HK1220939B - A method for administrating a package of shuffled playing cards - Google Patents

Description

Method for managing packs of shuffled playing cards

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for managing shuffled playing card packs in a casino or other card gaming establishment utilizing card gaming tables to prevent packs from being lost or replaced during the operation of a casino utilizing a large number of packs.

Background Art

Baccarat and blackjack are among the many live table games played in casinos or gaming establishments. These games use a standard deck of 52 playing cards and are typically dealt out of a box containing multiple decks (6 to 9 or 10 decks) that have been shuffled together before the game begins. When the casino operator (hereinafter referred to as the "dealer") delivers the playing cards to the gaming table for the game, the order of the cards from the multiple decks in the box determines the outcome (winner or winning hand). For these purposes, the playing cards of a predetermined deck are shuffled in a random order (sequence) and individually packaged into packs, which are then used by the casino.

No cards should be lost or replaced in the casino because once someone reads the sequence of a pack of cards and returns the pack to the casino, he can predict the outcome of the game when the dealer uses the read pack.

In order to ensure fair play by preventing such loss or replacement of shuffled playing card packs in a casino, the casino should manage the shuffled playing card packs so that the game at the table is properly played (i.e., without replacing the shuffled playing card packs or any other accidental or fraudulent behavior, etc.). Shuffled playing card packs are known and disclosed in Patent Document 1: (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0327525).

Reference List

Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0327525

Summary of the Invention

Technical issues

The present invention provides real-time monitoring of shuffled playing card packs in a casino and enables the casino to immediately stop play in the event of an emergency by managing the entire shuffled playing card pack in the casino. This management is important because if shuffled playing cards are lost in a casino, someone may be able to learn the order of the shuffled playing cards on the table.

The present invention is made in view of the above problems and aims to provide a shuffled playing card package monitoring system, which can allow a casino to stop any suspicious shuffled playing card packages in the casino by managing the entire shuffled playing card packages in the casino.

When operators in a casino distribute playing card packs to gaming tables for play, any pack loss or replacement should not occur. For example, if some cards or the order of the cards in the entire pack is pre-read or replaced by someone while the pack is being delivered to the gaming table, he or she can win the game at the table to which the replaced or read pack is delivered.

Solutions to the Problem

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides a system for managing shuffled playing card packs, wherein

A predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as a pack, a unique ID code being attached to each unique pack of shuffled playing cards,

The system has

One or more ID code readers for reading all ID codes of packages that have arrived at the casino for use at the gaming tables,

a management controller that monitors each ID code of all existing shuffled playing card packs at the trading floor by obtaining each ID code of all existing shuffled playing card packs at the trading floor by an ID code reader,

An ID code reader is also provided at the gaming table for reading the ID code of the bag at the gaming table to identify the bag to be used for the next use of the shoe.

Among them, the ID code of the packet for next use is checked by the management controller whether it is a packet that has arrived at the gaming table properly or at a proper timing or time period.

In order to solve the above conventional problems, the present invention provides a method for managing shuffled playing card packs, wherein

shuffling a predetermined number of decks of playing cards in random order and individually packaging them into a package, with a unique ID code attached to each unique package of shuffled playing cards,

and

Carrying shuffled playing card packs from the backyard to the trading floor and gaming tables for gaming tables,

This method has,

A registration step of registering all ID codes of the packages arriving at the backyard into the database,

a management step for reading all ID codes of packages arriving at the trading floor and monitoring each ID code of all existing packages of shuffled playing cards at the trading floor by obtaining each ID code of all existing packages of shuffled playing cards at the trading floor by an ID code reader,

in,

In the management step, at the trading floor, it is checked whether all ID codes of the packages have arrived at the backyard in advance and have been registered in the database.

According to the method for managing shuffled playing card packages of the present invention, when the ID code of a package is read by an ID code reader at a gaming table, the ID code of the package registered in the database is deleted or known as having been used. The management controller checks the ID code of the package to be used next time by judging at least one of the following: whether it is a package that has arrived at the gaming table properly or at a proper timing or time period;

1) Whether it is transported from the predetermined transportation route;

2) Whether it is a lost packet;

3) Whether it is not registered;

4) Whether the trading period is not exceeded in the scheduled period;

5) Whether it is transported from an unexpected trading location or does not pass through any trading location;

6) Whether it has been used at any gaming table in the past.

According to the method for managing shuffled playing card packages of the present invention, the management step further includes a step for managing whether all registered ID codes for packages in the database have been deleted or known to have been used during a specific time period. Pallet IDs or carton IDs can be used to register ID codes for packages that have arrived at the backyard. The management step may further include a step for managing whether any packages have not been used at the gaming table during the specific time period.

With respect to the method for managing shuffled playing card packages according to the present invention, a holding box for accommodating a plurality of shuffled playing card packages may have a reader for reading ID codes of the shuffled playing card packages in the holding box, a communication device for transmitting information obtained by the reader to the outside of the holding box, and a locking device for preventing the packages from being removed from the holding box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 is a perspective view of a pack and unpacked shuffled playing cards to be used in a delivery shoe of a system for managing packs of shuffled playing cards according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the entirety of a system for managing shuffled playing card packages according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view of shuffled playing cards being shipped as palletized packages or cartons from a factory to a casino's backyard and trading floor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a perspective view showing a holding box according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the holding box is capable of holding a plurality of packages and has a barcode reader.

4B is a perspective view showing a holding box according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the holding box is capable of holding a plurality of packages and has a plurality of barcode readers.

4C shows a perspective view of a holding box capable of holding bags for the next game under a gaming table, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG5 is a perspective view schematically showing the entirety of a board game system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a perspective view of shuffled playing cards to be used in a table game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a card shoe apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a plan view of a playing card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a main portion of a card guide of the card shoe apparatus, wherein the card guide is partially interrupted.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output wave of the sensor and the markings in the card shoe device.

11( a ) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a card entry/exit restricting device that restricts entry/exit of cards into/from a card housing unit of a card shoe apparatus, and FIG. 11( b ) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a variation of the card entry/exit restricting device.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a playing card according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

13 is an enlarged plan view showing a main portion of a card guide device of a card shoe apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the card guide device is partially interrupted.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing the entirety of a board game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a perspective view of shuffled playing cards to be used in a table game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a perspective view of shuffled playing cards being shipped from a factory to a casino in the form of packs, cartons, and pallets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 shows cartons on pallets containing packages arriving at the backyard by truck.

FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing the entirety of a system for managing shuffled playing card packs.

Figure 19 shows the flow of information in a system for managing shuffled packs of playing cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementation Method 1

An embodiment of a system for managing shuffled playing card packs will be described below. FIG1 is a perspective view of a shuffled playing card pack and a card shoe to be used in a table game at a casino. FIG2 is a diagram schematically showing the entire system for managing shuffled playing card packs at a casino, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Each shuffled playing card deck 1s, consisting of a predetermined number of decks (typically 6, 8, 9, or 10 decks), is shuffled in a random order to form a unique and random arrangement and packaged into a pack 2 at a factory 5 with a uniquely identifiable shuffled card ID (e.g., a barcode 3 or RFID tag, etc.) as an ID code 4. In this embodiment, the ID code 4 is attached to the pack 2 in the form of a barcode 3 (which can be a 2D code such as a QR code) or an RFID tag, etc., for use with a barcode reader R or other RFID tag reading device (not shown) of the card shoe S. The pack 2 is sealed with a sealing material or shrink wrap material at the factory 5 (see FIG. 2 ).

The management system 7 in the casino 6 is used to manage whether any packs 2 are lost or exceed the number of packs accepted in the casino's backyard 8. If any packs 2 are lost or missing, it is possible that someone has tampered with the packs 2 and read the order of the cards in the packs 2, mixed their own cards with the cards in the packs 2, or swapped some of the cards in the packs 2 with their pre-arranged cheat cards, and then returned the packs to the trading floor or the casino's table for use at the gaming table to win the game. To address this issue, the management system 7 provides management or monitoring of all shuffled playing card packs 2 in the casino 6.

Packages 2 with barcodes 3 as unique ID codes are supplied to the backyard 8 of the casino 6. All ID codes 4 of the packages 2 that have arrived at the backyard 8 are registered in the database 7b (in a memory, etc.) of the management system 7 (as a registration step for registering all ID codes 4 in the database). At this stage, all ID codes 4 (barcodes 3 (which may be two-dimensional codes such as QR codes)) of the packages 2 that have arrived at the backyard 8 are registered to form a basic database. To register all ID codes of the packages 2 supplied to the casino 6, data from the factory or carton IDs 30 or pallet IDs 40 can be used instead of reading all barcodes 3 of the packages. To register or read the ID codes 4, a camera 12 or an RFID tag reader (not shown) can be used in this embodiment of the present invention instead of a barcode reader R. The packages can be transported from the factory, etc., in cartons CA (and possibly several cartons CA on a pallet PA), which contain 18 packages of shuffled playing cards 1s (see FIG. 3 ). The carton ID 30 or the pallet ID 40 may be used to register the ID code of the package 2 from the factory 5 that has arrived in the backyard 8 .

During the process of being transported to the casino 6 and stored in the backyard 8, the packages 2 having the barcode 3 are stored in cartons CA on pallets PA (see FIG3 ). A unique carton ID 30 is attached to each carton CA and a unique pallet ID 40 is attached to each pallet PA. The carton ID 30 is pre-registered in the database 7 b of the management system 7 in association with the ID codes of the packages stored in the cartons CA. The pallet ID 40 is pre-registered in the database 7 b of the management system 7 in association with the carton ID 30 and the ID codes of the packages 2 on the corresponding pallets PA. Each ID code of the packages 2 is associated with the carton ID 30 and the pallet ID 40 in which the packages 2 are stored.

Figure 17 shows the above situation, wherein the cartons CA on the pallet PA containing the packages 4 (not shown) arrive at the backyard with the truck 9ca. (For a typical example, a group of cartons CA is wrapped with a thin plastic film PF and the pallet ID 40 is attached to it.)

As a reading step, the actual ID codes of all the packages 4 present can be read from the outside of the carton CA or pallet PA or container 300 by the reading device 210 .

For example, all the actual ID codes can be read at once remotely from the ceiling 213 and/or door 214 of the backyard and/or transport path by antenna 21 ( FIG. 17 ). The reading device 210 has one or more large antennas 21 to read the ID codes remotely. Reading the actual ID codes from the outside of the carton CA without opening the package of the carton CA can keep the ID codes clean and reduce the possibility of fraud in the backyard and/or transport path.

The packs 2 are transported from the backyard 8 to the trading floor 10 and from the trading floor 10 to the gaming tables 11 for play. All existing packs 2 in the casino 6 are monitored by reading each ID code of all existing shuffled playing card packs 2 at predetermined locations using cameras 12 or barcode readers R. The monitoring cameras 12 are installed or mounted at multiple locations from the backyard 8 to the trading floor 10 and gaming tables 11 so as to be able to read each and all barcodes 3 (as ID codes) of all existing shuffled playing card packs 2 in the casino 6.

In this embodiment, multiple AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) such as transport vehicles 9 transport packages 2 of shuffled playing cards 1s from the backyard 8 to the trading floor 10 for play. Multiple packages 2 (at least 16 packages) can be stored in each trading floor 10 and carried on the gaming tables 11 by other transport vehicles 9 c. The AGVs (transport vehicles 9) transport multiple packages 2 from the backyard 8 to each trading floor 10 via a planned route 13 in the casino 6, wherein the transport vehicles 9 with the packages 2 are monitored by the management system 7 using cameras 12 located at predetermined specific locations along the route 13 in the casino 6.

The management system 7 is implemented by a computer device (as a management controller having functions described below) and the method or processing function is implemented by installing a program in the computer and executing it through the computer processor. The management system 7 performs management as described below.

1) A registration step for registering all ID codes 4 of the packages 2 that have arrived at the backyard 8 into the database 7b. To register all ID codes of the packages 2 supplied to the casino 6, data from the factory or the carton ID 30 or pallet ID 40 may be used instead of reading all bar codes 3 of the packages or reading ID codes 4 using a camera 12 or a reading device for RFID tags (not shown). In this embodiment of the present invention, a 2D code reader such as a QR code reader may be used instead of the barcode reader R.

2) A management step for reading all ID codes 4 of the packages 2 that have arrived in the trading place 10 and monitoring each ID code 4 of all existing shuffled playing card packages 2 at the trading place 10 by obtaining each ID code 4 of all existing shuffled playing card packages 2 at the trading place 10 by an ID code reader R (a camera 12 or other reading device may be used).

During the management step, at the trading floor 10, all ID codes 4 of the packages 2 are checked to see if they are the same ID codes that have arrived at the backyard 8 and are registered in the database 7b. Images captured by the surveillance camera 12 are transmitted to the management system 7 via a communication device (wired or wireless) and analyzed there. Each ID code of each package 2 in the image, along with the ID codes monitored by the surveillance camera 12 or read by the barcode reader R, is identified as evidence of its actual presence at the trading floor 10. Images are captured by the surveillance camera 12 and transmitted at a predetermined interval (e.g., every five minutes or every hour). The management system 7 then compares each ID code 4 of all existing packages 2 captured by the surveillance camera 12 or read by the barcode reader R at each trading floor 10 with the ID codes 4 of the packages 2 registered in the database 7b at a predetermined interval (e.g., every five minutes or every hour). The ID codes 4 of the packages 2 registered in the database are the baseline data that should have been present in the casino 6 when they had (or should have been) delivered to the backyard 8.

The ID code 4 of each package 2 is checked at the trading floor 10 for monitoring whenever the package 2 arrives at or leaves the trading floor 10. The presence of the package 2 at the trading floor 10 is also monitored by the management system 7 at predetermined timings (e.g., every 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 1 hour or more). A holding box may be used to accommodate a plurality of shuffled playing card packages 2 and monitor the ID codes 4 attached to the packages at the trading floor 10.

The pack 2 in the trading floor 10 is transported to the gaming table 11 via a transport vehicle 9c and placed on the gaming table 11 for a game (e.g., a baccarat game). When the shuffled playing cards 1s are to be used in a game on the gaming table 11, the pack 2 is opened and placed in a card shoe S, allowing the shuffled playing cards 1s to be dealt one by one from the card shoe S ( FIG. 1 ). During the game, the dealer (D) deals the playing cards 1 from the card shoe S onto the gaming table 11.

Just before destroying the bag 2 on the gaming table 11, the ID code 4 of the bag 2 is read by the barcode reader R of the card dealing shoe S so that the ID code of the bag 2 is known to be the ID code after use at each gaming table 11. When the bag 2 is selected for the next use at each gaming table 11 and read by the barcode reader R, the ID code 4 of the bag 2 registered in the database is deleted from the database 7b or is known and registered after use at that gaming table 11. The ID code 4 of the bag 2 read for the next use is sent to the management controller 7 and is checked by the management controller 7 to determine whether the bag 2 is the bag previously expected to be on the gaming table 11 or the bag arrived at the previously expected timing by judging at least one of the following:

1) whether it is carried via a predetermined conveying route 13,

2) Is it missing one,

3) Is it unregistered?

4) whether it has not been used in the trading field 10 for more than a predetermined period,

5) whether it is carried from an undesired trading ground 10 or does not pass through any trading ground 10,

6) Whether it has not been used at any gaming table 11 in the past.

An ID code reader (which may be a barcode reader R) is connected to the card dealing shoe S on the gaming table 11 or may be connected to a shuffling device (not shown) at the gaming table 11, and the result of checking the ID code 4 of the bag 2 may be reported to the card dealing shoe S or the shuffling device regarding the presence of any suspicious bag 2, so as to prevent the use of the suspicious bag 2 through the management control 7. The card dealing shoe S or the shuffling device may have an output device for alarming or notifying the result of checking the ID code of the bag 2 to prevent the use of the suspicious bag 2 or to lock the further use of the bag 2. The management step may further have a function for managing whether all registered ID codes 4 of the bag 2 in the database 7 have been deleted or known to have been used at any gaming table 11 during a specific time period (whether there are any bags 2 that have not been used at the gaming table during a specific time period (a week or a month, etc.)).

The ID code reader is directly or indirectly connected to the card delivery shoe S on the gaming table 11 and is configured to transmit the ID code of the pack 2 to the management controller 7 to identify the ID code of the pack 2 for next use, and the card delivery shoe S receives instructions from the management controller 7 .

According to a modified embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing shuffled playing card packs 2 can utilize a holding box 50 for accommodating a plurality of shuffled playing card packs 2. Using the holding box (see FIG. 4 ) 50, the management system 7 can monitor the presence of packs 2 at the trading floor 10 at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 1 hour or more). The holding box (see FIG. 4 ) 50 may include a reader 51 disposed on a cover 52 of the holding box 50 for reading the ID codes of the packs 2 of shuffled playing cards stored inside the holding box 50. The reader 51 of the holding box 50 may be a barcode reader R or a surveillance camera 12 (or an RFID tag reader or QR code reader (not shown) may be used in place of the barcode reader R). The reader 51 is configured to scan in the X and Y directions using scanning devices 53 and 54 (see FIG. 4 ) disposed on the cover 52 to read all ID codes of the packs 2. A communication device 55 is also provided for transmitting information obtained by the reader 51 to the outside of the holding box 10 (to the management controller 7, etc.). The holding box 50 has a locking device 56 that prevents the cover 52 from being opened and the bags 2 from being removed from the holding box 50. Bags 2 can only be placed in and removed from the holding box 50 when the locking device 56 is unlocked (the cover 52 is opened) by authorized personnel in the casino 6. Authorized personnel in the casino 6 are uniquely authorized to manipulate the locking device 56.

Holding box 50 has a locking device 56 that prevents cover 52 from being opened. Locking device 56 may also have a notification or warning device (which may be wireless) that notifies that cover 52 is open. When notified that cover 52 is open (or at any time), an image of the holding box can be captured by a nearby surveillance camera to record the actions of authorized personnel or others such as bags 2 being placed in and out of holding box 50. To record these actions (images of the holding box being opened), it is possible to confirm that bags 2 can only be placed in or out of holding box 50 while locking device 56 is unlocked by authorized personnel (cover 52 is open). By monitoring these images, the presence of all bags 2 in holding box 56 can be confirmed.

Another embodiment of the holding box 50 in Figure 4B will be described. The holding box 50 has a plurality of readers 51 for reading ID codes 3 in the upper part of the interior of the holding box 50. By moving each scanning device 53 set at the upper part of the holding box 50 in the Y direction, each ID code reader 51 moves in the Y direction and reads all ID codes 3 of the packages 2 in each row below each ID code reader 51. The holding box 50 has a door (cover) 52, and the packages 2 can be put in and taken out by opening and closing the door (cover 52). The holding box 50 has a locking device 56 to prevent the illegal removal of the packages 2. In addition, as an alternative idea, the holding box 50 may have the same number of ID code readers as the maximum number of packages 2 that can be accommodated in the holding box 50 in the upper part of the interior of the holding box 50.

Another embodiment of the holding box 50 shown in FIG4C will now be described. The holding box 50 can be placed under the gaming table 11 and stores the bags 2 for the next game. The holding box 50 has an ID code reader 51 for reading the ID code on the upper portion of the holding box 50. The ID code reader 51 can read the ID code 3 of the bag 2.

In this embodiment, by using a holding box 50, a plurality of AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) such as the transport vehicle 9 can transport the packages 2 of shuffled playing cards 1s from the backyard 8 to the trading floor 10 for playing. A plurality of packages 2 (at least 18 packages) can be stored in the holding box 50 at each trading floor 10. The ID code of the package 2 obtained by the reader 51 at the holding box 50 is evidence of the presence of the package 2 in the trading floor 10.

At a predetermined timing (e.g., every five minutes or every hour, etc.), the management system 7 matches each ID code 4 of all existing packages 2 obtained by the reader 51 at each trading floor 10 with the ID codes 4 of the packages 2 registered in the database 7b. The ID codes 4 of the packages 2 registered in the database 7b are basic data that should be present in the casino 6 when they have been (or should be) delivered to the backyard 8. By matching each ID code 4 of all existing packages 2 obtained by the reader 51 at each trading floor 10 with the ID codes 4 of the packages 2 registered in the database 7b, all existing packages 2 at the trading floor 10 are monitored at a predetermined timing (every five minutes or less, or more frequently). The management system 7 can verify whether there are any missing packages or any extra packages 2 that should not be in the trading floor 10. The management system 7 can report the results of this management (these matching results) to the management department of the casino 6.

These monitoring and capturing ID codes can verify that all ID codes of the shuffled playing card packs 2 have been deleted as used cards after the game is played by comparing all ID codes with the new packs arriving at the backyard during the appropriate time period (e.g., when they arrive at the backyard 8). If one of the IDs of the pack is not deleted or is confirmed to be used, it means that the casino has unsuitable or suspicious inventory.

The images obtained by the monitoring camera 12 can be analyzed in the management system 7 as follows:

1) Identify each barcode 3 of the ID code of all packages 2 in the image.

2) The barcode 3 recognized by the barcode reading program is read as an ID code.

3) Each ID code and location read is registered at a predetermined timing such as every 5 minutes or every 1 hour as evidence of presence at that location.

4) Each ID code of all existing bags 2 acquired by the monitoring camera 12 at a predetermined location of the existing bags 2 is matched with the ID codes of the bags 2 registered in the database 7b.

5) Calculate whether all registered ID codes of the bag 2 that should exist in the database in the casino 6 when delivered to the backyard 8 exist or whether there are redundant ID codes of the bag 2 obtained by the monitoring camera 12.

6) The management system 7 can report the above management results to the management department of the casino 6.

Calculated ID code = all ID codes of packages 2 that arrived (unloaded) at the backyard 8 and were registered - (minus) all ID codes of packages 2 obtained by the camera 12 or the barcode reader, including those deleted or known to be used. These calculations are performed at each location (backyard 8, trading area 10 for gaming tables 11 and gaming tables 11, and on the transport 9, based on location). Reports are made regarding the ID codes and the number of identified lost packages and the location where the lost packages were found (the last location they were found). Each report, including the number of lost or excess ID codes or other monitoring results, can be displayed at a management office or the like on a monitoring display 60.

At these steps for managing the shuffled playing card packages 2, the conveyor routes 13 and each ID code of the packages 2 on all transports 9 used to carry the packages 2 from the backyard 8 can be monitored by cameras 12, where the locations of the transports 9 are determined by sensors (not shown) and controlled by an automated guided vehicle system known as an AGV system technology.

By means of information obtained and analyzed by the camera 12 and the management system 7, each identification ID code at each location is calculated and registered on a location basis for all locations. The management system 7 is programmed to monitor each ID code of an actual package and can identify an ID code lost at each location of the gaming table 11 or other locations by comparing all existing actual ID codes at its location with the registered ID code at each location obtained by the monitoring camera.

The method further has a function of managing the number of all actual shuffled playing card packages 2 at each trading area 10 and gaming table 11 in the backyard 8 and for the gaming tables and identifying whether there are any lost packages on any carrier 9 during the transport step by comparing all existing actual ID codes on each transport vehicle 9 with information on all ID codes of the packages obtained when these packages arrive at the backyard 8.

This management step is very important for the safe operation of the casino. Managing all the actual shuffled playing card packs 2 at the backyard 8 or each transaction area 10 or gaming table 11 for gaming tables by comparing all existing actual ID codes with the information of all ID codes of the packs obtained when these packs arrive at the backyard 8 (or each transaction area 10 or gaming table 11 for gaming tables) will ensure that all packs in the casino are under control by identifying whether there are lost packs or extra packs at each of these locations.

Another embodiment of the table game system of the present invention will now be described. FIG5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the entirety of the table game system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG6 is a perspective view of shuffled playing cards used in the table game system. Although the shuffled playing card set 1s is packaged in the table game system of this embodiment, when the shuffled playing card set 1s is to be used in a game, it is unpacked and placed in a card shoe device S so that the cards 1 of the shuffled playing card set 2s can be dealt one by one. During the game, the dealer deals the playing cards 1 from the card shoe device S to the gaming table. The cards 1 of each shuffled playing card set 1s, consisting of a predetermined number of decks (typically 6, 8, 9, or 10 decks), are shuffled so as to be arranged in a unique and arbitrary arrangement order and packaged into a package 2 with a barcode 3 (an RFID or RF tag may alternatively be used) as an ID code 4.

In the assembled state, the packaging box 4 of the shuffled playing card set 1s has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, enclosing the shuffled playing card set 1s, as shown in FIG2 . The package 2 has zippers 105 provided at two locations at predetermined intervals, each zipper having a zipper-shaped cut line arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has center bands 106 provided at two locations in the center portion defined by the zippers 105. A configuration is achieved in which, by removing the two zippers 105 along the cut lines, the left and right side surfaces of the package 2 are removed so that the side surfaces of the shuffled playing card set 1s can be exposed ( FIG5 ).

The cut card 1c is inserted into the shuffled playing card set 1s before being placed in the card shoe device S. When used in a game, the cut card 1c is inserted anywhere within the second half of the shuffled playing card set 1s (the last quarter or fifth of the shuffled playing card set 1s). The cut card 1c is used to end the game on the gaming table, leaving approximately 20 to 40 playing cards 1 in the card shoe device S. This prevents any player or anyone else from counting the rank of the dealt playing cards 1 during the game, thereby preventing them from predicting the rank of the cards when the number of undelivered playing cards decreases. Typically, when the cut card 1c is removed during a game, the currently used shuffled playing card set 1s is stopped from use after that game or several subsequent games, and the game ends. The shuffled playing card set 1s in the card shoe device S is replaced with a new set, and a new game begins.

In FIG8 , the card shoe device S of the table game system of the second embodiment is provided with a cover 102 f that enables the insertion and removal of a shuffled playing card set 1s. The card shoe device S includes a card guide unit 107 that guides the playing cards 1 manually drawn one by one from the card holding unit 102 onto the gaming table; a code reading unit 108 that reads a code C indicating the figure (number, rank) of a playing card 1 when a dealer or the like at the casino manually draws the playing card 1 from the card holding unit 102 c; a winner/loser determination unit 110 that determines the winner/loser of the card game based on the numbers (ranks) of the playing cards 1 sequentially read by the code reading unit 108; and an output device 111 that outputs the result determined by the winner/loser determination unit 110.

FIG8 shows playing cards 1 forming a shuffled playing card set 1s. Numbers are coded and printed on each playing card 1 used in a table game (e.g., Baccarat) as a mark M using UV ink or the like, which is invisible under normal conditions. Codes C are arranged symmetrically on the upper and lower sides of the playing cards 1, each code C being configured with a mark M. Preferably, the codes C are printed using a coating that becomes visible when irradiated with UV light, at a position that does not overlap with the card type or index indication.

Next, referring to FIG. 9 , the code reading unit 108 is described in detail. When a card 1 is manually withdrawn from the card holding unit 102C, the code reading unit 108 reads a code C indicating the number (number, rank) of the card 1 from the card 1. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the main components of the card shoe device S. In FIG. 9 , the code reading unit 108 is disposed within the card guide unit 7, which guides the cards 1 manually withdrawn one by one from an opening 113 of the card holding unit 102C onto the gaming table 106. The opening 113 is located at the front of the card holding unit 102C. The card guide unit 107 is an inclined surface, and a card guide cover 114 is attached to a portion of the edge of each side of the card guide unit 7. The card guide covers 114 also serve as sensor covers. Furthermore, both card guide covers 114 are configured to be attachable and detachable using screws or similar tools (not shown). When the card guide covers 114 are removed, the sensor group 115 of the code reading unit 108 is exposed. The sensor group 115 is composed of four sensors, including two ultraviolet responsive sensors (UV sensors) 120 and 121 and object detection sensors 122 and 123 .

Object detection sensors 122 and 123 are fiber optic sensors, each capable of detecting the presence and movement of a card 1. Object detection sensor 122 is located upstream of the card guide unit 107 along the flow direction of the cards 1 (arrow D), while object detection sensor 123 is located downstream of the card guide unit 107 along the flow direction of the cards 1. As shown in FIG9 , object detection sensors 122 and 123 are respectively positioned upstream and downstream of UV sensors 120 and 121. Each UV sensor 120 and 121 includes an ultraviolet-emitting LED (UV LED) and a detector. Marking M is printed on the card 1 using UV luminescent ink, which emits color when UV light is applied. When UV light (black light) is applied to the card 1, the detector detects the light reflected from the marking M on the code C of the card 1. UV sensors 120 and 121 are connected to the control unit 112 of the code reading unit 108 via a cable. In the code reading unit 108 , the arrangement pattern of the marks M is determined based on the output signals of the detectors of the UV sensors 120 and 121 , and the number (number of dots) corresponding to the code C is also determined.

In the code reading unit 108, the start and end of reading performed by the UV sensors 120 and 121 are controlled by the control unit 112 based on detection signals from the object detection sensors 122 and 123. Furthermore, the control unit 112 determines whether the playing card 1 has properly passed through the card guide unit 7 based on the detection signals from the object detection sensors 122 and 123. As shown in FIG8 , rectangular marks M are arranged within a two-row, four-column frame on each upper and lower edge of the playing card 1. This arrangement of marks M indicates the rank (number) and suit (hearts, spades, etc.) of the playing card 1. If the UV sensors 20 and/or 21 detect a mark M, the UV sensors will issue an on signal. The code reading unit 8 determines the relative relationship between the signals received by the two UV sensors 20 and 21. This enables the code reading unit 108 to recognize the code based on, for example, the relative difference between the two marks M detected by the two UV sensors 120 and 121, thereby identifying the number (rank) and type (suit) of the corresponding playing card 1.

FIG10 shows the relationship between the code C and the output of the on-signal of the two UV sensors 120 and 121. The predetermined arrangement pattern of the mark M can be identified based on the comparison of the relative change results of the output of the on-signal of the UV sensors 120 and 121. Therefore, in two rows (the upper row and the lower row), the mark M can have four arrangement patterns, and because the pattern is printed in four columns, 256 codes (4×4×4×4) can be formed. Each of the fifty-two (52) different playing cards is assigned one of the 256 codes, and this assigned association is stored in the memory or stored as an association table in the program. By identifying the code C, the card reading unit 108 can identify the number (rank) and type (suit) of the card 1 based on a predetermined association table (not shown). Moreover, the 52 cards can be freely associated with 52 of the 256 codes stored in the association table, so there are various associations between them. Therefore, according to time or location, the association between 256 codes C and the suits and ranks of 52 playing cards can be changed. Preferably, the codes C are printed with a coating that becomes visible when exposed to UV light at a position that does not overlap with the indication of the card type or index.

Next, the control unit 112 will be described in more detail. The control unit 112 is implemented by a computer device and includes a winner/loser determination unit 110 that automatically determines the winner/loser of a game. This processing function (in the control unit 112) is implemented by installing a program for determining winners/losers in the computer, which is executed by the computer processor. Furthermore, the control unit 112 reads a shuffled card ID from the barcode 3 read by the barcode reader R, which uniquely identifies the shuffled playing card set 1s, and stores the shuffled card ID in the read memory 112M. The control unit 112 reads the barcode 3 using the barcode reader 100 and stores the uniquely identifiable shuffled card ID. The control unit 112 then identifies the shuffled playing card set 1s currently being used in the game and the current time, and stores these in association with the shuffled card ID. The control unit 112 causes each of the following specific events that occur when the shuffled playing card set 1s identified by the shuffled card ID is used at the gaming table to be stored in the memory 112M, along with the time of occurrence. Furthermore, the sequence number of the card subject in which the relevant event occurs within the shuffled game card set 1s currently set in the card shoe device, or the sequence number of the game subject in which the relevant event occurs in each game played with such shuffled game cards (each individual game determines the winner (player or banker), and after the bet is placed, the next individual game starts).

The specific event item stored in conjunction with the shuffled card ID includes at least one of the following:

(1) a reading error by the code reading unit 108 in reading the identified cards in the shuffled playing card set;

(2) End of the game, by operating the end button 53 to end the use of the shuffled playing card set 1s currently placed in the card shoe device S, or to extract the cut cards 1c from the shuffled playing card set 1s currently placed in the card shoe device S;

(3) attempting to draw a card when, according to the rules of the card game, the card should not be drawn;

(4) attempting to move or insert a card in a direction opposite to the direction of withdrawal from opening 113; and

(5) A predetermined irregular operation occurs and is determined to be irregular by the card shoe device S.

Note that the reading error in the above item (1) refers to an error in identifying a card due to the code read by the code reading unit 108 reading the two marks M of the card 1 based on the association table being not a predetermined code; or an error in identifying the number (rank) and type (suit) of the card 1 corresponding to the read code. Regarding the above item (2), the end button 53 is pressed to end the use of the shuffled game card set 1s currently placed in the card box device S. After this action, the end of the game is recorded in the card box device S. Moreover, if the cut card 1c is drawn out from the shuffled game card set 1s currently housed in the card box device S, the game ends at the next game or after a few games, and the remaining cards in the shuffled game card set 1s will no longer be used. The above item (3) described above will be described later in which a card is attempted to be drawn out when a card should not be drawn out according to the rules of the card game. Any attempt to insert any card in the reverse direction at the opening 113 described in the above item (4) refers to a case where the target detection sensors 122, 123 detect a dishonest action, such as the insertion of any card in the reverse direction of the moving direction (arrow D) of the card 1 under the relevant conditions, and it is assumed that the target detection sensors 122, 123 detect the movement of the card 1 in the reverse direction of the arrow D. Any predetermined irregular situation to be determined as irregular by the card shoe device S described in the above item (5) refers to a case where, for example, the card 1 remains above the target detection sensors 122, 123 for a period longer than a predetermined period of time, and such irregular situation is input in advance and stored in the memory 12M as a program.

Memory 112M stores the occurrence of any security item associated with the shuffled card ID read from the barcode 3. When a security item is stored, it also stores the time at which the security item occurred. For this purpose, memory 112M includes a clock 112t. It also includes an external transmission device 300 for externally transmitting the security item and the shuffled card ID. The occurrence of the security item and its time of occurrence are communicated to the casino management or trading floor via the external transmission device 300, in association with the relevant shuffled card ID. Casino management stores these transmitted items in conjunction with the relevant shuffled card ID and records them in database 400. The dealer or the like is also notified of the occurrence of the security item via a display composed of a lamp 151 and a liquid crystal display unit 152.

Next, a variation will be described in which an input tool 200 is provided in place of the barcode reader R capable of identifying the shuffled card ID. Instead of using the barcode reader R to read the barcode 3 to identify the shuffled card ID of the currently used card set, a configuration is possible in which a barcode reader is provided in a separate device installed on the gaming table (e.g., a device that handles the cards 1 or a device that confirms the handled cards 1), and the shuffled card ID [ID code of the card set] of the set to be used is obtained by this barcode reader, and the shuffled card ID [ID code] is input into the card shoe device S through communication 201 with this device. In this case, the separate device having the barcode reader serves as an input device capable of identifying the shuffled card ID [ID code].

Next, the card entry/exit restriction tool 130 that restricts the entry/exit of cards 1 into and out of the card holding unit 102C will be described with reference to FIG11 . The card guide unit 107 is provided with the card entry/exit restriction tool 130 to restrict the entry/exit of cards 1 through the card holding unit 102C. In FIG11( a ), the card entry/exit restriction tool 130 is disposed within the card guide cover 114 of the card guide unit 107. It guides the cards 1 drawn one by one onto the gaming table through an opening 113 provided at the front of the card holding unit 102C. The card entry/exit restriction tool 130 has a structure such that, when a card 1 passes through a slot 133 between the card guide unit 107 and the card guide cover 114, a locking member 134 presses down on the card 1, thereby blocking its entry/exit within the slot 133. The locking member 134 can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow Mo by a drive unit 135, which is composed of an electromagnetic solenoid, a piezoelectric device, or the like. This allows the locking member 134 to occupy two positions: a position that presses down the playing card 1 (a restricting position) and a position that allows the playing card 1 to pass through. The drive unit 135 is controlled by the control device 112 and moves the locking member 134 to the two positions: a position that presses down the playing card 1 and a position that allows the playing card 1 to pass through. The rules of the Baccarat game are pre-programmed and stored in the control device 112.

Next, a modification of the card entry/exit restriction device 130 will be described with reference to FIG11( b ). This modified card entry/exit restriction device 140 has a structure whereby, when a card 1 passes through a slot 133 between the card guide unit 107 and the card guide cover 114, a locking member 136 extends into the slot 133 to block the movement of the card 1. The locking member 136 is movable in the direction indicated by the arrow Mo by a drive unit 137 comprising an electromagnetic solenoid, a piezoelectric device, or the like, so that it can assume two positions: a position blocking the movement of the card 1 (a restricting position) and a position allowing the passage of the card 1. The drive unit 137 is controlled by the control device 112 and causes the locking member 136 to move to two positions: a position blocking the movement of the card 1 and a position allowing the passage of the card 1.

The card entry/exit restriction device 130 (140) is configured to operate by a drive unit 135 or 137 controlled by a program of the control device 112 to prevent cheating entry/exit of the card 1. The card entry/exit restriction device 130 (140) is provided with object detection sensors 122 and 123 as sensors for detecting the movement of the card 1, and has a function of detecting the movement of the card 1 through these sensors 122 and 123 to restrict such movement. Details of the content (programmed content) executed to prevent cheating entry/exit of the card 1 include at least one of the following functions:

1) A function of blocking the insertion of a card 1 inserted or moved in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow D (i.e., from the outside toward the card holding unit 102C via the opening 113). In this case, while the card 1 inserted for cheating purposes passes through the slot 133 between the card guide unit 107 and the card guide cover 114, the movement of the card 1 in the direction opposite to the orthogonal direction (the direction opposite to arrow D in FIG. 9 ) is detected based on the detection signals from the object detection sensors 122 and 123, and due to the program of the control device 112, the drive units 135 and 137 will move their respective locking members 134 and 136 to their respective positions that pressurize or block the card 1. In this case, the control unit 112 determines that the situation falls under the safety item (4), even if the card is moved or inserted through the opening in the opposite direction.

2) A function that blocks the withdrawal of a card 1 from the card holding unit 102C when such withdrawal is prohibited based on the suit and rank of the card 1 read by the card reading unit (this refers to the code reading unit 108 that reads the code C indicating the number (number, rank) of the card 1 from the card 1 when the card 1 is withdrawn from the card holding unit 2C). In this case, as described above, the rules of the Baccarat game are pre-programmed into the control device 112. In Baccarat, whether each of the dealer and player should withdraw two or more cards 1 is uniquely determined based on the total rank (number) of the two cards dealt to each. Therefore, if the dealer attempts to deal a card 1 when a third card should not be withdrawn (a violation of the rules), the movement of the card 1 is restricted. If a card 1 is attempted to be withdrawn at a time or in a state where such withdrawal should not be permitted, the movement of the card 1 is detected based on the signal regarding the detection of the card 1 given by the object detection sensor 122, and due to the program of the control unit 112, the drive units 135 and 137 will move their respective locking members 134 and 136 to their respective positions for pressing or blocking the card 1. Subsequently, the locking members 134 and 136 will move to their respective positions for pressing or blocking the card 1 and block the withdrawal of another card 1 (the position shown in FIG. 11 ). In this case, the control unit 112 determines that the situation falls under safety item 3, namely, an attempt to withdraw a card when it should not be withdrawn according to the rules of the card game. This corresponds to item (3) of the specific event described above, which is stored in conjunction with the shuffled card ID. That is, in contrast to the above-replaced item (3), the occurrence of an attempt to withdraw a card when it should not be withdrawn according to the rules of the card game is registered in the control unit 112.

For each shuffled card ID of the shuffled playing card set 1s, when an event that falls under any specific event (safety item) occurs, the casino management or the dealing floor is notified of the fact and time of the occurrence in conjunction with the relevant shuffled card ID via the external transmission device 300, and this information is transferred to and stored in the database 400. Furthermore, the dealer, etc., is notified of the occurrence of the safety item through the display provided by the lamp 151 and the liquid crystal display unit 152. Such transmitted items are registered in the casino management's database 400, such that items that fall under at least one of the following conditions are registered in conjunction with the shuffled card ID identified with respect to the card set currently being used in the game, thereby providing overall control of the casino's operations or its effective operation.

For the overall control of the operation of the casino or its effective operation, the management of the casino registers in a database and uses, for example, the data items described below.

(1) The game table used;

(2) The dealer (the person who draws the cards) who is responsible for the gaming table being used;

(3) the start time of use of the identified shuffled game card set;

(4) the end time of use of the identified shuffled game card set;

(5) the period of time that the cards of the identified shuffled playing card set were present on the gaming table;

(6) Information regarding the pit or card room that manages the identified shuffled playing card sets before they are delivered to the associated gaming tables;

(7) information regarding the handling of the identified shuffled playing cards after they are used at the gaming table;

(8) information regarding whether all cards of the identified shuffled playing card set have arrived at the processing device;

(9) Information regarding the trading floor or card room that manages the identified shuffled playing card sets before they are delivered to the associated gaming tables;

(10) Information regarding wins and losses at a gaming table using the identified shuffled gaming card set;

(11) the time period after the end of a game played using the identified shuffled playing card set and until the start of the next game played using a new shuffled playing card set;

(12) the time period from the start to the end of a game played using the identified shuffled playing card set; and

(13) Information regarding the purchase or acquisition of an identified shuffled playing card set.

Group code SC will be described in further detail.As shown in figure 12, playing card 1 arranges group code SC, and group code SC represents the information of playing card group by code and constructs, and is invisible (for example UV ink) under normal conditions.This group code SC is arranged on the same position at least in the playing card of identical suit.This group code SC is that itself emits the light of the different wavelength spectrum as code when passing through the light radiation of different wavelengths, and is constructed to emit the light of different wavelengths when passing through the light radiation of different wavelengths.According to the predetermined wavelength of light and the group code SC of reading whether coupling, determine by control unit 12 that the group code SC of identification and the group code SC that code reading unit 8 read whether coupling.When game starts, the shuffled playing card ID that is contained in the shuffled playing card suit 1s in the card dealing box device S to be used is identified by reading bar code 3 (as ID code 4) with bar code reader 100. The shuffled card ID and the group code SC are related to each other so that if the shuffled playing card set 1s to be used is identified, the group code SC attached to this shuffled playing card set 1s is identified based on the shuffled card ID. When the group code SC attached to the playing cards 1 to be used is actually read, it is determined whether the group code SC identified by the control unit 112 of the card dealing shoe device S matches the group code SC read by the code reading unit 108. Therefore, it is not known how the group code SC is determined from the outside.

A polymer material with a molecular structure that emits light of a specific wavelength against light is printed on the upper and lower edges of a playing card 1, as shown in FIG12 , to serve as a code group SC. The code group SC is not visible to the human eye under normal use conditions (daytime, natural light, etc.). The code group SC is read by a UV sensor 124. As the playing card 1 is guided by the card guide unit 107, the code group SC is read by the UV sensor 124 disposed within the card guide device 7 as the card 1 slides past the card guide unit 107. Similarly, the code group SC can be mixed with infrared or ultraviolet responsive ink to print a code C, which, when printed, is used to identify the number (rank) of the playing card 1. Each code group SC in the infrared or ultraviolet responsive ink is not visible to the human eye under normal use conditions (daytime, natural light, etc.). The UV sensor 124 is integrated with the light source for reading the code group SC. In this embodiment, an LED (UV LED) that emits two daytime wavelengths of ultraviolet light is used as the light source (not shown).

In one embodiment, group code SC is printed on the same position separately for identical suit.But, wherein using some substance or material as code to construct the configuration of group code SC is also possible, and this substance or material are included in the ink of the code of the mark quantity on coating material, anchoring coating material or printing back pattern, mark, suit or indication playing card surface.As the modification of current embodiment, group code can be printed on playing card 1 in a manner similar to mark M or bar code 3.The group information of the group of indication group code can be different for each pair or every multiple pairs of playing card.Group information can be different for each entertainment venue or table using this playing card or for any other unit.Group information can be different for each playing card supply source (dealing box etc.).In addition, different group codes can be provided with for each manufacturing batch or each entertainment venue using this playing card.

The combination described below is in our invention.

A system for managing packs of shuffled gaming cards, wherein:

A predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as a pack, with a unique ID code attached to each unique pack of shuffled playing cards;

The system has:

an ID code reader disposed at the gaming table to obtain the ID code of the package at the gaming table, thereby identifying the package to be used next by the dealing shoe; and

A management controller for monitoring the ID codes of shuffled game card packs;

wherein the ID code of the packet for next use is checked by the management controller to see if it has arrived at the gaming table properly or at a proper timing or time period; and

At least one of the following items is stored in the memory or database in combination with the shuffled card ID or the ID code of the shuffled playing card pack relative to the card suit currently being used in the shoe during the game:

(1) The game table used;

(2) The dealer (the person who draws the cards) who is responsible for the gaming table being used;

(3) the start time of using the identified shuffled game cards;

(4) the end time of using the identified shuffled game cards;

(5) the period of time during which the identified shuffled playing cards were present on the gaming table;

(6) Information regarding the pit or card room that manages the identified shuffled playing cards before they are delivered to the associated gaming table;

(7) information regarding the handling of the identified shuffled playing cards after they are used at the gaming table;

(8) information regarding whether all identified shuffled playing cards reached the processing device;

(9) Information regarding a trading floor or card room that manages the identified shuffled playing cards before they are delivered to the associated gaming tables;

(10) information regarding wins and losses at a gaming table using the identified shuffled gaming cards;

(11) the time period after the end of a game played using the identified shuffled playing cards and until the start of the next game played using new shuffled playing cards;

(12) the time period from the start to the end of a game played using the identified shuffled playing cards; and

(13) Information regarding the purchase or acquisition of identified shuffled playing cards.

A card dealing shoe with an ID code reader for a system for managing shuffled packs of playing cards,

A predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as a pack, with a unique ID code attached to each unique pack of shuffled playing cards, wherein:

The card dealing shoe on the gaming table can be connected to the management controller for the package, wherein:

The ID code of the package for next use is checked to see if it arrived at the gaming table properly or with the proper timing or time period.

A pack of shuffled playing cards for management, where:

A predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as a pack, with a unique ID code attached to each unique pack of shuffled playing cards;

reading the ID code by an ID code reader at a gaming table when the package is selected for next use of the shoe at the gaming table; and

The ID code of the package read by the ID code reader is checked by the management system to see if it has arrived at the gaming table properly or with proper timing or time period.

The ID code reader may be selected from at least a barcode reader (which may be a two-dimensional code reader such as a QR code reader), a camera, or an RFID tag reading device.

<Implementation Method 2>

An embodiment of a system for managing shuffled playing card packs according to the management method of the present invention will be described below. FIG1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the overall system for managing randomly shuffled playing card packs in a casino according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG2 is a perspective view of a shuffled playing card pack used in a casino table game according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although the shuffled playing cards (1s) are packaged as a pack (2) in the present embodiment, when the shuffled playing cards (1s) are to be used in a game at a table, they are unpacked and placed in a card delivery device, allowing the shuffled playing cards (1s) to be dealt out one by one. During the game, the dealer delivers the cards from the card delivery device to the gaming table. Each shuffled playing card pack 1s (composed of a predetermined number of decks (typically 6, 8, 9, or 10 decks) of playing cards shuffled in a random order so as to be arranged in a unique and random arrangement order) is packaged with a uniquely identifiable shuffled card ID attached to the package 2 as a barcode 3 for the barcode reader 100. An RFID 4 (or RF tag) may be attached as an ID code in place of or in addition to the barcode 3.

The term "RFID" as used herein refers to radio frequency identification for use with the RFID reading device 200. Shuffled decks 1s of playing cards are shuffled in advance by a card shuffling device (not shown) so as to be arranged in a random order, and are packaged as a pack 2 enclosing the shuffled decks 1s of playing cards, sealed by a sealing material or shrink wrap material in a factory 5, and then supplied to a casino 6 via a carton CA containing 18 packs of shuffled playing cards 1s.

Management system 7 in casino 6 is used to manage any lost packs. If a pack is lost or misplaced, someone might mix or swap the cards in pack 2 with pre-arranged cheat cards in a specific order to control or win the game at the table. To address this issue, management system 7 provides a method for managing shuffled playing card packs.

The packs 2 having the barcode 3 attached as a unique ID code are supplied to the backyard 8 of the casino 6 via a carton CA containing 18 (eighteen) packs of shuffled playing cards 1s. The packs 2 having the barcode 3 are carried from the backyard 8 to the disposal site 10 via at least one of the locations of the game tables 11 for conducting games using a plurality of carriers 9.

The management system 7 will be described in further detail. The management system 7 is implemented by a computer device, and the method or processing function is implemented by having the computer install a program executed by the computer processor. The management system 7 performs the management method as follows.

1) All ID codes of the packages 2 that have arrived at the backyard 8 are registered to the memory of the management system 7 (as a registration step for registration to the database).

2) Next, some packages 2 of shuffled playing cards at the backyard 8 are loaded onto each carrier 9 for transport in the casino 6 (as a loading step for loading some packages 2 of shuffled playing cards at the backyard 8). In this loading step, each ID code of the package 2 loaded onto each carrier 9 is read by the barcode reader 100, and these ID codes are reported as loaded ID codes to the management system 7 via the wireless loading 300 of the carrier 9.

3) The carrier 9 carries the bag 2 from the backyard 8 to a location of the game table 11 via the predetermined conveying route 400, or from table 11 to table 11 (as a carrying step).

4) The shuffled playing card packs 2 loaded on the carrier 9 are unloaded at the predetermined table 11 for each table game (as an unloading step). Each ID code of the shuffled playing card packs 2 (the barcodes 3 read by the barcode reader 100) is read when the packs 2 are unloaded from the unloading location of the carrier 9 (the unloading location of the table 11), and these ID codes are reported to the management system 7 via the wireless device 9w of the carrier 9. The management system 7 has a further check function for checking whether the same pack 2 is unloaded at one location of the gaming table 11 and used twice.

5) The shuffled playing card packs 2 unloaded at the designated tables 11 are used for the game (e.g., Baccarat) at each table 11, and the cards after use in the game are loaded onto carriers 9 along with their barcodes 3, so that these used cards with ID codes are carried to the location 10 (as another loading step). Each carrying path 400 of all carriers 9 used to carry the packs 2 from the backyard 8 to one location of the gaming tables 11 is pre-fixed (programmed) and monitored during the carrying step.

6) The carrier 9 carries the packs of playing cards 2 together with their barcodes 3 from the location of the table 11 to the disposal location 10 after use in a game (as another transport step).

7) The shuffled playing card packs 2 on the carrier 9 from the table 11 are unloaded at the disposal location 10 to be destroyed and not be used for new games (as an unloading step). Each ID code of the shuffled playing card packs 2 is read by its bar code 3 when the packs 2 are unloaded at the disposal location 10, and these ID codes are reported to the management system 7 via the wireless device 9w of the carrier 9 or the like.

When the barcode 3 is destroyed by being read by the barcode reader 100, the ID code is registered as a destroyed ID code, and the ID code of the destroyed ID is deleted from the registered ID codes of the shuffled playing card pack. This step can check all destroyed ID codes by comparing them with all ID codes that arrive at the backyard 8 as a new pack. This step can further check whether all registered ID codes of the shuffled playing card pack 2 have been deleted for the results of playing cards used after playing during a suitable period of one or more days. If one ID of the pack is not deleted, it means that there is improper stock somewhere in the casino.

When the ID code of the package 2 is read, the barcode 3 is read by the barcode reader 100. The carrier 9 can carry the package 2 from table 11 to table 11 according to the predetermined conveying route (as a carrying step). The management system 7 is programmed to calculate the location and quantity of all shuffled playing card packages 2 at each location in the backyard 8, the location of the game table 11, the location of the carrier 9, and the disposal location 10 by using the information obtained in the loading and unloading steps as a calculation step. The management system 7 calculates each ID code based on the location of all packages registered in the database of the management system 7 through the registration step for registering to the database of the management system 7, and the number of packages at each location based on the information obtained from both the loading and unloading steps. In this case, the location refers to each of the backyard 8, the location of the carrier 9, the disposal location 10, and the location of the game table 11.

The calculation of the locations and quantities of all packages 2 is performed, for example, by the following steps:

1) Calculated quantity = all quantities of ID codes of packages 2 that arrived (unloaded) at the backyard 8 and were registered - (minus) all quantities of ID codes of packages 2 loaded onto all carriers 9 at the backyard 8 (excluding the backyard 8).

2) These calculations 1) are performed at each location (the backyard 8, the location of the game table 11, each location of all carriers 9 and the disposal location 10).

3) For all locations, the number of each calculated ID code at each location is calculated and registered on a location-by-location basis. It is assumed that the ID code present at each location is also registered with all its locations.

4) Sum up each calculated number of ID codes for all locations (the backyard 8, the location of the game table 11, the carrier 9 and the processing location 10).

5) The total number of ID codes summed up in the summing step is compared with all the numbers of ID codes of the packages 2 that have arrived at the backyard 8 and been registered.

6) Report the ID code and number of the identified lost packages, as well as the location where the lost packages were lost. The carrier 9 is equipped with an alarm to indicate an emergency if a package is lost during the transport process. Each report containing the lost ID code or number of monitoring results can be displayed on a monitoring display at a management department or the like.

At these steps for managing shuffled playing card packages, each transport path of all carriers 9 used to transport the packages 2 from the backyard 8 to the processing location 10 is monitored. Each transport path 400 of all carriers 9 used to transport the packages 2 from the backyard 8 to one location at the gaming table 11 or further to the disposal location 10 is pre-fixed and monitored by the management system 7 in the transport step. The location of the carriers 9 is determined by monitoring sensors (not shown) installed at the exit and entrance of each of the locations of the backyard 8, the disposal location 10, and the gaming table 11. The location of the carriers 9 can also be determined by sensors (not shown) installed at certain positions on the predetermined conveying route 400.

The management system 7 is further programmed to identify whether there is a lost package by comparing the information of all ID codes registered in the registration step with the ID codes at each location of all packages obtained by the loading step and the unloading step at the calculation step, and report the lost package to the management department or the main management agency.

The management system 7 is programmed to monitor each ID code by reading the ID code of the actual shuffled playing card packs existing at the location of the gaming table 11 and at the location of each of the plurality of carriers 9 at a predetermined timing (every hour or every 3 seconds, etc.) by a reading device 100 (barcode reader 100) equipped at each table 11 and each of the plurality of carriers 9. The management system 7 is programmed to identify the missing ID code at each location of the gaming table 11 or at the location of each of the plurality of carriers 9 by comparing all existing actual ID codes at its location with the calculated number of ID codes at each location obtained in step (3) based on the information obtained by the calculation step and the loading and unloading steps. In step 3, each calculated number of ID codes at each location is calculated and registered on a location-by-location basis for all the locations.

Each carrier 9 has an alarm that indicates an emergency if a package 2 is lost during the transport process. During the registration process, the management system 7 is programmed to further check all lost ID codes by comparing them with all ID codes of new packages arriving at the backyard. A display system 12 is provided to display the ID codes of all packages and lost packages, as well as the locations where the packages are present and lost.

The management system 7 is programmed to further manage each transport path of all carriers 9 that are monitored for carrying the bags 2 from the backyard 8 to one location at the gaming table 11 or the disposal location 10 .

The management system 7 is further programmed to carry out these further steps;

a reading step for reading the ID codes of the carrier 9 when the carrier 9 starts from the backyard 8 to a location at the game table 11 to read all the ID codes of the actual shuffled playing card packs on the carrier 9 and store these ID codes as a starting point;

a checking step for checking that all existing ID codes of the shuffled playing card packs 2 on the carrier 9 are identical to the ID code as a starting point by reading its ID code on the carrier 9 when the carrier 9 arrives at a location at the gaming table 11; and

A reporting step for reporting the result of the checking step whether there is any lost or unknown package 2 to the management department through its ID code of the package on the carrier 9 and each location of the carrier 9.

The method further has a monitoring step so as to monitor each ID code by reading the ID code 4 of the actual shuffled playing card packages 2 carried by the carrier 9 at the location of each carrier at a predetermined timing, and reporting each location of the carrier 9 and these ID codes of the packages 2 on each carrier 9 to the management department.

The method has a further management step to manage the number of all actual shuffled playing card packages 2 at each location in the backyard 8 and the gaming table 11, and to identify whether there are any lost packages on any carrier 9 during the transport step by comparing all existing actual ID codes on each carrier 9 with the information of all ID codes of the packages obtained when these packages arrive at the backyard 8.

The method for managing shuffled playing card packages according to the present invention is that each transport path 400 of all carriers 9 for transporting the packages 2 from the backyard 8 to a location at the gaming table or further to a disposal location 10 is previously fixed and monitored during the transport step.

Here, shuffled playing card packages 2 (or multiple packages 2) are stored in cartons CA, and multiple cartons CA are stored in containers 300 on pallets PA. As in FIG16 , a carton ID using a carton barcode 30 is attached to each carton CA, and a container ID using a container barcode 40 is attached to the container 300. Each carton ID and container ID provides information on all ID codes of the shuffled playing card packages 2 stored in the carton CA or container 300, thereby providing a database of these ID codes for the packages 2. The carton ID is registered in the database with respect to the ID codes of the shuffled playing card packages 2 stored in the carton CA, and the container ID is registered in the database with respect to the carton ID stored in the container 300 and with respect to all shuffled playing card packages 2 stored in the container 300. The carton ID or container ID can be used to register all ID codes of the packages 2 using this database when these packages arrive at the backyard 8 of the casino 6.

In this specification and in the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step, or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other integer or step, or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an admission or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, and the scope of the present invention also covers the following supplementary notes.

(Note 1)

A system for managing shuffled packs of gaming cards (see Figure 18);

wherein a predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as a pack 2, a unique ID code 3 being attached to each unique pack 2 of shuffled playing cards;

The system has:

an ID code reader R, which is arranged at the gaming table 11 and is capable of obtaining the ID code 3 of the bag 2 at the gaming table 11, thereby identifying the bag 2 to be used on the gaming table 11 having the card dealing shoe S; and

a management controller 7 for monitoring the ID codes 3 of the shuffled playing card packages 2, having a computer-readable medium storing a database 7d of the ID codes of the packages arriving at the backyard 8 of the casino 6;

The management controller 7 can obtain the ID code 3 of the bag 2 used on the gaming table 11 read by the ID code reader R, and check whether the ID code 3 read on the gaming table 11 is a code pre-existing in the database 7d for proper use.

(Note 2)

The system for managing shuffled gaming card packs according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

The management controller can check whether the packet of the ID code read on the gaming table is a packet that is not expected to be on the gaming table or a packet that arrives at an unexpected timing.

(Note 3)

The system for managing shuffled gaming card packs according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

The management controller can be programmed to pass at least one of the following watchdogs:

1) Whether it is carried from a predetermined delivery route;

2) Whether it is not a lost packet;

3) whether it is not registered in the database;

4) whether it has not been used in the trading field for more than a predetermined period;

5) Whether it is carried from an undesirable trading location or does not pass through any trading location;

6) Whether it has been used at any gaming table in the past.

(Note 4)

The system for managing shuffled gaming card packs according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

The ID code reader is connected to the card shoe on the gaming table and is capable of sending the ID code of the package to the management controller via the card shoe to identify the ID code of the package for next use.

(Note 5)

The system for managing shuffled gaming card packs according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

At least one of the following items is stored in a computer readable medium in combination with the ID code of the shuffled playing card package, and the package of ID codes read at the gaming table is further checked for unexpected or non-expected timing based on the following items:

(1) The game table to be used;

(2) The dealer (the person who draws the cards) who is in charge of the game table to be used

(3) the expected end time of use of each shuffled playing card pack on the gaming table;

(4) Information regarding the pit or card room to which each shuffled pack of playing cards is intended to be delivered prior to delivery to the associated gaming table.

(Note 6)

The system for managing shuffled gaming card packs according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

The ID code of the packet read for the next use will be deleted or known by the management controller as an ID code that has been used at the gaming table.

(Note 7)

The system for managing shuffled gaming card packs according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

The card dealing shoe has an output device for alerting the result of checking the ID code of the packet for next use, the result being that there is any suspicious packet, thereby preventing the use of the suspicious packet.

(Note 8)

The system for managing shuffled gaming card packs according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

The card dealing shoe has a locking device for preventing the use of a suspicious bag detected by a check result of the ID code of the bag or an instruction of a user of the casino not to use it next time.

The shoe may also have an alarm function for alarming so as to prevent the use of the bag by an instruction from a management controller not to use it next time by a casino user.

(Note 9)

The system for managing shuffled gaming card packs according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

The shoe has a locking device that prevents the use of the bag by checking the ID code of the bag for next use; wherein the management controller can identify or indicate the ID code of the bag that should not be used at the gaming table.

(Note 10)

According to Note 1 for managing shuffled game card packs,

All ID codes of the packages arriving at the backyard are provided by the factory, which manufactures the packages and registers them in a computer-readable medium that stores a database, container ID, pallet ID or carton ID, which can be used to register the ID codes of the packages, where each ID code of the packages arriving at the backyard of the casino is associated with the container ID, pallet ID or carton ID in which the package is placed.

(Note 11)

The system for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplementary Note 10,

The management controller can search the place where the bag exists from each ID code of the bag, or the management controller can search the ID code of the bag identified from the container ID, pallet ID or carton ID where the bag is stored and prohibit the bag from being used at the gaming table.

(Note 12)

The system for managing shuffled playing cards according to Supplementary Note 1,

A plurality of packages are carried on a transport vehicle to deliver the shuffled playing card packages from the backyard to the trading floor for the gaming tables, and are monitored by a management controller for any missing packages by reading each ID code of the package while being carried on the route.

(Note 13)

The system for managing shuffled playing cards according to Supplementary Note 1,

A plurality of bags are monitored by reading each ID code of the bags at a predetermined location from the backyard to the trading floor or gaming table, and registered in a computer readable medium by the management controller.

(Note 14)

The system for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplementary Note 1,

All ID codes of packages arriving at the backyard are managed, wherein a group of packages housed in one container and the ID codes of the group of packages are registered, and the ID codes of unused packages in the group of packages are monitored or detected.

(Note 15)

A holding box for accommodating one or more packages of shuffled playing cards and monitoring the ID codes attached to the packages, comprising one or more readers capable of reading the ID codes of the packages of shuffled playing cards in the holding box; a communication device for transmitting information or images obtained by the readers to the outside of the holding box; and a locking device capable of preventing the packages from being removed from the holding box. The holding box is capable of being connected to a carrier for carrying the one or more packages. The holding box may also have a carrying function for carrying the one or more packages.

(Note 16)

A method for managing shuffled packs of playing cards (see FIG. 19 ), wherein

shuffling a predetermined number of decks of playing cards in random order and individually packaging them as a shuffled playing card set with an ID code 3 attached to a bag 2 of the set;

The method has the following steps:

A registration step of registering all ID codes of the packages arriving at the backyard 8 into the database 7d,

By using a plurality of carriers 9 to carry the packs 2 of the shuffled playing card sets from the backyard 8 to one of the trading floor 10 or gaming tables 11,

as well as

a management step 7 of managing the number of shuffled playing card packages 2 and the ID codes 3 of the packages at each location (8, 10, 11), wherein each location is a backyard 8 and a trading floor 10 or a gaming table 11, by monitoring each ID code 3 of the shuffled playing card packages 2 at each location (8, 10, 11) and detecting whether each package is present at a designated or planned location at each predetermined timing,

Among them, the ID code of the packet arriving at the gaming table for the next gaming is read by an ID code reader and registered in a database as an ID code used for gaming or deleted from the database.

(Note 17)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16, the method further comprising,

An in-check/out step in which each ID code of a package introduced or taken out at each location is read to check whether the ID code read at the location already exists before arriving at the location.

(Note 18)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16 or 17,

This management step also has,

A reporting step for reporting or alerting the ID code of any unauthorized, unexpected or defective package and the location or carrier where the situation is discovered. A registration step can register or cancel information I/O of each ID code of the package loaded or unloaded at each location (8, 10, 11) in data 7d.

The reporting step may also report ID codes regarding packets that arrive at inappropriate timing.

(Note 19)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16, the method further comprising,

In/out inspection steps by reading each ID code of the package introduced or taken out at each location, and

A checking step of checking whether all ID codes read at each location match the ID codes registered in the registration step.

(Note 20)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplementary Notes 16 to 19,

The management step also has,

A movement checking step of obtaining each ID code of shuffled playing card packs of at least two locations within a predetermined time period, grasping inventory information of each location from the ID code obtained at each location, and checking whether a predetermined movement between the at least two locations has been performed.

(Note 21)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16,

In the carrying step, a carrying path of a carrier for carrying the package from the backyard is monitored.

(Note 22)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16,

Wherein, a plurality of packs are accommodated in a container, a container ID is attached to the container and the container ID provides all information of the ID code of the shuffled playing card pack accommodated in the container.

(Note 23)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16,

Among them, the container ID is used to register all ID codes of packages arriving at the backyard.

(Note 24)

According to the method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplementary Note 16, in the managing step,

Among them, each ID code of the bag that has arrived at the gaming table is read by an ID code reader at the gaming table before the bag is used for gaming, and is registered in a database as an ID code that has been used for gaming.

(Note 25)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16,

Therein, with respect to a method for managing packages of shuffled playing cards, one or more packages are stored in a holding box at at least one of a dealing room or a gaming table, and the holding box is used to hold the one or more packages of shuffled playing cards.

(Note 26)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16,

The holding box is used to hold or carry one or more bags, and has a reader for reading all ID codes of bags in the holding box, a communication device for sending information obtained by the reader to the outside of the holding box, and a locking device for preventing bags from leaving the holding box.

(Note 27)

The method for managing shuffled game card packs according to Supplement 16,

Wherein, the ID code reader is selected from at least a bar code reader, a two-dimensional code reader, a camera or an RFID tag reading device.

(Note 28)

A shuffled playing card pack for use in a system for managing shuffled playing card packs,

wherein a predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as a pack, each unique ID code being attached to each pack of shuffled playing cards,

The ID code is read by an ID code reader provided at the gaming table, which is capable of obtaining the ID code of the bag at the gaming table to identify the bag to be used on the gaming table having the card dealing shoe, and

The system for managing shuffled playing card packages can check whether the package of the ID code, ie, the ID code read on the gaming table is a package that is not expected to be on the gaming table or a package that arrived at an unexpected timing.

(Note 29)

A pack of shuffled playing cards according to Appendix 28, wherein

The card dealing shoe has an output device for alerting the result of checking the ID code of the bag to be used next time, for preventing the use of the bag.

(Note 30)

The shuffled playing card package of claim 28, wherein

The shoe has a locking device that prevents use of the pack by checking the ID code of the pack for use.

(Note 31)

The shuffled playing card package of claim 28, wherein:

The ID code reader is connected to the card shoe on the gaming table and can send the ID code of the pack to the management controller via the card shoe to identify the ID code of the pack to be used next time by the system for managing shuffled playing card packs.

(Note 32)

A shoe for shuffled packs of playing cards for use in a system for managing shuffled packs of playing cards,

wherein a predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as a pack, each unique ID code being attached to each pack of shuffled playing cards,

The ID code is read by an ID code reader provided at the gaming table that is capable of obtaining the ID code of the bag at the gaming table to identify the bag to be used on the gaming table having the card dealing shoe, and

The system for managing shuffled playing card packages can check whether the package having the ID code, ie, the ID code read on the gaming table is a package that is not expected to be on the gaming table or a package that arrived at an unexpected timing.

(Note 33)

A card dealing shoe for shuffling packs of playing cards according to Supplementary Note 32, wherein

The card dealing shoe has an output device for alerting the check result of the ID code of the used package, for preventing the use of the package.

(Note 34)

A card dealing shoe for shuffling packs of playing cards according to Supplementary Note 32, wherein

The shoe has a locking device that prevents use of the pack by checking the ID code of the pack for use.

(Note 35)

A card dealing shoe for shuffling packs of playing cards according to Supplementary Note 32, wherein

The ID code reader is directly or indirectly connected to the management controller, and is capable of transmitting the ID code of the package to identify the ID code of the package for next use, and the management controller instructs the card delivery shoe on whether to allow the delivery of the cards of the package from the shoe.

(1) In the case of using data from the factory and data obtained from the result of reading the ID code of the package by the card dealing shoe.

i) Only cards packaged in bags with the appropriate barcode delivered from the factory can be used at the shoe. If the bag has a barcode other than those described above, the shoe will read the barcode and will generate a signal or activate a card lock to prevent use of the bag.

ii) If a bag remains at the casino for longer than a predetermined time period, the shoe will read the barcode of such bag and will generate a signal or activate a card lock to prevent use of the bag. (The time period can be predetermined at will.)

iii) The number of reserve packs can be determined by the container.

iv) The quantity of reserve packs can be determined in all containers.

v) If a bag is used at a gaming table, the card shoe will read the bar code of such bag and will generate a signal or activate a card lock to prevent the bag from being used.

(2) In the case of having a function of obtaining movement information of a packet in a casino lobby.

i) Only cards packaged in packages with the appropriate barcode as delivered from the factory can be delivered to the shoe. If the package has a barcode other than the above, the shoe will read the barcode and will generate a signal or activate a card lock to prevent use of the package.

ii) If a bag remains at the casino for longer than a predetermined time period, the shoe will read the barcode of such bag and will generate a signal or activate a card lock to prevent use of the bag. (The time period can be predetermined at will.)

iii) The number of packages stored in each area and the codes of the packages stored can be (desirably) known at any time. For example, it can be known as "in the XXX area, the total number of packages with codes YYY and ZZZ should be WWW."

iv) The area where all the packages of containers are expected to be stored can be grasped.

v) If there is a packet that has been in a certain area for a long time, the software notifies (alarms), or if a packet reaches the card shoe, the card shoe sends a signal or locks to prevent the use of cards.

vi) If a package has been transported but has not yet reached the next location in a certain area, the package can be checked. Additionally, if a package has not been transported via an appropriate means (e.g., "reflow"), or has arrived via a trading floor (or multiples), or has passed through the location, the software will notify you of this error. If the package eventually reaches the card box, the box will signal or lock to prevent the cards from being used.

vii) When a card has a problem, the software notifies the area containing the problem card where other cards are contained in the same paper box and when the card reaches the delivery shoe, the delivery shoe sends a signal or locks to prevent the card from being used.

(3) In the case where a barcode of a package is always read and whether or not the package exists at a predetermined place is checked by using the reserve information obtained by the reading of the barcode.

In this case, the items listed in (1) and (2) above can of course be executed.

(4) When the barcode of the package is read continuously while the package is in motion.

If a bag is missing for a predetermined period of time during its movement, we can signal the bag as suspicious using software and when the bag reaches the shoe, the shoe generates a signal or activates a lock to prevent the cards from being used.

i) The packaging software can act as an alarm to inform the casino whether there is a possibility of something dangerous happening. In addition, when a suspicious package arrives at the card box, the code in the suspicious package cannot be used at the card box, which will bring a sense of security to the casino.

ii) Not only is there a self-checking function in the system for security, but also in the event that a pack manufactured on a certain date is rejected as suspicious, and/or if cards contained in the same carton are considered suspicious, the software has the function of finding the area where the cards are currently located. The shoe is able to generate a signal, activate a lock to prevent the cards from being used, and collect the cards.

Reference numerals list:

1 playing card

1s Shuffled Playing Card Set

2 packs

3 barcodes

4 ID code

6 Casino

7 Management System

8 Backyard

12 Camera

102C Card Holding Unit

S Card Shoe Equipment

Claims (10)

1. A system for managing packs of shuffled playing cards, wherein a predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged into a pack, a unique ID code being provided to each unique pack of shuffled playing cards, The system has a holding box for housing a plurality of shuffled playing card packages and monitoring ID codes provided to the shuffled playing card packages, as well as a management controller for monitoring the ID codes of packages of shuffled playing cards, having a computer readable medium storing a database of the ID codes of said packages in said holding box, in, The holding box has: one or more ID code readers capable of obtaining all ID codes of the packages in the holding box to monitor the ID codes provided to the packages, a communication device for transmitting information or an image obtained by the ID code reader to the management controller located outside the holding box, and a locking device capable of preventing removal of the package from the holding box, The management controller is able to obtain all ID codes of the packages in the holding box and check whether any package is lost or exceeds the package received in the backyard and present in the database of the ID codes of the packages by reading each ID code of the existing packages in the holding box, thereby monitoring all existing packages at a predetermined timing. 2. A system for managing shuffled packs of playing cards according to claim 1, wherein: The management controller can be programmed to check the packet by at least one of: 1) whether it is carried from a predetermined delivery route, 2) Is it not a lost packet, 3) Is it not registered in the database? 4) Whether it has not been used in the trading field for more than a predetermined period, 5) Whether it is carried from an unexpected trading location or does not pass through any trading location, 6) Whether it has been used at any gaming table in the past. 3. The system for managing shuffled playing card packs of claim 1 , wherein: At least one of the following items is stored in a computer-readable medium in combination with the ID code of the shuffled pack of playing cards and one of these items is detected at the gaming table: (1) The game table to be used; (2) The dealer responsible for the gaming table to be used; (3) the expected end time of use of each shuffled pack of playing cards at the gaming table; (4) Information regarding the pit or card room to which each package of shuffled playing cards is expected to be transported before being delivered to the associated gaming table. 4. A system for managing shuffled playing card packs according to claim 1, The ID code reader is selected from at least a barcode reader, a two-dimensional code reader, a camera or an RFID tag reading device. 5. A system for managing shuffled playing card packs according to claim 1, All ID codes of packages that have arrived at a backyard are managed, wherein a group of packages that have been accommodated in one container and the ID codes of the group of packages are registered and the number of unused packages or ID codes in the group of packages is monitored or detected. 6. A holding box for containing one or more packages of shuffled playing cards and monitoring ID codes provided to the packages, having one or more readers capable of reading the ID codes of the packages of shuffled playing cards in the holding box, communication means for transmitting information or images obtained by the readers to the outside of the holding box, and locking means capable of preventing the packages from leaving the holding box, in The information or images obtained by the one or more ID code readers are sent to a management controller outside the holding box; The management controller is capable of obtaining all ID codes of the packages in the holding box and checking whether any package is lost or exceeds the package received in the backyard and existing in the database of the ID codes of the packages by reading each ID code of the existing packages in the holding box, thereby monitoring all existing packages at a predetermined timing. 7. The holding box according to claim 6, which is a carrier for carrying one or more packages. 8. The holding box according to claim 6, The ID code reader is selected from at least a barcode reader, a two-dimensional code reader, a camera or an RFID tag reading device. 9. Methods for managing shuffled game card packs, wherein a predetermined number of decks of playing cards are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as a shuffled playing card set, an ID code being provided to the packages of the set; wherein, with respect to a method for managing packages of shuffled playing cards, one or more packages are stored in a holding box at at least one of a dealing room or a gaming table, and the holding box is configured to hold the one or more packages of shuffled playing cards, The method comprises the steps of: A registration step of registering all ID codes of the packages that have arrived at the backyard into the database, and The number of shuffled playing card packages stored in the holding box and the ID codes of the packages are managed by monitoring each ID code of the packages in the holding box and by checking whether any package is lost or exceeds the package received in the backyard and existing in the package ID code database by reading each ID code of the existing packages in the holding box, thereby monitoring all existing packages at a predetermined timing. 10. A method for managing shuffled packs of playing cards according to claim 9, The ID code reader is selected from at least a barcode reader, a two-dimensional code reader, a camera or an RFID tag reading device.