JP6080145B1 - Game table and management system - Google Patents

Abstract

The gaming table reads the identification information of the user, transmits the identification information to a server that manages the credit amount of the user, and reads the chip information of the chips existing in a predetermined section as the bet amount. And a control unit for outputting an error when the bet amount is larger than the credit amount managed by the server. With this configuration, an error can be output when the amount of a bet made by the user placing a chip is larger than the credit amount.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game table and a management system used in casinos and other game halls. More specifically, the present invention relates to a game table and a management system used when a participant (hereinafter referred to as a user) participating in a game bets a chip.

  Conventionally, various table games such as a card game represented by baccarat and blackjack and a roulette game have been widely played in casinos and other game halls. In these games, the user bets chips and participates in the game. In general, when the user wins the game, a chip corresponding to the result is paid from the dealer to the user. That is, chips are actually delivered between the dealer and the user. The chips can be exchanged for cash or exchanged at a window called a cashier. In this way, the chip plays a role of a kind of substitute currency used in the game hall.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for embedding RFID in a chip and managing the chip using the RFID. According to such a method, since the authenticity of the chip can be determined, it is possible to prevent the user from working illegally by bringing a fake chip.

Special table 2015-525391 gazette

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, although the authenticity of a chip can be determined, it is possible to prevent an inappropriate amount of chips from being handed over to a user due to a dealer's mistake or arbitrary operation. I can't.

  A gaming table according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an identification information reading unit that reads identification information of a user and transmits the identification information to a server that manages the credit amount of the user, and chips of chips that exist in a predetermined section. A chip reading unit that reads information as a bet amount and transmits the bet amount to the server, and a control unit that outputs an error when the bet amount is larger than the credit amount managed by the server.

  According to the present invention, while maintaining the user experience that is the real pleasure of casinos and other amusement arcades, in which a user bets using a chip, it is inappropriate for the user due to a dealer's mistake or arbitrary operation. It is possible to prevent the forehead chip from being delivered.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the management system which concerns on embodiment. It is a mimetic diagram showing an example of the game table concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of credit management DB memorize | stored with the server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of progress management DB memorize | stored with the server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing sequence in case a user participates in a game based on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing sequence in case a user bets based on embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the process sequence in case a user bets based on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the update process of progress management DB which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the table for games based on embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of progress management DB memorize | stored in the server based on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure demonstrated in the following embodiment is only an example, and this invention is not limited to the structure shown in figure.

<Explanation of terms>
In this specification, terms are defined as follows.
“Game table”: A table on which various games are played in a game arcade. Generally, one dealer is assigned to one table. In addition, a plurality of users can participate in the game simultaneously per table.
“Dealer”: A person on the playground side that controls the progress of the game, such as distributing cards used in the game.
"User": A guest person who comes to the game hall and participates in the game.
“Baccarat”: A traditional card game in which the user predicts and wins the card game between BANKER and PLAYER. Users simply expect the game to win or lose and are gaining popularity at casinos around the world due to their ease of use. The dealer distributes 2 to 3 playing cards to each of the bunker and player according to a certain rule, and the first digit of the total number distributed is closer to “9”.
“Blackjack”: A game in which the user aims to obtain a higher score than the dealer so that the total score of the card does not exceed 21 points.
“Roulette”: A game that throws a ball into a rotating disk and predicts where the ball will fall. There are various types of items to bet, such as red or black, bet that includes a plurality of numbers such as odd or even, and bet on a specific number.
"Chip": A substitute for currency in the form of bills or coins used when participating in a game. However, in the embodiment, it does not have an economic value exchangeable with currency or the like.
“Bet”: An expression of a user's expectation to bet. For example, in Baccarat, it means to bet according to the prediction of win or loss in anticipation of whether the bunker wins (BANKER), the player wins (PLAYER), or the game ends in a draw (Tie). . For example, in blackjack, the user predicts his / her chances of winning and bets according to his / her anticipation. In roulette, it means that the user predicts where the ball falls on the rotating disk and bets on the expected destination.
“Bet amount”: an amount used for betting. Each user can arbitrarily specify the bet amount by placing a desired type and number of chips on the table. When the user's prediction is won, a payout corresponding to the bet amount is obtained.
“BET AREA”: An area where the user asserts the bet amount by placing a chip. That is, it is an area where the user bets chips. For example, in Baccarat, an area for betting according to whether a bunker wins (BANKER), a player wins (PLAYER), or a game ends in a draw (TIE) is clearly shown on the table. In the roulette, the number existing on the rotating disk, items including a plurality of numbers (for example, “RED” including the number of red frames), and the like are clearly shown on the table.
“Credit”: A balance held by the user. If a dividend is obtained, the amount of credit increases, and if it is not expected, the amount of credit decreases.

<Preventing delivery of inappropriate amount of chips>
As described above, chips generally used in amusement halls can be exchanged for prizes in the cashier, or in some cases, exchanged for cash. Therefore, it is required to prevent an inappropriate amount of chips from being paid to the user due to a mistake by a dealer or an arbitrary operation.

  An example of the prevention method is to provide a surveillance camera. Monitoring the dealer's behavior with a surveillance camera provides some deterrence. However, if the amount of chips is actually lower than the expected amount, it is necessary for the game hall operator to check the video of the surveillance camera one after another, and excessive labor is required.

  As an example of the prevention method, it is conceivable to abolish the chip system itself. In other words, a method of managing credits electronically by eliminating the chip exchange between the dealer and the user can be considered. For example, in a slot machine of a game arcade, there are many cases in which a system for managing credits electronically using a paper on which a bar code is written instead of a chip is employed. A user who has registered a credit in the machine by reading a barcode makes a desired bet via an input unit (such as a touch panel) for inputting a bet amount or the like. And the credit managed electronically is increased / decreased according to the prediction result. In this way, if the chip system itself is abolished as in the case of a slot machine or the like, an inappropriate amount of chips will be delivered when a chip is delivered from the dealer to the user. The problem no longer occurs. However, if the chip system is abolished, the real thrill of casinos and other playgrounds will be lost.

<The best part of casinos and other playgrounds>
Explain the best part of casinos and other playgrounds. In recent years, there is an increasing number of methods for playing a game by facing a dealer on the screen, such as an online casino, instead of playing a game by facing a real person.

  However, the real thrill of casinos and other amusement halls is caused by the act of playing a game against a real person (dealer) and placing a bet using a substitute currency called chips. For example, the feeling of air cultivated between dealers and users, communication between them, or the actual space itself shared in the entire table including surrounding users is a novel user experience. In this way, it can be said that the user experience obtained by actually playing a game with a real person (dealer) in a real space is the best part that can be obtained at a casino or other amusement halls. That's why games in casinos and other playgrounds where users can place bets by placing chips on the table are gaining popularity.

  Therefore, in the embodiment described below, it is possible to prevent an inappropriate amount of chips from being transferred when a chip is transferred from a dealer to a user without losing the original appeal of a casino or other game halls. A system that realizes the above will be described.

  As already mentioned, in current casinos and other amusement halls, chips are tools for participating in games, and the chips themselves have value as substitute currencies. On the other hand, in the embodiment described below, the chip is still a tool for participating in the game, but the chip itself does not have any value as a substitute currency. Specifically, the user's credit is managed electronically separately from the chip. Chips are used for betting, but not for payment (payout). That is, if the user's prediction is correct, the user will not be paid a chip equivalent to the target from the dealer. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an inappropriate amount of chips from being delivered to the user from the dealer. On the other hand, since the act of making a bet using chips continues, the original real pleasure of casinos and other playgrounds can be maintained.

  When a user exchanges for a prize or tries to exchange cash, the prize is exchanged or converted using a credit that is managed electronically instead of a chip physically owned by the user. In this way, the chip itself is not given value as a substitute currency.

  According to such a technical idea, since the role as a substitute currency is transferred to the electronically managed credit, the chip itself has no value as a substitute currency. Therefore, even if the dealer tries to give an inappropriate amount of chips to the user for fraudulent intentions, such an action is completely meaningless. On the other hand, the role itself that the chip is a tool for participating in the game itself remains. Therefore, a user who participates in the game inevitably uses chips for betting. Since the user can participate in the game in the same manner as before, it can continue to enjoy the real pleasure of the casino.

  Hereinafter, a baccarat table will be described in the first embodiment as an example of a gaming table in which a section for betting chips is provided independently for each user, and a section for betting chips is provided in common for a plurality of users. A roulette table will be described in Embodiment 2 as an example of a game table.

<< Embodiment 1 >>
There are various types of games in the game hall. In this embodiment, a game in which a user places a chip on a gaming table and makes a bet will be described as an example. Such a game is generally played with a dealer and a user facing each other via a game table.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a management system used in a casino or other game hall according to the first embodiment. The management system shown in FIG. 1 includes a server 10, a plurality of gaming tables 20, 21, 22,..., And a cashier apparatus 31 installed at a game hall window. Although an example in which there are a plurality of gaming tables will be described here, a configuration having only one gaming table may be used. In the following, the configuration of the gaming table will be described by taking the gaming table 20 as an example, but the same description can be applied to the other gaming tables 21, 22,.

  The server 10, the gaming table 20, and the cashier device 31 are connected wirelessly or by wire, so that information can be exchanged. Although not shown, a relay device such as a router may be provided between the server 10, the gaming table 20, and the cashier device 31. Further, the server 10 may be provided in the game hall or may be provided outside. Further, the gaming table 20, the server 10, and the cashier device 31 may be connected through an Internet line.

<Server configuration>
The server includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk 14, and a communication interface (I / F) 15. The CPU 11 controls the server 10 according to various control programs stored in the ROM 12 and the hard disk 14. The ROM 12 stores a control program. The RAM 13 is used for temporarily storing various data and programs. The hard disk 14 stores various data and programs. The hard disk 14 also stores a data table in which various types of information described later are associated. For example, the hard disk 14 stores a credit management database (DB) in which user credit is associated with unique identification information. The identification information is information included in an identification card held by the user, for example. Therefore, it can be said that the identification information is information for identifying the user. Details of the credit management DB will be described later.

<Description of window>
A cashier device 31 is provided at the window. The counter is a cashier provided in the game hall, and is a place where the actual currency and the substitute currency used in the game hall are exchanged. In this embodiment, each user who visits a game hall has an identification card. This identification card is created, for example, when a user enters a game hall, or is created by applying in advance. The user can add credit in association with the identification information included in the identification card by depositing money at the window. Also, for a user who has paid out to the counter, a staff member of the counter causes the cashier device 31 to acquire identification information by reading the identification card held by the user with a card reader installed at the counter. Then, the cashier apparatus 31 uses the acquired identification information to make a credit inquiry to the server 10 to determine the payout amount of the user who has paid out.

<Description of gaming table>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game table 20. The game table is divided into predetermined sections (sections 1 to 6), and a user who participates in the game sits in the seats Ca to Cf of the respective sections and participates in the game. The game table shown in FIG. 2 shows an example in which there are six sections for users participating in the game. Of course, it is not limited to this example, and different sections may be used for each table. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the gaming table 20 used in Baccarat, but the table design, the contents of the table, etc. are merely examples, and various modes of tables can be used. . Hereinafter, each configuration provided in the gaming table 20 will be described.

<Description of identification information reading unit>
Each section of the gaming table 20 is provided with identification information reading units 210a to 210f for reading the user identification information. Hereinafter, the identification information reading units 210a to 210f may be collectively referred to as the identification information reading unit 210. That is, the alphabet at the end of the reference sign may be omitted. The same applies to other configurations. In this embodiment, the user has an identification card. As the identification card, for example, various types of cards such as a magnetic card, a card embedded with an IC chip, and a card embedded with RFID can be used. The identification information reading units 210a to 210f can be configured as reading units according to the type of card. The identification information does not need to be data obtained from a recording medium such as a card. For example, even when image data such as face authentication is used, the identification information is obtained at the time of biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication. Data can also be used. It is also possible to use data transmitted by short-range radio from a transmitter owned by the user or embedded in the body. Or you may employ | adopt the form which uses stronger personal identification information combining these.

  The identification information reading units 210 a to 210 f transmit the read identification information to the server 10. The identification information only needs to be transmitted from the gaming table 20 to the server 10, and the identification information read by the individual identification information reading units 210a to 210f is individually transmitted to the server 10 by the individual identification information reading units 210a to 210f. It does not have to be in the form of transmitting each. For example, the identification information may be transmitted to the server 10 using a computer (not shown) that manages information in the game table. In the following embodiment, the identification information reading unit 210 will be described as transmitting identification information to the server 10.

  When the identification information is transmitted from the gaming table 20 side to the server 10, the identification information reading unit 210 that has read the gaming table ID and identification information for identifying the gaming table in the server 10 is identified. For example, it may be configured such that a section ID for specifying a corresponding section is transmitted together. The server 10 can use these IDs to perform processing for identifying the identification information transmitted in which section of which gaming table the identification information is read. For example, if the game table and its partition can be specified by the server 10 from the IP address or MAC address of the transmission source, for example, the ID as described above is the server from the game table 20 side. 10 may not be transmitted.

<Description of display unit>
Display sections 220a to 220f are provided in each section of the gaming table 20, respectively. For example, when the user sits in the partition 2 and performs an operation of causing the identification information reading unit 210b to read the identification card, the identification information reading unit 210b transmits the read identification information to the server 10. Since the server 10 stores the credit in association with the identification information, the server 10 transmits the credit data associated with the transmitted identification information to the display unit 220b in the same section as the transmission source. . In the display section of the game table, the amount of credit transmitted from the server 10 in this way can be displayed.

  Further, the display unit 220 may be configured to display a bet amount when a user places a bet by placing a chip on a chip reading unit 240 described later. The bet amount displayed on the display unit 220 may be based on data transmitted from the server 10 or may be data read from the chip reading unit 240.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration in which a display unit is provided in each section will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the game table 20 may be provided with one display unit, and a list of credit amounts and bet amounts of users participating in the game may be displayed on the display unit. Further, such a display unit on which the credit amount of each user is displayed may be arranged on the table so as to be seen by each user, or may be arranged in a space above the table. Alternatively, the display unit on which the credit amount of each user is displayed may be arranged at the dealer side.

  Moreover, the display part 220 is comprised by the touchscreen display, for example, and may be comprised so that the input from a user can be received. When displaying the bet amount, the display unit 220 may further display an interface for allowing the user to input whether the bet amount is correct. For example, the display unit 220 displays an OK button. The user confirms the bet amount displayed on the display unit 220 and determines whether the bet amount is the same as the amount intended to bet by the user. When the user determines that the bet amount is the same as the intended amount, the user touches the OK button. When the OK button is touched, an instruction to approve the bet amount is notified to the notification unit 260 described later. Note that an instruction to approve the bet amount may be transmitted to the server 10. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the game from proceeding as it is when the user bets an incorrect amount.

  It should be noted that in a game hall that preferentially handles the speed of progress of the game, an interface for inputting an instruction to approve the bet amount may not be displayed on the display unit 220. In addition, the gaming table 20 may be provided with a switching unit (not shown) for switching between a mode for displaying an interface for inputting an instruction to approve a bet amount and a mode for not displaying the interface. In the above example, the example in which the interface (OK button) for inputting an instruction to approve the bet amount is displayed on the display unit 220 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. A physical input button (not shown) provided separately from the display unit 220 may be provided in each section.

  When the amount betted by the user is larger than the credit amount managed in the server 10, the display unit 220 may receive an error (information indicating that the bet is impossible) from the server 10. . Then, the display unit 220 may display the received error (character or image display for notifying the user that the bet is impossible, including sound and vibration). As the error to be displayed, the error data itself received from the server 10 may be displayed, or only the error type may be received from the server 10, and the display unit 220 may display an error message according to the error type. . That is, when receiving an error from the server 10, the display unit 220 may perform output control according to the error. Here, the display unit 220 is described as performing output control according to an error. However, a computer (first control unit) (not shown) provided in the game table 20 responds to an error received from the server 10. Output control may be performed. If the amount betted by the user is larger than the credit amount managed by the server 10, an error is displayed because the user has bet an amount exceeding the amount that can be bet by the user.

<Description of chip reading unit>
Next, the chip reading units 240a to 240f provided in each section will be described. The chip reading units 240 a to 240 f read information on the chip from, for example, an RFID included in the chip, and transmit the read chip information to the server 10. The server 10 is configured so as to be able to specify the information of the chip existing in which section of which game table in the form similar to the form described in the above-described identification information.

  Assume that the user places 3 chips of 10 dollars and 5 chips of 1 dollar. In such a case, the chip reading unit 240 reads chip information indicating that three chips of $ 10 are three chips and five chips of $ 1 are present in the section. Then, the information of the read individual chips is transmitted to the server 10, and the server 10 calculates these and determines that a chip of the amount of $ 45 exists in the section. Note that the total amount of the chips read by the chip reading unit 240 may be calculated without transmitting the information of each chip, and the calculated amount may be transmitted to the server.

  The chip reading unit 240 may be configured to transmit the read chip information to the display unit 220 in addition to the server.

  In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, the chip reading unit will be described by taking the section 2 as an example, but the same applies to other sections. The chip reading unit 240b includes an antenna that reads the RFID embedded in the chip. In this embodiment, the case where RFID is embedded in the chip will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and information on the chip existing in a predetermined partition can be grasped on the server side. Any configuration may be adopted as long as it is possible.

  Note that the chip reading unit 240 shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example of the chip reading unit 240 in the gaming table in which the notation shown in FIG. 2 is used. The gaming table in FIG. 2 is a table that assumes a baccarat, but even if one baccarat is given as an example, there are various types of gaming tables, and there are various notations on the table. It is. Therefore, the chip reading unit can be provided at a position corresponding to the game table used.

<Description of card shoe>
A card shoe 230 is also arranged on the gaming table. A card shoe is a case for storing a playing card used in a game. The dealer sequentially takes out the playing cards used for the game from the card shoes and distributes them to a predetermined area on the table. In the present embodiment, a card reading unit 231 is provided on the card shoe 230. For example, the card reading unit 231 recognizes the pattern written on the card by the line scanner, and based on the recognition result, the type of the card distributed to a predetermined area (such as “2 of spades”). Or number). Alternatively, the card reading unit 231 can be configured to read the RFID embedded in the playing card. The card reading unit 231 may specify the type of card distributed to a predetermined area based on the data included in the read RFID. Further, the card reading unit 231 may have a configuration including an imaging unit that images a playing card. And the card reading unit 231. It may be configured to identify the type of card distributed to a predetermined area by analyzing image data captured by the imaging unit. In addition, the card reading unit 231 may be configured to specify the type of the card by reading a specific code written on the card, and may adopt any other form. The card information indicating the specified card type is transmitted from the card reading unit 231 to the server 10.

  As described above, the card reading unit 231 reads a card distributed in a predetermined area on the table, and for example, in the baccarat, the server 10 can determine which card is distributed with respect to BANKER and PLAYER. . In the case of a baccarat, whether or not the dealer D distributes a card to BANKER or PLAYER is clearly defined by the rules, and there is no room for intervention of the dealer or the user. Therefore, the server 10 can determine the result of the game based on the card information transmitted from the card reading unit 231 that sequentially reads the cards that are sequentially taken out. In the above description, the server 10 determines the game result. However, the game result is determined by a computer (not shown) provided in the game table, and the result is transmitted to the server 10. Form may be sufficient.

  In this way, the server 10 provides information indicating the progress of the game (hereinafter referred to as progress information) such as whether BANKER or PLAYER has won or a draw (tie) based on the card information. It is configured to be obtainable.

  The card information obtained from the card reading unit 231 has been described as an example, but the configuration in which the progress information is acquired by the server 10 is not limited to this. For example, the game table may be captured by a monitoring camera or the like, and game progress information based on the captured video may be acquired by the server 10. Alternatively, a configuration in which progress information is acquired by the server 10 by appropriately inputting a result by a dealer or a staff on the casino side may be used. Moreover, these combinations may be sufficient. In addition to the game results, the progress information includes information indicating the current state of the gaming table, such as whether the game is in progress, betting period, or payout period. May be.

<Description of chip storage unit>
The chip storage units 250a to 250f store chips used for bets. The chip storage portions 250a to 250f are shown as examples provided in the respective sections for convenience, but are not limited thereto. Moreover, a common chip storage section may be provided for the entire table. This is because the chip itself is only a tool used for betting, and the chip itself has no role as an alternative currency.

  Chips placed in an area that can be read by the chip reading unit 240, that is, chips used for betting are returned from the dealer to the respective users after the bet amount has been determined or the game has ended. . Instead of being returned from the dealer, the user may retrieve it. The returned chip is stored again, for example, in the chip storage unit by the user. Alternatively, all the chips used in the bet may be collected at the dealer. When the number of chips in the chip storage portion is reduced, a replacement chip may be handed over to the user as appropriate from a dealer or an attendant at the game hall.

<Description of notification unit>
The notification unit 260 is a kind of display unit provided on the dealer side. The notification unit 260 can display that the user has bet and an instruction to approve the bet amount has been input. The notification unit 260 may notify the server 10 of an error when the amount betted by the user is larger than the credit amount of the user managed in the server 10. The notification unit 260 may display the error. In addition, although the notification part 260 demonstrated the form which notifies by displaying, the form which notifies by outputting an audio | voice may be sufficient.

<Server configuration>
Next, a specific configuration of the server will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the server 10. The server 10 includes an identification information reception unit 310, a chip information reception unit 320, a transmission unit 330, a progress information acquisition unit 340, a storage unit 350, an update unit 360, a control unit 370, and a credit update request reception unit 380. 3, the CPU 11 temporarily expands the software program stored in the ROM 12 or the hard disk 14 in the RAM 13 and performs processing according to the expanded program, so that the CPU 11 functions as each unit illustrated in FIG. 3. . Further, the identification information receiving unit 310, the chip information receiving unit 320, the transmitting unit 330, the progress information acquiring unit 340, and the credit update request receiving unit 380 are functioned as these functional units by the CPU 11 and the communication I / F 15 working together. Operate. The storage unit 350 and the update unit 360 operate as these functional units in cooperation with the CPU 11 and the hard disk 14. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the server is described by software processing. However, the processing is performed by hardware dedicated to similar processing or by a combination of such hardware and software. It may be configured to be realized.

  The storage unit 350 stores a credit management DB. As described above, the credit management DB is a database that stores user credits in association with unique identification information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the credit management DB stored in the storage unit.

  For example, when a user presents an identification card at a window or the like to add credit, the following processing is performed. The identification information is read from the identification card presented by the user at the window. Then, the cashier apparatus 31 at the window transmits a request for updating the credit including the read identification information and the added credit amount to the server 10. When the credit update request receiving unit 308 of the server 10 receives the credit update request, the control unit 370 controls the update unit 360 to update the credit management DB stored in the storage unit 350. That is, the credit amount included in the update request is added to the credit amount corresponding to the identification information to be updated. In this way, charging is performed and the credit stored in the storage unit 350 is updated.

  Here, the case where the cashier device 31 of the counter is charged has been described as an example. However, even when the user presents the identification card and pays out at the counter, “add credit” is “reduction of credit”. Except for the point changed to “”, the same processing is performed.

  The storage unit 350 stores a progress management DB. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the progress management DB. The progress management DB stores an item of a table ID for specifying a gaming table, an item indicating a section in the gaming table, an item indicating identification information of a user who participates in the game, and an amount of bet. And an item indicating the betting destination and an item indicating the amount to be updated. Processing using the progress management DB will be described later.

  The identification information receiving unit 310 receives the identification information transmitted from the identification information reading unit 210 of each game table. The control unit 370 searches the credit management DB stored in the storage unit 350 using the identification information received by the identification information receiving unit 310 as a key. Then, the control unit 370 can transmit the credit amount stored in the storage unit 350 in association with the identification information to the game table that is the transmission source of the identification information using the transmission unit 330. Here, an example in which the credit amount is transmitted to the game table of the transmission source when the identification information is received has been described, but the credit amount may not be transmitted.

  The transmission unit 330 transmits various types of information to the game table of the transmission source and other devices. For example, the transmission unit 330 may transmit a credit amount or a bet amount to the game table of the transmission source. Further, when the bet amount is larger than the credit amount, the transmission unit 330 may transmit an error to the game table of the transmission source or another device.

  The progress information acquisition unit 340 acquires progress information. For example, the progress information includes information such as the result of the game being played on the table as described above and the state of the game (for example, during the game, during the betting period, during the payout period, etc.).

  The update unit 360 updates the DB stored in the storage unit 350 under the control of the control unit 370. For example, the update unit 360 updates the credits managed in the credit management DB shown in FIG. 4 based on the credit update request (payment request) received by the credit update request receiving unit 380. Further, the updating unit 360 updates the progress management DB shown in FIG. 5 based on the information obtained by the identification information receiving unit 310, the chip information receiving unit 320, and the progress information acquiring unit 340, or the credit management DB shown in FIG. Or update. Details will be described later.

<Sequence to participate in the game>
Hereinafter, assuming that a user sits at a table and participates in a game, each process performed in each scene will be specifically described. In the following description, it is assumed that the credit associated with the identification card has already been registered in the credit management DB.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence when the user sits in a predetermined section of the gaming table to participate in the game and causes the identification information reading unit 210 to read the identification card. That is, an example of the initial process when the user participates in the game will be described. Here, an example where the user is seated in the section 2 of FIG. 2 will be described.

  In step S601, the identification information reading unit 210b reads the identification card to obtain identification information. In step S602, the identification information reading unit 210b transmits the identification information to the server 10.

  When the identification information is received by the identification information receiving unit 310 of the server 10, in step S611, the control unit 370 specifies the gaming table and partition of the transmission source of the identification information from the IP address of the transmission source.

  In step S612, the control unit 370 controls the update unit 360 to update the progress management DB as shown in FIG. That is, the updating unit 360 adds the identification information received by the identification information receiving unit 310 to the identification information item in the progress management DB corresponding to the game table and the partition specified in step S611. For example, a user who has an identification card whose identification information is U1032 is seated in a partition 2 whose table ID is specified by T11. When the identification information is read by the identification information reading unit 210, the update unit 360 writes the identification information in a corresponding position in the progress management DB according to the above-described processing. Accordingly, the control unit 370 can specify that the user identified by U1032 is in a state of being seated in the section 2 whose table ID is T11 and attempting to participate in the game.

  Next, returning to the processing sequence of FIG. In step S613, the control unit 370 searches the credit management DB shown in FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit 350 using the received identification information as a key. And the control part 370 transmits the credit information (credit amount) linked | related with the identification information with which the search result matched using the transmission part 330 to a game table. Specifically, the transmission unit 330 transmits the credit amount to the display unit (here, the display unit 220b) corresponding to the division (here, the division 2) of the gaming table specified in step S611.

  In step S621, the display unit that has received the credit amount displays the credit. In addition to simply displaying credits, registered user names may be displayed together.

  When the user who intends to participate in the game causes the identification information reading unit in the predetermined section of the game table to read the identification information by the processing as described above, the amount of the corresponding credit (that is, the credit held by the user) Is displayed on the display.

<Processing sequence when user bets>
Next, an example of a processing sequence when a user participates in a game and makes a bet will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence when a user bets to participate in a game.

  When a user wants to participate in a baccarat game, he expects the outcome of the game. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the chip is placed in a region (PLAYER, BANKER, TIE in the example of FIG. 2) corresponding to the predicted item in the section where the user is sitting. When a user places a chip in an area corresponding to the predicted item in this way, it is called betting. The total amount indicated by the type and number of chips placed at this time is the amount bet by the user. Next, an example in which a user who is seated in the section 2 in FIG. 2 places a bet will be described.

  In step S <b> 701, the chip reading unit 240 b obtains chip information by reading a chip present in the reading target area. For example, if there are two 10 dollar chips and one 5 dollar chip, chip information indicating that the amount of the existing chip is 25 dollars is obtained. In step S702, the chip reading unit 240b transmits the chip information obtained in step S701 to the server 10. Here, the chip reading unit 240b has been described by taking an example in which chip information indicating the total amount of chips is transmitted to the server 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the chip reading unit 240b may be configured to transmit chip information indicating the type and number of read chips to the server and calculate the total amount of chips on the server side.

  Further, the chip information may further include information for specifying an expected item (PLAYER, BANKER, TIE in the example of FIG. 2) where the chip is placed. For example, the chip reading unit 240b is configured to be able to read a chip in a sub-region obtained by dividing a readable region, and can transmit information specifying the sub-region in the chip information. Note that the form described is merely an example, and any form may be adopted as long as the expected amount of bet for the user can be specified on the server 10 side.

  In step S711, the control unit 370 of the server 10 identifies the game table and the partition of the transmission source, similarly to the processing described with reference to FIG. In addition, as described above, the control unit 370 further specifies the expected item bet.

  In step S712, the control unit 370 of the server 10 performs a bet chip error determination process. The error determination process will be described. The control unit 370 refers to the progress management DB and identifies user identification information associated with the section identified in step S711. Then, the control unit 370 refers to the credit management DB and refers to the credit amount associated with the identification information. The control unit 370 compares the credit amount referred to in this way with the bet amount. As a result of the comparison, if the bet amount is larger than the credit amount, the control unit 370 determines that an error has occurred. That is, since the user bets more than the credit amount owned by the user, the control unit 370 determines that such a bet is not accepted.

  In step S <b> 713, the control unit 370 uses the transmission unit 330 to transmit information according to the determination result to the gaming table 20. The control unit 370 may transmit information corresponding to the determination result to the display unit 220 corresponding to the section identified in step S711. When the determination result is an error, the control unit 370 may transmit the error using the transmission unit 330. If the determination result is not an error, the control unit 370 determines that the amount indicated by the chip information is the bet amount. The control unit 370 may transmit the bet amount to the display unit 220 using the transmission unit 330.

  In step S <b> 721, the display unit 220 performs display based on information transmitted from the server 10. For example, when an error is transmitted, the display unit 220 displays the error. As an error, for example, a message indicating that the bet amount exceeds the credit amount may be displayed.

  If it is determined as an error as a result of the error determination process in step S712, the control unit (second control unit) 370 performs a process other than outputting an error to the display unit 220 of the game table 20. Also good. For example, a mode in which a warning light is provided in each section of the gaming table 20 and the control unit 370 outputs a signal that turns on and blinks the warning light may be used. Alternatively, the control unit 370 may be controlled to output a control signal so that a sound warning is output from a speaker or the like provided in the gaming table. Further, an error may be notified to the dealer's notification unit 260, or a form in which an error has occurred may be notified to the portable terminal of the game hall operator or the like.

  In step S714, the control unit 370 of the server 10 performs a progress management DB update process. Note that if the result of the error determination process in step S712 is an error, an improper bet has been placed, so the control unit 370 does not update the progress management DB. Details of the update processing of the progress management DB will be described later.

  In step S715, the control unit 370 reflects, in the credit, the amount to be added to or subtracted from the credit, which is calculated in the progress management DB update process in step S714. That is, the control unit 370 updates the credit managed in the credit management DB using the amount calculated in the update process in step S714. Then, the updated credit is transmitted to the display unit 220 of the gaming table. In response to this, the display unit 220b performs a process of displaying the updated credit in step S721.

  The credit DB update method includes (1) a method of adding or subtracting the credit amount when the game result is found, and (2) the amount of chips bet before the game result is found. A method of reducing the credit amount, that is, a method of once reducing the credit amount at the time when the bet is placed is considered, but any method may be adopted. For example, assume a case where a bet of 20 dollars is bet and a prediction is right and there is a refund of 40 dollars. That is, it is assumed that the credit is increased by 20 dollars compared to before betting. When the method (1) is adopted, it is calculated by the processing in step S714 in FIG. 7 that the tip of 20 dollars is an amount to be added to the credit. When the method (2) is adopted, it is calculated that 40 dollar chips are the amount to be added to the credit. Any mode may be adopted, but in the present embodiment, as described in the above (1), a method of adding or subtracting credits when a game result is found will be described as an example. .

  In the above-described FIG. 7, the bet amount information displayed on the display unit 220 of the gaming table 20 is transmitted from the server 10. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment.

  In the process shown in FIG. 8, the bet amount displayed on the display unit 220 of the gaming table 20 is not based on the information transmitted from the server 10 but based on information read by the chip reading unit 240. That is, in step S802, the chip reading unit 240 transmits the read chip information to both the display unit 220 and the server 10. In step S821, the display unit 220 displays the bet amount based on the transmitted chip information.

  The processing in steps S811 and S812 performed in the server 10 is the same as that in steps 711 and S712. In the process of FIG. 8, in step S813, the control unit 370 of the server determines whether or not the result of the bet chip error determination process in step S812 is an error. If there is an error, the control unit 370 in step S814 , An error is transmitted to the gaming table 20. The error transmission destination may be the display unit 250 of the gaming table, the notification unit 260, or another device, as in FIG. When the error is notified, the display unit 220 displays the error in step S822.

  If the result of the bet chip error determination process is not an error, the server control unit 370 proceeds to step S815 without performing the error transmission process of step S814. The processes of steps S815, S816, and S823 are the same as the processes of S714, S715, and S722 of FIG.

  As described above, the bet amount displayed on the display unit 220 may be based on information read by the chip reading unit 240 or may be based on information transmitted from the server 10.

  By performing the processing as described above, credit update processing is appropriately performed according to the game result. Thus, in this embodiment, although the chip is used for betting, the credit managed by the server 10 is updated when the user's prediction is correct. That is, no chip as a payout is delivered from the dealer D to the user.

<Update process DB update process according to progress information>
Next, the progress management DB update processing in steps S714 and S815 performed by the server will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the progress information is information indicating a progress state of the game such as a game result.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the progress management DB update process executed by the server 10.

  In step S901, the control unit 370 updates the bet amount and the betting destination in the progress management DB shown in FIG. 5, for example. For example, the control unit 370 updates the bet amount and the betting destination in the progress management DB for the item specified by the specifying process in step S711 of FIG.

  In step S902, the progress information acquisition unit 340 acquires card information of a playing card distributed by the dealer. For example, card information specifying the type of playing card such as 1 of spades is acquired.

  In step S903, the control unit 370 determines a game result based on the card information of the playing card acquired in step S1002. As a result of this determination, if it can be determined that a win or loss has been achieved, the process proceeds from step S904 to step S905. If it cannot be determined that the game has been won or lost, the process returns to step S902, and the card information of the next playing card to be dealt is obtained.

  As explained earlier, Baccarat clearly defines whether or not the next card will be distributed from the dealer to BANKER or PLAYER depending on the game situation, so dealers and users participating in the game There is no impact on the playing cards that are distributed. Therefore, the control unit 370 can determine the result of the game by continuing to specify the type of the playing card distributed by the card reading unit 231 sequentially reading the cards that are sequentially taken out from the card shoe 230. it can.

  In step S905, the control unit 370 calculates an amount to be added to or subtracted from the credit based on the game result. For example, it is assumed that PLAYER has won in the state of the progress management DB of FIG. 5 (assuming that “the amount to be updated” is not updated at the time before S905). In the item “amount to be updated” in the progress management DB of FIG. 5, the amount to be added when PLAYER wins is calculated by the control unit 370 and updated by the update unit 360. That is, for the user who predicted PLAYER, the same amount as the bet amount is calculated as the amount to be updated, and for the user who predicted BANKER and TIE, the amount to be updated is the amount obtained by subtracting the bet amount. Calculate.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the chip is used for betting and not used for payout. Therefore, no chip equivalent to the amount corresponding to the game win or loss is paid from the dealer. In addition, when the stock of the chip | tip which a user uses becomes small, a chip | tip may be replenished from a dealer. In this way, even if a chip is delivered from the dealer as a supplement, the chip itself no longer serves as a substitute currency, so there is no problem even if an excessive number of chips are delivered from the dealer to the user.

  When the update process of the progress management DB is performed as described above, the update unit 360 thereafter updates the “update should be performed” included in the progress management DB as described in step S715 in FIG. 7 (or step S816 in FIG. 8). The value stored in “Amount” is reflected in the credit stored in the credit management DB. Thereby, the credit corresponding to the identification information of the user memorize | stored in credit management DB is updated. Then, as described in step S816 of FIG. 7 described above, the updated credit is transmitted to the display unit and displayed.

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
As described above, the present embodiment adopts a form in which the monetary value is removed from the chip and the monetary value is stored in the storage unit 350 of the server. On the other hand, as before, a bet is placed when a user places a chip in a predetermined section. Therefore, since the user can participate in the game in the same manner as before, it is possible to continue to enjoy the real pleasure of the casino. In addition, since the credit amount of the user is managed by the server, the chip itself delivered from the dealer to the user has no monetary value, so the dealer often gives a lot of chips due to mistakes or arbitrary actions. Absent.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which an identification card is used when participating in a game has been described. Thus, the user who visits a casino can be managed by using an identification card etc. when participating in a game. For example, it is possible to perform information management of users who visit a store by combining store visit frequency, game preferences, credits, and the like with various personal information input when creating the identification card. By performing individual management of the user in this way, for example, an effect of preventing the user from getting into the game can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given by taking baccarat as an example. However, it is only necessary to provide a section for betting a chip corresponding to the user, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a typical card game performed in a casino includes blackjack. In the case of blackjack, unlike baccarat, the game results change depending on the user's intention. For example, it can be determined by the user's own intention whether the user requests addition of a playing card (hit) or does not request addition of a playing card (stay or stand). Therefore, in the case of blackjack, not only reading the playing card distributed to the field from the card shoe, but for example, judging the result of the game from the image of the card on the table, or embedding RFID etc. in the card itself, It is good to configure so that you can check which card was distributed to whom.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the game table used for the card game has been described as an example. In the second embodiment, a description will be given by taking as an example a game table such as a roulette where a bet place is a common area for users participating in the game. As in the first embodiment, the chip is used for betting, but the monetary value is excluded from the chip itself.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game table 1000 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 shows the layout of the betting destination in the roulette, and a chip reading unit 1010 that reads chips existing in the betting destination layout is provided. The gaming table 1000 also has a turntable 1040 used for roulette.

  The gaming table 1000 is provided with identification information reading units 1020a to 1020c for reading user identification information. In addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment, the identification information reading unit 1020 in the present embodiment may be configured to transmit a chip identifier for identifying a chip to the server 10 together with user identification information. In the gaming table 1000, a place where a bet is placed is a common area for users participating in the game. Therefore, it is preferable that the chip can be identified for each user. That is, it is preferable to be able to identify who the chip is placed on. In the first embodiment, the betting section is a section specific to the user who participates in the game. Therefore, the user who placed the chip, that is, the user who made the bet is specified based on the position where the chip is placed. This is a possible configuration. In this embodiment, since the betting section is common, information for identifying the user is included in the chip itself. For example, a chip identifier for identifying the chip is included in the chip itself as chip information. Then, when a user participating in the game reads identification information with the identification information reading unit 1020, information indicating which chip the user uses (chip identifier in this example) is displayed together with the identification information of the user. Send to server 10. Thereby, in the server 10, the user who participates in a game can be specified in association with the chip identifier.

  In the example of FIG. 10, an example is shown in which three users participate in the game in the gaming table 1000. The chip groups 1030a to 1030c used by each user are chips whose appearance can be identified by colors, for example. The chip group 1030a is red, the chip group 1030b is blue, the chip group 1030c is yellow, and so on. A pattern may be used instead of a color, or a combination of a color and a pattern may be used. The shape may be different. A chip identifier common to the chips included in each chip group is included in the chip information. For example, all the chips included in the chip group 1030a include the chip identifier C1. In addition to the chip identifier, the chip information may include information indicating the amount of the chip as described in the first embodiment. By configuring the appearance of a chip including the same chip identifier in this manner so that the user can identify it, a user participating in the game can easily view his / her chip.

  The identification information reading units 1020a to 1020c may be provided integrally with, for example, chip cases 1060a to 1060c that store chip groups. According to such a configuration, the user can easily understand the pair of identification information reading unit and the chip group. That is, the user who has read the identification card by the identification information reading unit can immediately recognize which chip group is the chip group used by the user. When the identification information reading unit 1020 reads the identification information, the corresponding chip identifier and the read identification information are transmitted to the server 10.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a progress management DB managed by the server 10. When the server 10 receives the identification information and the chip identifier from the identification information reading unit 1020, the server 10 adds the received identification information to an item corresponding to the received chip identifier. With this process, the server 10 can associate the chip identifier with the identification information.

  When the user starts betting, the chip reading unit 1010 reads the chip information and transmits it to the server 10. As described in the first embodiment, the chip reading unit 1010 may subdivide the area where the chip can be read, and can identify the area in which the chip is placed on the server 10 side. The chip information includes a chip identifier as described above.

  In the case of roulette, the user bets smaller than baccarat. Also, instead of betting on a specific number, a plurality of betting unit boundaries (for example, “8” and “11” boundary portions, “8”, “11”, “9”, and “12” intersections) In some cases, a bet is placed on (part). Furthermore, a bet may be placed on an item including a plurality of numbers (for example, “1st12”, “RED”). Therefore, the gaming table 1000 may further include, for example, an imaging device that captures an image obtained by looking down at the table, and may further include an image transmission unit that transmits the captured image to the server 10. The server 10 may correct the betted area using the transmitted image and update the progress information. In the progress management DB of FIG. 11, the betting destination and the betting amount are updated in this way.

  Further, by providing a sensor on the turntable 1040 or photographing the turntable 1040, a location where a ball has entered may be specified, and the specified location is transmitted to the server 10 using a computer (not shown). May be. The server 10 can update the progress management DB of FIG. 11 based on the identified location.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the bet amount is larger than the credit amount, an error may be displayed on the display unit 1050. In this embodiment, the example in which the common display unit 1050 is provided in the table has been described. However, as in the first embodiment, a display unit may be provided for each user. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the game table may have a control unit that outputs an error, or the server side may have a control unit that outputs an error. In the second embodiment, in general, a user often places bets on a plurality of locations in one game. When a user bets on a plurality of places, the total amount bet by the user (the sum of the bet amounts at the plurality of places) may be compared with the credit of the user. Or, for example, if the user has bet on 5 places and the credits have already been exceeded when the 2 bets are added up, the remaining 3 bets are not included in the total and an error is output. May be. That is, an error may be output when it is determined that there is an error in the process of accumulating the bet amount.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the identification information is described in the identification card, and the credit is stored in association with the identification information in the server and has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It will never be done. For example, the credit is stored in the identification card itself, and the identification information reading unit provided in the game table is also used as a writing unit for writing information to the identification card, so that the credit is stored in the identification card itself. Various forms may be adopted. Even in such a form, misplacement of chips by the dealer can be prevented. Similarly, individual management of users can be performed in the server.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which information is managed in a data table format such as a credit management DB or a progress management DB has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Information may be stored in various formats.

  In addition, a common identification card can be used also in a device that conventionally manages credits electronically such as a slot machine. In other words, when the user causes the slot machine to read the identification card, the credit managed by the server 10 may be registered as the amount of credit available to the slot machine.

  An error may also be output when the amount bet by the user exceeds the limit amount defined in the gaming table.

  Moreover, in embodiment described above, the server 10 acquired the progress information of a game, and the server 10 updated the user's credit was demonstrated. Further, a mode has been described in which an error is output when the user's bet amount exceeds the credit managed by the server 10. However, it is not limited to such a form. A computer (not shown) of the game table may perform the same function as the server 10. For example, a computer (not shown) of the game table may be configured to be able to refer to user credits managed by the server 10. When the user's bet amount exceeds the credit managed by the server 10, the computer (not shown) of the game table may control to output an error as in the above-described embodiment. Further, a computer (not shown) of the game table may acquire progress information and notify the server 10 of increase / decrease of credit based on the progress information, and the server 10 may update the credit in response to this notification.

  Alternatively, a computer (not shown) of the game table may temporarily acquire the user's credit from the server 10 and temporarily manage the user's credit during the game. When the user's bet amount exceeds the temporarily managed user's credit, the computer (not shown) of the game table may control to output an error in the same manner as the above-described embodiment. Further, a computer (not shown) of the game table may acquire progress information and update a user's credit that is temporarily managed. A computer (not shown) of the game table transmits credits temporarily managed to the server 10 at a predetermined timing, for example, when the game is finished, and the server 10 manages the server 10 according to the transmitted data. You may update your credit.

  Further, the server 10 described in the present embodiment may adopt a form in which the processing of each unit illustrated in FIG. 3 is distributed and processed by a plurality of devices. Further, the program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments may be executed by one computer (CPU, MPU). Or you may perform by a some computer cooperating. Further, the program code may be executed by a computer. Alternatively, hardware such as a circuit for realizing the function of the program code may be provided. Further, a part of the program code may be realized by hardware, and the remaining part may be executed by the computer.

  Also, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads out the program as appropriate. The present invention may be realized by executing the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Server 20 Game table 31 Cashier apparatus 210a-210f Identification information reading part 220a-210f Display part 230 Card shoe 231 Card reading part 240a-240f Chip reading part 250a-250f Chip storage part 260 Notification part 310 Identification information receiving part 320 Chip Information receiving unit 330 Transmitting unit 340 Progress information obtaining unit 350 Storage unit 360 Updating unit 370 Control unit 380 Credit update request receiving unit 900 Game table 910 Chip reading unit 920a to 920c Identification information reading unit 930a to 930c Chip group 940 Turntable 950 Display unit 960a to 960c Chip storage unit

Claims (7)

An identification information reading unit that reads the identification information of the user and transmits the identification information to a server that manages the credit amount of the user;
A chip reading unit that reads chip information of chips existing in a predetermined section as a bet amount, and transmits the bet amount to the server;
A gaming table comprising: a control unit that outputs an error when a bet amount is larger than the credit amount managed by the server.   The game table according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays an amount received from the server as a bet amount in response to the chip reading unit transmitting the bet amount to the server.   The game table according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the bet amount read by the chip reading unit.   The game table according to claim 2, further comprising an input unit for inputting an instruction to approve the bet amount displayed on the display unit. An identification information reading unit that reads the identification information of the user and transmits the identification information to a server that manages the credit amount of the user;
A gaming table having a chip reading unit that reads chip information of chips existing in a predetermined section as a bet amount and transmits the bet amount to the server;
A storage unit that stores user credit in association with unique identification information;
A management system comprising: the server including a control unit that performs control to output an error when the bet amount is greater than the credit amount. A chip reading unit that reads a chip existing in a predetermined section, reads chip information including an identifier for identifying the chip from the read chip, and transmits the chip information to a server that manages a user's credit amount;
An identification information reading unit that reads the identification information of the user and transmits the identification information to the server in association with the identifier;
A gaming table having a control unit that outputs an error when a bet amount indicated by chip information including the same identifier exceeds a user's credit amount specified by the identification information associated with the identifier.   The gaming table according to claim 6, wherein chips including the same identifier as chip information have at least a part of appearance in common.

Images