HK40093814A - Inspection system and management system - Google Patents

Description

Inspection system and management system

Divisional application

This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application filed on July 14, 2017, with application number 201780061290.2 and entitled "Inspection System and Management System".

Cross-referencing of related applications

In this application, the benefits are claimed from international application number PCT/JP2016/072673 filed on August 2, 2016, Japanese patent application number 2016-225540 filed on November 18, 2016, and Japanese patent application number 2017-100318 filed on April 29, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

This invention relates to a system for checking gaming chips and other similar items in amusement parks.

Background Technology

Amusement parks and other entertainment venues are attempting to prevent various forms of cheating. These venues are equipped with surveillance cameras to monitor for cheating. Based on the images captured by these cameras, they determine whether cheating has occurred in games or due to discrepancies between the returned and refunded tokens and the actual winnings/losing results, thus preventing cheating.

On the other hand, the following proposal was put forward: in order to control the number or total amount of game coins placed, a wireless IC (RFID) tag should be attached to each game coin to control the amount of game coins.

The card game monitoring system described in International Publication No. 2015/107902 uses image analysis of the movement of game coins to determine whether game coins placed on the game table are collected or returned according to the winning or losing results, thereby monitoring cheating behavior.

Summary of the Invention

The purpose of this invention is to detect cheating when cheating game coins or cheating objects are submitted.

One aspect of the present invention provides an inspection system configured to inspect game coins embedded with RF tags, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving game coins from a dealer in a casino game; an RF reading unit for reading the RF tags of a plurality of game coins received in the receiving unit; a detection unit for detecting at least the number of the plurality of game coins received in the receiving unit at fixed time intervals or in real time using a method other than RFID; and an alarm unit for generating an alarm when the number of game coins obtained by reading the RF tags through the RF reading unit is inconsistent with the number of game coins detected by the detection unit.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an inspection system for inspecting game coins used in a game played at a game table, and includes: a receiving unit disposed at the game table for receiving a plurality of game coins added or removed according to the game; and an inspection unit for inspecting the game coins added or removed according to the game in the receiving unit.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an inspection system for inspecting game coins with built-in RF tags, and includes: a storage unit for storing a predetermined number of game coins; an RF reading unit for reading the RF tags of the multiple game coins stored in the storage unit; and an alarm unit for generating an alarm when the number of game coins obtained by reading the RF tags through the RF reading unit is inconsistent with the predetermined number.

Another aspect of the inspection system of the present invention is not limited to an inspection system for game coins, but can also be applied as an inspection system for inspecting any valuable item with an embedded RF tag. In this case, the valuable item inspection system comprises: a valuable item, which is attached with a unique ID that can be individually identified; a table for using the valuable item; a tray for holding the valuable item on the table; a judgment unit that uses the unique ID to determine the quantity of the valuable item held on the tray; a detection unit that at least captures an image of the valuable item on the game table including the tray to generate an image, and detects at least the quantity of the valuable item based on the image; a storage unit that stores the quantity detected by the detection unit; and an inspection unit that checks the correlation between the quantity determined by the judgment unit and the quantity detected by the detection unit.

Another aspect of the inspection system of the present invention is configured to inspect objects with built-in RF tags, and includes: an RF reading unit for reading the RF tags of the objects placed in a designated location; a detection unit for detecting at least the number of the objects placed in the designated location by means other than RFID; and an alarm unit for generating an alarm when the number of the objects obtained by reading the RF tags by the RF reading unit is inconsistent with the number detected by the detection unit.

One aspect of the present invention is a management system for valuable items, comprising: a valuable item, each having a uniquely identifiable ID; a table for using the valuable item; a tray for holding the valuable item on the table; a judgment device for determining the type and quantity of the valuable item held on the tray using the unique ID; a management control device for judging any abnormalities in the valuable item based on the ID; and a measuring device for measuring at least the quantity of the valuable item on the table, including the tray, using a camera; wherein the management control device has the function of determining and storing the quantity of the valuable item on the tray using the measurement result of the measuring device, and the management control device also has the function of checking the correlation between the information of the ID obtained by the judgment device and the information read by the measuring device.

Attached Figure Description

[Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overall overview of a cheating detection system in an amusement park with multiple game tables according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a perspective view of game coins, showing examples of different overlapping states of game coins as understood in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a perspective view of game coins, showing examples of different overlapping states of game coins as understood in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the markings illustrating the stains on the playing card as grasped in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 4A] Figure 4A is a plan view showing the front of the mark;

[Figure 4B] Figure 4B is a plan view showing the back of the mark;

[Figure 5] Figure 5 is a simplified explanatory diagram of the exchange state between the player's banknotes and the dealer's game coins as grasped in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the overall outline of the management system for the tabletop games in the amusement park according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 7] Figure 7 is a 3D view of existing game currency;

[Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the game coin in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 9A] Figure 9A is a side view of the game coin in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 9B] Figure 9B is a plan view of the game coin in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 10A] Figure 10A is a diagram showing another example of game coins in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 10B] Figure 10B is a diagram showing another example of game coins in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 11] Figure 11 is a plan view of the stacked state of game coins in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 12] Figure 12 is a three-dimensional illustrative photograph showing the stacking of different types of game coins;

[Figure 13A] Figure 13A is a diagram showing details of the game coin tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig. 13B] Fig. 13B is a diagram showing another example of a game coin tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 14A] Figure 14A is a diagram showing the relationship between the double-layered game coin tray and the camera device 2, and it shows the state in which the two layers are overlapped;

[Figure 14B] Figure 14B is a diagram showing the relationship between the double-layered game coin tray and the camera device 2, and it shows the state in which the two layers are staggered.

[Figure 15] Figure 15 shows an inspection device for inspecting game coins according to the second embodiment;

[Figure 16] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an overall overview of the game coin management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 17] Figure 17 is a side view of the game coin according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[Figure 18] Figure 18 is a diagram showing the game coins with the upper and lower marks C forming codes (4 types);

[Figure 19] Figure 19 is a diagram showing that the side ID is printed using ink that is not visible to the naked eye (ink that absorbs infrared light);

[Fig. 20A] Fig. 20A is a plan view of an important part of the game coin tray, showing the state in which game coins are held on the game coin tray of the entertainment table according to the third embodiment;

[Figure 20B] Figure 20B is a 3D view of the stacked game coins;

[Figure 21] Figure 21 is a diagram showing other examples of game coins in the third embodiment;

[Figure 22] Figure 22 is a diagram showing another example of an inspection device for checking game coins;

[Figure 23] Figure 23 is a diagram showing another example of a checking device for checking game coins;

[Figure 24] Figure 24 is a diagram showing another example of a checking device for checking game coins.

[Figure 25] Figure 25 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection system according to the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 26] Figure 26 is a perspective view of the game coin in the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 27] Figure 27 is a side view of the game coin in the fourth embodiment.

[Fig. 28] Fig. 28 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing multiple game coins according to the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 29] Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the structure of code information in the fourth embodiment.

[Fig. 30] Fig. 30 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inspection device according to the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 31] Figure 31 is a perspective view of the game coin box in the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 32] Figure 32 is a perspective view of a game coin box of a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 33] Figure 33 is a top view of a modified example of the fourth embodiment of the game coin box.

[Figure 34] Figure 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the game coin circulation and inspection system of the fourth embodiment is used.

[Figure 35] Figure 35 is a diagram showing an example of the content of information stored in the management device according to the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 36] Figure 36 is a diagram showing an example of the content of the information read in the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 37] Figure 37 is a diagram illustrating the first pass/fail determination method of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 38] Figure 38 is a diagram illustrating the second pass/fail determination method of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 39] Figure 39 is a diagram illustrating the third pass/fail determination method of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 40] Figure 40 is a diagram illustrating the fourth pass/fail determination method of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 41] Figure 41 is a diagram illustrating the fifth pass/fail determination method of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 42] Figure 42 is a diagram showing an example of a pass/fail result display screen that displays the pass/fail judgment result (pass) of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 43] Figure 43 is a diagram showing an example of a pass/fail result display screen that displays the pass/fail judgment result (fail) of the fourth embodiment.

[Fig. 44] Fig. 44 is a diagram showing a modified example of the RFID antenna of the inspection device according to the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 45] Figure 45 is a side view of the game coin in a variant of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 46] Figure 46 is a side cross-sectional view of the game coin in a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 47] Figure 47 is a perspective view of the game coin of a variant of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 48] Figure 48 is a side view of the game coin in a variant of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 49] Figure 49 is a top view of the game coin in a variant of the fourth embodiment.

[Fig. 50] Fig. 50 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing stacked game coins in the fourth embodiment.

[Fig. 51] Fig. 51 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection system of a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

[Fig. 52] Fig. 52 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection system of a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

[Figure 53] Figure 53 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection system according to the fifth embodiment.

[Fig. 54] Fig. 54 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection device according to the fifth embodiment.

[Figure 55] Figure 55 is a perspective view of the game coin box in the fifth embodiment.

[Figure 56] Figure 56 is a perspective view of a game coin box of a modified example of the fifth embodiment.

[Figure 57] Figure 57 is a top view of a modified example of the fifth embodiment of the game coin box.

[Figure 58] Figure 58 is a side cross-sectional view of the game coin in the fifth embodiment.

[Fig. 59] Fig. 59 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by photographing stacked game coins in the fifth embodiment.

[Figure 60] Figure 60 is a diagram showing an example of a pass/fail result display screen that displays the pass/fail judgment result (pass) of the fifth embodiment.

[Figure 61] Figure 61 is a diagram showing an example of a pass/fail result display screen that displays the pass/fail judgment result (fail) of the fifth embodiment.

[Figure 62] Figure 62 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the game coin circulation and inspection system of the fifth embodiment is used.

[Figure 63] Figure 63 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inspection device according to another embodiment of the fifth embodiment.

[Figure 64] Figure 64 is a top view of the game coin tray that holds the game coins of the sixth embodiment.

[Figure 65] Figure 65 is a diagram showing the antenna of the RF reader according to the sixth embodiment.

[Fig. 66] Fig. 66 is an enlarged top view and a front cross-sectional view of the groove in the sixth embodiment.

[Figure 67] Figure 67 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system according to the sixth embodiment.

[Figure 68] Figure 68 is a top view showing another example of the game coin tray according to the sixth embodiment.

[Figure 69] Figure 69 is a top view showing another example of the game coin tray according to the sixth embodiment.

[Fig. 70] Fig. 70 is a top view showing another example of the game coin tray according to the sixth embodiment.

[Figure 71] Figure 71 is a diagram showing other configurations of the RF antenna according to the sixth embodiment.

[Fig. 72] Fig. 72 is a diagram showing a slot in the coin tray of the detection unit in the sixth embodiment using a line sensor.

[Figure 73] Figure 73 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 72.

[Fig. 74] Fig. 74 is a diagram showing a slot in the coin tray of the detection unit in the sixth embodiment using a scanner.

[Figure 75] Figure 75 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 74.

[Fig. 76] Fig. 76 is a diagram showing a slot in the coin tray of the detection unit in the sixth embodiment using a laser rangefinder.

[Figure 77] Figure 77 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 76.

[Fig. 78] Fig. 78 is a diagram showing a slot in the coin tray of the detection unit in the sixth embodiment, which uses a weight meter.

[Figure 79] Figure 79 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 78.

[Fig. 80] Fig. 80 is a diagram showing the state of filling the empty space of the burial trench by the spacer of the sixth embodiment.

[Figure 81] Figure 81 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 80.

[Figure 82] Figure 82 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inspection system for inspecting an object with an RF tag built into the sixth embodiment.

Detailed Implementation

(First Implementation)

In amusement parks and other gaming venues, game tokens are stacked high on gaming tables. However, the following problems exist: the IC tag reader located under the table cannot accurately read the total amount; furthermore, increasing the sensitivity of the reader results in tokens placed in different positions (where wins and losses are influenced by position) being counted together, making it impossible to accurately determine the total amount of tokens in each position. Additionally, in camera footage, blind spots due to the camera's angle or shadows due to overlap further complicate the calculation of the total amount of tokens.

Furthermore, there is a problem that often occurs in a certain card game: the cards are bent due to the player squeezing the cards (bending the face-down cards while looking at them little by little in anticipation of their value), and the value and suit of the cards cannot be determined by image analysis from the camera.

Furthermore, a new challenge has been identified: sophisticated cheating at gaming tables, including advanced placement methods that cannot be detected by simple methods like tracking large winning amounts, and which remain undetectable even with cameras or tracking winnings. Moreover, current technology is insufficient in preventing cheating resulting from collusion between the dealer and the player.

To address the aforementioned issues, the cheating detection system for an amusement park with multiple game tables according to the first embodiment comprises: a game recording device that records the progress of games played at the game tables, including the dealer and players, as images using a camera; an image analysis device that performs image analysis on the recorded game progress images; a card dealing device that determines and displays the win/loss results of each game at the game tables; and a control device that detects cheating behavior at the game tables using the image analysis results from the image analysis device and the win/loss results determined by the card dealing device.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the card dealing device is a structure capable of reading the face value of the dealt cards, and the control device is a structure capable of comparing the face value information obtained by the image analysis device through the images of each card dealt on the game table with the face value information of the cards read by the card dealing device to determine whether they match or not.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the image analysis device or control device is an AI-efficient or deep learning structure capable of obtaining information about the face value of the cards from the cards dealt on the game table and bent or soiled by the players.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the control device uses the image analysis device to grasp the position, type, and number of game coins placed by each player. By analyzing the image of the game's progress using the image analysis device, it determines whether the lost game coins placed by each player have been correctly recovered and the won game coins have been correctly paid out according to the game's win or loss results.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the image analysis device or control device is an AI-efficient or deep learning structure that can obtain information about the type, number, and location of the game coins placed on the game table, even if some or all of them are hidden due to the blind spot of the camera.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the control device is an AI-efficient or deep learning structure that can compare and calculate the amount of game coins held in the dealer's coin tray according to the game's win or loss results, and after the game ends and is settled, whether it corresponds to the recovery of lost game coins placed by each player and the increase or decrease of the payout amount for won game coins.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the control device is able to grasp the position and amount of game coins placed at each player's position at the game table. It compares the historical win/loss records and the amount of game coins obtained by each player based on the win/loss results of each game with the statistical data of past games, and extracts anomalies by effectively utilizing artificial intelligence or deep learning structures.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the control device is able to compare the state where the amount of game coins placed when a player loses at a certain game table is less than the amount of game coins placed when winning with the statistical data of past games, and use artificial intelligence or deep learning structures to extract anomalies.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the control device is capable of extracting the abnormal situation by means of the image analysis device, or of identifying the structure of individual players in the position of players who have won a certain number of points or more.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the control device has a warning function that notifies the other gaming tables of the presence of the specific player when the identified player leaves and sits down at another gaming table.

To address the aforementioned issues, the cheating detection system for amusement parks with multiple game tables, as described in this application, includes:

A game recording device that records the progress of the game at the game table, including the dealer and players, as video using a camera;

A card dealing device that determines and displays the win/loss results of each game at the game table;

An image analysis device that performs image analysis on the recorded video of the game's progress.

A control device capable of detecting banknotes and game tokens in the game table using image analysis results from the image analysis device.

The image analysis device or control device is an artificial intelligence-efficient or deep learning architecture that, based on information obtained from the card dealing device or the dealer, can detect, outside of the card dealing process, the exchange of players' banknotes and the dealer's game coins at the game table, and identify the total amount of the banknotes verified by ultraviolet light. Even if multiple game coins that were exchanged are partially or entirely hidden due to blind spots of the camera, the total amount of the game coins can still be identified. The device can compare the total amount of banknotes received by the players at the game table with the total amount of game coins taken out by the dealer to determine whether the two amounts are consistent.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the control device is an AI-efficient or deep learning structure capable of comparing and calculating whether the amount of game coins held in the dealer's coin tray at the game table corresponds to the amount of game coins paid out with the exchanged player's banknotes after the exchange and settlement.

Furthermore, in the cheating detection system, the control device is an AI-efficient or deep learning structure capable of comparing and calculating the consistency between the amount of banknotes received based on the dealer's input and the total amount of banknotes based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device after the exchange and settlement of the player's banknotes and the dealer's game coins. Additionally, the control device is also an AI-efficient or deep learning structure capable of comparing and calculating the consistency between the total amount of banknotes received at the game table under the dealer's control based on the dealer's input and the total amount of banknotes based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device.

According to the cheating detection system of this embodiment, even if the cards are bent due to frequent squeezing by players in a card game, the system can determine the face value and suit of the cards through image analysis. It can also determine the total amount of game coins in blind spots or overlaps, as well as their positions. Furthermore, it can detect cheating during the exchange of player coins with the dealer's game coins.

Next, a more detailed description will be given of the overall overview of the cheating detection system in an amusement park with multiple game tables according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall overview of the same system. The cheating detection system in an amusement park with multiple game tables 4 includes a game recording device 11 that records the progress of a game played at the game table 4, including players 6 and a dealer 5, as images by multiple camera devices 2; an image analysis device 12 that analyzes the images of the recorded progress of the game; and a card dealing device 3 that determines and displays the winning or losing results of each game at the game table 4. The card dealing device 3 is a so-called electronic shoe that is already in use by those skilled in the art. It is constructed such that the rules of the game are pre-programmed, and it is able to read the information of the dealt cards C and determine the winning or losing results of the game. For example, in a certain card game, the dealer's win, the player's win, and the tie (draw) are basically determined by the face value of 2 to 3 cards, and the determination result (winning or losing result) is displayed by the result display light 13.

This cheating detection system also includes a control device 14, which compares the actual card values obtained from the image analysis results of the image analysis device 12 with the win/loss result determined by the card dealing device 3 to detect cheating behavior on the game table 4 (such as the total card values of the dealt cards not matching the win/loss result). The card dealing device 3 is capable of reading the card values (A, 2-10, J, Q, K) and suits (hearts, spades, etc.) of the cards C manually dealt by the dealer 5. The control device 14 is capable of comparing the card values and suit information obtained by the image analysis device 12 (using artificial intelligence) based on the images of each card dealt on the game table 4 (captured using the camera device 2) with the card and suit information read by the card dealing device 3 and determining whether they match. The image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 in this cheating detection system are constructed as a single unit or composite, including a computer, program, and memory composed of multiple components.

The image analysis device 12 and control device 14 have the following structure: even for playing cards C dealt on the game table 4 and bent or soiled by player 6, information about the card's face value can be obtained using an AI-efficient or deep learning structure. As shown in Figure 3, soiled playing cards C present difficulties in distinguishing between clubs and spades. Even in this case, by using an AI-efficient computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology for image analysis and judgment, suit identification is possible. Furthermore, even if playing cards are bent due to frequent squeezing by players in a card game, the suit and face value of the card before deformation can be identified using AI-efficient computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology, through self-learning from multiple image deformation examples. Since AI-efficient computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology are known and usable by those skilled in the art, specific descriptions are omitted.

The control device 14, equipped with an AI-efficient or deep learning structure, can use the camera device 2 and image analysis device 12 to determine the location (player, banker, pair) of each player's coin 120 in the placement area 8, the type (coins 120 are categorized by color and value), and the number of coins placed. The coins 120 may be arranged vertically and overlap, or staggered and overlapped as shown in Figure 2A. In this case, if the camera device 2 is positioned in the direction of arrow X as shown in Figure 2A (or the coin 120 is in a blind spot), as shown in Figure 2B, it can be assumed that the coin 120 is not visible (entering a blind spot). Using AI-efficient computer or control system technology, or deep learning (structure) technology, self-learning functions can be used to identify instances where the coin 120 is hidden due to blind spots (whether part of a coin is hidden or the entire coin is hidden), thus accurately determining the number of coins. In this way, since it can determine the location (player, banker, pair) of the game coins 120 placed in the placement area 8, the type (game coins 120 are divided into different values according to color) of the placed game coins 120, and the number of coins, in each game, according to the winning or losing result determined by the card dealing device 3, the control device 14 analyzes the image of the game's progress using the image analysis device 12 to determine whether the lost game coins placed by each player 6 have been correctly collected (indicated by arrow L) and the winning game coins (120W) have been correctly paid to the winning player 6W. If the determination result analyzed by the intelligent control device 14 using the image analysis device 12 differs from the reading result obtained by other means (e.g., by RFID reading), the analysis image can be saved and verified later. If the verification result indicates an error by the intelligent control device 14, the analysis image can be used as sample data for teacher learning in deep learning technology and used to improve the accuracy of the intelligent control device 14.

The control device 14 can use the image analysis device 12 to monitor the total amount of game coins 120 in the coin tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4. After the game ends and is settled, it can adjust the total amount of game coins 120 in the coin tray 17 according to the game's outcome, comparing and calculating whether it corresponds to the recovery of lost game coins 120 placed by each player 6 and the payment of 120W of winning game coins to the winning player 6W. Even though the total amount of game coins 120 in the coin tray 17 is typically monitored using methods such as RFID, the control device 14 determines whether the adjustment is correct or incorrect by analyzing the game's progress image using the image analysis device 12. This demonstrates the effective use of artificial intelligence or deep learning structures.

In this example, since cheating or errors can be detected based on the game's outcome, the location (player, dealer, tie) of the game tokens 120 in the placement area 8, the amount of game tokens 120 in the token tray 17 after the recovery of lost game tokens and the repayment of won game tokens 120, cheating or errors can be detected even without knowing the movement of the game tokens 120 after the game ends, i.e., whether the placed game tokens 120 moved to the player's side or to the dealer's side.

Here, the outcome of the game, for example in a card game, can be determined by reading the face value of the card C dealt in the game and then judging it according to the rules of the card game in the card dealing device 3. Alternatively, the outcome can also be determined by having the camera device 2 capture an image of the game table 4, the image analysis device 12 analyze the image, and the control device 14 compare the analysis results with the rules of the game. In this case, the outcome determination device consists of the camera device 2, the image analysis device 12, and the control device 14. Information about which player in position 7 placed which type of game token 120 in the placement area 8 (player, banker, pair) can be obtained by having the camera device 2 capture an image of the game tokens 120 placed in the placement area 8 and then having the image analysis device 12 analyze the image according to each player's position 7.

Furthermore, the increase or decrease in the amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 before and after the recovery of lost game coins 120 and the repayment of won game coins 120 can be calculated by comparing the total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 before the recovery of lost game coins 120 and the repayment of won game coins 120 with the total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 after the recovery of lost game coins 120 and the repayment of won game coins 120. The total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 before the recovery of lost game coins 120 and the repayment of won game coins 120, and the total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 after the recovery of lost game coins 120 and the repayment of won game coins 120 can be detected by the camera device 2 taking pictures of the game coin tray 17 containing game coins 120 and the image analysis device 12 analyzing the images. Alternatively, the total amount of game coins 120 contained in the game coin tray 17 can be detected by embedding an RFID tag that displays the amount of the game coins 120 within the game coin 120 and by setting an RFID reader on the game coin tray 17.

For example, before the game starts, the total amount of 120 game coins in the coin tray 17 is set as Bb. After the game ends, the total amount of 120 game coins in the coin tray 17 after the recovery of lost game coins and the repayment of won game coins is set as Ba. Furthermore, in this game, the total amount of 120 game coins placed in the player's area for all players' positions 7 is set as bp, the total amount of 120 game coins placed in the banker's area for all players' positions 7 is set as bb, and the total amount of 120 game coins placed in the tie area for all players' positions 7 is set as bt. For example, if the banker wins the game, Ba - Bb = bp - bb + bt should hold true. Alternatively, the total amount of 120 game coins in the coin tray 17 after the game ends, Ba, should be (Bb + bp - bb + bt). If this is not the case, cheating or error can be determined regarding the recovery or repayment of game coins.

Figure 13A is a diagram showing details of the game coin tray in this embodiment, and Figure 13B is a diagram showing another example of the game coin tray. The game coin tray 17 is provided with a game coin tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing the game coins 120L placed by the losing player 6L, and a game coin tray 172 for storing the returned game coins 120L. The image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 determine the position, type, and number of game coins 120L placed by the losing player 6L, and calculate the increase in game coins 0L in the game (the expected amount of game coins 120L in the game coin tray 171). Furthermore, the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 determine the actual total amount of game coins 120L in the collected game coin tray 171, compare the expected total amount with the actual total amount, and determine if there is a discrepancy.

Furthermore, the repayment of 60,000 game coins to the winning player (120,000 coins) is achieved by using game coins 120 located in the repayment game coin tray 172, thereby ensuring that the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 have sufficient time to grasp the actual total amount of game coins 120 in the recovered game coin tray 171.

As shown in Figure 1, the game table 4 has a discard area 41 and/or a discard slot 42 for discarding playing cards C used in the game. When the game ends, the playing cards C used in the game are collected and placed in the discard area 41 or discard slot 42 on the game table 4 to be discarded.

The game table 4 also features signs 43 indicating the winner and loser of the game. Figure 4A is a plan view showing the front of the sign, and Figure 4B is a plan view showing the back of the sign. In a certain card game, two signs are used: 43a indicating the player's win and 43b indicating the dealer's win. When the game results are announced, the dealer 5 flips over the winning sign of either the player or the dealer. This makes the winner and loser easily visible on the table. The flipped-over sign is restored to its original state by the dealer 5 after the game coins 120 are collected and returned. Restoring the sign to its original state signifies that the next round of the game can begin.

As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 14 calculates the income and expenditure of game coins for each game based on the amount of game coins placed on the game table 4 and the winning or losing result of the game, and verifies the increase in the balance of game coins in the game coin tray 17 after the game. If the control device 14 detects a discrepancy in this verification, it issues a warning or adds a record of the discrepancy to the video recording taken by the camera device 2. The casino operator can investigate the cause of the discrepancy by reviewing the video recording.

The cheating detection system of this embodiment adds to or subtracts from the total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 before each game's settlement, based on the position, type, and number of game coins 120 placed by all players 6 in the game and the game's win/loss result obtained by the win/loss result determination device. It then compares the expected total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 after the game's settlement with the actual total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 at the end of the game, obtained by the image analysis device 12, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

The control device 14, with the aid of the image analysis device 12, grasps the position, type, and number of game coins placed by each player. When all the lost game coins placed by each player are collected, the control device 14 grasps the actual total amount of game coins in the game coin tray. The control device 14 then adds the amount of game coins in the game coin tray 17 that should be added to the total amount of game coins in the game coin tray 17 before the settlement of each game, based on the position, type, and number of game coins placed by the losing players. The control device 14 compares this amount with the actual total amount of game coins in the game coin tray 17 to determine whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

The control device 14 will compare the total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 before each game settlement with the actual total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17, which is calculated by adding the amount of game coins 120 placed by the losing player to the game coin tray 17 for that game. If there is no difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount, the control device 14 will compare the expected total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 after the game ends with the actual total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 obtained by the image analysis device 12 at the end of the game. If there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount, a payment error will be determined, and a payment error signal will be generated to notify the payment error.

The game coin tray 17 is equipped with a game coin recycling tray 171 for temporarily storing and collecting the game coins 120 placed by the losing player. The image analysis device 12 compares the expected amount of game coins 120 in the recycling tray 171, which is calculated based on the position, type, and number of game coins 120L placed by the losing player, with the actual total amount of game coins 120 in the recycling tray 171, and determines whether there is a difference between the expected total amount and the actual total amount.

In order to detect a discrepancy between the actual total amount of game coins 120 held in the coin tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 and the increase or decrease in game coins calculated based on the total amount of game coins placed by all players and the winning or losing result of the game, the game recording device 11 can analyze the game record that caused the discrepancy, assign an index or time to the acquired image, or be able to determine and replay the scene of the game coins 120 being collected or paid.

In this way, the control device 14 obtains the total amount of game coins in the game coin tray 17 after the game ends, by means of the image analysis device 12. The determination of the settlement in this case occurs at any of the following 1) to 4):

1) Upon the end of the repayment period for the 120 game coins won;

2) When the card C used in the game is recycled and discarded in the discard area or discard slot of the table;

3) When the designated button attached to the win/loss result determination device is pressed;

4) When the indicator 43, which represents winning or losing, is restored to its original state.

In the aforementioned tabletop game management system, the management control device photographs the location, type, and number of game coins placed by the game participants in each game; however, this is done only when any one of the following 1) to 3) is detected:

1) When the card dispensing device detects that the first card has been drawn;

2) Before and after being extracted;

3) After the management and control device recognizes the signal that the placer has finished placing the card.

Furthermore, the control device 14 is structured as follows: it can grasp the position (position of the player, banker, and pair) and amount (type and number of coins) of the game coins placed at each player's position 7 on the game table 4, and compare the historical win/loss records of each player 6 and the amount of game coins won (the amount won) obtained based on the win/loss results of each game with the statistical data of a large number of past games (big data), and extract anomalies (set by the casino). This is an AI-efficient or deep learning structure. Typically, the control device 14 is an AI-efficient or deep learning structure that can effectively utilize anomalies such as the occurrence of winning amounts (1 million points) or the occurrence of a situation where the amount of game coins placed when losing is small and the amount of game coins placed when winning is large for multiple games.

Furthermore, the control device 14 (integrated with the image analysis device 12) of this cheating detection system is designed to identify or determine individual players 6 who have won a specified amount or more in player position 7, as an anomaly. This player 6 is identified by the image analysis device 12 through feature point extraction from facial images, and then assigned an identification number (ID, etc.). The control device 14 then has a warning function that notifies the other gaming table of the presence of the identified player 6 when the identified player leaves and sits at another table. Specifically, the warning is sent to the game table manager or the person in charge of each table (or the dealer) to prevent more unusual occurrences.

The control device 14 also has a database containing the exchange history of the player's banknote K and the dealer's game coins 120. It can compare and determine, with reference to the database, whether the amount of game coins 120 held in the game coin tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 corresponds to the payment amount of game coins 120 corresponding to the exchanged player's banknote K and has been reduced.

Alternatively, in the example above, it's possible to monitor the win/loss history and the amount of game coins earned (wins) of each player's position 7, without knowing the individual player 6. In this case, it's impossible to track player 6 when they leave the table, but it's possible to detect special situations such as a situation where the amount of game coins placed when losing is small and the amount of game coins placed when winning is large for multiple games. Furthermore, if such a player position 7 is detected, cheating or errors are suspected at that player position 7. Moreover, by verifying the video recording of that player position 7, cheating or errors can be discovered.

Specifically, the camera device 2 is configured to capture images of at least the game coins 120 placed in the placement area 8 of the game table 4. The image analysis device 12 analyzes the images captured by the camera device 2 to detect, based on the user's position 7, whether game coins are placed in any of the player, banker, or tie positions in the placement area 8, and the amount of game coins placed. Furthermore, the card dealing device 3 also functions as a win/loss determination device to determine the outcome of the game. The control device 14 records (monitors) the win/loss history and the amount of game coins obtained (game coin acquisition amount) for each player's position 7 based on the position of the game coins 120 in the placement area 8 (player, banker, or tie) and the game's win/loss outcome. Alternatively, either the win/loss history or the game coin acquisition amount can be recorded. The control device 14 compares the win/loss history and/or the game coin acquisition amount with statistical data from a large number of past (big data) games, and in special circumstances (set by the casino), identifies the player's position 7 as a suspected cheater's position.

If cheating is suspected to be occurring in player position 7, the cheating detection system can issue a warning (light, sound, or vibration) to allow at least the dealer to approach at that moment. This can at least interrupt the subsequent game and prevent further cheating. Furthermore, information indicating suspected cheating can be added to the video footage captured and recorded by camera device 2. Therefore, by reviewing the video recording, the reason for the suspected cheating can be determined.

The cheating detection system for an amusement park with game tables in this embodiment also has the function of checking for frequent exchanges of players' banknotes and dealer's game coins at the game table 4. In an amusement park playing a card game, before the game, player 6 exchanges their banknotes (cash, etc.) for the dealer's game coins at a designated game coin exchange point. However, if player 6 runs out of game coins, they can exchange their cash (banknotes) for the dealer's game coins 120 at the game table (a card game table, etc.) without leaving game table 4, and then continue the game. However, this creates an opportunity for cheating between the dealer 5 and the player. At the game table (a card game table, etc.), the exchange of cash (banknotes) from the player to the dealer's game coins 120 must be performed before the game begins. The card dealing device 3 can detect the start and end of card dealing (the period for determining the winner) to determine the outcome of the game. Therefore, in the card dealing device 3, situations other than card dealing are detected. The control device 14 detects the exchange of players' banknotes and dealer's game coins 120 taking place on the game table 4 in situations other than card dealing (as shown in Figure 5). The situation of card dealing (or other situations) can be detected based on information obtained from the actions of the card dealing device 3 or the dealer 5.

The control device 14 is capable of performing image analysis on the surface of the player's banknote K and identifying the number and amount of playing cards. Furthermore, on the game table 4, whether the player's banknote K used for exchanging with the dealer's game coins 120 is genuine is detected by irradiating the banknote with ultraviolet light to examine its authenticity marker G. As shown in Figure 5, the control device 14 is configured to perform image analysis and verification on the authenticity marker G, identify the total amount of genuine banknotes, and even if multiple game coins received as exchange partners are hidden due to the blind spot of the camera device 2, the total amount of game coins can still be identified. It can also compare the total amount of banknote K received by the player on the game table 4 with the total amount of game coins 120 taken out by the dealer 5 to determine whether the two amounts are consistent. This utilizes an AI-efficient or deep learning structure.

The control device 14 is an AI-efficient or deep learning structure capable of comparing and calculating whether the total amount of game coins 120 in the dealer's coin tray 17 at the game table 4 corresponds to the payment amount of game coins exchanged with the player's banknotes after the exchange and settlement. It is also possible that the total amount of game coins 120 in the dealer's coin tray 17 can be monitored in advance using RFID or similar methods. Furthermore, by capturing an image of the coin tray 17 containing the game coins 120 using the camera device 2 and analyzing the image using the image analysis device 12, the total amount of game coins 120 stored in the coin tray 17 can also be detected.

Furthermore, the control device 14 verifies whether the increase or decrease in the amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 before and after the exchange of the player's banknotes and the dealer's game coins is consistent with the exchange amount of game coins as determined by the image analysis on the game table 4. The amount of banknotes paid can also be input by the dealer 5 through key input or other means into the control device 14, or it can be determined by the camera device 2 capturing an image of the game table 4 where banknote payments are made and analyzing the image by the image analysis device 12.

As described above, the control device 14 determines whether the reduction in the amount of game coins 120 from the game coin tray 17 caused by the exchange of the player's banknotes and the dealer's game coins is consistent with the amount of banknotes paid from the player 6 to the dealer 5. Furthermore, the control device 14 is an intelligent control device capable of comparing and calculating the consistency between the amount of banknotes received by the dealer 5 (usually via key input, etc.) and the calculated amount of banknotes based on the image analysis results of the image analysis device 12 after the exchange and settlement of the player's banknotes and the dealer's game coins. It can also be an artificial intelligence-efficient or deep learning-based device.

Furthermore, the control device 14 is an artificial intelligence-efficient or deep learning structure capable of comparing and calculating the consistency between the total amount of banknotes entered by the dealer at the game table 4 under the dealer's responsibility and the total amount of banknotes obtained from the image analysis results of the image analysis device 12.

The control device 14 compares and determines whether the amount of game coins 120 held in the game coin tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 has been reduced according to the payment amount of game coins 120 corresponding to the exchange of the player's banknotes and the dealer's game coins 120.

The control device 14 is an artificial intelligence-efficient or deep learning-based control device that can obtain information about the type and number of game coins 120 even when some or all of the game coins are hidden.

(Second Implementation)

The management system of the second embodiment is a management system for tabletop games in an amusement park.

In casinos and other amusement parks, efforts are being made to prevent various errors in the handling of game tokens by dealers. These parks are equipped with surveillance cameras to monitor for such errors. The cameras use images to determine whether errors or cheating occur due to the return or redemption of tokens that do not match the expected wins or losses, thus preventing such mishandling.

On the other hand, the following proposal was put forward: in order to control the number and total amount of game coins placed, the amount of game coins can be controlled by attaching IC tags to each game coin.

In the card game monitoring system described in international application PCT/JP2015/000171, whether the game coins placed on the game table are recovered or refunded according to the winning or losing result is determined by image analysis of the movement of the game coins, thereby monitoring the dealer's error in handling game coins.

In amusement arcades and other similar venues, game tokens are stacked high on game tables. However, a problem exists where the IC tag reader located beneath the table cannot accurately read the total amount. Increasing the sensitivity of the reader leads to the issue of tokens placed in different positions (winners and losers depending on the position) being counted together, making it impossible to accurately determine the total amount for each position. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the design of token 9 is complex, making it difficult for a camera to accurately determine the number of tokens stacked when multiple tokens are piled together.

Furthermore, the following new issue has been further addressed: the sophistication of cheating in arcade games, where cheating methods employed through advanced placement techniques that cannot be detected by simple checks such as high winning amounts, and which cannot be detected by cameras.

Furthermore, the dealer is required to collect or return game tokens placed on the game table according to the wins and losses. Even if this is determined by image analysis of the game tokens, the complexity of the token patterns presents the following challenges: it is impossible to determine whether the dealer has correctly returned the game tokens corresponding to the placed tokens using existing image analysis technology, thus failing to adequately prevent cheating.

To address the aforementioned issues, the tabletop game management system of this embodiment includes a card-distributing device that determines and displays the win/loss results of each game on the game table, a measuring device that uses a camera to measure the game coins placed on the game table, and a management control device that uses the measurement results of the measuring device in each game to determine and store the position, type, and number of game coins placed on the game table by the game participants. The game coins have the following structure: multiple layers of plastic of different colors are stacked, with a colored layer at least in the middle. A multi-layer structure in which white or light-colored layers are stacked on both sides of the colored layer in the middle forms stripes in the stacking direction on the side. The type of game coin can be determined by the colored layer. The management control device has a calculation function that uses the win/loss results obtained from the card-distributing device and the measurement results of the position, type, and number of game coins placed by the game participants to determine the winners and losers of each game, and performs income and expenditure calculations on the casino side of the game table for each game.

Furthermore, in the management system, the management control device is a structure that has the function of determining the number of game coins by measuring the number of colored layers, white layers, or light-colored layers of game coins placed by each game participant.

To address the aforementioned issues, the game coin in this embodiment has the following structure: multiple plastic layers of different colors are stacked, with a colored layer at least in the middle, and white or light-colored layers are stacked on both sides in a manner that sandwiches the colored layer, forming stripes in the stacking direction on the side, and the type of game coin can be determined by the colored layer.

Furthermore, the game coin has a printed indication of its type on the surface of the white or light-colored layer, and a transparent layer is provided on the outermost layer. The layers are bonded together by heat pressing to form a structure of at least 5 layers.

Furthermore, the game tokens may have markings made of UV ink or infrared-absorbing ink (carbon black ink) on the white or light-colored surface, or they may have embossed processing applied to the outermost transparent layer, or R processing applied to the end of the outermost transparent layer, or the coloring layer may be formed by multiple layers and RFID may be hidden within the coloring layer.

To address the aforementioned issues, the coin inspection apparatus of this embodiment includes a channel with an inlet and an outlet through which the coin can pass in the radial direction; a coin type determination device that photographs the side of the coin passing through the channel and determines the color of the stripes in the overlapping direction of the side; a mark reading device that reads the marks of UV ink or infrared-absorbing ink (carbon black ink) applied to the surface of the passing coin; a printing inspection device that reads the type-indicating print applied to the surface of the coin from a vertical direction relative to the channel; and a control device for the entire apparatus. The control device is configured to check whether the coin type determined by the coin type determination device is consistent with the type-indicating print obtained from the printing inspection device.

According to the system of this embodiment, even if multiple game coins are stacked, the number of game coins can be determined by image analysis, and the total amount of overlapping game coins can also be grasped by position and color.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a management system for tabletop games in an amusement park with game tables according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the entire system. The management system for tabletop games in an amusement park with multiple game tables 4 includes a measuring device 19 that measures the progress of games played at the game tables 4, including game participants 6 and a dealer 5, records images as images by multiple camera devices 2 and analyzes the images of the recorded progress of the games, and a card dealing device 3 that determines and displays the winning or losing results of each game at the game tables 4. The card dealing device 3 is a so-called electronic shoe that is already used and known to those skilled in the art. It is constructed such that the rules of the game are pre-programmed, and it is able to read the information (face value and suit) of the dealt cards C and determine the winning or losing result of the game. For example, in a certain card game, the dealer's win, the player's win, and the tie (draw) are basically determined by the face value of 2 to 3 cards, and the determination result (winning or losing result) is displayed by the indicator light 13.

The management control device 14 reads the information (face value and suit) of the cards C obtained from the card dealing device 3, determines the winning and losing results of each game, and uses the determination results of the position, type, and number of game coins 120 placed by the game participants 6 to determine the winner 6W and loser 6L among the participants 6 in each game. In addition, it also has a calculation function, which calculates the income and expenditure on the casino side of the game table 1 for each game (from the total amount of game coins 120 placed by the loser 6L) minus the total amount of game coins 120 repaid to the winner 6W among the participants 6.

The image analysis device 18, the measuring device 19, and the management and control device 14 in this detection system are constructed as an integral or composite unit, and include a computer, program, and memory composed of multiple structures.

Next, details of the game tokens used in this detection system will be explained. Figure 8 is a front cross-sectional view of the game token 120 used in this detection system. Its structure is a multi-layered structure with multiple plastic layers of different colors stacked on top of each other. At least a colored layer 121 is present in the middle, and white layers 122 or light-colored layers (not shown, but any layer lighter than the colored layer 121) are stacked on both sides of this middle colored layer 121. As shown in Figure 9A, by setting up a multi-layered structure with a colored layer 121 and white layers 122 or light-colored layers (not shown, but any layer lighter than the colored layer 121) stacked on both sides of this middle colored layer 121, stripes in the stacking direction are formed on the side. By changing the color of the colored layer 121 (red, green, yellow, or blue, etc.) according to the type of game token 120 (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.), the type of game token 120 can be determined.

The game coin 120 has the following structure, constituting a structure that at least visually has a colored layer 121, a white layer 122, or a light-colored layer, thereby forming axial stripes on the side. The type of game coin 120 can be determined by the colored layer 121. Figures 10A and 10B are other embodiments, but both are examples of forming the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122 or light-colored layer by injection molding. This is done through a so-called two-color molding process, in which the colored layer 121 is first molded in a molding die (not shown), and then the white layer 122 or light-colored layer is molded.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9B, the game coin 120 has printing 123 indicating the type of game coin 120 (e.g., 100 points) applied to the surface (top and bottom) of the white layer 122. As shown in Figure 8, a transparent layer 124 is provided on the outermost layer, and the layers are heat-pressed together to form a structure of at least 5 layers. The game coin 120 uses a long, thin, ruler-shaped plastic material. In its ruler-like state, the layers (colored layer 121, white layer 122, transparent layer 124) are heat-pressed together to form a tightly bonded state (5-layer structure, etc.), and then molded into a circle or rectangle by a press or the like. The dimensions of the mold and punch used for molding during the press molding process are designed, and an R-shaped finishing (rounded corner) is applied to the end of the outermost transparent layer 124.

Specifically, in manufacturing the game coin 120, firstly, a sheet-like colored plastic layer 121 and a sheet-like white plastic layer 122 or a light-colored layer are stacked to form a laminated structure composed of multiple plastic layers. Then, patterns are printed on the top and bottom of this laminated structure, and a transparent layer 124 is placed on top of it. Next, the laminated structure and the transparent layer 124 are heated and pressed together to melt each layer, thereby creating the game coin base plate. The game coin base plate thus created is then molded using a mold to obtain multiple game coins 120 of a specified shape. During this molding process, the top and bottom corners of the outer sides of the game coin 120 are rounded using the mold.

Furthermore, on the surface of the white layer 122, a face code using UV ink or infrared-absorbing ink (carbon black ink) is provided on the game coin 120 (see Figure 9B). This face code indicates the authenticity of the game coin 120; the mark becomes visible when exposed to ultraviolet (or infrared) light, and the combination of its shape and number indicates a genuine coin. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the game coins 120 stacked together; the face code M is obtained by combining the long code L and the short code S. A transparent layer (printed layer) 124 is heat-pressed or coated on the outermost layer, covering the printing 123 and the face code. However, an embossing process is applied to this transparent layer 124 to prevent the game coins 120 from sticking together. In this embodiment, the face code is printed on the surface of the white layer 122 as an example; however, it is also possible to print either a security mark or an optically variable image (OVD) along with the face code, instead of the face code.

The outermost transparent layer (printed layer) 124, on which the printing 123 (100 dots, etc.) is applied, is subjected to an R-processing (R) to prevent the surface of the white layer 122 from deforming and being exposed on the side during the molding process of the game coin 120. In addition, it prevents the game coin 120 from having a sharp end that could damage the hand or other game coins 120.

The coloring layer 121 can also be formed by multiple colored layers (three layers in Figure 8), as shown in FIG8. Since the multiple colored layers (three layers in FIG8) are heat-pressed together, the three-layer structure is not visually apparent, as shown in FIG8; FIG8 illustrates the three layers. Furthermore, a portion of a cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three colored layers 121, within which the RFID 125 is concealed.

Alternatively, instead of providing the cutout B in the colored layer 121, the RFID 125 can be positioned between the smooth surface of the colored layer 121 and the smooth surface of the white layer 122. Then, by heat-pressing the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122 together, it can be embedded within the game coin 120. By making at least one of the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122 from a heat-deformable material such as plastic, the plastic layer in the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122 containing the RFID 125 undergoes thermal deformation due to the heat-pressing bonding. Thus, even without providing the cutout B, the RFID 125 is tightly bonded and fixed between the layers.

Figure 12 is a three-dimensional photograph illustrating the stacking of different types of game coins. The management control device 14 captures images of the game coins 120 placed on the game table 1 by the game participant 6 using the camera device 2. The device also measures the placement areas 8 (placed with the dealer, placed with the player, placed with a pair, or placed with a tie) using a measuring device 19 equipped with an image analysis device 18. The measuring device 19 analyzes and measures the quantity and color of the colored layer 121 (or light-colored layer) or white layer 122 of the game coins 120 stacked in each area (using information obtained from the image analysis device 18) to determine the type and number of game coins 120. The management control device 14 controls the camera device 2 to capture images when the first card is drawn from the card dealing device, before or after its drawing, or after the dealer's placement signal.

The management and control device 14 can also be a control device that effectively utilizes artificial intelligence or has a deep learning structure. With the help of the camera device 2 and the image analysis device 18, the management and control device 14 can grasp the position 8 (the position of the game coins 120 placed by each participant 6 in the player, banker, and pairs), the type (the game coins 120 are divided into different values according to color), and the number of coins. In computer or control systems that effectively utilize artificial intelligence, and in deep learning (structure) technology, since self-learning functions can be used to grasp the position 8 (placement of the player, banker, and pair), type (the game coins 120 are divided into different values according to color), and number of coins, in each game according to the winning or losing result determined by the card dealing device 3, the management control device 14 analyzes the image of the game's progress state by means of the image analysis device 18 to determine whether the game coins 120 placed by the losing participant 6L (indicated by arrow L) and the winning game coins 120 won by the winning participant 6W have been correctly recovered (paid (120W)) according to the winning or losing result of the game.

In this case, as shown in Figure 11 (compared to the existing game tokens shown in Figure 7), it has a multi-layered structure with clearly formed stripes in the stacking direction on the sides. Therefore, the measuring device 19, including the image analysis device 18, can easily and accurately determine the type and number of game tokens. Furthermore, if an artificial intelligence-efficient computer or control system or deep learning (structure) technology is used, image analysis and judgment can be performed more accurately. Since artificial intelligence-efficient computer or control system and deep learning (structure) technology are known and available to those skilled in the art, specific descriptions are omitted.

The management and control device 14 can use the image analysis device 18 to analyze and monitor the total amount of game coins 120 in the coin tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4. After the game ends and is settled, it can adjust the total amount of game coins 120 in the coin tray 17 according to the game's outcome, comparing and calculating whether it corresponds to the recovery of lost game coins 120 placed by each game participant 6 and the payment of 120W of winning game coins to the winning game participant 6W. Even though the total amount of game coins 120 in the coin tray 17 is monitored in real time using RFID or other means, the accuracy of the adjustment is determined by the management and control device 14 through analysis of the game's progress image using the image analysis device 18. This also demonstrates the effective use of artificial intelligence or deep learning structures.

The management control device 14 can also be capable of grasping the position (placed in the player, banker, or pair position) and amount (type and number of coins) of game coins placed on each player's position 7 at the game table 4. It compares the win/loss history and the amount of game coins won by each game participant 6 (the amount won) based on the win/loss results of each game with statistical data from past games (big data), and can extract this as a special case (set by the casino) using an AI-efficient or deep learning structure. Typically, a management control device 14 with the following AI-efficient or deep learning structure can compare the occurrence of a winning amount (1 million points) or more, or the state where the amount of game coins placed when losing is small and the amount of game coins placed when winning is large, for several consecutive games, with past game statistics (big data, etc.), and extract this as a special case.

The management control device 14 is configured to compare and calculate whether the increase or decrease of the total amount of game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 of the dealer 5 at the game table 4 is correct after each game and after the settlement of the game coins 120 placed by each participant 6.

In the coin tray 17 for holding the game coins 120 of the dealer 5 shown in Figure 6, the quantity and color of the colored layer 121 or white layer 122 of the horizontally stacked game coins 120 are analyzed and measured by the measuring device 19 (using information obtained by the image analysis device 18), and the type and number of game coins 120 can be determined. The total amount of game coins 120 in the coin tray 17 is monitored at regular intervals (or at predetermined time intervals). Since the management control device 14 has the function of calculating the settlement amount (the income and expenditure calculation on the casino side of the game table 4 (the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of game coins 120 returned to the winner 6W of the participant 6 from the total amount of game coins 120 placed by the loser 6L)) for each game, the amount of game coins 120 in the coin tray 17 is verified at regular intervals (or at predetermined time intervals). That is, whether the increase or decrease of game coins is consistent with the image analysis results according to the image analysis device 18 and the settlement amount of each game of the dealer 5 is verified.

Figure 13A is a diagram showing details of the game coin tray in this embodiment, and Figure 13B is a diagram showing another example of the game coin tray. The game coin tray 17 is provided with a game coin tray 171 for collecting and temporarily storing the game coins 120L placed by the losing player 6L, and a game coin tray 172 for storing the returned game coins 120L. The image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 determine the position, type, and number of game coins 120L placed by the losing player 6L, and calculate the increase in game coins 120L in the game (the expected amount of game coins 120L in the game coin tray 171). Furthermore, the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 determine the actual total amount of game coins 120L in the collected game coin tray 171, compare the expected total amount with the actual total amount, and determine if there is a discrepancy.

Here, the coin tray 17 shown above is a double-layer structure consisting of an upper coin tray 17a and a lower coin tray 17b. Figures 14A and 14B are diagrams showing the relationship between the double-layer coin tray 17 and the camera device 2; Figure 14A shows the double layers overlapping, and Figure 14B shows the double layers staggered. Below the upper coin tray 17a is the lower coin tray 17b, which are connected to each other by a hinge 17c. When the upper coin tray 17a has insufficient coins 120, coins 120 are replenished from the lower coin tray 17b to the upper coin tray 17a; when the upper coin tray 17a has excess coins 120, the coins 120 are moved to the lower coin tray 17b.

To allow the game token 120 to move in and out of the lower game token tray 17b, the upper game token tray 17a is moved via hinge 17c, resulting in the state shown in Figure 14B. In the state shown in Figure 14A, the upper game token tray 17a can be photographed using camera 2. In the state shown in Figure 14B, the lower game token tray 17b can be photographed using camera 2. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 14B, both the upper and lower game token trays 17a and 17b can be photographed simultaneously and distinctly from each other using camera 2c. Additionally, in the state shown in Figure 14B, both the upper and lower game token trays 17a and 17b can be photographed separately. Cameras 2 and 2c are individually equipped with a visible light camera or an infrared camera corresponding to the ink printed on the side ID126, or are cameras capable of switching between multiple functions, such as a visible light camera or an infrared camera corresponding to the printed ink.

Next, referring to FIG15, the inspection device 200 for inspecting game coins 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The inspection device 200 includes a passage 203 having an inlet 201 and an outlet 202 through which game coins 120 can pass in the radial direction (arrow Y direction). The passage 203 is inclined, and the game coin 120 passes through in the arrow Y direction. The passage 203 includes a game coin type determination device 204 for photographing the side of the game coin 120 and determining the color of the stripes in the overlapping direction of the side; a mark reading device 205 for reading the surface code provided on the surface of the passing game coin 120 as a surface code using UV ink or infrared-absorbing ink (carbon black ink); a printing inspection device 206 for reading the type-indicating print 123 provided on the surface of the game coin from a vertical direction relative to the passage 203; and a control device 207 for the entire device, which is a structure for checking whether the game coin type determined by the game coin type determination device 204 is consistent with the type-indicating print content obtained from the printing inspection device 206.

The inspection device 200 can check whether the printing 123 of the manufactured game coin 120 is consistent with the game coin type according to the color of the stripes on the game coin 120 and is printed correctly.

As described above, the game coin 120 of this embodiment has a laminated structure consisting of multiple plastic layers, with a colored layer 121 and a white layer 122 or a light-colored layer sandwiched between the colored layer 121, thereby forming stripes in the laminated direction on the side. The game coin 120 has a structure that determines the type of game coin 120 by the colored layer 121 exposed on the side. Furthermore, printing is applied to the top and bottom of the game coin 120. Specifically, printing is applied to the surface of the white layer 122 or the light-colored layer, and a transparent layer 124 is provided thereon. The colored layer 121, the white layer 122 or the light-colored layer, and the printing layer 124 are thermo-pressed together to form a layered structure.

The white layer 122 or light-colored layer sandwiched between the colored layer 121 can also be configured such that the upper and lower layers have different thicknesses.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer edges of the top and bottom of the game coin 120 are rounded. This prevents injury to the player's hand while operating the game coin 120 or damage to other game coins 120.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the RFID 125 is fixedly bonded between the colored layer 121 and the plastic layer forming either the white layer 122 or the light-colored layer.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a face code using infrared-absorbing ink such as UV-emitting ink or infrared-absorbing ink (carbon black ink) is provided on the top and/or bottom of the game coin 120. Additionally, as a variation of this embodiment, a security mark, an optically variable image (OVD), or both may be printed on the surface of the game coin 120 instead of the face code, or together with the face code.

The game coin 120 of this embodiment has a structure with a side ID 126 attached to the side and an RFID 125 embedded therein. Furthermore, a face code using UV luminescent ink or infrared absorbing ink (carbon black ink) is provided on the top or bottom (printing layer 124). The information in the side ID 126 is associated with the information in the RFID 125, or the information in the side ID 126 is associated with the information in the face code, or the information in the side ID 126, the information in the RFID 125, and the information in the face code are all associated together.

Furthermore, the inspection device 200 of this embodiment includes a measuring device 19 for photographing the side of the game coin 120 and determining the color of the stripes in the overlapping direction of the side to identify the type of game coin 120, and a mark reading device 205 for reading the printed content of the game coin. This allows for the inspection of the relationship between the type of game coin and the printed content.

In this embodiment, the management control device 14 takes pictures to determine the position, type, and number of game coins placed by the players in each game, either when the first card is taken from the card dispensing device 3, before or after it is taken, or after the dealer finishes placing the card.

Furthermore, the game coin 120 of this embodiment is manufactured as follows. First, the colored layer 121, the white layer 122, or the light-colored layer are heated and pressed together to form a laminated structure comprising multiple plastic layers. Then, a pattern is printed on at least the top or bottom of the laminated structure to create a game coin base plate. Then, the game coin base plate is molded using a mold to obtain multiple game coins of a predetermined shape. Here, during the molding process, the outer edges of the top and bottom surfaces of the game coin 120 are rounded using a mold.

Furthermore, when manufacturing a game coin 120 with a side ID, the side ID is inkjet printed on the side of the white layer 122 or a light-colored layer. Additionally, when manufacturing a game coin 120 with RFID, the RFID is sandwiched between the layers of the laminated structure. During the heat pressing of each layer, the layers containing the RFID are heat-fused, causing the RFID to be tightly bonded around the plastic layer.

Furthermore, the tabletop game management system of this embodiment includes a card dispensing device 13 that determines and displays the winning and losing results of each game on the game table 4, a camera device 2 that captures images of the game coins 120 placed on the game table 4, and a management control device 14 that uses the images captured by the camera device 2 to determine and store the position, type, and number of game coins placed on the game table 4 by the game participants 6. The game coins 120 are a layered structure consisting of a colored layer 121 and a white layer 122 or a light-colored layer, with stripes in the layering direction on the side. The management control device 14 has a calculation function that performs income and expenditure calculations on the casino side of the game table 4 for each game based on the winning and losing results obtained from the card dispensing device 13 and the images captured by the camera device 2.

The management and control device 14 has the following functions: it measures the number of colored layers 121, white layers 122, or light-colored layers of game coins 120 placed by each game participant 6; it determines the type or amount of game coins by the color of the colored layer 121; and it determines the number of game coins 120.

(Third Implementation)

The system described in this embodiment relates to a management system for preventing counterfeit game tokens from being used in casinos or other game facilities that use game tokens.

Among the many live table games played in casinos or gaming facilities is a card game. These games use a standard deck of 52 playing cards, which are dealt to the game table from a dealer equipped with pre-shuffled multiple decks (6 to 9 or 10 decks) and then the game is played. In casinos or gaming facilities, game coins are used to enable the use of such games.

The use of counterfeit gaming tokens is prohibited in casinos. To prevent the use of counterfeit gaming tokens in casinos, there exists a technology that attaches RFID tags to gaming tokens to prevent counterfeiting. RFID-tagged gaming tokens are known, as disclosed in International Application Publication No. WO2008/120749.

This embodiment provides a management system or game token system to prevent the use of counterfeit game tokens in casinos or gaming facilities, and can prevent the use of counterfeit game tokens or cheating exchanges in casinos or gaming facilities. In recent years, the technology for manufacturing counterfeit game tokens has evolved to the point that it is almost possible to perfectly replicate genuine counterfeit identification marks or RFID. As a result, the following problem exists: counterfeit game tokens have the same markings as genuine genuine counterfeit identification marks or RFID, making it impossible to distinguish between counterfeit and genuine game tokens, and making it almost impossible to determine whether they are genuine or counterfeit.

To address the aforementioned existing problems, the game coin management system of this embodiment includes game coins with individually identifiable side IDs, an ID reading device for reading the side IDs attached to the game coins, a vault for storing the game coins in an arcade cash register, an arcade game coin tray for storing the game coins on the arcade table, a game coin determination device for using the ID reading device to determine the type and quantity of the game coins stored in the arcade game coin tray and the vault, respectively, and a management control device for managing the IDs attached to the game coins in a database within the arcade. The device is an apparatus with the following functions: pre-registering the ID of the assumed game coin in the database; using the database, managing at least the ID of the game coin in the game table tray and the vault along with its location information in the database; determining the game coins in the game table tray and the vault at a predetermined time; and retrieving the database to determine the following: 1) a new ID that has not existed in the database has appeared; 2) two or more identical IDs exist; generating an error signal whenever either 1) or 2) of the above conditions exists.

Furthermore, the management and control device also has the following functions: at least when the presence of game coins in the game coin tray of the arcade table and the vault changes, it associates the time or location of the change with the ID and records it in the database; it retrieves the database, and if there are two or more identical IDs, it extracts and saves the ID and the information of the time or location associated with the ID and recorded in the database; it can determine the time when the game coin with the ID that was just detected enters or leaves the game coin tray of the arcade table or the vault, or the location of the game coin in the game coin tray of the arcade table or the vault where the game coin is held.

Furthermore, the game coin management system includes a game coin determination device for the placement area, which uses the ID reading device to determine the type and quantity of game coins placed in the placement area of the game table. It may also have the following function: for the IDs of game coins present in the placement area of the game table, it determines the following by searching the database: 1) A new ID that has not existed in the database appears; 2) Two or more identical IDs exist. An error signal is generated whenever either 1) or 2) occurs.

Furthermore, side IDs are affixed to at least three locations on the sides of the coin. The side IDs are affixed using inkjet printing with visible ink. In particular, it is advantageous for the side IDs to be affixed in a multi-row, multi-column marking manner. Additionally, a transparent coating or varnish is applied to the top and bottom surfaces of the coin.

To address the aforementioned problems, the game coin of this embodiment has the following structure: It comprises a multi-layered structure consisting of multiple layers of plastic of different colors stacked together, with at least one layer having a coloring layer, and white or light-colored layers stacked outwards from the coloring layer, thereby forming stripes in the stacking direction on the side. The type of game coin can be determined by the coloring layer. Furthermore, it has the following structure: a side ID is attached at least three times on the side of the white or light-colored layer. By reading the ID with an ID reading device, the type of game coin and its production information can be determined, and the ID can be managed in a database. The side ID can also be attached using inkjet printing with visible light-visible ink (visible ink). Alternatively, the side ID can be attached using inkjet printing with inkjet printing with ink that is not visible light-visible (infrared-absorbing ink, UV ink, etc.). Furthermore, the side ID can be printed using at least two or more of visible light-visible ink, infrared-absorbing ink, or UV ink.

To address the aforementioned existing problems, in this embodiment, game coins are affixed with individually identifiable side IDs. These side IDs are read by an ID reading device capable of reading game coins held in a vault at an arcade and on the game table's coin tray. Furthermore, the type and quantity of game coins held in the game table's coin tray and the vault are determined by a game coin determination device using the ID reading device. The IDs of the game coins present in the game table's coin tray and the vault, along with their location information, are managed in a database, and at least the following IDs are present: 1) a newly existing ID that has never existed in the database; 2) the presence of two or more identical IDs is detected; the occurrence of situation 1) or 2) is determined.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a game coin management system for an amusement park with game tables according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing the entire system. The game coin management system for an amusement park with multiple game tables 4 (only one table is shown in Figure 16) captures, stores, and manages the status of games played at the game tables 4, including game participants 6 and dealers 5, using multiple camera devices 2. In particular, this game coin management system determines the type and number of game coins 120 used in the game at the game table 4 by analyzing the image information obtained from the camera devices 2. A side ID 126 is attached to the side of the game coin 120, and the type and number of game coins 120 are obtained by determining and reading the side ID 126. In addition, in this specification, the terms "side ID" and even "ID" are used both to mean the physical ID attached to the side of the game coin 120 and the identification information it represents. The ID reading device 53, located inside the management control device 50 connected to the camera device 2, analyzes the image information obtained from the camera device 2 and determines the side ID 126. In particular, the management control device 50 has a game coin determination device 52 inside, which analyzes the image data captured by the camera device 2 and determines the type and number of game coins 120 arranged horizontally or stacked according to the reading result of the side ID 126.

Furthermore, the management system of this embodiment is configured such that, in addition to the camera device 2 that records the game coins 120, multiple camera devices 2b-1 and 2b-2 arranged at predetermined positions and different heights are used to photograph the game coins 120 on the game table 4. Camera device 2b-1 can photograph game coins 120 that are relatively far away on the game table 4, while camera device 2b-2 is configured to photograph game coins 120 that are relatively close to the game table 4. By using two camera devices 2b-1 and 2b-2 to photograph, game coins 120 that would be in a blind spot if only one camera were used can also be photographed.

Game coins 120 are exchanged for cash 61 paid by game participants 6 at multiple cash registers 60 in the amusement park. At each cash register 60, game coins 120 are stored in a vault 62. At the game table 4, game coins 120 are held in a game coin tray 17. The dealer 5 retrieves game coins 120 placed by losing game participants 6 from the table 4 and, upon returning them to the game table tray 17, repays game coins 120 to winning game participants 6. All transactions between game participants 6 and the amusement park's cash registers 60, or between the dealer 5 and the dealer 5, are captured and recorded by the camera device 2. The amount of game coins 120 stored in the vault 62 or game table tray 17 increases or decreases whenever a transaction with game participants 6 occurs. The types and quantities of game coins 120 held in the game coin tray 17 or vault 62 at the amusement table are monitored at predetermined times or continuously by means of the camera device 2, the ID reading device 53, and the game coin determination device 52. The management control device 50 pre-stores the side IDs 126 of all game coins 120 assumed to be used in the amusement park on the database 51 (in the amusement park, the side IDs 126 of all game coins 120 assumed to be used are pre-registered).

In this embodiment, the coin tray 17 can also be composed of an upper coin tray 17a and a lower coin tray 17b, as illustrated in Figures 14A and 14B. Thus, in the state shown in Figure 14A, the camera device 2 can photograph the upper coin tray 17a, and in the state shown in Figure 14B, the camera device 2 can photograph the lower coin tray 17b. In the state shown in Figure 14B, the camera device 2c can further photograph both the upper coin tray 17a and the lower coin tray 17b simultaneously and in a distinguishable manner. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 14B, the upper coin tray 17a and the lower coin tray 17b can be photographed separately. The camera devices 2 and 2c are individually equipped with a visible light camera or an infrared camera corresponding to the ink printed on the side ID126, or are cameras capable of switching between multiple functions, such as a visible light camera or an infrared camera corresponding to the printed ink.

In this manner, the management control device 50, which manages the side IDs 126 attached to the game tokens 120 in the database, uses database 51 to manage all the side IDs 126 of the game tokens 120 present in the amusement park, at least on the game token tray 17 of the amusement table and the vault 62, along with their location information (movement from the vault 62 or the game token tray 17 of the amusement table, or the backstage (not shown), or held by the game participant 6, etc.) in database 51. The management control device 50 determines all the game tokens 120 in the game token tray 17 of the amusement table and the vault 62 by their side IDs 126 at predetermined times or at all times, and searches database 51 to determine the following matters through the search of database 51.

1) The case where a new side ID 126 that has never existed (or does not exist) in database 51 is determined;

2) The case where two or more identical IDs exist is determined.

The management control device 50 has the function of generating an error signal indicating an anomaly and notifying the amusement park's management or security department 54 whenever either of the conditions 1) or 2) above occurs. Since the management control device 50 determines all game coins 120 in the game table coin tray 17 and the vault 62 at predetermined times or at all times via side IDs 126 and stores this information in the database 51, it can: 1) determine the occurrence of a new side ID 126 that has never existed (is not present) in the database 51; and 2) determine the existence of two or more identical IDs.

The management and control system 50, at least when the presence of game coins 120 in the game table coin tray 17 and the vault 62 changes, associates the time or place of the change (vault 62 or game table coin tray 17, etc.) with the side ID 126 and records it in the database 51. If the result of searching the database 51 shows that there are two or more identical side IDs 126, the side ID 126 and the information of the time or place associated with the side ID and recorded in the database 51 are extracted from the database 51 and saved. The database 51 can be used to determine the time when the game coin 120 with the attached side ID 126 that was just detected (already used or cashed out) entered or exited the game table coin tray 17 or the vault 13, or the location of the game table coin tray 17 or the vault 13 where the game coin 120 was held. If the time and place can be determined, the person suspected of using the cheating game coin 120 can be identified from the recorded image of the camera device 2.

In this game coin management system, the management control device 50 can use the ID reading device 53 to determine the type and number of game coins 120 placed on the placement area 8 of the game table 4. The game coins 120 in the placement area 8 are photographed by the camera device 2b, which is specifically designed to photograph the placement area 8. The side ID 126 of the game coins 120 present on the placement area 8 of the game table 4 is also used to determine the following by searching the database 51.

1) Side ID 126, which does not exist in database 51, is newly created in placement area 16;

2) There are two or more identical IDs;

The management control device 50 has the function of generating an error signal whenever the above-mentioned conditions 1) or 2) exist.

The management and control device 50, the internal ID reading device 53, and the game coin determination device 52 that determines the type and number of game coins 120 in this system are constructed as a single unit or in combination with a computer, program, and memory consisting of multiple structures.

Next, details of the game coin 120 (so-called game coin) used in this system will be explained. Figure 17 is a side view of the game coin 120 used in this system. The game coin 120 is formed by stacking multiple sheet-like plastic layers of different colors, and then molding them into a circle or quadrilateral shape by means of hot pressing or other methods. The game coin 120 manufactured in this way is configured to have a colored layer 121 at least in the middle, and a multi-layer structure in which white layers 122 or light-colored layers (although not shown, they can be any color lighter than the colored layer 121) are stacked on both sides of the colored layer 121 in the middle (top and bottom in Figure 17). By configuring a multi-layer structure with a coloring layer 121, and stacking a white layer 122 or a light-colored layer (not shown, but just lighter than the coloring layer 121) on both sides of the middle coloring layer 121 (top and bottom in Figure 17), as shown in Figure 17, stripes are formed when viewed from the side (in the stacking direction). By changing the color of the coloring layer 121 (red, green, yellow, blue, etc.) according to the type of each coin 120 (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.), the type of coin 120 can be determined.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 17, a side ID 126 indicating the type of game coin 120 is applied to the side of the white layer 122 on the game coin 120. A transparent layer 124 is provided on the outermost layer, and the layers are heat-pressed together to form a structure of at least 5 layers. The game coin 120 uses a long, thin, ruler-shaped plastic material. In the ruler-like state, the layers (at least the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122) are heat-pressed together to form a tightly bonded state (5-layer structure, etc.), and then it is formed into a circle or rectangle by molding using a press or the like. The dimensions of the mold and punch used for molding during the molding process are designed, and an R-shaped finish (rounded corners) is applied to the ends of the outermost transparent layer 124. The transparent layer 124 can also be a varnish coating layer. The side ID 126 is attached to at least 3 locations on the side of the game coin 120. The side ID 126 is attached using ink that is visible to the light through inkjet printing.

In this embodiment, the side ID 126 is constructed and attached by the presence or absence of multiple rows and columns of markers C. As shown in Figure 17, the multiple rows and columns of markers C form a code in pairs, which is set to a 10-digit code in Figure 17. The structure of the code formed by the pairs of upper and lower markers C (4 types) is shown in Figure 18. The letter Y next to the marker C is an identification mark used to identify the upper and lower parts of the marker. The code formed by the markers C is constructed in a way that can be determined by a predetermined combination of markers C. As a result, in the embodiment shown in Figure 18, there are 4 combinations of the upper and lower 2 columns of markers C. If these are printed in 10 columns, 4 to the power of 10 types of codes can be constructed. Since there are 4 to the power of 10 types of 10-digit codes, the side ID 126 of the game coin 120 can be adequately assigned.

The game coin 120 has the following structure: a multi-layer structure consisting of multiple layers of plastic of different colors stacked together, with at least one layer having a coloring layer 121, and white or light-colored layers stacked outward from the coloring layer 121, thereby forming stripes in the stacking direction on the side. The type of game coin 120 can be identified by the coloring layer 121. Side IDs 126 are located at least three (preferably six) on the side of the white or light-colored layers, and in this embodiment, six are provided at predetermined intervals spaced 60 degrees apart in the rotational direction (circumferential direction). Each game coin 120 is equipped with a uniquely identifiable side ID 126, and these are spaced at predetermined intervals of 60 degrees in the rotational direction (circumferential direction) such that the side IDs 126 are always visible from the side. The side IDs 126 attached to the game coin 120 are read by the ID reading device 53. The device is configured such that by reading the side ID 126 using the ID reading device 53, the type and manufacturing information of the game coin 120 can be determined, and the side ID 126 can be managed on the database 51. In this embodiment, the side ID 126 is attached using inkjet printing with visible light visible ink. The side ID 126 can also be printed using any or a combination of inks that are not visible to the naked eye (inks that absorb infrared light) or inks that are at least visible to the naked eye (including very small inks that are difficult to see). Furthermore, the side ID 126 can also be printed using multiple combinations of these different types of inks. The ID reading device 53 has at least one of the following cameras (i.e., a visible light camera when the ink is visible ink, an infrared camera when the ink is infrared reactive ink, and an ultraviolet camera (UV irradiator and visible light camera)) that correspond to the ink printed on the side ID 126, or a camera capable of switching between multiple functions of the camera corresponding to the ink (visible light camera, infrared camera, ultraviolet camera (UV irradiator and visible light camera, etc.)).

Figure 19 shows that the side ID126 of coin 120-1 is printed using ink that is invisible to visible light (ink that absorbs infrared light). In coin 120-2, the multi-row, multi-column markings C are printed using ink that is visible to visible light and is black. In coin 120-3, the markings C are further printed between the side ID126s using ink that is visible to visible light, making the side ID126 blend into the design and inconspicuous. In coin 120-4, the start and end points of the side ID126 are indicated by the marking Cf, which indicates the end. When viewed with an infrared camera, the ink that absorbs infrared light is visible as black, allowing for imaging when the side ID126 is readable (represented as coin 120-5). Furthermore, the vertical position of the side ID126 is indicated by the marking CL, which indicates vertical position. The vertical relationship of the markings is shown in Figure 17. Alternatively, the side ID126 can also be printed using a combination of visible light-visible ink and infrared-absorbing ink.

The side ID 126 attached to the game coin 120 is read by the ID reading device 53. The ID reading device 53 can read the game coins 120 held in the vault 62 of the amusement park's cashier and the game coin tray 17 of the amusement table. In fact, even when stacked horizontally (sideways) as shown in FIG20A, the side ID 126 can be read. In addition, the game coins 120 stacked in the placement area 8, etc., as shown in FIG20B, can also be read.

Furthermore, on the game coin 120, a face code made of UV ink or infrared-absorbing ink (carbon black ink) is provided on the surface (X) of the white layer 122 (see Figure 9B). This face code indicates the authenticity of the game coin 120. When exposed to ultraviolet (or infrared) light, the face code becomes visible, and the combination of its shape and number indicates a genuine coin. A transparent layer (printed layer) 124 is heat-pressed or coated on the outermost layer in the form of a printing 123 (100 dots, etc.) or face code covering the surface for amusement park identification. An embossing or varnishing process is applied to this transparent layer 124 to prevent the game coins 120 from sticking together and to make it smoother. A circular recess 127 is provided in the center of the top and bottom surfaces of the game coin 120. The recess 127 prevents the game coins 120 from sticking together, and increasing the diameter of the recess 127 makes the game coin 120 smoother.

The outermost transparent layer (printed layer) 124, on which the printing 123 (100 dots, etc.) is applied, has an R-processing (R) applied to its end to prevent the surface of the white layer 122 from deforming and becoming exposed on the side during the molding process of the coin 100. Furthermore, this prevents sharp ends of the coin 100 from remaining and injuring hands or other coins 120. The coloring layer 121 can also be formed from one or more colored layers. Additionally, metal or ceramic materials for increasing weight can be incorporated into the coloring layer 121. Specifically, the material in the coloring layer 121 can contain metal powder for increasing weight (e.g., one or more metal oxides such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide). Furthermore, a portion of the coloring layer 121 can be removed, or a space can be provided between the coloring layer 121 and the white layer 122 to embed an RFID tag. In this case, the side ID 126 of the coin 120 will be used in conjunction with a code consisting of a mark C.

In the game coins 120 configured in this way, the type and quantity of the game coins 120 held in the game coin tray 17 of the game table and the vault 62 are determined by the game coin detection device 52 using the camera device 2 and the ID reading device 53. The side ID 126 of the game coins 120 in the game coin tray 17 of the game table and the vault 62, along with their location information, are managed in the database 51. Thus, at least the detection...

1) The case where side ID 126, which does not exist in database 51, newly exists;

2) The existence of two or more identical side IDs 126;

The occurrence of the above-mentioned 1) or 2) can be achieved by searching all side IDs 126 and determining them.

As described above, player 6 can exchange cash 61 for game tokens at the cashier 60; however, the exchange from cash 61 to game tokens 120 can also be performed at the game table 4. The camera device 2 photographs the banknotes placed on the game table 4 for exchange with game tokens 120. That is, multiple camera devices 2 photographing the game tokens 120 on the game table 4 are positioned at different locations and heights.

The management control device 50 uses the image captured by the camera device 2 to determine the type and number of game coins 120 to be paid from the game coin tray 17 during the exchange of banknotes with players. The management control device 50 compares the actual total amount of game coins 120 held in the game coin tray 17 before and after payment to determine whether the difference corresponds to the determined type and number of game coins 120 to be paid. That is, the management control device 50 compares the total amount of game coins 120 held in the game coin tray 17 after the exchange of player's banknotes with the dealer's game coins 120 to determine whether it corresponds to the reduction made for the payment of game coins 120 corresponding to the exchanged player's banknotes. Furthermore, when the recovery and repayment based on the game's winning or losing results are also performed simultaneously, the management control device 50 compares whether the increase or decrease in game coins 120 calculated based on the total amount of game coins 120 placed by all players 6 corresponds to the winning or losing result of the game.

Here, the management control device 50 is a control device that utilizes artificial intelligence or a deep learning structure to obtain information about the type and number of game coins 120 even when some or all of the game coins 120 are hidden.

As described above, the game coin 120 has side IDs 126 affixed at least three times on the white or light-colored layer 122 on its side, spaced apart in the rotational direction (circumferential direction). By reading the side IDs 126 by the ID reading device 53, the type and manufacturing information of the game coin 120 can be determined. The structure allows for the management of information determined in this way by comparing it with the database 51.

The management and control device 50 can also be a control device that effectively utilizes artificial intelligence or has a deep learning structure. The management and control device 50 uses computer or control system that effectively utilizes artificial intelligence, deep learning (structure) technology, self-learning function, etc., to be able to grasp the position 8 (the position of the player, banker, and pair) of the game coins 120, the type (the game coins are divided into different values according to each color) and the number of coins.

The following describes a variation of the game coin 120. In this variation, a 7-digit number serving as the side ID 126 is printed on the side of the game coin 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG21, a white layer 122 is provided in the center, and colored layers 121 are provided above and below it. The white layer 122 in the center is printed with a number serving as a marker, constituting the side ID 126. There are 10 possible combinations of numbers, and if they are printed digit by digit, 10 to the power of 7 possible codes can be formed, thus sufficiently assigning the side ID 126 of the game coin 120. Even with the camera device 2 and its image analysis, there are cases where it is difficult to determine and read the numbers. Considering that the combination of marker C in the previously shown embodiment is advantageous in image analysis.

Figure 22 illustrates another inspection device 300 for inspecting the game coin 120. The device includes a face code reader 306 that reads the face code M, which is applied to the surface of the game coin 120 using UV-emitting ink or infrared-absorbing ink; an ID reader 307 that reads the side ID 126; an RFID reader 308 that reads the RFID (not shown) information of the game coin 120; and a control device 207. The control device 207 is a structure that checks the correlation between the information obtained from the side ID 126 by the ID reader 307 and the information obtained from the face code reader 306 and the RFID reader 308. The correlation of the above information is supported by a database (not shown) that should be accurate, and the check is performed by comparing the reading results with this database. This inspection is used to detect printing errors in the face code M or the side ID 126, preventing defects, or to distinguish it from counterfeit currency.

This embodiment (FIG. 22) includes a push-out device 302, which supplies game coins 120 to a reading table 309 via a push-out section 301 that moves in the direction of arrow Z due to the push-out device 302. Stacked game coins 120 are supplied from the push-out device 302 to the reading table 309. As a result, game coins 120 that are about to be checked are pushed out and fall in the direction of arrow X, and the game coins 120 falling in the direction of arrow X are held on a holding table 310.

The additional inspection device 400 for inspecting the game coin 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 23. The inspection device 400 comprises an RFID reader 408 for reading information from the RFID (not shown) of the game coin 120, an ID reader 307 for reading the side ID 126, and a control device 207, and checks the correlation between the information from the side ID 126 obtained by the ID reader 307 and the information obtained from the RFID reader 408. The correlation of the above information is supported by a database (not shown) that should be accurate, and is checked by comparing the reading results with it. This inspection is used to detect printing errors in the face code M or the side ID 126, preventing defects, or to distinguish it from counterfeit coins.

The ID reading device 307 is a camera 409 that has a separate structure with a visible light camera or an infrared camera corresponding to the ink printed on the side ID 126, or can switch between multiple functions such as a visible light camera and an infrared camera corresponding to the printed ink. The visible light camera can read the number and color of the game tokens 120, and the infrared camera can read the side ID 126 of the game tokens 120.

The other inspection device 450 for checking the game tokens 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 24. The same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the inspection device 400 (description omitted). The ID reading device 307 is structured to have multiple visible light cameras 304 or infrared cameras 305 corresponding to the ink printed on the side ID 126. The visible light cameras 304 are capable of reading the number and color of the game tokens 120, and the infrared cameras 305 are capable of reading the side ID 126 of the game tokens 120.

The management control device 50 obtains the total amount of game coins in the game coin tray 17 after the game ends, by means of the game coin determination device 52. However, the determination after the settlement in this case refers to the occurrence of any of the following 1) to 4):

1) At the end of the repayment period for the 120 game coins won;

2) When the card C used in the game is recycled and discarded in the table's waste area or waste slot;

3) When the designated button attached to the card dispensing device 3, which functions as a win/loss determination device, is pressed;

4) When restoring the winning/losing symbol 43 to its original state.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, by combining the second embodiment's image analysis device 18, which records the progress of the game at the game table 4, including the game participants 6 and the dealer 5, as images through multiple camera devices 2 and performs image analysis on the influence of the recorded game progress, an image analysis device 18 can be used to analyze and grasp the total amount of game coins 120 in the dealer 5's game coin tray 17 at the game table 4; a measuring device 19 that analyzes and determines the type and number of game coins 120 using information obtained from the image analysis device 18; and/or a mark reading device 205 that reads the surface code of the game coin 120 using UV luminescent ink or infrared absorbing ink provided on the surface of the game coin 120; and, if necessary, an RFID reading device 308 that reads the information of the RFID 125 of the game coin 120, thereby constructing an inspection device including a management control device 50.

That is, by combining the RFID reader 308, which reads the RFID 125 information of the game coin 120, in the above structure, an ID reader 53 with a side ID 126 for reading the side surface and an inspection device 50 with a management control device 50 can be configured. In this inspection device, the management control device 50 checks the correlation between the information of the side ID 126 read by the ID reader 53 and the information of the RFID 125 read by the RFID reader 308.

Furthermore, by combining the mark reading device 205 of the second embodiment, which reads the face code (using UV-emitting ink or infrared-absorbing ink) provided on the top or bottom of the game coin 120, with the above-described structure, an inspection device can be constructed that includes an ID reading device 53 with a side ID 126 for reading the side surface, and a management control device 50. In this inspection device, the management control device 50 checks the correlation between the information of the side ID 126 read by the ID reading device 53 and the information of the face code read by the mark reading device 205.

Furthermore, by combining the mark reading device 205 (a second embodiment that reads the surface code using UV-emitting ink or infrared-absorbing ink provided on the surface of the game coin 120) and the RFID reading device 308 (that reads the information of the RFID 125 of the game coin 120) in the above structure, an ID reading device 53 having a side ID 126 for reading the side surface and an inspection device 50 having a management control device 50 can be constructed. In this inspection device, the management control device 50 checks the correlation between the information of the side ID 126 read by the ID reading device 53, the information of the surface code read by the mark reading device 205, and the information of the RFID 125 read by the RFID reading device 308.

As explained above, in this embodiment, the game coin 120 has a side ID 126 for identifying each individual attached to the outer side of the white layer 122 or the light-colored layer.

The side ID126 is spaced apart in the rotational direction (circumferential direction) of the side of the game coin 120 and is attached at least 3 times.

In addition, side ID126 is printed using invisible ink that is not visible to visible light (e.g., infrared absorbing ink or UV luminescent ink).

Furthermore, side ID126 has multiple rows on the sides of both the white layer 122 and the light-colored layer.

Furthermore, at least one of the plurality of plastic layers constituting the colored layer 121 and the white layer 122 is a layer containing metal powder (e.g., one or more metal oxides of zinc oxide and titanium oxide) for weight gain.

Furthermore, the side ID 126 can be printed with two or more inks selected from at least visible light ink, infrared absorbing ink, or UV ink. In this case, the ID reading device 53 has multiple cameras corresponding to each ink used for printing on the side ID 126, or it has cameras capable of switching between multiple camera functions corresponding to each ink.

Furthermore, the game coin 120 is manufactured as follows: First, a colored layer 121 and a white layer 122 or a light-colored layer sandwiching the colored layer 121 are heated and pressed together to form a laminated structure comprising multiple plastic layers. Then, a pattern is printed on at least the top or bottom of the laminated structure to create a game coin base plate. The game coin base plate is then molded using a mold to obtain multiple game coins of a predetermined shape. Here, at least one of the multiple plastic layers uses a layer containing metal powder or metal oxide for increasing weight. A side ID 126 identifying each individual coin is printed on the side of the game coin 120 manufactured in this manner. The side ID 126 can also be printed using inkjet printing.

In addition, RFID125 is sandwiched between the layers of the laminated structure. When heating and pressing each layer, the layers with RFID125 sandwiched are heat-fused to tightly bond and fix the RFID125 around them with plastic layers.

Furthermore, the tabletop game management system of this embodiment includes a game coin tray 17 installed on the game table 4 to hold game coins 120 according to each type, a camera device 2 to photograph the game coins 120 held by the game coin tray 17, and a management control device 50 to determine the type and number of game coins 120 held by the game coin tray 17 using the photographing results of the camera device 2 and to measure the total amount of game coins 120 on the game coin tray 17.

The game coin 120 is a layered structure in which a colored layer 121 and a white layer 122 or a light-colored layer are stacked, and stripes with the stacking direction are present on the side. The management and control device 50 has the function of measuring the number of colored layers 121, white layers 122 or light-colored layers of the game coins placed by each game participant, and determining the type or value of the game coin based on the color of the colored layer 121.

The management control device 50 determines whether the actual total amount of game coins 120 held in the game coin tray 17 after the game ends corresponds to the increase or decrease of game coins 120 calculated based on the amount of game coins 120 placed by all players 6 and the win or loss result of the game.

The total amount of game coins 120 obtained by the management control device 50 from the game coin tray 17 after the settlement at the end of the game is at any of the following moments:

1) At the end of the repayment period for the won game currency (120W);

2) When the playing cards used in the game are recycled and discarded in the table's waste area or waste bin;

3) When the designated button attached to the card dispensing device 3, which functions as a win/loss determination device, is pressed;

4) When restoring the symbols indicating wins and losses to their original state.

The camera device 2 can also photograph the banknotes placed on the game table 4 by players in exchange for the dealer's game coins 120. The management control device 50 uses the photographed banknotes to determine the type and number of game coins 120 on the dealer's game coin tray 17 that should be reduced due to the exchange with the players' banknotes, and compares it with the actual total amount of game coins 120 on the game coin tray 17.

The management control device 50 compares and determines whether the total amount of game coins 120 held in the game coin tray 17 has been reduced after the exchange of players' banknotes and the dealer's game coins 120, corresponding to the amount of game coins 120 paid by the dealer for the exchanged players' banknotes, and whether it corresponds to the increase or decrease of game coins 120 calculated based on the amount of game coins 120 placed by all players 6 and the winning or losing result of the game.

The management and control device 50 is an artificial intelligence-efficient or deep learning-based control device that can obtain information about the type and number of game coins 120 even when some or all of the game coins 120 are hidden.

The game coin 120 has the following structure: on the white layer 122 or light-colored layer on the side, there are at least three side IDs 126 spaced apart in the rotational direction (circumferential direction). By reading the side IDs 126 by the ID reading device 53, the type and manufacturing information of the game coin 120 can be determined. The measured and determined information can be compared and managed with the database 51.

The side ID 126 can be printed with two or more inks selected from visible light ink (visible ink), infrared absorbing ink, or UV emitting ink. In this case, the ID reading device 53 is equipped with multiple cameras (such as visible light cameras, infrared cameras, and ultraviolet cameras (UV irradiation machines and visible light cameras, etc.)) corresponding to the inks printed on the side ID 126. Alternatively, it may be equipped with a camera capable of switching between multiple camera functions corresponding to each ink, such as visible light cameras, infrared cameras, and ultraviolet cameras (UV irradiation machines and visible light cameras, etc.).

Alternatively, it can be a structure in which multiple camera devices 2b-1 and 2b-2, each configured at a specified position and at different heights, film the game coins 120 on the game table 4.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 are devices with artificial intelligence-efficient or deep learning structures. Specifically, the image analysis device 12 and the control device 14 can use Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithms, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), deep learning, machine learning, or similar techniques to perform image analysis or the aforementioned various controls. These techniques are for image recognition of captured images and for identifying objects contained within those images. In particular, in recent years, deep learning techniques that utilize multi-layered neural networks have been developed to identify objects with high accuracy. This deep learning technique generally achieves high-accuracy object identification by continuously overlapping layers in multiple stages between the input and output layers of the neural network. In particular, convolutional neural networks have attracted attention for their higher performance than conventional methods of object recognition based on image feature quantities.

In a convolutional neural network (CNN), labeled images of target objects are learned, and the main objects contained within these images are identified. When multiple main objects exist within an image, they are designated as regions (rectangles), and labels are assigned to the corresponding regions for learning. Furthermore, the CNN can determine the main objects within the image and their locations.

To further explain the convolutional neural network, the object recognition process involves performing edge extraction and other processing on the image of the object to be recognized. Candidate regions are extracted based on local features, and these candidate regions are then input into the convolutional neural network. After extracting feature vectors, classification is performed, and the candidate region with the highest confidence level is used as the recognition structure. Confidence level represents the degree to which the similarity of the subject in an image learned along with a label is relatively higher than the similarity of other classes.

In addition, devices with artificial intelligence-efficient or deep learning architectures are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,361,577, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016-171,336, U.S. Publication No. 2015-036,920, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-110,232, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The first to third embodiments have been described above. However, the embodiments can be modified by those skilled in the art, and the device of this embodiment can be appropriately modified according to the needs of the game to which it is applied.

The following invention is disclosed according to the first to third embodiments.

One embodiment of the game coin in the first to third embodiments has the following structure: at least a colored layer and a white or light-colored layer are stacked to form a stacked structure composed of multiple plastic layers, thereby forming stripes in the stacking direction on the side, and the type of game coin can be determined by the colored layer; and a printed layer indicating the type of game coin is applied to the top and bottom of the stacked structure, and the layers are heat-pressed together to form a layer structure.

In the aforementioned game tokens, a uniquely identifiable side ID may be attached to the outer surface of the white or light-colored layer.

In the aforementioned game coin, the side ID can be spaced apart in the rotational direction of the side of the game coin and attached to at least three locations.

In the aforementioned game coin, the side ID can be printed using ink that is invisible to visible light.

In the aforementioned game coin, the side ID can be printed using ink that absorbs infrared light.

In the aforementioned game currency, the side ID can be set in multiple rows on the outer surfaces of both the white layer and the light-colored layer.

In the aforementioned game coin, an R-shaped process can be applied to the outer corners of the upper and lower surfaces of the printed layer.

In the aforementioned game coin, at least one of the plurality of plastic layers is a heavy layer that may contain metal powder for increasing weight.

In the aforementioned game coin, the metal powder used to increase weight can be a metal oxide, particularly one or more metal oxides of zinc oxide and titanium oxide.

The aforementioned game coin can be configured such that a white layer or a light-colored layer is provided on both sides in a manner that sandwiches the coloring layer, such that the upper and lower layers of the white layer or light-colored layer sandwiching the coloring layer have different thicknesses.

In the aforementioned game coin, RFID can be tightly fixed between the colored layer and the plastic layer forming either the white layer or the light-colored layer.

In the aforementioned game tokens, the printed layer may be provided with surface codes using UV luminescent ink or infrared-absorbing ink.

In the aforementioned game token, there may be a structure with a side ID attached to the side and an RFID embedded therein. The printing layer may be provided with a face code using UV luminescent ink or infrared absorbing ink. The information of the side ID attached to the side may be associated with the information of the RFID, or the information of the side ID may be associated with the information of the face code, or the information of the side ID may be associated with the information of the RFID and the information of the face code.

An inspection device according to one of the first to third embodiments is an inspection device for inspecting the aforementioned game tokens, comprising: an RFID reader that reads RFID information of the game tokens; an ID reader that reads a side ID; and a control device that checks the correlation between the side ID information obtained by the ID reader and the information obtained from the RFID reader.

The inspection device according to other embodiments of the first to third embodiments is an inspection device for inspecting the aforementioned game tokens, comprising: a face code reading device that reads face codes provided on the surface of the game token using UV-emitting ink or infrared-absorbing ink; an ID reading device that reads side IDs on the sides; and a control device that is configured to check the correlation between the information of the side IDs obtained by the ID reading device and the information obtained from the face code reading device.

Another inspection device according to the first to third embodiments is an inspection device for the aforementioned game tokens, comprising: a face code reading device that reads face codes provided on the surface of the game token using UV-emitting ink or infrared-absorbing ink; an ID reading device that reads side IDs on the sides; an RFID reading device that reads RFID information of the game tokens; and a control device that checks the correlation between the side ID information obtained by the ID reading device, the information obtained by the face code reading device, and the information obtained by the RFID reading device.

In the above-mentioned inspection device, the side ID can be printed using at least one or a combination of visible light ink or infrared-absorbing ink. The ID reading device can be individually equipped with or equipped with multiple visible light cameras or infrared cameras corresponding to the ink printed on the side ID, or equipped with multiple cameras capable of switching between the visible light camera and the infrared camera corresponding to the ink.

The aforementioned inspection device may also include a device for determining the type of game coin by photographing the side of the game coin and determining the color of the stripes in the overlapping direction of the side, and a printing inspection device for reading the printing on the printing layer provided on the game coin, thereby inspecting the relationship between the type of game coin and the printing content of the printing layer.

A method for manufacturing game coins according to one of the first to third embodiments involves stacking at least a colored layer, a white layer, or a light-colored layer to form a stacked structure composed of multiple plastic layers. A printed layer with a pattern is provided at least on the top or bottom of the stacked structure of the multiple plastic layers. The stacked structure and each layer of the printed layer are hot-pressed together, and the layers are hot-melted to produce a game coin base plate. The game coin base plate is then molded using a mold to obtain multiple game coins of a specified shape. Furthermore, during the molding process, the upper and lower corners of the outer side of the game coins are rounded using a mold.

The method for manufacturing game coins according to other embodiments of the first to third embodiments includes at least a coloring layer in the middle, and a white or light-colored layer is stacked on top of the coloring layer in the middle to form a stacked structure composed of multiple plastic layers. At least one of the multiple plastic layers is a layer containing metal powder or metal oxide for increasing weight. A printing layer with a pattern is provided on at least the top or bottom of the stacked structure. The stacked structure and each layer of the printing layer are hot-pressed together, and the layers are hot-melted to produce a game coin base plate. The game coin base plate is then molded using a mold to obtain multiple game coins of a specified shape.

In the aforementioned method of manufacturing game coins, the side ID can be attached using inkjet printing.

In the above-mentioned method for manufacturing game coins, RFID can be sandwiched between the layers of the laminated structure. When the layers are hot-pressed together, the layers containing the RFID are hot-melted, and the periphery of the RFID is tightly bonded through the plastic layer.

In the above-mentioned method for manufacturing game coins, one or more of the following can be printed on the printing layer: face code, security mark, optically variable image (OVD).

A tabletop game management system according to one of the first to third embodiments includes: a card dealing device that determines and displays the winning and losing results of each game on the game table; a camera device that uses a camera to capture and record game coins placed on the game table; and a management control device that uses the capture results of the camera device to determine and store the position, type, and number of game coins placed on the game table by the game participants in each game, wherein the game coins are configured to have a colored layer and a white or light-colored layer in order to form axial stripes on the side, and have a structure in which the type of game coin can be determined by the colored layer; the management control device has a calculation function that uses the winning and losing results obtained by the card dealing device and the capture results of the position, type, and number of game coins placed by the game participants to calculate the income and expenditure of the game table on the casino side for each game.

In the management system of the aforementioned tabletop game, the management control device may have the function of measuring the number of colored layers, white layers, or light-colored layers of game coins placed by each game participant, and determining the type or amount of game coins by the color of the colored layers.

In the management system of the aforementioned tabletop game, the management control device can take pictures of the position, type, and number of game coins placed by each player in the game when the card dealing device detects that the first card has been extracted, or before or after extraction, or after the management control device identifies the signal that the card dealer has finished placing the card.

The management system for other embodiments of the tabletop game in the first to third embodiments includes: a coin tray, which is disposed on the game table and holds the coins according to their types; a camera device that takes pictures of the coins placed on the coin tray; and a management control device that determines and stores the types and quantities of the coins on the coin tray based on the pictures taken by the camera device. The coins are configured to have a colored layer and a white or light-colored layer in appearance to form axial stripes on the sides, and have a structure in which the types of coins can be determined by the colored layer. The management control device is configured to determine the total amount of the coins on the coin tray based on the pictures taken of the types and quantities of the coins on the coin tray.

In the management system of the aforementioned tabletop game, the management control device may have the function of measuring the number of colored layers, white layers, or light-colored layers of game coins placed by each game participant, and determining the type or amount of game coins by the color of the colored layers.

In the management system of the aforementioned tabletop game, the management control device may have the following structure: capable of determining the discrepancy between the actual total amount of game coins held in the coin tray of the dealer at the game table after the game ends and the increase or decrease in game coins calculated based on the total amount of game coins placed by all players and the win or loss result of the game.

In the management system of the aforementioned tabletop game, with the aid of the management control device, the total amount of game coins in the game coin tray can be obtained at any of the following times after the game ends and a settlement is completed:

(1) At the end of the repayment period for the won game currency;

(2) When the playing cards used in the game are recycled and discarded in the waste area of the table;

(3) When the specified button attached to the win/loss result determination device is pressed;

(4) When restoring the sign indicating win or loss to its original state.

In the aforementioned tabletop game management system, the camera device can also capture images of the players' banknotes used for exchanging game coins. The management control device can also use the captured images of the banknotes to determine the type and number of game coins on the dealer's game coin tray that should be reduced due to the exchange with the players' banknotes, and compare and measure this with the actual total amount of game coins on the game coin tray.

In the aforementioned tabletop game management system, the management control device can also compare and determine whether the total amount of game coins held in the dealer's game coin tray at the game table has been reduced after the exchange of players' banknotes with the dealer's game coins, corresponding to the amount of game coins paid for the exchanged players' banknotes, and whether it corresponds to the increase or decrease of game coins calculated based on the total amount of game coins placed by all players and the winning or losing result of the game.

In the management system of the aforementioned tabletop game, the management control device can be an AI-powered or deep learning structure that can obtain information on the type and number of game coins even when some or all of them are hidden due to blind spots of the camera.

In the management system of the aforementioned tabletop game, the game coin may have the following structure: the white or light-colored layer on the side is spaced apart in the rotation direction and has a side ID attached in at least three places. By reading the side ID by an ID reading device, the type and manufacturing information of the game coin can be determined, and the measured and determined information can be compared and managed with a prescribed database.

In the management system of the aforementioned desktop game, the side ID can be printed using at least one or both of visible light ink and infrared-absorbing ink. The ID reading device can have several visible light cameras and infrared cameras corresponding to the ink printed on the side ID, or it can have multiple cameras capable of switching between visible light cameras and infrared cameras corresponding to the ink.

In the management system of the aforementioned tabletop game, the camera device for capturing and recording the game coins on the game table can be configured to consist of a single camera or multiple cameras at different heights positioned in a specified location to capture the game coins.

The system according to the first to third embodiments is capable of detecting cheating in the recycling and repayment of game coins based on the winning and losing results of the game.

Furthermore, according to the system of the present invention, even if the cards are bent due to frequent squeezing by players in a card game, the face value and suit of the cards can be determined through image analysis, and the total amount and position of game coins located in dead corners or overlapping areas can be grasped together. In addition, cheating can also be detected when players exchange their banknotes and the dealer's game coins.

(Fourth Implementation)

The fourth embodiment relates to an inspection system and apparatus for inspecting game coins, and more particularly to an inspection system and apparatus for inspecting multiple game coins contained in a game coin box.

Game tokens used in amusement parks and other entertainment venues are manufactured in factories, transported to the amusement parks, and stored in vaults. They are then moved from the vaults to the game machines and tables within the amusement park. However, during this transportation, storage, and movement, it is crucial to prevent theft or replacement with counterfeit tokens. Therefore, coin boxes are used to store the tokens. By sealing the coin box after it has held multiple tokens, it becomes possible to detect instances of tokens being removed from the box after it has been sealed.

Game currency is known to include the following: a built-in wireless tag that stores identification and type information, and an optically readable code that represents the identification and type information attached to the side (e.g., Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-66172).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-66172 discloses a system for using game tokens. This system calculates the number of game tokens placed on a play area board at a game table based on identification information stored in a wireless tag, and also calculates the number based on identification information attached to the side of the token, comparing the two. Therefore, it can detect the use of cheating game tokens at the game table.

However, the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-66172 detects cheating by calculating the number of game coins that have been placed (placed on the placement plate). Therefore, when the system checks multiple game coins contained in the game coin box while the game coin box contains game coins, it cannot detect cheating game coins.

Therefore, the purpose of the fourth embodiment is to provide an inspection system and inspection device that can inspect multiple game coins stored in a game coin box while the game coins are stored in the box.

The inspection system of the first form of the fourth embodiment is configured to inspect game coins having at least first currency information and second currency information, wherein the second currency information is provided on the side of the game coin in an optically readable form. The inspection system includes a game coin box for stacking and storing multiple game coins, and an inspection device for inspecting the game coins stored in the game coin box. The inspection device includes: a first reading device for acquiring the first currency information of the game coins stored in the game coin box; a second reading device for optically reading the side of the game coins stored in the game coin box to acquire the second currency information; and a judgment unit for using the first currency information acquired by the first reading device and the second currency information acquired by the second reading device to determine the authenticity and damage of all game coins present in the game coin box, or the number of each value, thereby determining whether the multiple game coins stored in the game coin box are qualified or not.

According to this configuration, both the first reading unit and the second reading unit obtain first currency information and second currency information from the game coins stored in the coin box, thus enabling the inspection of the state of the game coins stored in the coin box. Furthermore, by obtaining both the first and second currency information from the game coins for inspection, a precise determination of whether the coins are valid or not can be made.

According to the inspection system of the first form, in the inspection system of the second form of the fourth embodiment, the first currency information and the second currency information in the general game coins contain general information. When the general information portion of the multiple first currency information obtained by the first reading device is inconsistent with the general information portion of the multiple second currency information obtained by the second reading device, the judgment unit judges the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box as unqualified.

According to this configuration, when the game coin box contains cheating game coins whose information portion of the first currency information and the second currency information is inconsistent, the judgment unit can determine that the game coins contained in the game coin box are unqualified.

For example, if the wireless tags and side panels record common identification information, and the identification information read from multiple wireless tags is not completely consistent with the identification information read from multiple side panels, the game is deemed unqualified. Furthermore, if the wireless tags and side panels record the value of the game coin, and the quantity of each value read from the wireless tags is inconsistent with the quantity of each value read from the side panels, the game is deemed unqualified.

According to the inspection system of the first form, in the inspection system of the third form of the fourth embodiment, either the first currency information or the second currency information includes individual identification information for identifying game coins.

According to the inspection system of the first form, in the inspection system of the fourth form of the fourth embodiment, the second currency information includes information represented by a designated color that indicates the value of the game coin, and this information represents the value of the game coin through the designated color.

According to the third form of the inspection system, in the fifth form of the fourth embodiment of the inspection system, both the first currency information and the second currency information contain individual identification information. When the individual identification information of the multiple first currency information obtained by the first reading device is inconsistent with the multiple second currency information obtained by the second reading device, the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box are judged to be unqualified.

According to this configuration, when a cheating game coin is found in the game coin box where the individual identification information of the first currency information is inconsistent with the individual identification information of the second currency information, the judgment unit can determine that the game coin contained in the game coin box is unqualified.

According to the inspection system of the first form, the inspection system of the sixth form of the fourth embodiment further includes a storage unit, which stores individual identification information of at least the first currency information or the second currency information of the multiple game coins that should be contained in the game coin box. When the individual identification information of the multiple first currency information or the multiple second currency information obtained by the first reading device is inconsistent with the individual identification information of the first currency information or the second currency information stored in the storage unit, the judgment unit judges the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box as unqualified.

According to this configuration, when the game coin box contains cheating game coins with incorrect first or second currency information, the judgment unit can determine that the game coins contained in the game coin box are unqualified.

For example, when the wireless tag records individual identification information in text form and the side records individual identification information in numbers form, the storage unit also stores multiple individual identification information in text form for the wireless tag and multiple individual identification information in numbers form for the side of the game coin box. If the multiple individual identification information read from multiple wireless tags is inconsistent with the multiple individual identification information stored in the storage unit for the wireless tag used in the game coin box, or if the multiple individual identification information read from multiple sides is inconsistent with the multiple individual identification information stored in the storage unit for the side of the game coin box, it is judged as unqualified.

According to the inspection system of the first form, the inspection system of the seventh form of the fourth embodiment further includes a storage unit, which stores the correspondence between the first currency information and the second currency information. When multiple pieces of the first currency information obtained by the first reading device and multiple pieces of the second currency information obtained by the second reading device do not match the correspondence stored in the storage unit, the judgment unit judges the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box as unqualified.

According to this structure, if the game coin box contains game coins with an incorrect correspondence between the first currency information and the second currency information, it can be judged as unqualified.

For example, when the wireless tag records identification information and the side record indicates value, the storage unit assigns a value to each piece of identification information and stores it. For multiple pieces of identification information read from multiple wireless tags, the storage unit calculates the number of each value. If the number of values read from the side does not match the calculated number, the item is deemed unqualified. Conversely, the same applies when the wireless tag records value and the side record indicates identification information. In these cases, the storage unit does not need to pre-store which game coin box contains which type of identification information.

According to the inspection system of any of the first to seventh forms, in the inspection system of the eighth form of the fourth embodiment, when the quantity of the first currency information obtained by the first reading device and the quantity of the second currency information obtained by the second reading device are not the prescribed quantity, the judgment unit judges the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box as unqualified.

According to this configuration, when a game coin is taken out of the game coin box or a game coin is added to the game coin box, the judgment unit determines that the game coin contained in the game coin box is unqualified.

For example, if the number of coins in the game coin box is 100, it is considered unqualified if either the first currency information read from the wireless tag or the second currency information read from the side is not 100.

According to the inspection system of any of the first to eighth forms, in the inspection system of the ninth form of the fourth embodiment, the second currency information of the game coin includes color information indicating the value of the game coin, and the first currency information includes value information identifying the value of the game coin. When the color information is inconsistent with the value information of the first currency information, the judgment unit judges the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box as unqualified.

According to the ninth form of the inspection system, in the tenth form of the fourth embodiment of the inspection system, the second currency information includes not only the color information but also the value information of the game coin. When the value of the game coin represented by the color information in the second currency information is inconsistent with either the value information of the second currency information or the value information of the first currency information, the judgment unit judges the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box as unqualified.

According to the inspection system of any one of the first to tenth forms, in the inspection system of the eleventh form of the fourth embodiment, the game coin has a wireless tag with the first currency information.

According to the inspection system of any of the first to eleventh forms, in the inspection system of the twelfth form of the fourth embodiment, at least one or both of the first currency information and the second currency information include group information indicating the group to which the game coin belongs, the group being divided according to the value of the game coin, the manufacturing date, the manufacturer, and/or the amusement park where it is used.

According to the inspection system of the tenth form, in the inspection system of the thirteenth form of the fourth embodiment, when the color information is inconsistent with at least one of the value information, general information, or individual identification information of the first currency information and the second currency information, the judgment unit judges the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box as unqualified.

According to the inspection system of the tenth form, in the inspection system of the fourteenth form of the fourth embodiment, the judgment unit determines the number of each value of the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box, or the total value of all the game coins, based on the value information of the color information, the first currency information, or the second currency information.

According to the inspection system of the first embodiment, in the inspection system of the fifteenth embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the second currency information includes information displayed on the side of the game coin in a designated color that indicates the value of the game coin. This information indicates the value of the game coin in the designated color. The second reading device includes: a camera that captures images of the sides of a plurality of game coins stored in the game coin box; and an identification unit that analyzes the images captured by the camera, determines the designated color of each of the plurality of game coins, and determines the value of the plurality of game coins according to the determined designated color.

Based on this structure, the judgment department can use information about the value of the game currency to determine whether it is qualified or not.

According to the inspection system of the fifteenth embodiment, in the inspection system of the sixteenth embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the designated color representing the second currency information is held on the side of the game coin by a universal color generally assigned to game coins of different values along the thickness direction of the game coin.

Based on this configuration, even if multiple game coins are stacked inside the coin box, the recognition unit can extract the specified color held by the universal color from the image on the side, thereby determining the type of multiple game coins inside the coin box.

According to the inspection system of the first embodiment, in the inspection system of the seventeenth embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the second currency information is optically readable marking information marked on the side, and the second reading device includes: a camera for capturing images of the sides of a plurality of game coins stacked and housed in the game coin box; and an identification unit for analyzing the images captured by the camera to determine the marking information of each of the plurality of game coins, and determining the second currency information of each of the plurality of game coins according to the determined marking information.

Based on this structure, the judgment unit can use the marking information of the game coin to determine whether it is qualified or not.

According to the inspection system of the seventeenth embodiment, in the inspection system of the eighteenth embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the marking information is marked using infrared reactive ink that emits light in response to infrared light or infrared absorbing ink that absorbs infrared light, and the camera is an infrared camera.

Based on this configuration, the identification information attached to the side cannot be seen under natural light.

According to the inspection system of the seventeenth embodiment, in the inspection system of the nineteenth embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the marking information is marked using ink that emits light in response to ultraviolet light, and the inspection device also includes an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the sides of a plurality of game coins contained in the game coin box.

With this configuration, the identification information attached to the side cannot be seen under natural light.

According to the inspection system of the first embodiment, in the inspection system of the twentieth embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the game coin box is provided with a seal that would be broken if opened to the extent that the game coins contained therein can be taken out. The inspection device also includes a detection unit that detects the unbroken seal. When the detection unit does not detect the unbroken seal, the judgment unit judges the multiple game coins contained in the game coin box as unqualified.

According to this configuration, when the seal is broken, the judgment unit can determine that the game coins contained in the game coin box are defective.

According to the inspection system of the first embodiment, in the inspection system of the twenty-first embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the game coin box has a light-transmitting portion, and the second reading device uses optics to read the side of the game coins contained in the game coin box through the light-transmitting portion.

Based on this configuration, it is possible to read the second currency information even when the game coin box is closed.

According to the inspection system of the twenty-first embodiment, in the inspection system of the twenty-second embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the light-transmitting portion is composed of a transparent component.

Based on this structure, the game coin box can be made into a sealed structure, including the light-transmitting part.

According to the inspection system of the first embodiment, in the inspection system of the twenty-third embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the inspection device includes a game coin box receiving unit that receives the game coin box.

According to this configuration, by placing the game coin box in the game coin box receiving unit, it is possible to read the first currency information and the second currency information.

According to the inspection system of the twenty-first embodiment, in the inspection system of the twenty-fourth embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the game coin box is portable.

According to this configuration, the game coins inside the game coin box can be checked at any point during the process of the game coin box moving from the factory to the game table or cashier.

According to the inspection system of the first embodiment, in the inspection system of the twenty-fifth embodiment of the fourth embodiment, the game coin box is a two-section game coin float or game coin tray that holds the game coins on the game table.

The inspection system of the twenty-sixth embodiment of the fourth embodiment is configured to inspect game coins with a designated color and optically readable marking information attached to the side indicating value, and includes: a game coin box that holds multiple game coins in a stacked manner; and an inspection device that inspects the game coins held in the game coin box; the inspection device includes: a camera that captures images of the side of the game coins held in the game coin box; an identification unit that analyzes the images captured by the camera to determine the designated color and the marking information of each of the multiple game coins; and a judgment unit that determines whether the game coins are qualified or not for each game coin box based on the designated color and the marking information determined by the identification unit.

Based on this configuration, the identification unit determines the designated color and marking information for the tokens stored in the token box, thus enabling the inspection of the tokens in their stored state. Furthermore, by determining both the designated color and marking information from the side of the tokens, the inspection can accurately determine whether they are in good condition.

The inspection system of the twenty-seventh embodiment of the fourth embodiment is configured to inspect game coins that have built-in wireless tags storing currency information and have a designated color indicating value attached to their sides, and includes: a game coin box that holds multiple game coins in a stacked manner; and an inspection device that inspects the game coins held in the game coin box; the inspection device includes: a reading unit that reads the wireless tags of the game coins held in the game coin box to obtain the currency information; a camera that takes pictures of the sides of the game coins held in the game coin box; an identification unit that analyzes the images taken by the camera to determine the designated color of each of the multiple game coins; and a judgment unit that judges whether the game coins in each game coin box are qualified or not based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit and the designated color determined by the identification unit.

According to this configuration, the reading unit obtains currency information from the coins stored in the coin box, and the identification unit also determines a specific color for the coins stored in the coin box, thus enabling the inspection of the state of the coins stored in the coin box. Furthermore, by determining both the currency information and the specific color from the side of the coin during the inspection, a precise judgment of whether it is valid or not can be made.

The inspection device of the twenty-eighth embodiment of the fourth embodiment is configured to inspect a plurality of game coins stacked in a coin box, wherein a wireless tag storing first currency information is embedded therein and optically readable second currency information is attached to the side. The device includes: a first reading device for reading the wireless tags of the plurality of game coins in the coin box to obtain the first currency information; a second reading device for optically reading the side of the plurality of game coins in the coin box to obtain the second currency information; and a determination unit for determining whether the game coins in each coin box are qualified or not based on the first currency information obtained by the first reading device and the second currency information obtained by the second reading device.

According to this configuration, both the first reading unit and the second reading unit obtain first currency information and second currency information from the game coins stored in the coin box, thus enabling the inspection of the state of the game coins stored in the coin box. Furthermore, by obtaining both the first and second currency information from the game coins for inspection, a precise determination of whether the coins are valid or not can be made.

The inspection device of the twenty-ninth embodiment of the fourth embodiment is configured to inspect a plurality of game coins stacked and housed in a coin box, each having a designated color indicating value and optically readable marking information attached to its side. The device includes: a camera that captures images of the sides of the plurality of game coins housed in the coin box; an identification unit that analyzes the images captured by the camera to determine the designated color and marking information for each of the plurality of game coins; and a judgment unit that, based on the designated color and marking information determined by the identification unit, determines whether a game coin is qualified or not for each coin box.

The inspection device of the thirtieth embodiment of the fourth embodiment is configured to inspect a plurality of game coins stacked in a coin box, wherein wireless tags storing currency information are embedded therein and a designated color indicating value is attached to the side. The device includes: a reading unit that reads the wireless tags of the plurality of game coins in the coin box to obtain the currency information; a camera that takes pictures of the sides of the plurality of game coins in the coin box; an identification unit that analyzes the images taken by the camera to determine the designated color of each of the plurality of game coins; and a judgment unit that, based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit and the designated color determined by the identification unit, determines whether the game coins in each coin box are qualified or not.

The inspection system of the thirty-first embodiment of the fourth embodiment inspects game coins with built-in wireless tags storing currency information, and includes: a game coin box that holds multiple game coins in a stacked manner; and an inspection device that inspects the game coins held in the game coin box; the inspection device includes: a reading unit that reads the wireless tags of the game coins held in the game coin box to obtain currency information; a judging unit that judges whether the game coins in each game coin box are qualified or not based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit; and a storage unit that stores the currency information of the multiple game coins that should be held in the game coin box; and when the multiple currency information obtained by the reading unit is inconsistent with the currency information stored in the storage unit, the judging unit judges the multiple game coins held in that game coin box as unqualified.

The inspection device of the 32nd embodiment of the fourth embodiment is configured to inspect a plurality of game coins, in which wireless tags storing currency information are embedded and stacked in a game coin box, and includes: a reading unit that reads the wireless tags of the plurality of game coins in the game coin box to obtain currency information; and a judging unit that judges whether the game coins are qualified or not for each game coin box based on the currency information obtained by the reading unit.

According to the fourth embodiment, both the first reading unit and the second reading unit obtain first currency information and second currency information from the game coins stored in the coin box, thus enabling the inspection of the state of the game coins stored in the coin box. Furthermore, by obtaining both the first and second currency information from the game coins for inspection, a precise determination of whether the coins are qualified or not can be made.

The fourth embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<The Composition of the Inspection System>

Figure 25 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection system according to the fourth embodiment. The inspection system 41 includes: a coin box 4100 for storing game coins in a stacked state; and an inspection device 4200 for inspecting the multiple game coins stacked in the coin box 4100 while maintaining them in the state of being stored in the coin box 4100.

The coin box 4100 has a roughly rectangular shape and is made of transparent resin. The coin box 4100 houses stacked, round coins C. The coin box 4100 has five pillars, each holding 20 coins C, for a total capacity of 100 coins C. The coin box 4100 can be moved (carried) while containing the coins C. The coin box 4100 includes a separable upper part 4101 and a lower part 4102. By separating the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102, coins C can be placed into and removed from the coin box 4100.

The inspection device 4200 includes a receiving part 4210 and a main body 4220. The inspection device 4200 is capable of receiving a coin box 4100 through the receiving part 4210. The receiving part 4210 is generally formed into a cuboid shape with an open upper and front surface, and is formed by left and right side walls 4211, a bottom 4212 and an inner wall 4213, having a width, height and depth that are just enough to accommodate the coin box 4100.

The main body 4220 is located on the inner side of the inner wall 4213 of the receiving unit 4210, and includes an RFID reader 4221, a computer 4222, and a display unit 4223. The main body 4220 is also equipped with an infrared camera 4225 and a visible light camera 4226. The infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 are mounted on the front end of the support arm 4227 so as to capture images of the side of the game coin box C stored in the game coin box 4100 from the upper surface side of the game coin box 4100 stored in the receiving unit 4210.

The computer 4222 is connected to an RFID reader 4221, a display unit 4223, an infrared camera 4225, and a visible light camera 4226. An RFID antenna 4224 is connected to the RFID reader 4221. The RFID antenna 4224 extends from the RFID reader 4221 in a spiral shape into the left and right side walls 4211. That is, spiral RFID antennas 4224 are laid inside each of the left and right side walls 4211, and each RFID antenna 4224 is connected to the RFID reader 4221.

The display unit 4223 is composed of a liquid crystal panel. In addition, a touch sensor is provided on the liquid crystal panel, so the display unit 4223 can be configured as a touch panel.

<Composition of Game Currency>

Figure 26 is a perspective view of the game coin C according to the fourth embodiment, and Figure 27 is a side view of the game coin C according to the fourth embodiment. The game coin C has a designated color layer 4501 represented by a designated color in the middle, and a general color layer 4502 represented by a general color is provided on both sides (the top and bottom in Figure 27) of the designated color layer 4501 in the thickness direction, thereby forming stripes on the side (thickness direction).

An RFID tag 4503 is inserted between the designated color layer 4501 of game coin C and the general color layer 4502 of one of them as a wireless tag. The RFID tag 4503 stores information such as individual identification information and value (type) of game coin C, serving as currency information for game coin C. A transparent layer 4504 is provided on the outermost layer of game coin C. That is, game coin C has: a designated color layer 4501 as the middle layer, a general color layer 4502 sandwiching the designated color layer 4501 from both sides, and a transparent layer 4504 as the outermost layer on both sides.

Game coin C is made by overlapping five thin strips of plastic material (in the order of transparent layer 4504, general color layer 4502, specified color layer 4501, general color layer 4502, and transparent layer 4504). An RFID tag 4503 is placed at a predetermined interval between the specified color layer 4501 and one of the general color layers 4502. The five layers of plastic material are then heat-pressed together. Each game coin C contains one RFID tag 4503, and the coin is then punched into a circle or rectangle using a press or similar device. During punching, the dimensions of the die and punch are designed to round the ends of the outermost transparent layer 4504.

Alternatively, after hot-pressing the designated color layer 4501 and the two general color layers 4502 together, a transparent layer 4504 can be formed by applying a clear varnish to the surface. Furthermore, the designated color layer 4501 and the two general color layers 4502 may not be separate components, but rather formed integrally, with the designated color (and general color) applied to the sides using an inkjet printer or similar medium to form the designated color layer 4501 and the general color layer 4502.

The designated color layer 4501 represents the value (type) of game coin C through color (designated color). That is, the color of the designated color layer 4501 is set to different colors (red, green, yellow, blue, etc.) according to the value of game coin C. By confirming the color of the designated color layer 501 optically read from the side of game coin C, the value of game coin C (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.) can be determined. The universal color layer 4502 is given a color common to game coins C with different values (universal color). Ideally, the universal color is lighter than all designated colors; in this embodiment, white is used.

On the side of game coin C, and specifically on the side (specifically, the general color layer 4502 on the side), code information 4505 representing the currency information of game coin C is attached. This code information 4505 represents information by configuring multiple identifiers (also called markers, square markers in this embodiment). While the color layer 4501 uses color to represent information (the value of game coin C), the code information 4505 represents information through markers on the side, and therefore can be called marker information. Other examples of marker information include multiple strings, number strings, barcodes, etc.

In this embodiment, the code information 4505 is repeatedly marked on the circumference of the game coin C at 60-degree intervals. Therefore, regardless of the direction from which the side of the game coin C is viewed in the circumferential direction, the code information 4505 is always present within a 120-degree range in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the repetition period of the game coin C is not limited to 60 degrees; it is sufficient that the code is repeated at least three times at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The code information 4505 is marked using invisible ink. In this embodiment, infrared-absorbing ink (specifically, carbon black) is used as the invisible ink and printed by an inkjet printer. Since only the printed portion of the code information 4505 does not reflect infrared light, the side of the game coin C is photographed by an infrared camera 4225, thus revealing the code information 4505. Alternatively, the infrared camera 4225 may also be equipped with an infrared indicator light to illuminate the side of the game coin C to be photographed, thereby clearly revealing the printed portion.

Furthermore, invisible ink is not limited to infrared-absorbing ink; for example, it can also be infrared-reactive ink that fluoresces in response to infrared light, or UV ink that fluoresces in response to ultraviolet light. When using UV ink, an ultraviolet camera is used instead of an infrared camera 4225, and furthermore, in order to make the UV ink fluoresce, a black lamp that illuminates ultraviolet light from the side of the game coin C is used.

Furthermore, on the surface X of the general color layer 4502, a mark m′ formed using UV ink or carbon black ink is provided on the game coin C. This mark m′ indicates the authenticity of the game coin C. The mark m′ is visible when exposed to ultraviolet (or infrared) light, and its authenticity is determined by the combination of its shape and quantity. A transparent layer 4504 is heat-pressed or coated on the outermost layer in a manner that covers the printing 4506 (100 dots, etc.) used for amusement park identification on the surface and the mark m′. This transparent layer 4504 is then embossed or varnished to prevent the game coins C from sticking together or to make the game coins C easier to slide.

The outermost transparent layer 4504, which has been printed with 4506 (e.g., 100 dots), has its ends processed with an R-shaped edge (R) to prevent deformation of the general color layer 4502 during the die-cutting process of the coin C, thus preventing it from appearing on the side. Furthermore, this prevents sharp edges from remaining on the coin C and injuring hands or other coins C. The designated color layer 4501 can also be formed from one or more layers after coloring. Furthermore, metal or ceramic for weight increase can be incorporated into the layers between the designated color layer 4501. Additionally, a portion of the designated color layer 4501 can be hollowed out, or a space can be created between the designated color layer 4501 and the general color layer 4502 to embed an RFID tag 4503.

Figure 28 shows an example of an image obtained by capturing images of multiple game coins C stored in a coin box 4100 using an infrared camera 4225 and a visible light camera 4226. The coin box 4100 can be a two-section coin float (specifically, the movable upper tray portion in a two-section coin tray) or a coin tray that holds the game coins C in a game table. Even if the game coins C are stacked vertically within the coin box 4100 as shown in Figure 28, the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226 can capture the code information 4505. Furthermore, the number of game coins C can be counted by using a vertically counted color layer 4501. Additionally, even in the two-section case, the sides of all the game coins C stored in the coin box 4100 can be captured by unfolding each section using the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226.

In this embodiment, code information 4505 is represented by a configuration of multiple rows and columns of identifiers m. Figure 29 is a diagram illustrating the structure of code information 4505. As shown in Figure 29, the top and bottom identifiers m are paired to form a code element. In the example of Figure 29, a piece of code information 4505 is composed of 10 code elements. As shown in Figure 29, there are four styles of a code element composed of pairs of top and bottom identifiers m. Four types of information can be represented by one code element, so code information 4505 including 10 code elements can represent 4 to the power of 10 types of information. The Y-shaped mark next to the 10 code elements is an orientation discrimination mark Y used to determine the orientation of code information 4505.

<Composition of the Inspection Device>

Figure 30 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inspection device 4200. In addition to the RFID reader 4221, computer 4222, display unit 4223, RFID antenna 4224, infrared camera 4225, and visible light camera 4226 shown in Figure 25, the inspection device 4200 also includes a barcode reader 4228 and a communication unit 4229. Furthermore, the computer 4222 is composed of a processor (not shown), memory, etc., and forms an identification unit 4230 and a judgment unit 4231 by executing an inspection program through the processor.

An RFID system is constituted by an RFID reader 4221, an RFID antenna 4224, and an RFID tag 4503 embedded with game coins C. The currency information of game coins C stored in the RFID tag 4503 embedded in game coins C is read non-contactly by the RFID reader 4221 and used for processing by the computer 4222.

Infrared camera 4225 includes an infrared transmittance filter that allows only infrared light to pass through, and captures infrared images. The infrared image generated by infrared camera 4225 is sent to computer 4222 for processing by recognition unit 4230. Visible light camera 4226 captures images of light in the visible range. The visible light image generated by visible light camera 4226 is also sent to computer 4222 for processing by recognition unit 4230. As shown in FIG25, infrared camera 4225 and visible light camera 4226 face the coin box 4100 from above, passing over the upper part 4101 of the coin box 4100, and capture images of the sides of multiple game coins C inside the coin box 4100.

The barcode reader 4228 reads the barcode BC attached to the coin box 4100 to obtain the following coin box identification information. The display unit 4223 displays the judgment result of the judgment unit 4231 of the computer 4222. The communication unit 4229 communicates with the manufacturing management device 4302 installed in the factory F and the usage management device 4303 installed in the amusement park P.

<The Composition of the Game Coin Box>

Figure 31 is a perspective view of the coin box 4100. The coin box 4100 is composed of an upper part 4101 and a lower part 4102. In this embodiment, the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102 are formed of transparent resin. As described above, the inspection device 4200 of this embodiment places an infrared camera 4225 and a visible light camera 4226 (hereinafter simply referred to as cameras) above the receiving unit 210, so the coin box 4100 needs to be light-transmitting at least on its upper surface. That is, the coin box 4100 needs to have a light-transmitting portion that is located between the coin box 4100 and the camera when the receiving unit 4210 of the inspection device 4200 receives the coin box 4100. In addition, in this embodiment, the coin box 4100 is a closed structure including the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102, but it can also be in a state where the light-transmitting portion forms an opening.

As described above, the game coin box 4100 has a shape formed by five pillars arranged side by side, each stacked to hold 20 game coins C. In the example of Figure 31, in order to roughly match the shape of the game coins C held in the upper part 4101 and the lower part 4102, the cross-section of each pillar is polygonal (octagonal).

Figure 32 is a perspective view of a modified coin box 4100', and Figure 33 is a top view of the coin box 4100'. The coin box 4100' also includes an upper part 4101' and a lower part 4102 made of transparent resin. In this modified example, the upper surface of the upper part 4101' facing the camera is formed as a plane. In this way, by making the surface facing the camera plane, as shown in Figure 33, the camera will not reflect linear images formed by the corners of the polygonal cross-section of the coin box 4100', thereby enabling accurate identification of the side information of the coin C when performing image analysis on the image captured by the camera.

<How to use the inspection system>

Figure 34 illustrates an example of how the circulation and inspection system 41 for game coins C is used. Game coins C are manufactured by manufacturing device 4301 in factory F (s1), and then stored in game coin boxes 4100 in batches of 100 (s2). After storing game coins C, game coin boxes 4100 are sealed in factory F by a sealing seal. In addition, a barcode BC indicating game coin box identification information used to uniquely identify the game coin box 4100 is affixed to the side of game coin box 4100 (s3).

At this point, the game coin box identification information, represented by the barcode BC affixed to the game coin box 4100, is input into the manufacturing management device 4302 of factory F (s4). Furthermore, the game coin box 4100 containing game coins C is moved to the inspection device 4200, where the currency information assigned to game coin C (details described later) is read to check its validity. Then, the currency information read from game coin C stored in game coin box 4100 is sent to the manufacturing management device 4302 (s5), and is associated with the game coin box identification information through the manufacturing management device 4302. Alternatively, the manufacturing management device 4302 can also be a personal computer.

The game coin box 4100, which has passed the inspection by the inspection device 4200 of factory F, is transported from factory F to amusement park P (s6). The game coin box 4100 is first stored in a vault R in amusement park P (s7). The vault R is equipped with an inspection device 4200, which inspects the game coin box 4100 delivered from factory F.

On the other hand, the manufacturing management device 4302 of factory F sends coin box identification information and currency information associated with the coin box identification information to the usage management device 4303 of amusement park P. The usage management device 4303 has a storage unit that retrieves the coin box identification information and the currency information associated with the coin box identification information from the manufacturing management device 4302 for each of the multiple coin boxes 4100 containing game coins C, and stores the information for each coin box 4100. Alternatively, the usage management device 4303 can also be a personal computer.

During the inspection by the inspection device 4200 of the vault R, the information stored in the usage management device 4303 is used for inspection. Coin boxes 4100 that pass the inspection in the vault R are transported to the game table T (s9) or to the cashier CA (s10). The game table T and the cashier CA are also equipped with inspection devices 4200, and the coin boxes 4100 containing game coins C are inspected by the inspection devices 4200 while remaining sealed. Furthermore, the game table T and the cashier CA also inspect the coin boxes 4100 containing used game coins C, and this inspection is also performed using the inspection devices 4200. During the inspection by the three inspection devices 4200 of the amusement park P, the coin box identification information and associated currency information stored in the usage management device 4303 are referenced from the manufacturing management device 4302.

<The Composition of Stored Information>

Figure 35 is a diagram showing an example of the content of information generated by the manufacturing management device 4302, sent to the usage management device 4303, and stored in the usage management device 4303. The information is generated for each game coin box 4100, and the currency information of each game coin box identification information (Ca1, Ca2, Ca3, ...) is associated with the currency information of the multiple (100) game coins C contained in that game coin box 4100.

As currency information, the RFID tag 4503 stores the following information, which includes a combination of individual identification information (aa, ab, ac, ..., du, dv) that uniquely identifies the game coin C and information that determines the value (type) of the game coin C (r, r, r, ..., b, b). The marking information on the side stores the following information, which includes a combination of individual identification information (00001, 00002, 00003, ..., 00099, 00100) that uniquely identifies the game coin C and information that determines the value (type) of the game coin C (1, 1, 1, ..., 2, 2). The color information on the side stores information that determines the value (type) of the game coin C (red, red, red, ..., blue, blue).

The information stored in the RFID tag 4503 is information that can be electromagnetically read by the RFID reader 4221, which is equivalent to the first currency information in this embodiment. The marking information and color information attached to the side are optically readable information, which is equivalent to the second currency information in this embodiment.

<The Composition of Read Information>

Figure 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of the information obtained from a coin box 4100 by the inspection device 4200 via a barcode reader 4228, an RFID reader 4221, an infrared camera 4225, and a visible light camera 4226. The RFID reader 4221 reads the string of English letters stored in the RFID tags 4503 embedded in multiple coin Cs. The infrared camera 4225 reads the marking information, i.e., the string of numbers, on the side. Furthermore, the visible light camera 4226 reads the color of the side. The identification unit 4230 analyzes the string of numbers (image) read from the infrared camera 4225, identifies the numbers, determines the information formed by the string of numbers, and determines the specified color based on the image of the side read from the visible light camera 4226.

Here, the marking information and designated color information on the sides of multiple game coins C can be obtained according to the arrangement order of the game coins C in the game coin box 4100. However, the information obtained from multiple RFID tags 4503 cannot be obtained according to the arrangement order of the game coins C. That is, it is impossible to determine which game coin C the information from RFID tag 4503 was obtained from.

<Methods for determining whether something is qualified>

Next, the method for determining whether a game coin box is qualified or not will be explained in the computer 4222 of the inspection device 4200. As described above, the identification unit 4230 determines the currency information stored in the RFID tags 4503 of the multiple game coins C contained in the coin box 4100 based on the reading results of the RFID reader 4221, and determines the currency information represented by the marking information by analyzing the infrared image obtained by the infrared camera 4225, and determines the color of the designated color layer 4501 by analyzing the visible light image obtained by the visible light camera 4226. Based on this information, the judgment unit 4231 determines the authenticity and damage of all the game coins in the coin box, or the number of each value, thereby determining whether the coin box 4100 is qualified or not. In the following description, the currency information stored in the RFID tag 4503 is referred to as the first currency information, and the marking information attached to the side of the game coin C and the information about the color of the designated color layer 4501 are referred to as the second currency information.

(First method for determining whether something is qualified or not)

In the first method for determining whether a game coin is qualified or not, as shown in Figure 37, the first currency information and the second currency information of the same game coin C are set to be the same information. In the example of Figure 37, the first currency information includes the individual identification information and value information of each game coin C, and the same content is marked on the side as the second currency information.

RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of game coin C and outputs the first currency information to identification unit 4230. Infrared camera 4225 takes a picture of the side of game coin C, and identification unit 4230 determines the second currency information. At this time, the correspondence between the multiple first currency information and the multiple second currency information in identification unit 4230 is not clear.

The judgment unit 4231 compares the multiple first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the multiple second currency information. When they correspond one-to-one, that is, when all the first currency information is consistent with a certain second currency information without repetition, the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are judged as qualified. When the multiple first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 is not completely consistent with the multiple second currency information, the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are judged as unqualified.

In cases where the multiple pieces of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 are not completely consistent with the multiple pieces of second currency information, it can be considered that a certain game coin C contained in the game coin box 4100 may be counterfeit, or that the RFID tag 4503 or side of a certain game coin C may be damaged. That is, the judgment unit 4231 judges the authenticity and damage of all the game coins C present in the game coin box 4100 to determine whether the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are qualified or not.

(Second method for determining whether something is qualified or not)

In the second method for determining whether a game coin is qualified or not, as shown in Figure 38, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game coin C are also set to be the same information. In the example of Figure 38, the first currency information is the value information of each game coin C, and the second currency information is the designated color assigned to the designated color layer 4501 on the side of each game coin C.

The RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of the game coin C and outputs the first currency information to the identification unit 4230. The visible light camera 4226 takes a picture of the side of the game coin C, and the identification unit 4230 analyzes the image to determine the second currency information (the color of the specified color layer 4501).

At this point, in the identification unit 4230, the correspondence between multiple first currency information and multiple second currency information is unclear, and there are overlaps between the multiple first currency information and the multiple second currency information. In addition, in the first currency information and second currency information in Figure 38, "r" represents red, "b" represents blue, "y" represents yellow, and "g" represents green, respectively.

When the quantity of each specified color (red, blue, yellow, green) in the plurality of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 is consistent with the quantity of each specified color (red, blue, yellow, green) in the plurality of second currency information, the judgment unit 4231 determines that it is qualified; otherwise, it determines that it is unqualified.

In cases where the quantity of each specified color in the first currency information is inconsistent with the quantity of each specified color in multiple second currency information, the determination unit 4231 considers the possibility that a certain game coin C contained in the game coin box 4100 is counterfeit, or that a certain game coin C is damaged on the side. That is, the determination unit 4231 determines whether the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are qualified or not by judging the number of each value of all game coins C present in the game coin box 4100.

(Third method for determining whether something is qualified or not)

In the third method for determining whether a game coin is qualified or not, as shown in Figure 39, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game coin C are different. In the example of Figure 39, the information stored in the RFID tag 4503 of game coin C is the string of English letters, which is used as the first currency information, and the information marked with a string of numbers on the side of game coin C is used as the second currency information.

RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of game coin C and outputs the first currency information to identification unit 4230. Infrared camera 4225 takes a picture of the side of game coin C, and identification unit 4230 determines the second currency information. At this time, the correspondence between the multiple first currency information and the multiple second currency information in identification unit 4230 is unclear.

In the management device 4303, first currency information and second currency information are stored in association with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100. The determination unit 4231 compares the multiple pieces of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the multiple pieces of first currency information stored in the management device 4303 that are associated with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100, and determines whether they correspond completely. Furthermore, the determination unit 4231 compares the multiple pieces of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the multiple pieces of second currency information stored in the management device 4303 that are associated with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100, and determines whether they correspond completely.

The judgment unit 4231 determines whether the multiple first currency information pieces obtained by the identification unit 4230 correspond one-to-one with the multiple first currency information pieces stored in the usage management device 4303 that are associated with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100; that is, whether the multiple first currency information pieces obtained by the identification unit 4230 are identical to any one of the multiple first currency information pieces stored in the usage management device 4303 that are associated with the game coin box 4100; and whether the multiple second currency information pieces obtained by the identification unit 4231 correspond one-to-one with the multiple first currency information pieces stored in the usage management device 4303 that are associated with the game coin box 4100. When the multiple second currency information associated with the game coin box identification information of the coin box 4100 corresponds completely one by one, that is, when the multiple second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 does not repeatedly match any one of the multiple second currency information associated with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100 stored in the usage management device 4303, the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are judged to be qualified. When one of the multiple first currency information is inconsistent or one of the multiple second currency information is inconsistent, the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are judged to be unqualified.

In cases where one of the multiple pieces of first currency information is inconsistent with the stored information, or where one of the multiple pieces of second currency information is inconsistent with the stored information, the determination unit 4231 considers the possibility that a certain game coin C contained in the game coin box 4100 is counterfeit, or that the RFID tag 4503 or side of a certain game coin C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 4231 determines the authenticity and damage of all game coins C present in the game coin box 4100, thereby determining whether the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are qualified or not.

(Fourth method for determining whether something is qualified or not)

In the fourth method for determining whether a coin is qualified or not, as shown in Figure 40, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game coin C are different. In the example in Figure 40, the information stored in the RFID tag 4503 of game coin C is the string of English letters as the first currency information, and the designated color layer 4501 on the side of game coin C is colored with a designated color corresponding to its value as the second currency information.

RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of game coin C and outputs the first currency information to the identification unit 4230. Visible light camera 4226 takes a picture of the side of game coin C and outputs the captured image to the identification unit 4230. The identification unit 4230 analyzes the captured image to determine the designated color as the second currency information. At this time, the correspondence between the multiple first currency information and the multiple second currency information in the identification unit 4230 is not clear.

In the management device 4303, first currency information and second currency information are stored in association with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100. The determination unit 4231 compares the multiple pieces of first currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the multiple pieces of first currency information stored in the management device 4303 that are associated with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100, and determines whether they correspond completely. Furthermore, the determination unit 4231 compares the quantity of each specified color in the multiple pieces of second currency information obtained by the identification unit 4230 with the quantity of each specified color in the multiple pieces of second currency information stored in the management device 4303 that are associated with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100, and determines whether the quantities of each specified color are consistent.

When the judgment unit 4231 obtains multiple first currency information through the identification unit 4230 and the multiple first currency information stored in the usage management device 4303 that is associated with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100, and when the quantity of each specified color in the multiple second currency information obtained through the identification unit 4230 is consistent with the quantity of each specified color in the multiple second currency information stored in the usage management device 4303 that is associated with the game coin box identification information of the game coin box 4100, the game coin box 4100 is judged to be qualified. When one of the multiple first currency information is inconsistent, or the quantity of one of the specified colors in the multiple second currency information is inconsistent, the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are judged to be unqualified.

In cases where one of the multiple pieces of first currency information is inconsistent with the stored information, or where the quantity of a specific color in multiple pieces of second currency information is inconsistent, the determination unit 4231 considers the possibility that a certain game coin C contained in the game coin box 4100 is counterfeit, or that the RFID tag 4503 or side of a certain game coin C is damaged. That is, the determination unit 4231 determines the validity of the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 by judging the authenticity and damage of all game coins C present in the game coin box 4100 and the number of each value.

(Fifth method for determining whether something is qualified or not)

In the fifth method for determining whether a coin is qualified or not, as shown in Figure 41, the first currency information and the second currency information in the same game coin C are different. In the example of Figure 41, the individual identification information consisting of a string of numbers stored in the RFID tag 4503 of the game coin C is used as the first currency information, and the information on the side of the game coin C that assigns its value to the game coin C in the form of a specified color in the specified color layer 4501 is used as the second currency information.

RFID reader 4221 reads the first currency information from the RFID tag 4503 of game coin C and outputs the first currency information to identification unit 4230. Visible light camera 4226 takes a picture of the side of game coin C and outputs the captured image to identification unit 4230. Identification unit 4230 analyzes the captured image to determine the designated color as the second currency information. At this time, the correspondence between the multiple first currency information and the multiple second currency information in identification unit 4230 is not clear.

The management device 4303 stores the correspondence between the first currency information and the second currency information. In the example of Figure 41, the individual identification information that uniquely determines the game coin C is associated with the designated color of the designated color layer 4501 on the side, i.e., the value of the game coin C. If the individual identification information is specified, the value of the game coin C can be known. In addition, in this example, the management device 4303 does not need to store the combination of the first currency information and the second currency information for each game coin box identification information. In other words, in this example, the game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 can be checked without using the game coin box identification information.

The determination unit 4231 determines the first currency information corresponding to the first currency information identified by the identification unit 4230 based on the first currency information stored in the management device 4303, thereby determining the second currency information, i.e., the value, associated with the first currency information. By performing the aforementioned processing on all the first currency information identified by the identification unit 4230, the determination unit 4231 can obtain the quantity of each value among the multiple pieces of second currency information extracted from the management device 4303 for one game coin box.

The judgment unit 4231 compares the quantity of each value obtained in this manner with the quantity of each value in the second currency information identified by the identification unit 4230 for the game coin box 4100. When the quantities of each value are consistent, the judgment unit 4231 determines that the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are qualified; when the quantities of any value are inconsistent, the multiple game coins C contained in the game coin box 4100 are determined to be unqualified.

If the quantity of each value in the multiple second currency information extracted from the management device 4303 is inconsistent with the quantity of each value in the second currency information identified by the identification unit 4230 for the coin box 4100, it can be considered that a certain coin C contained in the coin box 4100 is counterfeit, or that the RFID tag 4503 or side of a certain coin C is damaged. That is, the judgment unit 4231 determines whether the multiple coin C contained in the coin box 4100 are qualified by judging the authenticity and damage of all the coin Cs present in the coin box 4100 and the number of each value.

In addition, although the illustration is omitted, when the value of the game coin C is stored as the first currency information and the individual identification information of the game coin C is stored as the second currency information, the qualification can be judged in the same way as above.

The first to fifth methods for determining whether a game coin is qualified have been explained above. However, the determination unit 4231 can also use a combination of the above methods. In addition, based on the above methods, the determination unit 4231 can also determine that the multiple game coins C stored in the game coin box 4100 are unqualified when the quantities of the first currency information and the second currency information read from the multiple game coins C stored in the game coin box 4100 are both less than the specified quantities (100 in this embodiment).

The first and second pass/fail determination methods described above are pass/fail determination methods that can be executed without using the information stored in the usage management device 4303 of the amusement park P, and are suitable for execution by the inspection device 4200 in the factory F. The third to fifth pass/fail determination methods are pass/fail determination methods that use the information stored in the usage management device 4303 of the amusement park P, and are suitable for execution by the inspection device 4200 in the amusement park P. The inspection device 4200 in the amusement park P can also use the first or second pass/fail determination methods. When all the inspection devices 4200 in the amusement park P use pass/fail determination methods that do not use the information stored in the usage management device 4303, as in the first or second pass/fail determination methods, the usage management device 4303 can be omitted.

In addition, the inspection device 4200 of the amusement park P also inspects the game coin box 4100 that holds the used game coins C. At this time, the first, second, or fifth qualification judgment method can be used without pre-storing information on the game coins that should be held in the game coin box.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, game coins C have individual identification information and/or value information as first currency information and/or second currency information. Here, the individual identification information uniquely identifies each game coin C, while the value information is information that can be repeated among multiple game coins C, and can also be referred to as information indicating the group to which each game coin belongs (group information). In this embodiment, the group information, as the group to which the coin belongs, can replace the value, or, in addition to the value, also use information such as the game coin's manufacturing date, manufacturer, and/or the amusement park where it was used.

That is, both the first currency information and the second currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the game coin, both the first currency information and the second currency information may include group information indicating the group to which the game coin belongs, or the first currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the game coin and the second currency information may include group information of the group to which the game coin belongs, or the first currency information may include group information of the group to which the game coin belongs and the second currency information may include individual identification information for identifying the game coin.

<Results of the pass/fail assessment>

Figures 42 and 43 are examples of pass/fail result display screens showing the pass/fail judgment result of the judgment unit 4231. These pass/fail result display screens are generated by the computer 4222 based on the pass/fail judgment result of the judgment unit 4231 and displayed by the display unit 4223. Figure 42 shows an example of the display screen when the pass/fail condition is met, and Figure 43 shows an example of the display screen when the pass/fail condition is met.

As shown in Figures 42 and 43, the pass/fail result display screen 4800 includes: the number of combinations of the first currency information and the second currency information read by the recognition unit 4230 from the game coin C, i.e., the total number of detections 4801, the number of correct game coins C 4802, and the number of cheating game coins C 4803.

Computer 4222 sets the larger of the quantity of first currency information and the quantity of second currency information as the total detection count 4801. For example, if 100 game coins C are stored in the game coin box 4100, but one of them does not have an RFID tag 4503, the identification unit 4230 identifies 100 pieces of second currency information from the multiple game coins C, but only 99 pieces of first currency information are obtained. In this case, computer 4222 sets the larger of the first and second currency information, i.e., 100, as the total detection count 4801.

When computer 4222 uses the first or second qualification/failure determination method described above, it sets the number of combinations of first currency information and second currency information that are judged to be consistent as the number of correct game coins C 4802, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct game coins C from the total number of detected coins 4801 as the number of cheating game coins C 4803.

When computer 4222 uses the above-mentioned third or fourth pass/fail determination method, it sets the smaller of the number of first currency information that confirms the correspondence with the first currency information stored in the management device 4303 and the number of second currency information that confirms the correspondence with the second currency information stored in the management device 4303 as the number of correct game coins C 4802, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct game coins C from the total number of detected coins 4801 as the number of cheating game coins C 4803.

When computer 4222 uses the above-mentioned fifth pass/fail judgment method, it sets the number of second currency information that confirms the correspondence with the second currency information stored in the management device 4303 as the number of correct game coins C 4802, and sets the number obtained by subtracting the number of correct game coins C from the total number of detected coins 4801 as the number of cheating game coins C 4803.

The pass/fail result display screen 4800 includes a currency information display unit 4804 that displays currency information read from game coin C by the recognition unit 4230. When currency information stored in the management device 4303 is read, or when the first currency information matches the second currency information, the currency information display unit 4804 displays the currency information with added color, while unread currency information stored in the management device 4303 is displayed with a blank frame (see Figure 43).

Furthermore, in the pass/fail result display screen 4800, if currency information not stored in the management device 4303 is read, or if the first currency information and the second currency information are inconsistent, the currency information is displayed as cheating currency information 4805 outside the currency information display unit 4804.

<Variation Example>

(Inspection device's RFID antenna)

Figure 44 is a diagram showing a modified example of the RFID antenna 4224 of the inspection device 4200. Additionally, the support arm 4227, infrared camera 4225, and visible light camera 4226 are omitted from Figure 44. In the described embodiment, the RFID antenna 4224 is built into the left and right side walls 4211, but the RFID antenna 4224 can also be built into the bottom 4213. In this case, the RFID antenna 4224 is also spirally arranged inside the bottom 4213.

(Game currency)

Figure 45 is a side view of a modified example of the game coin C′. In the above embodiment, the game coin C uses a general color layer 4502 to sandwich a designated color layer 4501. However, in the example of Figure 45, the game coin C′ is configured such that the center is the general color layer 4502, and its two sides (top and bottom) are designated color layers 4501. In the example of Figure 45, individual identification information represented by a 7-digit number string is marked (printed) on the side of the game coin C′ as code information 4505′. In the example of Figure 45, the code information 4505′, serving as marking information, is marked on the central general color layer 502. At this time, the code information 4505′ can represent 10 to the power of 7 types of information.

Furthermore, either the code information 4505 represented by the presence or absence of the identifier m, as described in the above embodiment, or the code information 4505′ of the number string illustrated in FIG. 45, can be marked on the side of the game coin C. In this case, the code information 4505 formed by the identifier m and the code information 4505′ of the number string can also be printed using different inks. For example, the code information 4505 formed by the identifier m can be printed using infrared reactive ink, and the code information 4505′ formed by the number string can be printed using ultraviolet reactive ink. In this case, an infrared camera and an ultraviolet camera can be prepared to photograph the side of the game coin C, and the code information 4505 formed by the identifier m can be read using the infrared camera, and the code information 4505′ formed by the number string can be read using the ultraviolet camera.

Figure 46 is a side cross-sectional view of a game coin C″ with other variations. Game coin C″ has a multi-layer structure, with multiple plastic layers of different colors stacked together, including at least a designated color layer (coloring layer) 4501 in the middle, and general color layers (white or light-colored layers) 4502 stacked on both sides of the designated color layer 4501 in the middle. In addition, the color of the general color layer 4502 is ideally lighter than the color of the designated color layer 4501. In this way, by adopting a multi-layer structure with a designated color layer 4501 and general color layers 4502 on both sides of the designated color layer 4501 in the middle, as shown in Figure 47, stripes in the stacking direction are formed on the side, and the color of the designated color layer 4501 is changed (red, green, yellow or blue, etc.), thereby determining the type of game coin C″ (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.).

Figure 47 is a perspective view of the layered game coin C″, Figure 48 is a side view of game coin C″, and Figure 49 is a top view of game coin C″. As shown in Figure 47, game coin C″ is formed by printing 4507 (e.g., 100 points) indicating the type (value) of game coin C″ on the surface (upper and lower surfaces) of the general color layer 4502, setting a transparent layer 4504 on the outermost layer, and hot-pressing the layers together to form a structure of at least 5 layers. These game coins C″ are formed by hot-pressing the layers (specific color layer 4501, general color layer 4502, transparent layer 4504) together in a long strip to form a close-fitting state (5-layer structure, etc.), and then punching them into circles or rectangles using a press or the like. When punching with a press, the dimensions of the die and punch used for punching are designed so that the ends of the outermost transparent layer 4504 are rounded (R-shaped).

Furthermore, on the surface of the general color layer 4502, a mark m″ formed using UV ink or carbon black ink is provided on the game coin C″. This mark m″ indicates the authenticity of the game coin C″. It is visible when exposed to ultraviolet (or infrared) light, and its authenticity is indicated by a combination of its shape and quantity. A transparent layer 4504 is heat-pressed or coated on the outermost layer by means of overprinting 4507 and marking m′. However, the transparent layer 4504 can also be embossed to prevent the game coins C″ from sticking together.

The outermost transparent layer 4504, which has been printed with 4507 (100 dots, etc.), is R-processed (R) to prevent the surface of the general color layer 4502 from deforming and appearing on the side during the die-cutting process of the game coin C″. In addition, it prevents the game coin C″ from having a sharp end that could injure hands or other game coins C″.

As shown in Figure 46, the designated color layer 4501 can also be formed from multiple layers (3 layers in Figure 46) colored with the designated color. Since the multiple layers (3 layers in Figure 46) are heat-pressed together, the 3-layer structure is not visually apparent as in Figure 46. Figure 26 illustrates the 3 layers of the designated color layer 4501 for clarity. Furthermore, a partial cutout B is provided in the center layer of the 3 layers of the designated color layer 4501, and a RIFD label 4503 is embedded within this cutout B.

As shown in Figures 26, 45, and 46, game coins C, C′, and C″ have a multi-layered structure with clearly defined stripes along the stacking direction on their sides. Therefore, compared to existing game coins, the color (type of game coin) and number of a specific color layer 4501 can be easily and accurately determined through image analysis. Figure 50 shows an example of an image obtained by photographing a multi-layered game coin. As shown in Figure 50, the side of game coin C is photographed by a visible light camera 4226, thereby clearly identifying the specific color layer 4501. Furthermore, if an artificial intelligence-enabled computer or control system, or deep learning (structure) technology is applied to the image analysis, the image can be analyzed and judged more accurately. Artificial intelligence-enabled computer or control system, and deep learning (structure) technology are well-known and readily available to those skilled in the art, so detailed descriptions are omitted.

(Sealing inspection)

As described above, the coin box 4100 is sealed after containing a predetermined number of game coins C. The seal is broken if it is opened to the extent that the contained game coins can be removed. The detection device 4200 may also include a detection unit to detect any unbroken seals affixed to the coin box 4100. The detection unit may also detect the seals optically or magnetically. In this case, if the detection unit does not detect any unbroken seals, the judgment unit 4231 determines that the multiple game coins C contained in the coin box 4100 are defective.

(The configuration of the components of the inspection device)

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG30, all the components of the inspection device 4200 are arranged in one device, but these components can also be arranged separately. For example, part or all of the computer 4222, display unit 4223, and communication unit 4224 can also be implemented by a personal computer connected to the inspection device 4200. The separately arranged components can be communicatively connected by wired or wireless means, or they can be connected to each other by a network such as the Internet.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 51 and 52, the infrared camera 4225 and/or the visible light camera 4226, as well as the support arm 4227, can be configured separately from the inspection device 4200, and these cameras can be connected to the computer 4222. Figure 51 shows an example where either the infrared camera 4225 or the visible light camera 4226 is configured as a separate entity from the inspection device 4200, and Figure 52 shows an example where the infrared camera 4225 is configured as a separate entity from the inspection device 4200, and the visible light camera 4225 is configured as an integral part of the inspection device 4200. In addition to providing the infrared camera 4225 and the visible light camera 4226, an ultraviolet camera can also be provided, along with an ultraviolet lamp as a third camera, and any of the cameras in Figures 51 and 52 can also be an ultraviolet camera with an attached ultraviolet lamp.

(Currency Information)

In the above embodiment, game coin C stores currency information in RFID tag 4503 and has a code information 4505 marking it as currency information on its side. Furthermore, the designated color of the designated color layer 4501 on the side is also considered as currency information representing the value of game coin C. That is, a game coin C has these three pieces of currency information. However, this embodiment is not limited to this; game coin C may also have only two of these pieces of currency information. If game coin C has two pieces of currency information, then the first to fifth qualification/disqualification methods can be executed.

Furthermore, while the first to fifth methods for determining whether a game coin C is qualified or not use two pieces of currency information, the determination unit 4231 can also use these three pieces of currency information to determine whether a game coin C is qualified or not when the game coin C has three pieces of currency information.

(Display section)

In the above embodiment, an example in which the display unit 4223 is composed of a liquid crystal panel has been described. However, the display unit 4223 may also be an indicator light that only indicates whether it is qualified or not, or it may be an indicator light that only digitally displays the total number of detections 4801, the number of correct game coins C 4802, and the number of cheating game coins C 4803.

(Calculation of total value)

As described above, the determination unit 4231 of the above embodiment can determine the quantity of each value of the multiple game coins C stored in the game coin box 4100. Therefore, the determination unit 4231 can also calculate the total value of the multiple game coins C stored in the game coin box 4100 based on the quantity of each value. The calculated total value can also be displayed on the pass/fail result display screen displayed by the display unit 4233 (see Figures 42 and 43).

(Fifth Implementation)

The fifth embodiment relates to an inspection system and inspection apparatus for inspecting game coins, and more particularly to an inspection system and inspection apparatus for inspecting game coins with built-in wireless tags or for counting the number of coins.

As game currency, there are known currencies that have built-in wireless tags that store identification information and type information (e.g., Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-246103).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-246103 discloses a game coin with a structure that makes it difficult to remove the wireless tag. This achieves a structure that minimizes the likelihood of wireless tag defects.

However, when reading the number of game coins disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-246103 via a wireless tag, the number of game coins is calculated based on the information read from the wireless tag. Therefore, when the wireless tag embedded in the game coin is damaged or not embedded, the currency information cannot be obtained, resulting in a discrepancy between the actual number of game coins and the number of game coins calculated by reading from the wireless tag.

Therefore, the purpose of this embodiment is to provide an inspection system and inspection device that can detect damage when a wireless tag is damaged.

The inspection system of the first form of the fifth embodiment inspects game coins that are stored in a game coin box with a maximum capacity limit. The game coins have built-in wireless tags that store currency information and have colors or displays indicating their value on their outer surface.

The game coins are stored in a game coin box capable of holding the game coins in a column by stacking them in the thickness direction, and the inspection system includes:

The reading device reads the wireless tags of the game coins inside the coin box to obtain the currency information of the game coins; and

The judgment unit compares the currency information obtained by the reading device with the maximum number of game coins that the game coin box can hold. If the number of game coins obtained based on the currency information obtained by the reading device is different from the maximum number that can be held, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the game coins in the game coin box.

In addition, the judgment unit also has the following functions: it compares the physical information of the game coins obtained by the physical measurement unit other than the reading device with the physical information of the game coins obtained by the reading device based on the physical characteristics of the game coin box itself or the physical measurement unit other than the reading device. When the two are inconsistent, it determines that one of the game coins contained in the game coin box is an abnormal game coin and outputs the situation.

Furthermore, the physical information is the number or height obtained optically, or the weight obtained by measurement.

Furthermore, the inspection system can also be configured to include a wireless tag information database capable of comparing information from wireless tags embedded in game coins. The judgment unit compares the currency information of the game coins read by the reading device with the wireless tag information database, thereby enabling the detection of anomalies in the game coins of the inspected object.

Furthermore, the judgment unit may also have the following function: when it is determined that one of the game coins in the game coin box is an abnormal game coin, the information of the wireless tags of all the game coins in the game coin box is compared with the pre-registered wireless tag information database to determine the existence of abnormal wireless tags that are not in the wireless tag information database.

Furthermore, the judgment unit may also have the following function: when it is determined that one of the game coins in the game coin box is an abnormal game coin, it determines that the game coin in the game coin box is an abnormal game coin that cannot obtain the information of the wireless tag.

Furthermore, the judgment unit may also have the following functions: analyze the information of the wireless tag obtained by the reading device, and when there are two or more game coins with the same information obtained from the wireless tag in the game coin box, issue a signal indicating the situation.

Furthermore, the wireless tag information database is a database of wireless tags for game coins that are stored or in use within the amusement park.

The judgment unit may also have the following functions: analyze the information of the wireless tag obtained by the reading device, and when the information obtained from the wireless tag is the same as the information of the wireless tags of game coins in other places in the amusement park, issue a signal indicating the situation.

The second embodiment of the inspection device inspects game tokens that have a built-in wireless tag storing currency information and whose outer surface has a color or display indicating value, and includes:

The inspection table is capable of inspecting game coins when they are stacked in the thickness direction to form a column, and the maximum number of stacked coins is limited.

The reading device reads the wireless tags of the array of game coins to obtain the currency information of the array of game coins; and

The judgment unit compares the currency information obtained by the reading device with the maximum number of stackable layers of the inspection table. If the number of game coins obtained based on the currency information obtained by the reading device is different from the maximum number of stackable layers, it determines that the game coins on the inspection table are abnormal.

Furthermore, the judgment unit may also have the following function: when the currency information of the game coin obtained by the reading device is inconsistent with the physical information of the game coin, it determines that one of the game coins on the inspection table is an abnormal game coin and outputs the situation.

Furthermore, the physical information is the number or height obtained optically, or the weight obtained by measurement.

Furthermore, the inspection device may also include a wireless tag information database capable of comparing information from wireless tags embedded in game coins. The judgment unit compares the currency information of the game coins read by the reading device with the wireless tag information database, thereby enabling the detection of anomalies in the game coins of the inspection object on the inspection table.

Furthermore, the judgment unit may also have the following function: when it is determined that one of the game coins on the inspection table is an abnormal game coin, the information of the wireless tags of all the game coins on the inspection table is compared with the pre-registered wireless tag information database to determine the existence of abnormal wireless tags that are not in the wireless tag information database.

Furthermore, the judgment unit may also have the following function: when it is determined that one of the game coins in the game coin box is an abnormal game coin, it determines that the game coin in the game coin box is an abnormal game coin that cannot obtain information from the wireless tag.

Furthermore, the judgment unit may also have the following functions: analyze the information of the wireless tag obtained by the reading device, and when there are two or more game coins with the same information obtained from the wireless tag in the game coin box, issue a signal indicating the situation.

Furthermore, the wireless tag information database is a database of wireless tags for game coins that are stored or in use within the amusement park.

The judgment unit may also have the following functions: analyze the information of the wireless tag obtained by the reading device, and when the information obtained from the wireless tag is the same as the information of the wireless tags of game coins in other places in the amusement park, issue a signal indicating the situation.

According to this embodiment, the number of game coins is determined by storing them in a container with a known capacity, so that the situation can be detected when the wireless tag is damaged.

The fifth embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<The Composition of the Inspection System>

Figure 53 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inspection system according to the fifth embodiment. The inspection system 51 includes: a coin box 5100 for storing game coins in a stacked state; and an inspection device 200 for inspecting the multiple game coins stacked in the coin box 5100 while they are stored in the coin box 5100.

The coin box 5100 has a roughly rectangular shape and is made of transparent resin. The coin box 5100 houses stacked, round coins C. Five cylindrical supports 5100C, each holding 20 coins C, are formed within the coin box 5100, for a total capacity of 100 coins C. The coin box 5100 can be moved (carried) while containing the coins C. The coin box 5100 includes a separable upper part 5101 and a lower part 5102; by separating the upper part 5101 and the lower part 5102, coins C can be placed into and removed from the coin box 5100.

The inspection device 5200 includes a receiving part 5210 and a main body 5220. The inspection device 5200 can receive the game coin box 5100 through the receiving part 5210. The receiving part 5210 is generally formed into a cuboid shape with an open upper surface and front surface, and is composed of left and right side walls 5211, a bottom 5212 and an inner wall 5213, and has a width, height and depth that are just enough to accommodate the game coin box 5100.

The main body 5220 is located on the inner side of the inner wall 5213 of the receiving part 5210, and includes a reading device 5221, a judgment part 5222 and a display part 5223.

A reading device 5221 and a display unit 5223 are connected to the judgment unit 5222. A wireless tag antenna 5224 is connected to the reading device 5221. The wireless tag antenna 5224 extends from the reading device 5221 in a spiral shape into the left and right side walls 5211. That is, a spiral wireless tag antenna 5224 is laid inside each of the left and right side walls 5211, and each wireless tag antenna 5224 is connected to the reading device 5221.

The display unit 5223 is composed of a liquid crystal panel. In addition, a touch sensor is provided on the liquid crystal panel, so the display unit 5223 can be configured as a touch panel.

<Composition of the Inspection Device>

Figure 54 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inspection device 5200. In addition to the reading device 5221, judgment unit 5222, display unit 5223, and wireless tag antenna 5224 shown in Figure 53, the inspection device 5200 also includes a barcode reader 5228 and a communication unit 5229. Furthermore, the judgment unit 5222 is composed of a processor (not shown), a memory, etc., and by causing the processor to execute an inspection program, it constitutes an identification unit 5230 and an identification content judgment unit 5231.

A wireless tag system is constituted by a reading device 5221, a wireless tag antenna 5224, and a wireless tag 5503 embedded in the game coin C. The currency information of the game coin C stored in the wireless tag 5503 embedded in the game coin C is read non-contactly by the reading device 5221 and used for processing by the judgment unit 5222.

Barcode reader 5228 reads the barcode BC attached to the coin box 5100 to obtain the coin box identification information. Display unit 5223 displays the identification content of judgment unit 222 and the judgment result of judgment unit 5231. Communication unit 5229 communicates with the manufacturing management device 5302 installed in factory F and the information database 5303 installed in amusement park P.

<The Composition of the Game Coin Box>

Figure 55 is a perspective view of the coin box 5100. The coin box 5100 is composed of an upper part 5101 and a lower part 5102. In this embodiment, the upper part 5101 and the lower part 5102 are formed of transparent resin. In addition, in this embodiment, the coin box 5100 is a closed structure including the upper part 5101 and the lower part 5102, but it can also be in a state where the light-transmitting part has an opening.

As described above, the coin box 5100 has a shape formed by five pillars 5100C arranged side by side, each stacking 20 coins C. In the example of Figure 59, in order to roughly match the shape of the coins C contained in the upper part 5101 and the lower part 5102, the cross-section of each pillar is polygonal (octagonal). Each pillar 5100C is shaped to not be able to hold more than 21 coins C.

Figure 56 is a perspective view of the modified coin box 5100', and Figure 57 is a top view of the coin box 5100'. The coin box 5100' also includes an upper part 5101' and a lower part 5102 made of transparent resin. In this modified example, the upper surface of the upper part 5101' facing the camera is formed as a plane. In this way, by making the surface facing the camera plane, as shown in Figure 57, the camera will not reflect the linear image formed by the corners of the polygonal cross-section of the coin box 5100', thereby enabling accurate identification of the side information of the coin C when performing image analysis on the image captured by the camera.

(Game currency)

Figure 58 is a side cross-sectional view of the game coin C in this embodiment. The game coin C has a multi-layer structure, which is formed by stacking multiple plastic layers of different colors, with at least a designated color layer (coloring layer) 5501 in the middle, and general color layers (white or light-colored layers) 5502 stacked on both sides of the designated color layer 5501 in the middle.

As shown in Figure 58, the designated color layer 5501 can also be formed from multiple layers (three layers in Figure 58) colored with the designated color. Since the multiple layers (three layers in Figure 58) are thermo-pressed together, the three-layer structure is not visually apparent as in Figure 58. Figure 58 shows the three layers of the designated color layer 5501 for ease of explanation. Furthermore, a partial cutout B is provided in the center layer of the three layers of the designated color layer 5501, and a wireless tag 5503 is embedded within this cutout B.

The inspection system 51 inspects game coins C, which have built-in wireless tags 5503 storing currency information and outer surfaces with color 5501 or display 5507 indicating value, stored in a game coin box 5100 with a limited maximum capacity. The game coins C are stored in the game coin box 5100, which can hold game coins C in a stacked manner in the thickness direction to form a row. The inspection system 51 includes: a reading device 5221 that reads the wireless tags 5503 of the game coins C in the game coin box 5100 to obtain the currency information of the game coins C; and a judgment unit 222 that compares the currency information obtained by the reading device 5221 with the maximum capacity of the game coin box 5100 (set to a maximum of 100 coins in this embodiment). If the number of game coins C obtained according to the currency information obtained by the reading device 5221 is different from the maximum capacity (100 coins), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the game coins C in the game coin box 5100.

The inspection system 51 is configured to also include a wireless tag 5503 information database 5303 capable of comparing information from wireless tags 5503 embedded in game coins C. The judgment unit 5222 compares the currency information of the game coin C read by the reading device 5221 with the wireless tag 5503 information database 5303, thereby detecting any anomalies in the game coin C being inspected. The information database 5303 pre-stores information from all wireless tags 5503 of game coins used in the amusement park.

The judgment unit 5222 has the following functions: when it is determined that one of the game coins C in the game coin box 5100 is an abnormal game coin C, it compares the information of the wireless tags 5503 of all the game coins C in the game coin box 5100 with the pre-registered wireless tag 5503 information database 5303 to determine the existence of an abnormal wireless tag 5303 that is not in the wireless tag 5503 information database.

The judgment unit 5222 has the following function: when it is determined that one of the game coins C in the game coin box 5100 is an abnormal game coin C, it determines that the game coin C in the game coin box 5100 is an abnormal game coin C that cannot obtain information from the wireless tag 5503.

When the display unit 5223 determines that there is an abnormal game coin C as described above, it will display the abnormality.

As shown in Figures 60 and 61, the pass/fail result display screen 5800 includes: the number of wireless tags 5503 read by the identification unit 5230 from the game coin C, i.e., the total number of detections 5801, and the number of cheating game coins C 5803.

Figures 60 and 61 are examples of pass/fail result display screens showing the judgment result of the game coin abnormality by the content recognition judgment unit 5231. These pass/fail result display screens are generated by the judgment unit 5222 based on the judgment result of the game coin abnormality by the content recognition judgment unit 5231, and are displayed by the display unit 5223. Figure 60 shows an example of the display screen when the game coin is passable, and Figure 61 shows an example of the display screen when the game coin is failable.

Figure 62 is a diagram showing an inspection device 5400 with other variations. The inspection device 5400 inspects game coins C with built-in wireless tags 5503 storing currency information and outer surfaces having color 5501 or display 5507 indicating value. The inspection device 5400 includes: an inspection table 5427 capable of inspecting game coins C in a column formed by stacking them in the thickness direction, with a limited maximum number of stacked coins; a reading device 5421 that reads the wireless tags 5531 of the column of game coins C to obtain currency information of the column of game coins C; and a determination unit 5422 that compares the currency information obtained by the reading device 5421 with the maximum number of stackable coins of the inspection table 5427 itself (set to a maximum of 20 coins in this embodiment), and determines that the game coins C present on the inspection table 5427 are abnormal when the number of game coins C obtained according to the currency information obtained by the reading device 5421 is different from the maximum number of stackable coins (20 coins).

The inspection device 5400 includes a number control board 5425, which limits the maximum number of stacked coins C in a row.

The inspection device 5400 is equipped with a light sensor 5426 to determine the physical number of individual game coins C. The judgment unit 5422 has the following function: when the currency information of the game coin obtained by the reading device 5421 is inconsistent with the physical information of the game coin C, it determines that one of the game coins C present on the inspection table 5427 is an abnormal game coin C and outputs it.

<How to use the inspection system>

Figure 63 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the circulation and inspection system 1 for game coins C is used. Game coins C are manufactured by manufacturing device 5301 in factory F (s1) and then stored in game coin boxes 5100 in batches of 100 (s2). After storing game coins C, game coin boxes 5100 are sealed in factory F by a sealing seal. In addition, a barcode BC is affixed to the side of game coin box 5100, which represents game coin box identification information used to uniquely identify the game coin box 5100 (s3).

At this point, the game coin box identification information, represented by the barcode BC affixed to the game coin box 5100, is input into the manufacturing management device 5302 of factory F (s4). Furthermore, the game coin box 5100 containing game coins C is moved to the inspection device 5200, where the currency information assigned to game coin C (details described later) is read to check its validity. Then, the currency information read from game coin C stored in the game coin box 5100 is sent to the manufacturing management device 5302 (s5), and is associated with the game coin box identification information via the manufacturing management device 5302. Alternatively, the manufacturing management device 5302 can also be a personal computer.

The coin box 5100, which has passed the inspection by the inspection device 5200 of factory F, is transported from factory F to amusement park P (s6). At amusement park P, the coin box 5100 is first stored in a vault R (s7). The vault R is equipped with an inspection device 5200, which inspects the coin box 5100 delivered from factory F.

On the other hand, the manufacturing management device 5302 of factory F sends coin box identification information and currency information associated with the coin box identification information to the information database 5303 of amusement park P. The information database 5303 has a storage unit that retrieves coin box identification information and associated currency information from the manufacturing management device 5302 for each of the multiple coin boxes 5100 containing game coins C, and stores the information for each coin box 5100. Alternatively, the information database 5303 can also be a personal computer.

During the inspection by the inspection device 5200 in the vault R, the information stored in the information database 5303 is used for inspection. If the inspection in the vault R confirms that a valid coin box 5100 is being transported to the game table T (s9) or the cashier CA (s10), the game table T and the cashier CA are also equipped with inspection devices 5200. The coin box 5100 containing game coins C is inspected by the inspection devices 5200 while remaining sealed. Furthermore, the game table T and the cashier CA also inspect the coin box 5100 containing used game coins C, and this inspection is also performed using the inspection devices 5200. During the inspection by the three inspection devices 5200 in the amusement park P, the coin box identification information and the currency information associated with the coin box identification information stored in the information database 5303 are referenced from the manufacturing management device 5302.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the game coin C has identification information and/or value information as wireless tag information. Here, the identification information uniquely identifies each game coin C, while the value information is information that can be repeatedly obtained from multiple game coins C, and can also be referred to as information indicating the group to which each game coin belongs (group information). In this embodiment, the group information, which represents the group to which the coin belongs, can replace the value, or, in addition to the value, also use information such as the game coin's manufacturing date, manufacturer, and/or the amusement park where it was used.

That is, the wireless tag information may include identification information that identifies the game coin, and may also include group information indicating the group to which the game coin belongs.

(Sealing inspection)

As described above, the coin box 5100 is sealed after containing a predetermined number of game coins C. The seal is broken if it is opened to the extent that the contained game coins can be removed. The detection device 5200 may also include a detection unit that detects any undamaged seals affixed to the coin box 5100. The detection unit may also detect the seal optically or magnetically. In this case, if the detection unit does not detect any undamaged seals, the content determination unit 5231 determines that the multiple game coins C contained in the coin box 5100 are defective.

(The configuration of the components of the inspection device)

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG54, all the components of the inspection device 5200 are arranged in one device, but these components can also be arranged separately. For example, part or all of the judgment unit 5222, display unit 5223, and communication unit 5224 can also be implemented by a personal computer connected to the inspection device 5200. The separately arranged components can be communicatively connected by wired or wireless means, or they can be connected to each other by a network such as the Internet.

(Display section)

In the above embodiment, an example in which the display unit 5223 is composed of a liquid crystal panel was described. However, the display unit 5223 may also be an indicator light that only indicates whether it is qualified or not, or it may be an indicator light that only digitally displays the total number of detections 5801, the number of correct game coins C 5802, and the number of cheating game coins C 5803.

(Calculation of total value)

As described above, the identification content determination unit 5231 of the above embodiment can determine the quantity of each value of the plurality of game coins C contained in the game coin box 5100. Therefore, the identification content determination unit 5231 can also calculate the total value of the plurality of game coins C contained in the game coin box 5100 based on the quantity of each value. The calculated total value can also be displayed on the pass/fail result display screen on the display unit 5233 (see Figures 60 and 61).

(Sixth Implementation Method)

As mentioned above, it has long been known to use RF tags (wireless tags) embedded inside game tokens to check their authenticity. In these systems, when a game token that cannot read the RF tag or whose information read from the RF tag is not the specified information is detected (typically counterfeit game tokens or game tokens with damaged RF tags, hereinafter referred to as "cheating game tokens"), the situation is recorded in a recording device or an alarm is triggered by an alarm device.

However, since game coins circulate between the dealer (casino) and the players, when the casino checks its own game coins and discovers cheating game coins, it is not easy to know from which player the cheating game coins circulated to the casino side and when.

Therefore, this embodiment provides a detection system that can detect cheating game coins when a player hands them over to the dealer, or when the time interval between handing them over to the dealer is as short as possible.

Therefore, one embodiment of the inspection system inspects game coins with built-in RF tags and includes: a storage unit for storing game coins from a dealer in a casino game; an RF reading unit for reading the RF tags of a plurality of game coins stored in the storage unit; a detection unit for detecting at least the number of the plurality of game coins stored in the storage unit at fixed time intervals or in real time using a method other than RFID; and an alarm unit for generating an alarm when the number of game coins obtained by reading the RF tags through the RF reading unit is inconsistent with the number of game coins detected by the detection unit.

According to this configuration, the RF reader detects the quantity of game coins contained in the storage compartment. The detection unit uses methods other than RFID to detect the quantity of game coins in the storage compartment at fixed time intervals or in real time. When the counts are inconsistent, the alarm unit generates an alarm. Therefore, when cheating game coins are contained in the storage compartment, or within a certain period of time after their containment, the alarm unit can generate an alarm. In addition, the RF reader can also read RF tags at consistent time intervals or in real time.

The detection unit can also detect whether there is a change in the number of game coins contained in the containment unit. When the detection unit detects a change in the number of game coins, the alarm unit compares the number of game coins detected by the detection unit with the number of game coins obtained by reading the RF tag by the RF reading unit to determine whether the two are consistent.

The containment unit can also contain game coins collected from players during casino games. Based on this configuration, cheating game coins can be detected when the dealer collects game coins from players.

The detection unit can detect the presence of each of the multiple game coins contained in the containment unit using methods other than RFID.

The receiving section may be configured to receive a plurality of game coins stacked in a predetermined stacking direction, and the detection section may have a plurality of photoelectric sensors arranged along the stacking direction to detect each of the plurality of game coins stacked in the receiving section.

The receiving portion may have a slot extending in the stacking direction, and the plurality of photoelectric sensors may be arranged in multiple columns along the stacking direction. The game coin may be detected by the photoelectric sensors arranged in different columns in the stacking order.

The receiving portion may have multiple rows of slots extending in the stacking direction, and the RF reading portion may read the RF tag in one or more rows of each of the slots.

The detection unit may be equipped with multiple photoelectric sensors for detecting each of the multiple game coins contained in the receiving unit.

The detection unit can detect the quantity of the multiple game coins stored in the storage unit by optically reading them. Such a detection unit is, for example, an optical scanner that scans stacked game coins in a stacked direction.

The receiving unit can hold the multiple game coins in a stacked manner from a predetermined reference position. The detection unit can detect the number of multiple game coins held in the receiving unit by measuring the distance from the predetermined observation position to the game coin farthest from the predetermined reference position.

Based on this configuration, the number of multiple game coins stacked in the housing can be detected according to their height (length) in the stacking direction. Such a detection unit is, for example, a distance sensor located at the starting point in the stacking direction, which measures the distance between the game coin furthest from the reference position.

The RF reading unit can read the RF tag at a first time interval, and within the first time interval after a new game coin is added to the storage unit, read the RF tag of multiple game coins containing the newly added game coin. The detection unit can detect the number of the multiple game coins stored in the storage unit at a second time interval, thereby detecting the number of multiple game coins containing the newly added game coin within the second time interval after a new game coin is added to the storage unit.

According to this configuration, when new game coins are added to the containment unit, the RF tag is read within a first time interval and the quantity is detected within a second time interval. This allows for the completion of RF tag reading and quantity detection by means other than RFID for at least any longer period between the first and second time intervals after the new game coins are added to the containment unit, and generates an alarm as needed. Therefore, when the dealer collects game coins collected from players and returns them to the containment unit based on the game's outcome, these game coins can be inspected immediately.

Another embodiment of the inspection system inspects game coins used in games played at a game table, and includes: a storage unit provided at the game table for storing multiple game coins added or removed for each game; and an inspection unit for inspecting the game coins added or removed for each game in the storage unit.

Another embodiment of the inspection system inspects game coins with built-in RF tags and includes: a storage unit capable of storing a predetermined number of game coins; an RF reading unit for reading the RF tags of the multiple game coins stored in the storage unit; and an alarm unit that generates an alarm when the number of game coins obtained by reading the RF tags through the RF reading unit is inconsistent with the predetermined number.

According to this configuration, when the containment unit contains a quantity of game coins that can be contained, the RF reading unit reads the RF tag and compares it with the quantity that can be contained, thereby enabling the detection of game coins whose RF tags have not been read and generating an alarm.

It may also include a virtual currency with the RF tag built in. When the number of game coins is less than the specified number, in order to bring the total number of game coins to the specified number, the virtual currency is stored together with the game coins in the storage unit.

According to this configuration, when checking for game coins that are insufficient to be contained in the containment unit (containment capacity), an alarm can be generated when the ideal value of the number of RF tags that the RF reading unit should read is inconsistent with the containment capacity by containing the insufficient quantity of virtual currency in the containment unit.

The inspection system of this embodiment is not limited to an inspection system for inspecting game coins, but can also be applied as an inspection system for inspecting any valuable item with a built-in RF tag. In this case, the valuable item inspection system includes: a valuable item with a uniquely identifiable ID; a game table for using the valuable item; a tray for holding the valuable item on the game table; a determination unit for determining the quantity of the valuable item held on the tray using the unique ID; a detection unit for at least photographing the valuable item on the game table including the tray and generating an image, and for detecting at least the quantity of the valuable item based on the image; a storage unit for storing the quantity detected by the detection unit; and an inspection unit for checking the correlation between the quantity determined by the determination unit and the quantity detected by the detection unit.

The inspection system of this embodiment is not limited to an inspection system for inspecting game coins, but can also be used as an inspection system for inspecting any object with a built-in RF tag. In this case, the inspection system includes: an RF reading unit for reading the RF tag of the object placed in a designated location; a detection unit for detecting at least the number of the objects placed in the designated location using a method other than RFID; and an alarm unit for generating an alarm when the number of objects obtained by the RF reading unit from the RF tag is inconsistent with the number detected by the detection unit.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following description is merely illustrative, and this embodiment is not limited to the examples below. The game coin used in the inspection system of this embodiment has a built-in RF tag storing information such as its type and identification information (tag information). The game coin used in this embodiment can be any of the game coins C described in the first to fifth embodiments. By reading the RF tag built into the game coin using the RF reader described later, the tag information stored in the RF tag can be read.

Figure 64 is a top view of the coin tray for holding game coins. The coin tray 617 has multiple slots 6171 formed to hold game coins C stacked along their thickness direction. The slots 6171 are semi-tubular in shape to hold the disc-shaped game coins C. Each slot 6171 can hold 40 game coins C. The coin tray 617 has 14 slots 6171 formed parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction.

Multiple photoelectric sensors 6173 are embedded on the right and left sides of the inner wall of each slot 6171. Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 64, an antenna for an RF reader is embedded inside each slot 6171. Additionally, the coin tray 617 is used to be embedded in front of the dealer's position on the casino's gaming table.

Figure 65 is a diagram showing the antenna (hereinafter referred to as "RF antenna") 6172 of the RF reader. The RF antenna 6712 is disposed inside or at the bottom of the coin tray 671 corresponding to each slot 6171. In addition, only 4 slots are shown in Figure 65, but the other slots 6171 are the same.

In the example of Figure 65, one RF antenna 6172 is installed in each slot 6171. The RF antenna 6172 wirelessly communicates with the RF tag built into the game coin C stored in the corresponding slot 6171 and reads RF information from the RF tag. In addition, in order to prevent each RF antenna 6172 from reading the RF tag of the game coin C stored in adjacent slots 6171, a radio wave shielding wall can also be installed between adjacent slots 6171.

Figure 66 is an enlarged top view and a cross-sectional view from the front of slot 6171. Game coins C are stacked and housed within slot 6171 along its length. In the example shown in Figure 66, one slot 6171 can hold 40 game coins C.

Multiple photoelectric sensors 6713 are embedded on the right and left sides of the inner wall of the semi-circular cross-section of the slot 6171, with the sensing surface coplanar with the inner wall. The photoelectric sensor 6713 is a reflective photoelectric sensor. The game coin C is housed in the slot 6171 so that the sensing surface is blocked by the game coin C, thereby detecting the game coin C.

Multiple photoelectric sensors are arranged on the right and left sides of the inner wall, with a gap the thickness of two game coins C. In this example, as mentioned above, one slot 6171 can hold 40 game coins C, so 20 photoelectric sensors 6173 are set on the right side and 20 photoelectric sensors 6173 are set on the left side.

The columns of photoelectric sensors 6173 on the right and the columns of photoelectric sensors 6173 on the left are staggered along their arrangement direction by a thickness interval of one game coin C. Thus, the multiple game coins C stacked and housed in the slot 6171 are detected by photoelectric sensors 6173 arranged in different columns according to the stacking sequence. Specifically, the game coin C at the bottom of the slot 6171 is detected by the bottom right photoelectric sensor 6173, the second game coin from the bottom is detected by the bottom left photoelectric sensor 6173, the third game coin C from the bottom is detected by the second right photoelectric sensor 6173 from the bottom, the fourth game coin C from the bottom is detected by the second left photoelectric sensor 6173 from the bottom, and so on, with the right photoelectric sensor 6183 and the left photoelectric sensor 6173 alternately detecting the game coins C from bottom to top.

By alternating multiple photoelectric sensors 6173 in different columns, it is possible to configure multiple photoelectric sensors 6173 to read multiple game coins C stacked and housed in slot 6171 one by one along the thickness direction.

Figure 67 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system. As shown in Figure 67, the inspection system 600 includes an RF reader 6100 with an RF antenna 6172, a plurality of photoelectric sensors 6173, an inspection/alarm unit 6200 connected to the RF reader 6100 and the plurality of photoelectric sensors 6173, and a storage unit 6300 connected to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. The inspection/alarm unit 6200 is configured as a computer equipped with a processor and memory, and is implemented by having the processor execute the inspection/alarm program of this embodiment.

The RF reader 6100 receives radio waves from the RF tag of the game coin C via the RF antenna 6172, thereby reading the information (tag information) stored in the RF tag. The RF reader outputs the read tag information to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. As shown in Figure 65, the inspection system 600 has multiple RF antennas 6172, but these multiple RF antennas 6172 can be connected to a single RF reader 6100, or multiple RF readers 6100 can be provided corresponding to multiple RF antennas 6172.

Multiple photoelectric sensors 6173 are connected to the inspection/alarm unit 6200, respectively, and send sensing information to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. The sensing information of each photoelectric sensor 6173 indicates the presence or absence of game coin C.

The inspection/alarm unit 6200 compares the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 with the number of game coin C detection information obtained from multiple photoelectric sensors 6173. At this time, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 can also determine whether the tag information is true, and only compare the number of tag information determined to be true with the number of detection information from the photoelectric sensors 6173.

When multiple game coins contained in the game coin tray 617 all have genuine RF tags embedded, the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 should match the number of game coins C detected by the photoelectric sensor 6173. Therefore, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 determines whether these numbers match, and generates an alarm if they do not.

The generated alarm is output in a manner perceptible to a human through an alarm unit (not shown). For example, when the alarm unit is a speaker, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 generates a signal for outputting a prescribed alarm tone from the speaker as an alarm. When the alarm unit is an indicator light, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 generates a signal for illuminating the indicator light as an alarm.

The RF reader 6100 reads tag information at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 1-second intervals). Additionally, the photoelectric sensor 6173 also performs detection at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 2-second intervals). Furthermore, both the RF reader 6100 and the photoelectric sensor 6173 can perform reading and detection in real time.

Furthermore, the RF reader can also read tag information at predetermined time intervals or in real time. The inspection/alarm unit 6200 determines whether the read tag information has changed. When a change occurs, the photoelectric sensor 6173 is used for detection under the control of the inspection/alarm unit 6200. Conversely, the game coin C can also be detected at predetermined time intervals or in real time using multiple photoelectric sensors 6173. The inspection/alarm unit 6200 determines whether the number of detected game coins C has changed. When a change occurs, the RF reader 6100 reads the tag information under the control of the inspection/alarm unit 6200.

If the inspection/alarm unit 6200 generates an alarm, the alarm unit immediately outputs an alarm. Thus, an alarm is output either within a specified time after the cheating game tokens are collected in the game token tray 617, or immediately. This allows it to be determined that the cheating game tokens originated from a player currently playing the game at the table. Furthermore, subsequent games can be temporarily suspended to prevent the continued use of the cheating game tokens. Depending on the situation, the player who received the cheating game tokens can also be identified from among the players currently playing the game at the table.

The inspection/alarm unit 6200 records the inspection (comparison) results and the generated alarms, along with date and time information, to the storage unit 6300.

Figure 68 is a top view showing another example of a game coin tray. In the example of Figure 68, in addition to the multiple vertical slots (storage slots) 6171 for holding game coins C, a horizontal slot (recovery slot) 6174 is provided above them for holding game coins C recovered by the dealer from the player. Furthermore, in the example of Figure 68, the storage slots 6171 do not contain photoelectric sensors 6173, the recovery slots 6174 contain photoelectric sensors 6173 in the same configuration as in Figure 66, and an RF antenna 6172 (not shown) is embedded below the recovery slots 6174.

The number of game coins C stored in the recycling slot 6174 increases or decreases depending on the game. Therefore, by installing a photoelectric sensor 6173 and an RF antenna 6172 in the recycling slot 6174, the inspection interval is significantly shortened, allowing for the inspection of game coins C recently recycled from players according to the game. When cheating game coins are detected, the player holding the cheating game coins can be identified, or the game can be interrupted. Furthermore, when the recycling slot 6174 contains a certain number or a maximum capacity of game coins C, some or all of these game coins C can be moved to the storage slot 6171.

Figure 69 is a top view showing another example of a game coin tray. In the example of Figure 69, the recycling slot 6175 is arranged vertically at the right end. Furthermore, a photoelectric sensor 6173 and an RF antenna 6172 (not shown) are provided in the recycling slot 6175.

Figure 70 is a top view showing another example of a coin tray. In the example of Figure 70, the longitudinal slot is divided into upper and lower slots 6176 and 6177, each capable of holding 20 coins C. Each slot 617 can hold 20 coins C. Similar to the example in Figure 64, photoelectric sensors 6173 are alternately arranged on the left and right sides of each slot 617. According to the coin tray 617 of this example, the number of stacked coins C is smaller, thereby avoiding a large deviation between the stacked coins C and the photoelectric sensors 6173.

In the examples of Figures 69 and 70, the recycling tank is equipped with a photoelectric sensor 6173 and an RF antenna 6172, so that the game coin C can be checked immediately after recycling.

Figure 71 is a diagram showing other configurations of the RF antenna. In the sixth embodiment described above, one RF antenna is provided for each slot 6171, but as shown in Figure 71, one RF antenna 6172 can also be configured to read the RF tags of game coins C contained in multiple slots 6171.

In the sixth embodiment described above, when checking game coins C, the number of game coins C obtained by the RF reader 6100 from reading the RF tag is compared with the number of game coins C detected by physical means other than RFID to detect cheating game coins that do not have RF tags or whose RF tags are damaged. Furthermore, as a means of physically detecting the number of game coins C using means other than RFID, multiple photoelectric sensors 6173 are used to detect the presence or absence of game coins one by one.

However, methods for physically detecting the number of game coins C using means other than RFID are not limited to multiple photoelectric sensors. Other examples of the detection unit will be explained below.

Figure 72 is a diagram showing a slot for a coin tray using a line sensor as the detection unit. As shown in Figure 72, a slit 6178 extending along the length of the slot 6171 is formed at the bottom of the inner wall of the slot 6171, and a line sensor 6179 is disposed below the slit 6178 and along the slit 6178. The pixel pitch in the length direction of the line sensor 6179 is set to be smaller than the thickness of the coin C (the number of pixels in the length direction of the line sensor 6179 is set to be sufficiently larger than the number of coins C that the slot 6171 can hold).

Figure 73 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 72. A line sensor 6179 is connected to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. The line sensor 6179 acquires a line image by taking a picture. The line sensor 6179 outputs the acquired line image to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. Based on the line image, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 determines the position of the game coin C stacked from bottom to top, thereby detecting the number of game coins C stored in the slot 6171.

The RF antenna 6172 and RF reader 6100 are the same as in the sixth embodiment. The inspection/alarm unit 6200 checks the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 and compares it with the number of game coins C detected based on the line image; an alarm is generated when their numbers do not match. The storage unit 6300 records the inspection results of the inspection/alarm unit 6200 and the generated alarm.

Figure 74 is a diagram showing a slot for a coin tray using a scanner as a detection unit. As shown in Figure 74, a slit 6178 extending along the length of the slot 6171 is formed at the bottom of the inner wall of the slot 6171, and a track 6181 is provided below the slit 6178 along the slit 6178. The scanner is constructed by moving the imaging element 6180 on the track 6181.

Figure 75 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 74. An imaging element 6180 is connected to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. The imaging element 6180 moves along the track 6178 while taking pictures, and outputs the position information on the track and the captured image at that position to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. The inspection/alarm unit 6200 uses multiple captured images obtained by the imaging element 6180 moving unidirectionally from one end to the other along the track 6181 to determine the presence or absence of game coins C, thereby detecting the number of game coins C stored in the slot 6171.

Figure 76 is a diagram showing a slot in a coin tray using a laser rangefinder as a detection unit. As shown in Figure 76, a laser rangefinder 6182 is provided at the upper end of slot 6171. The laser of the laser rangefinder 6182 is set to be parallel to the length direction of slot 6171. When coins C are stacked in slot 6171 from bottom to top, the laser emitted from the laser rangefinder 6182 is reflected by the surface of the top coin C and returns to the laser rangefinder 6182. Thus, the laser rangefinder 6182 measures the distance from the observation position to the coin C farthest from the reference position (the coin C stacked on top) with the upper end of slot 6171 as the observation position and the lower end as the reference position.

Figure 77 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 76. A laser rangefinder 6182 is connected to the inspection/alarm unit 6200 and outputs the measured distance to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. The more game coins C stored in slot 6171, the smaller the measured distance; therefore, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C stored in slot 6171 based on the distance measured by the laser rangefinder 6182.

Figure 78 is a diagram showing a slot for a game coin tray using a weight as the detection unit. As shown in Figure 78, slot 6171 is placed on weight 6183. When game coin C is contained in slot 6171, the weight measured by weight 6183 will increase.

Figure 79 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 78. A weight gauge 6183 is connected to the inspection/alarm unit 6200 and outputs the measured weight to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. The more game coins C stored in slot 6171, the greater the measured weight; therefore, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 detects the number of game coins C stored in slot 6171 based on the weight measured by the weight gauge 6183.

In the examples above, a detection unit is provided to detect the number of game coins C contained in slot 6171 using means other than RFID. However, this detection unit may not be provided. The maximum number of game coins C that slot 6171 can hold is fixed. Therefore, if the RF tag is read when slot 6171 contains the maximum number of game coins C, the number of game coins C physically present at that time is known as the maximum number.

Therefore, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 can detect cheating game coins that do not have built-in RF tags or whose RF tags are damaged by comparing the number of game coins C obtained by the RF reader reading the tag information with the known maximum number of game coins.

However, the slot 6171 used for inspection may not always be able to hold the maximum number of game coins C. Therefore, spacers used as dummy coins can be used to fill the empty portion of slot 6171. In addition to spacers of the same shape (circular plate shape) as game coins C, spacers of the same shape (cylindrical shape) as multiple stacked game coins C can also be prepared.

Figure 80 is a diagram showing the state of filling the empty space of the slot using spacers. The slot 6171 can hold 40 game coins C (maximum capacity is 40), and 30 game coins C are currently held in the slot 6171. To fill the empty space of 10 coins, a spacer 6184 of 5 coins, a spacer 6184 of 3 coins, and two spacers 6184 of 1 coin are placed in the slot 6171.

The spacer 6184 contains an RF tag corresponding to its number. For example, a spacer 6184 of size 5 contains 5 RF tags, a spacer 6184 of size 3 contains 3 RF tags, and a spacer 6184 of size 1 contains 1 RF tag.

Therefore, if all 30 game coins C contained in slot 6171 are genuine, the RF reader 6100 will read a total of 40 tag information entries, including the RF tag built into spacer 6184. If the number of tag information entries read by the RF reader 6100 does not match the specified number of game coins C that slot 6171 can hold, the inspection/alarm unit 6200 will determine that cheating game coins are present and generate an alarm.

Figure 81 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the inspection system 600 of the example in Figure 80. As described above, in the example of Figure 80, no detection unit is required. However, if an inspection is performed at any time, slot 6171 may become idle, and the RF reader 6100 may not read the required number of tag information, thus generating an alarm. Therefore, in the example of Figure 81, a switch 6185 is provided to indicate the inspection of the inspection/alarm unit 6200. Pressing the switch 6185 generates an ON signal.

Switch 6185 is connected to the inspection/alarm unit 6200 and outputs an ON signal to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. If the inspection/alarm unit 6200 receives an ON signal from switch 6185, it instructs the RF reader 6100 to perform a reading.

When the dealer collects game coins C from the losing player, they store the coins in slot 6171 and place spacer 6184 in the empty space to make slot 6171 empty. Then, switch 6185 is pressed. The RF reader 6100 then reads the RF tags, and the inspection/alarm unit 6200 checks whether the number of tags read matches a specified value.

In the sixth embodiment, a system for inspecting game tokens used in casino games has been described, but the object of inspection can also be any valuable item other than game token C. Furthermore, while an RF tag is embedded in the game token, a uniquely identifiable ID can also be attached using other methods.

Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, various methods for detecting the quantity of game coins C by means other than RFID have been described. However, any method for detecting the quantity of game coins C is acceptable as long as the player or dealer can identify the quantity of game coins C, including cheating game coins. For example, as in the example described below, a method can be used to photograph the game coins C contained in the game coin tray 617 with a camera and detect the number of coins based on the image.

Furthermore, the inspection system can also detect objects other than valuable items.

Figure 82 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inspection system for inspecting objects with embedded RF tags. The inspection system 6001 includes a platform B for placing objects. A camera 6400 captures images of the objects placed on the platform B, generating captured images. The camera 6400 is connected to an inspection/alarm unit 6200 and outputs the captured images to the inspection/alarm unit 6200. The inspection/alarm unit 6200 includes a neural network learned through deep learning, which uses this neural network to identify the number of objects based on the captured images, thereby detecting the quantity of objects.

In addition, platform B has a built-in RF antenna 6172. RF tags embedded in objects placed on platform B send radio waves to the RF antenna 6172, and the RF reader 6100 reads the tag information.

The inspection/alarm unit 6200 compares the number of tag information read by the RF reader 6100 with the number of objects identified by the neural network, and generates an alarm when the two are inconsistent. In this way, by using a means other than RFID, such as a camera 6400, to detect the number of objects whose authenticity is uncertain but which actually exist, and by reading the RF tags of these objects, comparing the number of tag information read with the number detected by the camera 6400, it is possible to detect objects whose RF tag information cannot be read.

Symbol explanation:

1. Solitaire

1-second shuffle game cards

2 camera devices

3. Card Dispensing Device

4 game tables

5 Dealers

6. Customers (game participants/players)

7 chairs

8 Placement Area

10 regions

10P Leisure Area

10B Dealer Area

11 Game Recording Device

12 Image Analysis Devices

13 Result Display Lights

14 Control devices

14C Playing Card Distribution Detection Device

15. Output (anomaly detection results, etc.)

16 Abnormal Indicator Lights

30 Issuance restriction devices

33 slots

34 locking components

35 Drive Unit

36 locking components

37 Drive Unit

40 Issuance restriction devices

102 Playing Card Storage Department

103 Index

105 Card Game Guidance Department

106 openings

107 Card Game Guide

109 Control Department

112 Side Monitor

120 game coins

121 shader layer

122 White Layer

123 printing

124 transparent layer (printing layer)

125 RFID

126 Side ID

200 inspection device

201 entrance

202 Export

Channel 203

204 Detection Device

205 tag reading device

206 Printing Inspection Device

207 control device

41 Inspection System

4100, 4100' Game Coin Box

4101, 4101′ upper part

4102 lower part

4200 Inspection Device

4210 Receiving Department

4211 Sidewall

4212 Bottom

4213 Inner wall

4220 Main Body

4221 RFID Reader

4222 Computer

4223 Display Section

4224 RFID Antenna

4225 Infrared Camera

4226 Visible Light Camera

4227 outrigger

4228 Barcode Reader

4229 Ministry of Communications

4230 Identification Department

4231 Judgment Department

4301 Manufacturing Unit

4302 Manufacturing Management Device

4303 Use of management device

4501 Specifies the color layer

4502 Universal Color Layer

4503 RFID tag

4504 transparent layer

4505, 505' code information

4506 Printing

4507 Printing

4800 Pass/Fail Result Display Screen

4801 Total number of tests

4802 The correct number of game coins C

4803 The number of cheating game coins C

4804 Currency Information Display Department

4805 Currency information used for cheating

C, C', C'' Game Coins

m, m′, m″ markings

51 Inspection System

5100, 5100' Game Coin Box

5101, 5101′ upper part

5102 lower part

5200 and 5400 inspection devices

5210 Receiving Department

5211 Sidewall

5212 Bottom

5213 Inner wall

5220 Main Body

5221, 5421 Reading Devices

Judgment Department 5222, 5422

5223 Display Unit

5224 and 5424 wireless tag antennas

5228 Barcode Reader

5229 Ministry of Communications

5230 Identification Department

5231 Content Recognition and Judgment Department

5301 Manufacturing Unit

5302 Manufacturing Management Device

5303 Information Database

5425-piece control board

5426 Optical Sensor

5427 Inspection Table

5501 Specifies the color layer

5502 Universal Color Layer

5503 Wireless Tag

5504 Transparent Layer

5505, 5505' code information

5506 Printing

5507 printing

5800 Pass/Fail Result Display Screen

5801 Total number of tests

5802 The correct number of game coins C

5803 The number of cheating game coins C

5804 Currency Information Display Department

5805 Cheating Currency Information

600 and 601 inspection systems

617 Game Coin Tray

6171 slot

6172 RF Antenna

6173 Photoelectric Sensor

6174 and 6175 recycling tanks

6176 Upper section slot

6177 Lower section slot

6179 Line Sensor

6180 camera element

6181 track

6182 Laser Rangefinder

6183 Weight Gauge

6184 Spacer

6185 switch

6100 RF Reader

6200 Inspection/Alarm Department

6300 Storage Unit

6400 camera

Claims (6)

1. A game coin recognition system, which is a game coin recognition system for a casino with multiple game tables, and has the following features: A recording device that records the progress of one or more games being played on one of the multiple games at the game table as separate images; The control device performs image analysis on each of the respective images, identifying the position and number of game coins placed by one or more players on a game table in one of the multiple games. The control device uses artificial intelligence or machine learning technology to identify at least one of the position and number of game coins, and... The recording device has an offset viewing angle that can capture images of multiple placement areas to identify the position and number of game coins placed by one or more players. The game currency has an ID. The game coin identification system also includes an ID reading system, which reads one or more IDs of the game coins on the game table. 2. The game coin recognition system according to claim 1, wherein, In cases where one or more game coins stacked in the placement area include at least partially concealed game coins, image recognition processing using a convolutional neural network in deep learning based on color information or patterns in the image can also be used to determine one or more types of game coins including the at least partially concealed game coins. 3. The game coin recognition system according to claim 1, wherein, The control device checks the correlation between the number of one or more identified IDs and the number of one or more IDs read by the ID reading system. 4. The game coin recognition system according to claim 1, wherein, The ID reading system determines one or more locations of one or more IDs of the game coin. The control device checks the correlation between the identified one or more locations and one or more numbers and the location and number of one or more IDs read by the ID reading system. 5. The game coin recognition system according to claim 1, wherein, The control device also has the function of generating an error signal when an abnormality is detected. 6. The game coin recognition system according to claim 2, wherein, The game coin recognition system also includes a card dispensing device, which determines and displays the win/loss results of each game on the game table. The control device also has the following function: using the win/loss results obtained from the card dealing device, and one or more positions, one or more types, and one or more numbers of cards identified by the control device, to perform income and expenditure calculations on the casino side of the game table.