging from the cash currency C to the gaming chip G may be a single shared gaming chip storage section (not shown) that can both accept and dispense gaming chips G.

The gaming chip storage section <NUM>, which is provided in the exchange device <NUM> and stores the cash currency C for payout when exchanging from the gaming chip G to the cash currency C and the cash currency storage section <NUM>, which stores the inserted cash currency C when exchanging from the cash currency C to the gaming chip G may be a single shared cash currency storage section (not shown) that are capable of both accepting and paying out the cash currency C.

The determining section <NUM>, which determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the gaming chip G at the time of inserting the gaming chip G, and the determining section <NUM>, which determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the gaming chip G at the time of taking out the gaming chip G may be a single shared decision section (not shown) that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the gaming chip G at both the time of inserting and taking out the gaming chip G.

The exchange device <NUM> performs user recognition in the same manner as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment when exchanging from the gaming chip G to the cash currency C and from the cash currency C to the gaming chip G. The camera <NUM>, the user ID information input section <NUM>, the user recognition section <NUM>, the user management section <NUM>, and the database D used for user recognition are the same for both the exchange from the gaming chip G to the cash currency C and the exchange from the cash currency C to the gaming chip G.

Claim 1:
An exchange device (<NUM>) for gaming chip (G) and cash currency (C), wherein the gaming chip (G) has a color or indication on the outer surface that represents a value and an embedded wireless tag (<NUM>) storing chip information, the exchange device (<NUM>) comprising:
a cash currency insertion opening (<NUM>);
a cash currency reading section (<NUM>) configured to acquire authenticity information and currency information of the cash currency (C) inserted from the cash currency insertion opening (<NUM>);
an inserted cash currency amount display section (<NUM>) configured to display an amount of the cash currency (C) acquired by the cash currency reading section (<NUM>);
a gaming chip storage section (<NUM>) configured to store the gaming chip (G) by type;
a gaming chip dispensing section (<NUM>) configured to dispense the gaming chip (G) corresponding to the amount of cash currency (C) acquired by the cash currency reading section (<NUM>) from the gaming chip storage section (<NUM>); and
a take-out section (<NUM>),
a wireless tag reading section (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to read the wireless tag (<NUM>) of the gaming chip (G) at the take-out section (<NUM>) to obtain the chip information of the gaming chip (G);
a determining section (<NUM>) configured to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the chip information of the gaming chip (G) obtained from the wireless tag reading section (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a control section (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to enable the gaming chip at the take-out section (<NUM>) to be taken out when the determining section (<NUM>) determines that there is no abnormality,
characterized in that the exchange device (<NUM>) further comprises: a restricting section (<NUM>) that restricts the dispensed gaming chips from being taken out of the take-out section (<NUM>) while the determining section (<NUM>) is determining, and releases the restriction so that the dispensed gaming chips are allowed to be taken out of the take-out section (<NUM>) when the determining section (<NUM>) determines that there is no abnormality.