JP7228894B2 - GAME CONTENT MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND GAME CONTENT MANAGEMENT METHOD - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game content management device and a game content management method for managing the distribution of chips (casino chips) used when playing table games using cards or the like in game facilities.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in facilities such as casino halls in casinos where games are played, various games such as baccarat and casino war are played on game tables using actual physical cards such as playing cards. Generally, a dealer is assigned to each game table where one or more players play the game. The dealer advances the game by taking out cards from the card shoe and distributing them to the players, betting valuable gaming chips from the players, collecting gaming chips (hereinafter simply referred to as chips) from the players, It also manages payment of chips to players.

In such a conventional casino hall, a player can participate in a table game in which the game progresses by first purchasing chips by paying cash and betting the chips. If the player wins according to the result of the table game, a payout is generated and the payout is awarded to the player in chips. On the other hand, if the player loses, the chips bet by the player are collected.
Casino halls having such table games are required to manage the denomination and quantity of chips issued within the facility in real time.

For example, in a casino hall, various chip storage locations such as cashier cages, game tables, etc. are provided, and chips are circulated through these storage locations. In order to manage the chips circulating through the distribution channel in such a casino hall in real time, it is necessary to know the location (current storage location) of each chip.

In this regard, in conventional casinos, each chip is provided with an electronic tag, and the electronically verifiable information (chip identification number) held in the electronic tag is transmitted via an antenna provided on the distribution channel. A system has been conceived that records the movement of chips from a first place to a second place in a casino hall as a transaction history by reading (see Patent Document 1).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,742

However, in a casino facility, the value of a chip as viewed by the entity dealing with the chip varies not only inside the casino hall but also outside the casino hall along the distribution route of the chip. For example, when a casino operator purchases chips at cost, the value of the chips for the casino operator is the cost, whereas the chips used by the players to play games in the casino hall are valued by the player. Value is the denomination of the chip set to play the game. Also, when a chip that has been used for a predetermined period of time in a casino is discarded, the chip loses its value.

In this way, for chips that circulate through the distribution channels in a casino, the value of the chips changes as they move within the distribution channel. , there is a problem that real-time accounting management of chips on distribution channels becomes difficult.

In addition, for example, if a chip is stolen in a casino, a player takes it out of the casino, or if the chip is brought back into the casino and used in a game after that, the distribution channel within the casino may be damaged. There was a problem that it was difficult to track the tip and manage the accounting at the store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a game media management apparatus and a game media management method that can easily manage game media such as chips used in a casino facility. and

A game content management device of the present invention is a game content management device for managing game media distributed on a distribution channel, and is associated with a game content identifier unique to the game content and an updatable correspondence to the game content identifier. and a control unit that manages the game content based on attached location status information indicating the location of the game content on the distribution channel.

According to this configuration, by managing the game content based on the game content identifier and the location status information of the game content on the distribution channel, which is associated with the game content identifier in an updatable manner, It is possible to manage the game content according to the location of the game content.

Further, in the above configuration, the game content management device of the present invention performs non-contact communication with a medium-side non-contact communication section provided in the game medium, whereby the game medium stored in the game medium is stored in the game medium. It is characterized by comprising a device-side non-contact communication unit that reads the identifier.

According to this configuration, by performing non-contact communication with the game content moving on the distribution route, it is possible to grasp the game content on the distribution route in real time.

Further, in the game content management device of the present invention, in the configuration described above, the control unit includes the game content identifier received via the device-side contactless communication unit and the game content identifier associated with the game content identifier. Based on the location status information, it is determined whether or not the destination of the game content is appropriate, and the movement of the game content is managed based on the result of the determination.

According to this configuration, after ascertaining the location of the game content based on the game content identifier received from the game content and the location status information of the game content associated with the game content identifier, It is possible to judge the suitability of This enables real-time management that reflects the actual movement of game media.

Further, in the game content management device of the present invention, in the configuration described above, the control unit includes a table indicating whether or not each storage location of the game media in the distribution channel can be moved to or from another storage location. is referred to to determine whether or not the destination is appropriate.

According to this configuration, by managing the game media using a table adapted to the distribution route of the game media in the casino facility, even if the distribution route of the game media in the casino facility is changed, the table can be replaced. It is possible to easily manage game media suitable for new casino facility management.

In the game content management device of the present invention, in the configuration described above, the control unit updates the location status information when determining that the destination of the game content is appropriate.

According to this configuration, the latest location of the game content can be grasped by updating the location status information, which is the information of the source of the movement, as the game content moves.

In the game content management device of the present invention, in the configuration described above, the control unit registers expiration date information of the game content as the location status information is updated.

According to this configuration, by registering the expiration date information of the game content when the game content is moved, it is possible to restrict the use of the game content whose expiration date has expired. For example, even if a game content that has been stolen or taken out of the distribution channel is brought back into the distribution channel and played in a game, the usage of the game content should be managed by the expiration date. Thus, it is possible to prevent the use of the game media due to the fraudulent act.

Further, in the game content management device of the present invention, in the configuration described above, the control unit includes an authentication unit that authenticates a holder of the game content in determining whether the destination is appropriate. characterized by

According to this configuration, by authenticating the owner of the game medium when moving, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the game medium.

Further, in the game content management device of the present invention, in the configuration described above, the control unit updates a balance sheet for accounting management as the game content is transferred.

According to this configuration, the balance sheet can be updated in real time as the game media are moved.

Further, in the game content management device of the present invention, in the above configuration, when the game content becomes usable for the game as the game content is moved, the game content It is characterized by activating the face value on the game.

According to this configuration, when the game content is used in the game, the denomination of the game content is used as the denomination in the game for accounting management. can manage.

Further, a game content management method of the present invention is a game content management method executed by a game content management device that manages game media distributed on a distribution route, wherein the game content and the game content in the distribution route are distributed. a game medium identifier unique to the game medium received by the contactless communication, and a game medium identifier associated with the game medium identifier in an updatable manner on the distribution channel of the game medium managing the game media based on location status information representing the location of the game media in the It is characterized by determining whether or not the destination of the game content is appropriate, and managing the movement of the game content based on the result of the determination.

According to this method, when the game media moves within the distribution channel, the movement of the game media is managed in real time based on the game media identifier received from the game media and the location status information of the game media. management that reflects the actual movement of game media.
Further, in the game content management method of the present invention, in the method described above, a table indicating whether or not each storage location of the game content in the distribution channel can be transferred to another storage location is referred to, and the transfer destination is determined to be appropriate. It is characterized by judging whether or not there is.
Further, the game content management method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the method described above, the location status information is updated when it is determined that the destination of the game content is appropriate.
Further, the game content management method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the method described above, expiration date information of the game content is registered along with updating of the location status information.
Further, the game content management method of the present invention is characterized in that, in the method described above, the owner of the game content is authenticated in determining whether or not the destination is appropriate.
A game content management method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the method described above, a balance sheet for accounting management is updated as the game content is transferred.
Further, in the game content management method of the present invention, in the above method, when the game content becomes usable in the game as the game content is transferred, the game content cannot be used in the game due to the accounting management. It is characterized by validating denominations.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game content management device and a game content management method that can easily manage game content used in a casino facility.

1 is a block diagram showing a casino system of an embodiment; FIG. It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the table game device of the embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the table game device of embodiment. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a distribution route of chips in the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a chip used in the embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows the movement management table used in embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the chip|tip purchase processing procedure of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the movement source information memorize|stored in a database and a chip|tip as tip information in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the update example of the balance sheet of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the update example of the balance sheet of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of carrying-in of a chip|tip in the safe part of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the movement source information memorize|stored in a database and a chip|tip as tip information in embodiment. 10 is a flow chart showing processing when chips are loaded into the cage of the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the movement source information memorize|stored in a database and a chip|tip as tip information in embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of carrying in of a chip|tip in the table of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the purchase processing of the chip|tip by the player in the cage of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of game processing (a player wins) in the table game device (table) of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of game processing (a player loses) in the table game device (table) of embodiment. 4 is a flow chart showing processing when a chip is brought in in the disposal processing section of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining validation processing and invalidation processing of a chip denomination; It is a flowchart which shows the movement check processing procedure in embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of a casino system 1 including table game machines 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, . . . ). In a game facility such as a casino, a plurality of table game devices 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, . . . ) shown in FIG. 1 are installed. can participate in table games.

In each table game device 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, . . . ), casino chips (hereinafter simply referred to as chips) issued to players in exchange for cash are used. That is, the chips issued to the players are used for betting on the table game at each table game device 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, . is awarded to the player as a payout according to the result of the table game.

After finishing the game on the first table game device 100A, the player can move to the other table game devices 100B, 100C, .

Participation in such a table game may leave chips generated by payouts in the hands of the player. The player can exchange the chips in hand for cash at a predetermined exchange place (cage 20).

The chip incorporates an RFID (radio frequency identifier) IC tag. Chip information is stored in the RFID IC tag. The chip information is composed of various information such as chip identifiers for identifying gaming chips.

Chips circulating in the casino system 1 are stored in a safe section 10 of the casino system 1 after being purchased from a chip manufacturer and managed as inventory. The safe section 10 is provided with a safe 13 for storing cash and chips, a safe terminal 11, and RFID readers/writers 12A and 12B. The safe terminal 11 is connected to the management server 600 via the network 500 . The RFID reader/writer 12A performs contactless communication with the chip carried into the safe section 10 (safe 13). Specifically, when chips managed as inventory are brought into the safe section 10 (safe 13) when they are distributed in the casino, non-contact communication is performed with the chips, or the cage safe 23 The chip information stored in the chip brought into the safe unit 10 (safe 13) is read out by performing non-contact communication with the chip collected from the safe unit 10 (safe 13), and the safe terminal 11 Send to Further, the RFID reader/writer 12A can write the write data from the safe terminal 11 to the chip without contact. That is, necessary information can be written into the RFID IC tag of the chip carried into the safe section 10, or the information stored in the RFID IC tag can be rewritten. The RFID reader/writer 12B performs contactless communication with the chip carried out from the safe section 10 (safe 13). Specifically, the chip information of the chip carried out from the safe section 10 (safe 13 ) to the cage safe 23 or the like is read by non-contact communication and transmitted to the safe terminal 11 . Further, the RFID reader/writer 12B can write the write data from the safe terminal 11 to the chip without contact. That is, necessary information can be written into the RFID IC tag of the chip carried out from the safe section 10, or the information stored in the RFID IC tag can be rewritten.

Safe terminal 11 transmits the chip information received by RFID reader/writers 12A and 12B to management server 600 via network 500 .

The cage 20 is provided with a cage safe 23 for storing cash and chips, a cage terminal 21, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) readers/writers 22A and 22B. The cage terminal 21 is connected to the management server 600 via the network 500 . The RFID reader/writer 22A reads the chip information stored in the chip and sends it to the cage terminal 21 by performing non-contact communication with the chip brought in by the player in the cage 20 when the chip is exchanged for cash. Send. Further, the RFID reader/writer 22A can write data from the cage terminal 21 to the chip without contact. That is, necessary information can be written into the RFID IC tag of the chip carried into the cage 20, or the information stored in the RFID IC tag can be rewritten. The RFID reader/writer 22B reads the chip information of the chips paid out to the player in exchange for cash when the player pays cash to purchase chips in the cage 20 by performing non-contact communication, and transmits the information to the cage terminal 21.例文帳に追加. Further, the RFID reader/writer 22B can write the write data from the cage terminal 21 to the chip without contact. That is, necessary information can be written into the RFID IC tag of the chip carried out from the cage 20, or the information stored in the RFID IC tag can be rewritten.

The cage terminal 21 transmits the chip information received by the RFID reader/writers 22A and 22B to the management server 600 via the network 500. FIG.

The disposal processing unit 410 is provided with a disposal storage 413 for storing chips to be disposed, a disposal terminal 411, and RFID readers/writers 412A and 412B. The disposal terminal 411 is connected to the management server 600 via the network 500 . The RFID reader/writer 412A reads the chip information stored in the chip and transmits it to the disposal terminal 411 by performing contactless communication with the chip brought into the disposal processing unit 410 . Further, the RFID reader/writer 412A can write the write data from the disposal terminal 411 to the chip without contact. In other words, necessary information can be written into the RFID IC tag of the chip carried into the disposal unit 410, or the information stored in the RFID IC tag can be rewritten. The RFID reader/writer 412B reads the chip information of the chip (that is, the chip to be discarded) handed over from the disposal unit 410 to the manufacturer (discarder) by performing non-contact communication and transmits the chip information to the disposal terminal 411. FIG. Further, the RFID reader/writer 412B can write the write data from the disposal terminal 411 to the chip without contact. That is, necessary information can be written into the RFID IC tag of the chip carried out from the disposal unit 410, or the information stored in the RFID IC tag can be rewritten.

The disposal terminal 411 transmits the chip information received by the RFID reader/writers 412A and 412B to the management server 600 via the network 500. FIG.

A plurality of table game devices 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, . . . ) respectively include a game table 120 for playing a card game or the like, and a control unit operated by the dealer according to the progress of the game played on the game table 120. 113, RFID readers/writers 102A, 102B, 112A, 112B, a card shoe 310 (FIG. 2), a dealer display 326 (FIG. 2), and a game result notification display 300 (FIG. 2) are provided.

Note that the plurality of table game machines 100A, 100B, 100C, . . . have the same configuration. Here, the table game device 100A will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the table game device 100A, the control unit 113 is composed of a computer, and mainly includes a CPU (central processing unit) 212, a ROM (read only memory) 214, a RAM (random access memory) 216, It includes an HDD (hard disk drive) 218, a communication I/F (communication interface) 220, a keyboard 222, etc., and is communicably connected to each other via a data bus and an address bus (not shown). The ROM 214 stores character information and color information displayed on the dealer display 26 for each player according to the progress of the game.

The display 300 for notifying the game result displays information about the result of the game played on the game table 120 (see FIG. 3), for example, information about winning or losing. The player can visually recognize various information displayed on the display 300 for informing the game result.

Card shoe 310 is operated by the dealer. The card shoe 310 stores a plurality of game cards such as playing cards. The dealer takes out game cards from the card shoe 310 and places them on the game table 120 .

The identification information of the game card (playing card) taken out from the card shoe 310 is transmitted to the control unit 113 . The control unit 113 determines the progress and result of the game from the identification information of the game card transmitted from the card shoe 310 .

The RFID reader/writer 102A is provided in a collection area 149A, which is an area on the game table 120 and collects chips bet by the player who lost the game. This RFID reader/writer 102A has an antenna substrate 432A (antenna 434A) and a control section 450A. Control unit 450A is communicably connected to control unit 113 . The control unit 450A communicates with the RFID IC tag provided on the chip via the antenna 434A according to the command received from the control unit 113. FIG. The control unit 450A receives chip information from the RFID IC tag. Control unit 450A transmits the received chip information to control unit 113 . Further, the RFID reader/writer 102A can write write data from the control unit 113, 450A to the chip without contact. That is, necessary information can be written into the RFID IC tag of the chip collected from the player, or the information stored in the RFID IC tag can be rewritten.

The RFID reader/writer 102B is provided in a payout area 149B, which is an area on the game table 120 and pays out chips awarded to the player who wins the game. This RFID reader/writer 102B has an antenna substrate 432B (antenna 434B) and a controller 450B. Control unit 450B is communicably connected to control unit 113 . The control unit 450B communicates with the RFID IC tag provided on the chip via the antenna 434B according to the command received from the control unit 113. FIG. The control unit 450B receives chip information from the RFID IC tag. Control unit 450B transmits the received chip information to control unit 113 . Further, the RFID reader/writer 102B can write write data from the control unit 113, 450C to the chip without contact. That is, necessary information can be written into the RFID IC tag of the chip to be paid out to the player, or the information stored in the RFID IC tag can be rewritten.

The RFID reader/writer 112A is provided in association with the game table 120, and performs non-contact communication with the chip when the chip is brought in by a staff member from the cage 20 or the like. This RFID reader/writer 112A has an antenna substrate 432C (antenna 434C) and a controller 450C. Control unit 450C is communicably connected to control unit 113 . The control unit 450C communicates with the RFID IC tag 15 provided on the chip via the antenna 434C according to the command received from the control unit 113 . The control unit 450C receives chip information from the RFID IC tag 15 . Control unit 450</b>C transmits the received chip information to control unit 113 .

The RFID reader/writer 112B is provided in association with the game table 120, and performs non-contact communication with the chip when the chip is carried out from the game table 120 to the cage 20 or the like by an attendant. This RFID reader/writer 112B has an antenna substrate 432D (antenna 434D) and a controller 450D. Control unit 450D is communicably connected to control unit 113 . The control unit 450D communicates with the RFID IC tag 15 provided on the chip via the antenna 434D according to the command received from the control unit 113. FIG. The control unit 450D receives chip information from the RFID IC tag 15 . Control unit 450</b>D transmits the received chip information to control unit 113 .

While the RFID reader/writers 102A and 102B described above perform non-contact communication with these chips when a player places a bet on chips or receives a payout with chips when playing a table game, The RFID reader/writer 112 performs contactless communication with these chips when the chips are carried into or out of another storage location such as the cage 20 by an attendant, rather than being handed over to the player in the game. It is provided for the purpose of

Control unit 113 transmits the chip information received by RFID reader/writer 102A, 102B, 112A or 112B to management server 600 via network 500 .

The control unit 450A (450B, 450C, 450D) is configured by, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM and RAM (not shown). The controller 450A (450B, 450C, 450D) has a modulator 452A (452B, 452C, 452D) and a demodulator 454A (454B, 454C, 454D). The control unit 450A (450B, 450C, 450D) is composed of, for example, an RF module having a modulation circuit and a demodulation circuit.

The modulation unit 452A (452B, 452C, 452D) modulates the carrier wave with a predetermined modulation method based on information such as a predetermined command, request, or instruction received by the control unit 450A (450B, 450C, 450D), A modulated wave (modulated signal) is generated and output as an RF signal. The output RF signal is supplied to the antenna 434A (434B, 434C, 434D) and emitted as an electromagnetic wave from the antenna 434A (434B, 434C, 434D).

A modulated wave received by the antenna 434A (434B, 434C, 434D) is supplied as a modulated signal to the demodulator 454A (454B, 454C, 454D). This modulated wave is an electromagnetic wave obtained by modulating a carrier wave by a predetermined modulation method based on the chip information stored in the RFID IC tag of the chip. The demodulator 454A (454B, 454C, 454D) demodulates the modulated signal supplied from the antenna 434A (434B, 434C, 434D) and reads the chip information stored in the RFID IC tag.

In this way, the control unit 450A (450B, 450C, 450D) transmits and receives electromagnetic waves via the antennas 434A (434B, 434C, 434D) of the antenna substrates 432A (432B, 432C, 432D), It can communicate wirelessly with an IC tag for RFID on the chip.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the game table 20 of the table game device 100. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game table 120 mainly has a game board 122, a card shoe 310, a dealer's display 326, and a chip tray 128. FIG. The game table 120 also has a dealer section 130 and a player section 132 . The dealer section 130 is inside the game table 120, where the dealer is located. The player section 132 is outside the game table 120 and is occupied by a plurality of players, for example seven players. The dealer and the player face each other across the game table 120, and various games such as baccarat, poker, blackjack or casino war are played on the game table 120. FIG. On the game table 120, game cards such as playing cards and game chips are arranged and collected as the game progresses.

The game board 122 has a substantially fan-like shape. The game board 122 is provided with bet areas 142 to 148 for seven players. The bet areas 142 to 148 are areas in which gaming chips owned by each player can be bet. A dealer area 149 is also formed on the game board 122 . The dealer area 149 is the area used by the dealer. The dealer area 149 is provided with a collection area 149A for collecting chips betted by the player who lost the game and a payout area 149B for paying out chips to be given to the player who won the game. . A plurality of RFID readers/writers 102A are provided at the bottom of the board in the collection area 149A and each of the betting areas 142 to 148, and when chips bet by the player are collected in the collection area 149A, the collected chips are Non-contact communication is performed with the RFID IC tag. Also, in the payout area 149B, an RFID reader/writer 102B is provided at the bottom of the board. Non-contact communication is performed with the IC tag.

The management server 600 (FIG. 1) mainly manages game-related information such as chips and players. Chips are a medium of monetary value at a gaming establishment. All chips used in the game facility are managed by management server 600 . All chips are assigned chip identifiers different from each other, and the chip identifiers are stored in the RFID IC tag 15 of each chip and also managed by the management server 600 . The management server 600 mainly has a function of managing the current location of each chip and the propriety of the destination of each chip.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing distribution routes of chips in, for example, a casino hall. In FIG. 4, when a chip is purchased from a manufacturer (S11) and brought into a warehouse, the chip is managed as "inventory". By moving the chip from the warehouse to the safe 13 (S12), the denomination of the chip is transferred to the casino hall's accounting management.

In this state, when a chip is moved from the safe 13 to the cage 20 for use (S13), the chip is stored in the cage safe . In the cage 20, the chips are handed over to the player in exchange for cash equivalent to the face value of the chips (S14). The chips handed over to the player are used in the table game when the player moves to the table game device 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, . . . ).

For example, when a player bets chips on a game in the table game device 100A, the bet chips are collected by the dealer (S18) or returned to the player together with a payout, depending on the result of the game. (S17). After playing the game on the table game machine 100A, the player takes his/her chips and moves to another table game machine (for example, the table game machine 100B) to participate in the table game. Even in this case, the player can bet his own chips on the table game. Depending on the result of the table game, the player will have the bet chips collected by the dealer (S18) or returned to the player together with the payout (S17).

In this way, the players who have participated in each table game while moving among the table game machines 100A, 100B, 100C, . In this redemption, the chips are moved to the cage safe 23 .

On the other hand, some of the chips (S13) prepared in the cage safe 23 are moved from the cage safe 23 to each table game device 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, . . . ) (S15), and , 100B, 100C, . . . ) as a payout given to the player according to the game result (S17). Chips prepared in the table game machines 100 (100A, 100B, 100C, . . . ) and chips collected from the players as a result of the game are periodically returned to the cage safe 23 (S19).

Thereafter, the chips in the cage safe 23 are used again for the table game as chips are purchased by the player, or are moved from the cage safe 23 to the safe 10 (S21) and stored in the safe 10. FIG. The timing at which the chips are moved from the cage safe 23 to the safe 10 is, for example, set to a predetermined period from the timing at which the chips start to circulate in the casino hall (the timing at which the chips are first brought into the safe 10). It is designed to be discarded after a certain period of time.

The chips that have been moved from the cage safe 23 to the safe 13 and "stored" will be discarded after that, so they are transferred to the disposal processing section (S22) and handed over to the disposal company (S23).

The management server 600 determines in which storage location the safe 13, the cage safe 23, the disposal unit 410, the players and the table game devices 100A (100B, 100C, . is managed as status information. Specifically, the current location is managed in association with the chip identifier unique to the chip stored in the RFID IC tag provided on each chip.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the chip CHP is provided with an RFID IC tag 15 . This RFID IC tag 15 is provided with, for example, a radio wave type or electromagnetic induction type antenna 17, and a transmission/reception circuit 16 for driving this antenna is mounted as an IC chip.

Antenna 17 is a communication target RFID reader/writer (RFID reader/writers 102A, 102B, 112A, 112B provided in table game device 100, safe section 10, cage 20, disposal processing section 410, etc., chip CHP). An antenna for contactless transmission and reception of information by radio waves or electromagnetic induction between RFID readers/writers installed at other locations set as storage locations, and the antennas of each RFID reader/writer ( (not shown) within a range of several centimeters to several meters.

As a result, the player can exchange information with the chips simply by passing the chips through the collection area 149A (FIG. 3) or the payout area 149B (FIG. 3) according to the progress of the game on the table game machine 100A, for example. Can send and receive. In addition, information can be transferred to and from the chip simply by carrying the chip into or out of the safe section 10 (safe 13), the cage 20 (cage safe 23), or the disposal processing section 410 (disposal storage 413). Can send and receive.

A memory is mounted in the transmission/reception circuit 16 of the RFID IC tag 15, and a chip identifier unique to the chip CHP provided with the RFID IC tag 15 is stored.

The management server 600 manages the location and movement of each chip based on the chip identifier read by the RFID reader/writer provided in each of the safe section 10, the cage 20, the disposal section 410, and each table game device 100. FIG.

A method of managing chips in the management server 600 will be described below. FIG. 6 shows a movement management table for determining whether chips can be moved or not, depending on the unique management method in the casino system 1 . This movement management table is stored in the database of management server 600 .

In the movement management table shown in FIG. 6, the current positions of the chips are "inventory (L1)", "safe (L2)", "cage safe (L3)", and "table (table game device) (L4)". )”, “Player (L5)”, and “Discard Processing Unit (L6)” indicate whether or not each storage location is possible as the next destination in the horizontal direction.

For example, when the current position of the chip is "inventory", looking sideways at the symbol L1, "safe" can be moved as a destination, and "cage safe" cannot be moved as a destination. , the "table (table game device)" cannot be moved as a destination, the "player" cannot be moved as a destination, and the "discard processing section" cannot be moved as a destination.

Further, when the current position of the chip is "safe", looking at the symbol L2 horizontally, "inventory" cannot be moved as a destination, and "cage safe" can be moved as a destination. , "table (table game device)" cannot be moved as a destination, "player" cannot be moved as a destination, and "discard processing section" can be moved as a destination.

Further, when the current position of the chip is "cage safe", looking at the symbol L3 sideways, "inventory" cannot be moved as a destination, but "safe" can be moved as a destination. It can be seen that the "table (table game device)" can be moved as a destination, the "player" can be moved as a destination, and the "discard section" cannot be moved as a destination.

Also, when the current position of the chip is the "table (table game device)", looking sideways at the code L4, "inventory" cannot be moved as a destination, and "safe" cannot be moved as a destination. , it can be seen that the "cage safe" is a movable destination, the "player" is a movable destination, and the "disposal unit" is a non-movable destination.

Also, when the current position of the chip is the "player", looking sideways at the code L5, the "inventory" cannot be moved as a destination, the "safe" as a destination cannot be moved, and the "cage" can be moved as a destination. It can be seen that "(Cage) Safe" cannot be moved as a destination, "Table (table game device)" can be moved as a destination, and "Disposal Processing Section" cannot be moved as a destination. If the current position of the chip is the player (that is, the player is in possession of the chip) and the player can directly redeem the chip at the cage 20, the destination of the code L5 is " Cage safe" will be set as movable as a destination.

Further, when the current position of the chip is the "disposal processing section", it can be seen from the side of the reference L6 that none of the chips can be moved as destinations.

In this way, the management server 600 stores the current chip storage locations (“inventory”, “safe”, “cage safe”, “table”, “player”, “disposal unit”) and the movement management shown in FIG. Whether each storage location ("inventory", "safe", "cage safe", "table", "player", "disposal unit") can be moved as a destination of the chip from the table can be judged.

Note that the movement management table shown in FIG. 6 depends on the operation in the casino system 1, and can be changed according to each casino system.

In the casino system 1, the movement of each chip is restricted by performing such movement management. A processing procedure for this movement restriction will be described below.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the chip purchase processing that is first performed when chips are purchased from the manufacturer in the casino system 1 . This process is carried out when the chips become "inventory" in the distribution channel of the chips shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the management server 600 of the casino system 1 determines in step S31 whether or not chips have been purchased, and waits for chip purchases ("NO" in step S31). Whether or not a tip has been purchased is determined by the input operation to the terminal device of the person in charge who operates the management server 600 . When a chip is purchased, the management server 600 shifts the process from step S31 to step S32 to obtain the RFID identifier uniquely assigned to the chip, the denomination of the chip, and the initial storage location of the chip (in this embodiment, " storage location as "inventory") is registered in the database of the management server 600. FIG. Then, in the following step S33, the management server 600 stores the information registered in the database (the RFID identifier uniquely assigned to the chip, the face value of the chip, and the identifier of the initial storage location of the chip) as the RFID IC tag of the purchased chip. 15 (FIG. 5). This associates the actual chip with its unique identifier (RFID identifier) in the database of management server 600 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, information about the chip is stored in the database of the management server 600 as a chip identifier (for example, "000001") assigned to the chip and the current storage location. (for example, "Z1" for "inventory") and the date and time (timestamp (IN)) when it became "inventory".

Along with this, as shown in FIG. 8B, the management server 600 adds a chip identifier (for example, "000001") to the RFID IC tag 15 of each chip, and an identifier (Z1 ) and the date and time (time stamp (IN)) of the current status are stored as chip information.

As a result, in the database of the management server 600 and in the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, a pair of information indicating that the chip exists in the "inventory", which is a storage location on the distribution route, is stored as chip information.

As the chip information, in addition to the identifier representing the storage location and the date and time (timestamp (IN)) when the chip was brought into the storage location, the date and time (timestamp (OUT)) when it was taken out from the storage location is also stored. be. That is, when each chip is carried out from each storage place ("inventory", "safe", "cage", "game table", etc.), the carry-out is performed via the RFID reader/writer provided for carry-out. The date and time are stored in the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, and the identifier of the chip is read from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip via the RFID reader/writer for carrying out, and sent to the management server 600 together with the date and time information. sent to. As a result, the date and time (time stamp (OUT)) when the chip is carried out from the storage location is also stored in a pair in both the database of the management server 600 and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in a state in which a time stamp (IN) is stored at the time of delivery as "inventory", in addition to this, the date and time of delivery (time stamp (OUT)) will be added. This unloading date and time (time stamp (OUT)) is also added to the database of the management server 600 shown in FIG. 8(A).

Furthermore, when a new chip is managed as "inventory" by the processing at the time of chip purchase described above with reference to FIG. (step S34). This balance sheet is stored in the database of the management server 600, and in the movement of cash (movement between the safe 13, the cage safe 21, the table game device 100, the disposal unit 410, the player, etc.) is an input operation of a staff member at a terminal (safety box terminal 11, cage terminal 13, etc.) that has received the movement. 112A, 412A is updated in the management server 600 by the chip information.

As a specific example of the balance sheet, as shown in FIG. do. If ¥2,000,000 is paid from this cash and deposits to purchase the stock of chips, as shown in FIG. ¥2,000,000 is credited. At this point, the chip's value (¥2,000,000) is recorded as a debit or asset. As a result, the chips in the inventory purchased for ¥2,000,000 are recorded as debits (assets) at the purchase price (cost price).

In this state, when the chip is moved from the "inventory" on the distribution route to the "safe" (FIG. 4), the communication of the RFID reader/writer 12A (FIG. 1) provided in the safe unit 10 (FIG. 1) When the chip enters the area, non-contact communication is performed between the RFID reader/writer 12A and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, and the safe terminal 11 of the safe section 10 performs reception processing S101 shown in FIG. to run. In this acceptance process S101, the safe terminal 11 transmits the chip information S102A received from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip to the management server 600 via the network 500. FIG. In addition, when cash is brought in from cash and deposits, the clerk of safe section 10 operates the input operation section of safe terminal 11 to display the amount of cash carried in and information indicating that the source is cash and deposits. (cash information S102B) to the management server 600.

The management server 600 that has received this chip information S102A reads the information of the same chip identifier from the database and executes the movement check processing S103. In this movement check processing S103, the management server 600 associates the movement management table shown in FIG. The stored information representing the transfer source is checked, and it is determined whether or not the safe section 10 into which the chip was brought in is permitted as the transfer destination of the chip. If the transfer destination is permitted, the management server 600 determines that the transfer is possible, and executes subsequent balance sheet update processing S104. In the balance sheet update process S104, the management server 600 updates the balance sheet accompanying the transfer of the chips.

Specifically, as the inventory of purchased chips (a plurality of chips purchased at a total cost of ¥2,000,000) is moved to the safe 13, the total denomination of the chips is reduced to ¥100,000. 000 under accounting control. That is, when the chip is moved to the safe 13, the RFID reader/writer 12A for carrying-in provided in the safe 13 communicates with the RFID IC tag 15 (FIG. 5) embedded in each chip. , a chip identifier unique to each chip is read from the RFID IC tag 15 of each chip and transmitted to the management server 600 . The management server 600 stores the chip identifiers read in the safe 13 and retrieves the history of the chips specified by these chip identifiers. Based on this search result, the management server 600 carries out movement check processing S103 to obtain information (FIG. 8(A)) representing the movement source corresponding to the chip identifier on the database and from the RFID IC tag of the chip. From the read information representing the source of movement (FIG. 8B), it is determined whether or not the chip is a chip that can be carried into the safe 13 . Details of the movement check processing S103 will be described later.

As a result of the judgment in the transfer check process S103, the management server 600 permits the chips that can be moved to the safe 13 to be carried into the safe 13, and all the chips that have been permitted to be transferred to the safe 13 have their denominations. is calculated and recorded on the balance sheet (S104). For example, if all the imported chips are allowed to be imported, the total denomination of ¥100,000,000 is added to the balance sheet. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C, a chip liability of ¥100,000,000 is recorded as a credit on the balance sheet, and a chip accounting management balance of ¥100,000,000 is recorded as a debit. be done. That is, in order to give the value of the chip face value (¥100,000,000) to the purchased chip, the same amount as the chip face value (¥100,000,000) is recorded as a credit in the comparison table. In this way, the value of ¥100,000,000 face value is given to the chips in stock, and ¥2,000,000 recorded as the chip cost (debit) and the tip payment amount (credit) Chip face value (Chip Accounting Management Balance as debit, Chip Liability as credit) will be replaced with ¥100,000,000. In this way, the value of the chips in the purchased inventory is replaced from the cost of ¥2,000,000 to the face value of the chips of ¥100,000,000, whereby the chips are validated in the casino for accounting purposes and are used in the game. can be used.

In this way, when the chip is moved to the safe 13, the RFID reader/writer 12A provided in the safe 13 reads the chip identifiers of all the chips to be transferred and transmits them to the management server 600. The management server 600 judges whether or not these chips are movable, and permits only those chips judged to be movable to be carried into the safe 13 . The management server 600 sets a predetermined denomination for the chip identifier of the chip that is permitted to be accepted transmitted from the safe terminal 11, calculates the total amount of chip that is permitted to be carried in, and records it on the balance sheet. count. By this processing, the chips are treated as face value instead of cost price for accounting purposes, and the chips can be used in the game (that is, the chips are validated).

The management server 600 transmits the processing result (result information (S105)) of the transfer check processing S103 and the balance sheet update processing S104 to the safe section 10 (safe terminal 11) which is the transmission source of the tip information S102A. As a result, the tip reception processing S101 in the safe section 10 (safe terminal 11) and the transfer check processing S103 and the balance sheet update processing S104 in the management server 600 related to the reception processing S101 are completed. The safe terminal 11 that has received the result information S105 executes the result processing S106, for example, displaying on its display device that it is possible to carry-in, thereby notifying the staff of the safe section 10 of the result of the movement check. Notice. It should be noted that if the carrying-in is not permitted as a result of the movement check processing S103, the balance sheet update processing S104 is not executed in the management server 600, and information indicating that the carrying-in is not permitted is transmitted to the safe terminal 11 as the result information S105. . In this case, the safe terminal 11 notifies the clerk of the safe section 10 of the result of the movement check processing by displaying on the display device that the item cannot be carried in as result processing S106.

In this way, in the transfer check process S103, if the tip is permitted to be carried into the safe section 10, the management server 600 updates the tip information on the database. Specifically, the current storage location of the chips is updated from the previous storage location "inventory" to "safe", and the date and time (time stamp (IN)) of delivery to the safe 11 is stored. These updated information are transmitted from the management server 600 to the safe terminal 11 as the result information S105, and the chip information already stored in the chip RFID IC tag 15 is also updated. As a result, in both the database of the management server 600 and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the current storage location of the chip is updated from the previous storage location "inventory" to "safe". The date and time when it was brought in is stored as a time stamp (IN) (FIGS. 12(A) and (B)).

In addition, when the chip is carried out from the safe 13 after being carried into the safe 13, the safe terminal 11 reads the RFID of the chip to be carried out via the RFID reader/writer 12B provided for carrying out. The IC tag 15 is stored as a time stamp (OUT) with the date and time of unloading (S201 in FIG. 11). That is, the unloading date and time is added to the time stamp (OUT) shown in FIG. 12(B). At this time, the safe terminal 11 reads the chip identifier of the chip from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip to be carried out, and reads the date and time (time stamp (OUT)) of carrying out stored in the chip, along with the chip information S202. , to the management server 600 . The management server 600 updates the chip information of the corresponding chip based on the received chip information S202. Specifically, the time stamp (OUT) corresponding to the "safe" of the corresponding chip shown in FIG. 12A is newly stored. As a result, the updated chip information is associated with an identifier unique to the storage location ("Z2" for "safe") and the date and time of unloading (time stamp (OUT)) is stored.

When transferring ¥50,000,000 in business cash from the cash deposit to the safe 13 in the casino, the staff of the safe section 10 operates the safe terminal 11 to operate the safe terminal 11 and the amount of cash brought in and the source of the transfer (current deposit), the safe terminal 11 transmits the input information to the management server 600 as the cash information S102B. The management server 600 updates the balance sheet based on the cash information S102B transmitted from the safe terminal 11 (S104). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9D, ¥50,000,000 in cash in the safe 13 is recorded as a debit, and ¥50,000,000 in cash is recorded as a credit.

At this time, the total amount of money stored in the safe 13 is ¥150,000,000. The breakdown of this total amount under management is the sum of ¥50,000,000 in cash from cash and deposits described above and ¥100,000,000 in face value of chips transferred to the accounting management described above.

If the ¥50,000,000 cash transferred to the safe has been transferred from the cash and deposits, the balance of the deposit will be reduced to ¥50,000 by reducing the cash and deposits by the amount of the transferred cash of ¥50,000,000. , 000. Also, when the chip is purchased with cash, the deposit balance is reduced by the chip purchase price of ¥2,000,000, resulting in a deposit balance of ¥48,000,000.

Then, for example, half ¥25,000,000 of the cash ¥50,000,000 in the safe 13 is distributed to the safe (cage safe 23) installed in the cage 20 of the casino as operating cash. half of the chip (face value of ¥100,000,000) (face value of ¥50,000,000 chip) is distributed for operation. communicates with the RFID IC tag 15 (FIG. 5) embedded in each chip, and a chip identifier unique to each chip is read from the RFID IC tag 15 of each chip. As a result, the cage terminal 21 executes reception processing S111 (FIG. 13). In this receiving process S111, the cage terminal 21 transmits the chip information S112A received from the chip RFID IC tag 15 to the management server 600 via the network 500. FIG. Also, when cash is transferred from the safe 13 together with the tip, the staff of the cage 20 operates the input operation section of the cage terminal 21 so that the amount of the cash carried in and the source of the cash are displayed in the safe section 10 (safe 13). ) to the management server 600 (cash information S112B).

The management server 600 stores the chip identifiers included in the chip information S112A read by the RFID reader/writer 22A (FIG. 1) for carrying in the cage 20 (cage safe 23), and stores the chips specified by these chip identifiers. , the movement check processing S113 is executed. In this movement check process S113, the management server 600 associates the movement management table shown in FIG. The stored information representing the source of movement is checked, and information representing the source of movement of the chip at this time (history information for each chip stored in the management server 600 and stored in the RFID IC tag of the chip). From the information (chip information S112A) indicating the transfer source of the chip, it is determined whether or not the cage 20, which is the destination of the transfer, is permitted as the transfer destination of the chip. determines that the transfer is possible, the management server 600 executes the following balance sheet update processing S114, in which the management server 600 updates the balance sheet according to the transfer of the tip and cash.

Specifically, when all of the chips that have been carried in are permitted to be carried in, the management server 600 adds the total amount of the denominations of ¥50,000,000 to the balance sheet. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, the tip balance of ¥50,000,000 in the cage 20 is recorded as a credit, and the cage operating cash in the cage safe 23 distributed from the safe 13 is ¥25,000. ,000 is recorded as a credit, and the sum of these, ¥75,000,000 of operating funds in the cage safe 23, is recorded as a debit.

That is, at this point, the tip is counted as if it were cash. As a result, the balance in the cage safe 23 becomes ¥75,000,000, including the denomination of cash and chips, and the balance under management in the cage 20 also becomes ¥75,000,000 due to the operation of transferring funds.

In addition, in the cage 20 (cage safe 23), when giving (loaning) the prepared chips to the player, the same amount of cash (for example, when giving a chip whose face value is ¥1,000 to the player, ¥1 ,000 cash), there is no need to distribute cash to the cage 20 (cage safe 23) equal to the denomination of the chips distributed to the cage 20. This is because if all the chips distributed to the cage 20 were lent out, the same amount of cash would remain in the cage 20 .

Therefore, the minimum business cash required for the cage 20 is only the amount paid out when the player wins the game by playing the game with the chips lent by the player. Specifically, about 10% of the lent chips should be prepared in the cage 20 .

The management server 600 transmits the processing result (result information (S115)) of the transfer check processing S113 and the balance sheet update processing S114 to the cage terminal 21 which is the transmission source of the tip information S112A. As a result, the tip acceptance process S111 in the cage 20 (cage terminal 21) and the transfer check process S113 and the balance sheet update process S114 in the management server 600 related to the acceptance process S111 are completed. Upon receiving the result information S115, the cage terminal 21 executes result processing S116, for example, displaying on its display device that it is possible to carry-in, thereby notifying the staff of the cage 20 of the movement check result. do. It should be noted that, if as a result of the movement check processing S113, carrying-in is not permitted, the management server 600 does not execute the balance sheet update processing S114, and transmits information indicating that carrying-in is not permitted to the cage terminal 21 as result information S115. . In this case, as result processing S116, the cage terminal 21 notifies the staff of the cage 20 of the result of the movement check processing by displaying on the display device that the carry-in is impossible.

In this way, in the movement check process S113, if the tip is permitted to be carried into the cage 20 (cage safe 23), the management server 600 updates the tip information on the database. Specifically, the current storage location of the chip is updated from the previous storage location (for example, “safe”) to “cage”, and the date and time (timestamp (IN)) of delivery to cage 20 is stored. These updated information are transmitted from the management server 600 to the cage terminal 21 as the result information S115, and the chip information already stored in the chip RFID IC tag 15 is also updated. As a result, in both the database of the management server 600 and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the current storage location of the chip is updated from the previous storage location (for example, "safe") to "cage". will be stored as a time stamp (IN). Specifically, for example, in FIG. 14A, the time stamp (IN) is stored as "cage (Z3)" in the corresponding chip identifier, and as shown in FIG. The latest storage location "source (current)" of the IC tag 15 is rewritten to "cage (Z3)", and the date and time of delivery to the cage is stored as a time stamp (IN).

In addition, when the chip is carried out from the cage safe 23 after being carried into the cage safe 23, the cage terminal 21 is connected to the chip to be carried out via the RFID reader/writer 22B provided for carrying out. The IC tag 15 for RFID is stored as a time stamp (OUT) (S211). That is, the unloading date and time is added to the time stamp (OUT) shown in FIG. 14(B). Also, at this time, the cage terminal 11 reads the chip identifier of the chip from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip to be carried out, and reads out the chip information S212 together with the date and time (time stamp (OUT)) of the carry-out stored in the chip. , to the management server 600 . The management server 600 updates the chip information of the corresponding chip based on the received chip information S212. Specifically, the time stamp (OUT) corresponding to the "cage" of the corresponding chip shown in FIG. 14A is newly stored. As a result, in the updated chip information, the unloading date (timestamp (OUT)) is stored in association with the identifier unique to the storage location ("Z3" for "cage").

Chips and cash are distributed to each table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) from the cage 20 (cage safe 23) as table inventory. For example, ¥24,000,000 in chips and ¥1,000,000 in cash are distributed from the cage 20 to the game table. In this case, the chip is connected to the RFID IC tag 15 (FIG. 5) embedded in each chip by the RFID reader/writer 112A (FIG. 1) provided in the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ). Then, the chip identifier unique to each chip is read out from the RFID IC tag 15 of each chip. As a result, the control unit 113 (FIG. 1) of the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) executes reception processing S121 (FIG. 15). In this receiving process S121, the control unit 113 transmits the chip information S122A received from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip to the management server 600 via the network 500. FIG. In addition, when cash is carried in from the cage 20 together with chips, the attendant of the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . Information (cash information S<b>122</b>B) indicating that the origin of movement is the cage 20 is transmitted to the management server 600 .

The management server 600 stores the chip identifiers read by the table game machines 100A (100B, 100C, . In this movement check process S123, the management server 600 associates the movement management table shown in FIG. The stored information representing the source of movement is checked, and information representing the source of movement of the chip at this time (history information for each chip stored in the management server 600 and stored in the RFID IC tag of the chip). From the information (chip information S122A) representing the transfer source of the chip, it is determined whether or not the table game machine 100A (100B, 100C, . If it is permitted, the management server 600 judges that the transfer is possible, and executes the following balance sheet update processing S124. Update the sheet.

Specifically, the management server 600 permits chips that can be moved from the cage 20 to the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) to be carried into the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ). , the total amount of denominations of all the permitted chips carried into the table game machine 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) is calculated, and the total amount is recorded on the balance sheet. For example, if all the imported chips are allowed to be imported, the total denomination of ¥24,000,000 is added to the balance sheet. In addition, since the cash of ¥1,000,000 is distributed from the cage 20 to all the game tables, the amount of cash transferred by operating the terminal device (not shown) of the management server 600 is (cage 20) and destination (each table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . )) are input to update the balance sheet. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10(B), table inventory ¥25,000,000 is recorded as a debit together with the movement of chips, and chip balance in the cage (Cage Accountability) ¥25,000,000. is recorded as a credit. That is, since 25,000,000 yen was handed over to the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . listed on the sheet. Thus, chips and cash are counted together as a table inventory.

The management server 600 transmits the processing result (result information (S125)) of the transfer check processing S123 and the balance sheet update processing S124 to the control unit 113 which is the transmission source of the tip information S122A. As a result, the chip acceptance process S121 in the table game machine 100A (100B, 100C, . Upon receiving the result information S125, the control unit 113 executes the result processing S126, for example, displaying on the display device that it can be carried in, thereby notifying the staff of the table game device of the result of the movement check. Notice. It should be noted that, if as a result of the movement check processing S123, the carry-in is not permitted, the management server 600 does not execute the balance sheet update processing S124, and transmits information indicating that the carry-in is not permitted to the control unit 113 as the result information S125. . In this case, the control unit 113 notifies the staff of the table game device of the result of the movement check processing by displaying on the display device that the item cannot be brought in as result processing S126.

In this way, in the movement check process S123, when the chips are permitted to be carried into the table game machines 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ), the management server 600 updates the chip information on the database. Specifically, the current storage location of the chips is updated from the previous storage location (for example, “cage”) to the “table”, and the date and time of delivery to the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) Store the stamp (IN). These updated information are transmitted from the management server 600 as result information S125 to the control unit 113 of the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . Updated. As a result, in both the database of the management server 600 and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the current storage location of the chip is updated from the previous storage location (for example, "cage") to the "table". will be stored as a time stamp (IN). Specifically, for example, in FIG. 14(A), the time stamp (IN) is stored as a "table (Z4)" for the corresponding chip identifier, and as shown in FIG. 14(C), the chip's RFID The latest storage location "source (current)" of the IC tag 15 is rewritten to "table (Z4)", and the date and time of delivery to the cage is stored as a time stamp (IN).

After chips are carried into the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . The unit 113 stamps the delivery date and time on the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip to be carried out via the RFID reader/writer 112B provided for carrying out or the RFID reader/writer 102B provided in the delivery area 149B. OUT) (S221). That is, the unloading date and time is added to the time stamp (OUT) shown in FIG. 14(C). At this time, the cage terminal 11 reads the chip identifier of the chip from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip to be carried out, and reads the date and time (time stamp (OUT)) of the chip to be carried out, together with the chip information S222. , to the management server 600 . The management server 600 updates the chip information of the corresponding chip based on the received chip information S222. Specifically, the time stamp (OUT) corresponding to the "table" of the corresponding chip shown in FIG. 14A is newly stored. As a result, in the updated chip information, the delivery date and time (time stamp (OUT)) is stored in association with the identifier unique to the storage location ("Z4" for "table").

In this way, the casino can be operated by distributing chips and cash to each table game device (100B, 100C, . . . ).

11, 13 and 15 show the case where the player does not intervene in chip movement, but FIGS. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing when a player pays cash to purchase chips in the cage 20 .

As shown in FIG. 16, when the player pays cash (S130) to purchase chips from the cage 20, the cage 20 executes a chip delivery process S132. Specifically, the attendant of the cage 20 takes out chips corresponding to the amount of cash paid by the player from the cage safe 23 and gives them to the player. In this chip delivery process S132, the clerk causes the RFID reader/writer 22B provided on the cage 20 to read the chip information from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip to be delivered to the player in exchange for cash. The cage terminal 21 transmits this tip information S134 to the management server 600. FIG. Also, the staff member of the cage 20 receives the member information card from the player and causes the member information to be read through a predetermined information card reader. The cage terminal 21 transmits this member information to the management server 600 as player information S135.

The management server 600 stores the chip identifiers read in the cage 20, and executes movement check processing S136 for the chips specified by these chip identifiers. In this movement check processing S136, the management server 600 associates the movement management table shown in FIG. The stored information representing the source of movement is checked, and information representing the source of movement of the chip at this time (history information for each chip stored in the management server 600 and stored in the RFID IC tag of the chip). Based on the information (chip information S134) representing the transfer source of the chip, it is determined whether or not the player who is the destination of the transfer is permitted as the transfer destination of the chip.Based on the transfer management table shown in FIG. If it is permitted first, the management server 600 determines that the transfer is possible, and executes subsequent balance sheet update processing S137. Update the sheet.

Also, the management server 600 determines whether or not the player is officially registered as a member based on the player information transmitted from the cage terminal 21 . Specifically, the management server 600 searches the database for member information registered as a member. If there is no matching information, it is determined that the member is not an officially registered member. If the member has been officially registered, the management server 600 executes a transfer check process S136 and a balance sheet update process S137. On the other hand, if the management server 600 determines that the member is not an officially registered member, the management server 600 transmits the check result to the cage terminal 21 without executing the check processing S136 and the balance sheet update processing S137. As a result, tips can be given only to officially registered members.

Even if the player is not a member, a non-member information card associated with the registered information is handed over to a player who has registered as a non-member so that the player can use this non-member information card. When presented to the attendant, based on the registered non-member information, a result that matches the registered information of the non-member on the database of the management server 600 is obtained, so even the non-member can receive a tip. A delivery and balance sheet update process S137 is executed.

In this way, in the movement check process S136, if the player is permitted to take out chips, the management server 600 updates the chip information on the database. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14A, the current chip storage location is updated from the cage 20 (cage safe 23) to the player. This update information is transmitted from the management server 600 to the cage terminal 21 as the result information S138, and the chip information already stored in the chip RFID IC tag 15 is also updated. As a result, in both the database of the management server 600 and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the current chip storage location is updated from the cage 20 (cage safe 23) to the player.

Also, as shown in FIG. 17, when a player participates in a game on the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) and bets chips (S150), the RFID reader/writer 102A provided on the game table 120 The chip information S152 is read from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip and transmitted to the management server 600 by the control unit 113 .

The management server 600 refers to the chip information S152 received from the control unit 113 and the chip information of the corresponding chip stored in the database of the management server 600, and from the history of the chip, the player who bet the chip at this time Authenticate that you are the holder of Specifically, in the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . Based on the member identification information, the management server 600 authenticates that the member is the member who acquired the chip. Specifically, chips handed to the member in the cage 20 or chips bet by an authorized player if judged to be chips awarded to the member as a prize in another table game device We judge that it is. This determination result is transmitted from the management server 600 to the table game machines 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) as result information S155. Based on the received result information S155, the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) displays to that effect on the display device for the dealer if the chip has been bet by an authorized player. This allows the dealer to continue the game.

Then, when the game is executed and the player wins (S160), payout processing S161 is executed in the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ). In this payout process S161, the dealer puts the chips bet by the player and the chips added as a prize on the payout area 149B (FIG. 3). At this time, the chip information S162A is read from the RFID IC tags 15 of these chips by the RFID reader/writer 102B provided in the payout area 149B, and transmitted to the management server 600 by the control unit 113. FIG. Further, the control unit 113 transmits the member information of the player to whom these chips are paid out to the management server 600 as the player information S162B.

The management server 600 stores the chip identifiers included in the chip information S162A read by the RFID reader/writer 102B (FIG. 3) in the payout area 149B of the table game machines 100A (100B, 100C, . Movement check processing S163 is executed for the chip specified by the identifier. In this movement check processing S163, the management server 600 stores information representing the movement source (current position) read from the movement management table shown in FIG. Information representing the source of movement (current position) stored in association with the identifier is checked, and information representing the source of movement of the chip at this time (history information for each chip stored in the management server 600 and the chip From the information (chip information S162A) indicating the transfer source of the chip stored in the RFID IC tag, it is determined whether or not the player who is the payout destination is permitted as the transfer destination of the chip. If it is permitted, the management server 600 judges that the transfer is possible, and executes the following balance sheet update processing S164. Update the sheet.

The management server 600 sends the processing results (result information (S165)) of the transfer check processing S163 and the balance sheet update processing S164 to the control unit 113 of the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . Send. As a result, the game processing S160 in the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, .

Upon receiving the result information S165, the control unit 113 executes the result processing S166, such as displaying on the display device that the payout is possible, so that the dealer of the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) Notifies the result of the movement check. Note that if the payout is not permitted as a result of the movement check processing S163, the management server 600 does not execute the balance sheet update processing S164, and transmits information indicating that the payout is not permitted to the control unit 113 as the result information S165. . In this case, the control unit 113 notifies the dealer of the result of the movement check process by displaying on the display device that the payout is impossible as a result process S166.

In this way, in the movement check process S163, when the payout of chips to the player is permitted, the management server 600 updates the chip information on the database. Specifically, the current storage location of the chips is updated from the previous storage location (for example, "table") to "player", and the date and time of payment to the player (time stamp (OUT)) is stored. These update information are transmitted from the management server 600 to the control unit 113 as the result information S165, and the chip information already stored in the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip is also updated. As a result, in both the database of the management server 600 and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the current chip storage location (for example, "table") is updated to "player". ' is stored as a time stamp (OUT). Specifically, for example, in FIG. 14A, the corresponding chip identifier stores a time stamp (OUT) as "table (Z4)" and a time stamp (IN) as "player (Z5)". be done. Also, as shown in FIG. 14(D), the latest storage location of the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip "Move source (current)" is rewritten to "Player (Z5)", and the date and time of delivery to the cage is stamped ( IN).

FIG. 18 shows the processing when a player participates in a game on the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) and loses the game. In addition, in FIG. 18, the same reference numerals are given to the parts that are the same as those in FIG.

When the game is executed and the player loses (S170), the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ) executes a recovery process S171. In this recovery process S171, the dealer puts the chips bet by the player on the recovery area 149A (FIG. 3). At this time, the chip information S162A is read from the RFID IC tags 15 of these chips by the RFID reader/writer 102A provided in the recovery area 149A, and the chip information S162A is transmitted to the management server 600 by the control unit 113. FIG.

Management server 600 stores chip identifiers included in chip information S162A read by RFID reader/writer 102A (FIG. 3) in collection area 149A of table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ), and stores these chip identifiers. Chip information (history information) on the database is updated for the chip specified by the identifier (history update processing S173). Specifically, the current storage location of the chips is updated from the previous storage location (“player”) to the “table”, and the date and time when the chips were collected from the player to the table (time stamp (OUT) in “player”) ) and the timestamp (IN) in the "table". These update information are transmitted from the management server 600 to the control unit 113 as the result information S175, and the chip information already stored in the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip is also updated. As a result, in both the database of the management server 600 and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the current storage location of the chip is updated from the previous storage location (“player”) to the “table”. will be stored as a timestamp (IN) in the "table".

In addition, the management server 600 executes the subsequent balance sheet update process S174 after the history update process S173. In the balance sheet update process S174, the management server 600 updates the balance sheet accompanying the movement of chips from the "player" to the "table".

The management server 600 sends the processing results (result information (S175)) of the transfer check processing S173 and the balance sheet update processing S174 to the control unit 113 of the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, . By transmitting, the game process S170 in the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, .

Chips distributed in the casino hall are discarded after a predetermined period of time. That is, it is collected from the table game device 100A (100B, 100C, .

Next, the carrying-in process to the disposal processing section 410 will be described. The disposal terminal 411 of the disposal processing unit 410 reads the RFID IC tag 15 (FIG. 5) embedded in each chip carried in by the RFID reader/writer 412A for carrying-in provided in the disposal storage 413 of the disposal processing unit 410. ) to read a chip identifier unique to each chip from the RFID IC tag 15 of each chip. As a result, the disposal terminal 411 executes reception processing S181 (FIG. 19). In this receiving process S181, the disposal terminal 411 transmits the chip information S182 received from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip to the management server 600 via the network 500. FIG.

The management server 600 stores the chip identifiers included in the chip information S182 read by the RFID reader/writer 412A (FIG. 1) for carry-in of the disposal unit 410, and checks the movement of the chips specified by these chip identifiers. Processing S183 is executed. In this movement check processing S183, the management server 600 associates the movement management table shown in FIG. The stored information representing the source of movement is checked, and information representing the source of movement of the chip at this time (history information for each chip stored in the management server 600 and stored in the RFID IC tag of the chip). Based on the information (chip information S182) indicating the transfer source of the chip, it is determined whether or not the disposal unit 410, which is the destination of the transfer, is permitted as the transfer destination of the chip. When the server 600 determines that the transfer is possible, the following balance sheet update processing S184 is executed.In the balance sheet update processing S184, the management server 600 updates the balance sheet according to the transfer of the tip and cash.

In addition, in this balance sheet update process S184, an accounting process for invalidating the chips validated for circulation within the casino is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, chips purchased at cost are validated by replacing them with the denomination in the casino when they are moved from the "inventory" to the "safe". When the coin is brought into the unit 410, processing (invalidation processing) is performed to return the face value to the cost price in the casino. Specifically, at the time of activation, as a plurality of chips purchased at a cost of ¥2,000,000 are moved to the safe 13, the total face value of the chips is set to ¥100,000,000. In the invalidation process, the sum of the denominations of these chips of ¥100,000,000 is returned to the cost of ¥2,000,000 in accounting in response to the transfer to accounting management. In the chip disposal process, the disposal process is performed for this cost of ¥2,000,000.

In this way, when the tip is brought into the safe 13, the cost of the tip in accounting (that is, on the balance sheet) is treated as the face value, thereby validating the tip in terms of accounting. ), the transfer of funds between the player and the casino is represented on the balance sheet by invalidating the chip from accounting (on the balance sheet) by returning the face value of the chip to its cost. In practice, the cash value that a player pays to possess chips can be matched with the denomination of the chips received accordingly.

In FIG. 19, the management server 600 transmits the processing result (result information (S185)) of the movement check processing S183 and the balance sheet update processing S184 to the disposal terminal 411 which is the transmission source of the tip information S182. As a result, the tip reception processing S181 in the disposal processing unit 410 and the transfer check processing S183 and the balance sheet update processing S184 in the management server 600 related to the reception processing S181 are completed. Upon receiving the result information S185, the disposal terminal 411 executes the result processing S186, such as displaying on its display device that it is possible to carry in the terminal. to notify you. It should be noted that if the carrying-in is not permitted as a result of the movement check processing S183, the management server 600 does not execute the balance sheet update processing S184, and transmits information indicating that the carrying-in is not permitted to the disposal terminal 411 as the result information S185. . In this case, the disposal terminal 411 notifies the person in charge of the disposal processing unit 410 of the result of the movement check processing by displaying on the display device that the disposal terminal 411 cannot be carried in as result processing S186.

In this way, in the transfer check process S183, if the chip is permitted to be carried into the discard processing unit 410 (discard storage 413), the management server 600 updates the chip information on the database. Specifically, the current storage location of the chip is updated from the previous storage location (for example, “cage”) to “discard”, and the date and time (time stamp (IN)) of delivery to the disposal processing unit 410 is stored. do. These updated information are transmitted from the management server 600 to the disposal terminal 411 as the result information S185, and the chip information already stored in the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip is also updated. As a result, in both the database of the management server 600 and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the current storage location of the chip is updated from the previous storage location (for example, "cage") to "discard". will be stored as a time stamp (IN).

Next, details of the movement check processing S103 (S113, S123, S183) shown in FIG. 11 (FIGS. 13, 15, and 19) will be described.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the migration check processing S103 by the management server 600. As shown in FIG. The movement check process shown in FIG. 10 is common to the movement check processes S103, S113, S123, and S183 shown in FIGS. S103 will be described.

When the management server 600 receives the tip information S101 (FIG. 11), in step S51, it determines whether or not the tip identifier included in the tip information is already registered in the database as "inventory" (FIG. 9A). do.

If the relevant chip identifier is not registered as "inventory" in the database, it means that the relevant chip is not managed as "inventory" yet, and management server 600 returns a negative result in step S51. By obtaining it, the process moves from step S51 to step S52 to execute error processing. That is, preparations are made to transmit the error result to the safe terminal, which is the communication destination at this time.

On the other hand, if the received chip identifier has already been registered in the database, the management server 600 obtains a positive result in step S51, and shifts the process from step S51 to step S53 so that the chip RFID IC The source (current) information (FIG. 8A) corresponding to the chip identifier received from the tag 15 is read. Then, the management server 600 shifts the processing to step S54, and based on the movement source (current) information (FIG. 8B) received from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the information is stored in the management server 600. information (for example, "inventory" in FIG. 8(A)) on the source (current) where the stock is located, and information on the source (current) received from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip at this time (for example, FIG. 8(B)) ("inventory" in step S55), and it is determined in step S55 whether or not they match.

If the source (current) information registered in the management server 600 does not match the source (current) information received from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, this means that the chip brought in is legitimate. Therefore, the management server 600 moves the process from step S55 to step S52 by obtaining a negative result in step S55, and prepares to send an error result.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step S55, this means that the source (current) information registered in the management server 600 and the RFID reader/writer 12A of the safe section 10 are connected to the RFID IC tag 15 This means that the information on the transfer source (current) received from the , the process proceeds to step S56, and the movement management table shown in FIG. 6 is checked. For example, when the information of the management server 600 and the transfer source (current) of the tip is "inventory", the current "inventory" column (indicated by symbol L1 in FIG. 6) of the movement management table (FIG. 6) column) to determine whether or not it is possible to move the chip that is currently in the "inventory" to the "safe". Incidentally, the transfer management table (FIG. 6) defines that the "safe (safe 13)" can be transferred even if the transfer source (current) is not only the "inventory" but also the "cage safe". there is

In this way, the management server 600 refers to the movement management table shown in FIG. 6 to know that the destination "safe" is a movable destination when the current state is "inventory". In addition, in step S56, in addition to checking the destination by the migration management table of the management server 600, it is also checked whether or not timeout has occurred. That is, the time stamp added to the source (current) stored in the database of the management server 600 and the time stamp added to the source (current) read from the chip (these match) ), if a predetermined period of time has passed since the time stamp, movement is prohibited. The time stamp is date and time information added when the chip is moved and determined to be movable at the destination. The time stamp added at the transfer source (current) is extracted from the chip information acquired via the RFID reader/writer of the new storage location (for example, "safe") to which the chip was brought in at this time, If the date and time when it was brought into a new storage location (e.g., "safe") has passed from the date and time indicated by the time stamp added when it was brought to the source (current), the management The server 600 determines that this movement is not permitted (movement not permitted). In addition, a time stamp is added even when the item is unloaded from the source storage location, and the time from the date and time indicated by the time stamp at the time of unloading to the date and time when the item is unloaded at the destination. A similar determination can also be made by

As a result, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the chips were transferred to the player (for example, when the player once took the chips out of the casino), the movement of the chips is prohibited, and the chips are once taken out of the casino. It is restricted so that you cannot participate in games in the casino using old chips (chips whose time has passed). In other words, it is possible to limit the movement of the chip when a predetermined time has passed since the date and time given when the chip was brought into the storage location of the movement source.

Furthermore, in step S56, in addition to checking the destination based on the movement management table of the management server 600, if the movement source (current) is the player, in addition to determining whether or not the movement is possible according to the movement destination, the player is also authenticated. Specifically, if the player is a member, he or she possesses a membership card. Therefore, an RFID reader/writer (for example, An RFID reader/writer (not shown) dedicated to a member information card provided in the table game device 100A communicates to determine the location of the member card (whether or not the player possesses the member card). .

When the player does not have a membership card, the ``table'' (table game device) as the destination is originally movable when the source (current) is the ``player'', but it is determined that the ``table'' cannot be moved. On the other hand, when the member card is detected, it is known that the chips are transferred from the player who is a member to the table game machine, so it is determined that the chips can be transferred. By enabling the transfer when the transfer source player is a player who has been registered as a member in this way, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts such as using illegally prepared chips in a table game, for example. .

In this way, when the chip is brought into a new storage location (for example, the safe 13), whether or not it is possible to move to the destination based on the chip information read via the RFID reader/writer is determined (step S57). In this determination, if it is determined that the movement is not possible, the management server 600 obtains a negative result in step S57, thereby shifting the process from step S57 to step S58 and executing the alert process. That is, preparations are made to transmit the alert result to the safe terminal, which is the communication destination at this time.

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step S57, this means that the determination result that the movement is possible is obtained, and the management server 60 shifts the process from step S57 to step S59. , update data for the chip information stored in the chip is prepared, and the chip information stored in the database of the management server 600 is updated. That is, in the chip information stored in the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, as shown in FIG. Data to be rewritten to "safe" (storage location identifier Z2) is prepared, and in the database of the management server 600, as shown in FIG. to store "safe (Z2)" as the next transfer source (current). This updating process reveals that the latest storage location of the chip is "safe (safe 13)" indicated by storage location identifier "Z2". In this way, when it becomes possible to move (carry in) to a new destination, the information representing the storage location that was carried in is added to the item of the latest movement source (current). You'll be able to see where your chips were most recently stored and how they've been moved.

In addition, the management server 600 updates the information of the movement source (current), and prepares data for updating the time stamp of the chip information stored in the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip in step S60. Update the timestamp in the server 600 database. For example, when the chip is moved to the safe unit 10, the time stamp is rewritten to the date and time when it is determined that the chip can be moved to the "safe". For example, for the chip information, prepare data for updating the time stamp (IN) shown in FIG. 8B from "20190601 10:00" to "20190602 11:00" shown in FIG. New date and time information (timestamp (IN)) is written in the item representing the updated (added) latest storage location in the database of the management server 600 (item of “source (current)”). Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 8(C), in the chip RFID IC tag 15, when it is carried out from a storage location, a time stamp (OUT) is given by an RFID reader/writer provided at the storage location. remembered. For example, in FIG. 8C, when the item is unloaded from the storage location as "inventory", the unloading date and time "20190602 10:00" is stored in the time stamp (OUT). In the management server 600, based on the time stamp (OUT) at the time of removal included in the chip information from the chip obtained via the RFID reader/writer provided at the storage location of the transfer destination, the timing of transfer to the transfer destination is determined. You can decide whether to accept or not.

As a result, preparations are made for the chip to be updated with the latest storage location (“source (current)” item) along with the time stamp, and the management server 600 updates the latest storage location (“source (current)” item). )” item) is updated with the time stamp.

After the process of step S52, after the process of step S58, or after the process of step S60, the management server 600 shifts the process to step S61 to obtain the result of the migration check process (error result, alert result, or moveable result). Information on the latest storage location (item of "source (current)") determined by judgment is sent to the storage location (for example, safe terminal 11 of safe unit 10) that is the transmission source of the chip information at this time.This information is received. In the latest storage location (for example, "safe"), which is the destination of the movement, the information received from the management server 600 is written to the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip brought in at this time, thereby updating the latest storage location information. When the management server 600 determines that the transfer is not possible, the terminal (for example, the safe terminal 11) of the storage location (for example, the safe section 10) that receives the result displays that fact on the display means. to alert the staff.

In this way, for example, when a tip is moved from "inventory" to "safe (safe 13)", the management server 600 executes the transfer check process (FIG. 11) to determine It is determined whether or not the safe 13 is movable. Then, based on this judgment result, if the device can be moved, the latest storage location information is updated in both the chip and the management server 600 . As a result, information representing the source of movement from the current destination (for example, safe 13) to the next destination is stored. On the other hand, if a judgment result is obtained that the chip cannot be moved as a destination, error information is controlled to be displayed on the safe terminal 11 of the storage location (safe 13) to which the chip was transferred. It is possible to notify the person in charge of the safe section 10 of the impossibility and prevent the movement (carry-in).

As an example of determining whether this transfer is possible, as described above with reference to FIG. For example, in the safe terminal 11 of the safe section 10, the RFID reader/writer 12A (FIG. 1) provided in the safe 13 (safe section 10) can read the chip information from the chip carried in because the setting is disabled. to read. The safe terminal 11 transmits the chip information read by the RFID reader/writer 12A to the management server 600. FIG. The management server 600 receives the received chip information (the latest storage location (that is, information representing the storage location immediately before being moved to the safe 13, “source (current)” item)) and information representing the transmission source of the tip information. (Information indicating that it is the safe terminal 11) and the movement management table (FIG. 6). permits carry-in, and if the source of movement is other than that, it determines that carry-in is not permitted.

In this way, based on the movement management table prepared in advance and the information (chip information) representing the movement source stored in the RFID IC tag of each chip read by the RFID reader/writer 12A, Accurate judgment can be made for each of the chips to be carried in by judging whether to permit or not to permit the inspection.

Instead of the management server 600 judging whether or not to permit carrying-in, the safe terminal 11 may store a movement management table, and the safe terminal 11 may make a judgment based on the movement management table. In this case, the judgment result of the safe terminal 11 is transmitted from the safe terminal 11 to the management server 600, and the management server 600 manages the chip history.

In this way, when each chip is brought into a storage location, the information on the origin of movement stored in the RFID IC tag is rewritten with the latest information, and the information representing the latest origin of movement is further updated as follows. Read at destination. Then, at the transfer destination, the transfer processing is performed based on the judgment of the management server 600 as to whether or not the transfer is permitted based on the information representing the latest transfer source. Whether or not to move is determined based on the information representing the location (information representing the latest source of movement). That is, it is possible to easily perform movement management based on the actual movement state of each chip.

For the chip once carried into the safe 13, the information representing the transfer source stored in the RFID IC tag of the chip is rewritten to the information representing the "safe" to be carried at this time. As a result, by simply carrying in the chip, the information indicating the source of movement stored in the RFID IC tag of the chip to be carried in can be updated with the latest information (" information representing the "safe").

The storage location permitted as the destination of the chip carried out from the safe 13 is "cage safe" or "discard" as set in the movement management table (FIG. 6). Therefore, when the chip carried out of the safe 13 is carried into the cage 20 (cage safe 23), the RFID reader/writer 22A provided in the cage reads the RFID IC tag attached to the chip. Information indicating the origin of the movement is read from the device and transmitted to the management server 600, thereby permitting the device to be carried into the cage.

On the other hand, if the destination of the chips carried out from the safe 13 is, for example, a "table", the movement management table (FIG. 6) does not permit movement from the "safe" to the "table". does not allow entry into the "table". A "table" defined in the movement management table means the table game machines 100A (100B, 100C, . . . ). The table game device is provided with RFID reader/writers 102A and 112A (FIG. 1) for betting and loading, and reads chip information from the RFID IC tag of the chip to be bet or loaded and controls it. When the unit 113 transmits to the management server 600 , the management server 600 determines whether the bed or carry-in is permitted. In the movement management table (FIG. 6), movement from "safe" to "table" is not permitted, so management server 600 transmits to control unit 113 a judgment result that the movement is not permitted. As a result, the control unit 113 executes a process of disallowing loading of the bet or loaded chip. Specifically, the fact is displayed on the display means of the control unit 113 to call attention to the dealer or the attendant.

In this way, every time a chip is moved, it is determined whether or not the destination storage location (safe section 10, cage 20, table game device 100, player, disposal processing section 410, etc.) can be moved as a destination. Based on the result of the determination, the latest storage location information is rewritten in both the chip and the management server 600, or if the result of determination is that the destination cannot be moved, the error information is transferred to the chip. By displaying it at the designated storage location, it is possible to notify the person in charge of the impossibility of movement and prevent movement.

In this manner, each time a chip is moved, it is determined whether or not it can be moved to the destination, and only when the chip can be moved, the chip can be accepted at the destination.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the casino system 1 has "inventory", "safe", "cage safe", "table (table game device)", and "player safe" as chip storage locations. ' and 'Discard' are set, respectively, and RFID reader/writers are provided on the chip-in route and the chip-out route, respectively.

By providing an RFID reader/writer on the chip carry-out path, even in a storage place that does not have its own RFID reader/writer for the chip, such as a "player", the item of the transfer source (current) can be updated. be able to. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when chips are awarded to the player as a prize after the table game is over, the player possesses the chips by means of the RFID reader/writer 102B provided in the payout area 149B of the game table 120. Chip information is read from the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip. Through communication between the RFID reader/writer 102B and the RFID IC tag 15 of the chip, the current storage location (movement source (current)) is updated from "table" to "player".

In this manner, the management server 600 executes movement check processing each time a chip is moved, so that the database of the management server 600 stores chip information (history of chip movement) as shown in FIG. Accumulated. For example, in FIG. 14, as the chip information to which the chip identifier "000001" is assigned, the latest movement source (current) information in history is "safe (Z2)" (Z2 is the identifier of the safe as a storage location). , the chip is currently stored in the safe 13 of the safe unit 10. As the chip information to which the chip identifier "000002" is assigned, the latest movement source (current) information in history is "cage (Z3) ' (Z3 is the identifier of the cage as the storage location), it is known that the chip is currently stored in the cage 20, and the chip information assigned with the chip identifier '000003' is the most recent movement in history. Since the original (current) information is "table (Z4)" (Z4 is the identifier of the table game device as the storage location), it can be seen that the chip is currently stored in the table game device 100A, and the chip identifier " 000004" is assigned, the latest movement source (current) information in history is "Player (Z5)" (Z5 is the identifier of the player as a storage location), so the chip is currently stored by the player. I know that I have (possessed) In addition, to this information, the date and time (time stamp (IN)) when it was brought into each storage location and the date and time (time stamp (OUT)) when it was taken out from the storage location are added, and it is possible to determine whether the transfer is possible. used for

In this way, by referring to the chip information in the database of the management server 600, it is possible to ascertain the whereabouts of all chips currently distributed in the casino system 1. FIG. By knowing where all the chips are located, it is possible to know the current storage location and quantity of all the chips.

In addition, by updating the balance sheet when chips are brought into each storage area, the balance sheet is updated in real time according to the movement of all chips circulating in the casino hall as the chips move. will be In updating the balance sheet, the player purchases the chips with cash corresponding to the denomination of the chips and converts them into cash corresponding to the denomination of the chips. After purchasing the chips, at the timing of distributing the chips in the casino hall (in this embodiment, at the timing of bringing them into the safe 13), processing (validation processing) is executed for accounting management of the chips at their denomination. . As a result, the denomination of the chips used by the player can be matched with the amount of chips purchased by the player and the amount of chips redeemed by the player in terms of accounting management. can be prevented.

Incidentally, in operating table games in a casino, the chips used in the table games must be counted accurately. In order to maintain this accurate account, first an inventory of chips to be distributed to all game tables used for games in the casino is determined, and the denomination and number of chips as determined correctly. is distributed to each game table.

In addition, the chip inventory of the game table must be kept counted so that the appropriate denomination and number of chips determined above are maintained even while the table game is in operation. For example, the number and total amount of chips collected at the game table increases as players lose while the game is running. Alternatively, when the player wins the game, the number of chips and total amount on the game table, or the number of chips of each denomination may run short. Even in such a case, it is necessary to continue to maintain an appropriate number of chips (appropriate inventory) with an appropriate amount and an appropriate denomination.

For casino accounting purposes, the total amount of chips and the denomination and number of each chip must be treated like cash, which is the responsibility of the cashier or chip vault. Furthermore, in order to carry out the accounting of the casino hall, it is always necessary to accurately grasp the inventory of chips distributed to each game table as well as the cashier or the storage.

In the case of this embodiment, every time a chip is moved, the information (chip information) of the transfer source (current) is added as location status information (that is, history information regarding the location of the chip) in the casino in the management server 600. By doing so, it is possible to always grasp the location of the chip in the casino system (the current position of the chip), and it is possible to perform accounting management in real time.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the movement management table shown in FIG. 6 is used for the chip distribution route shown in FIG. Various patterns can be adopted for operating the system 1, and various movement management tables can be used accordingly. Also, various other storage locations can be applied to the storage locations of the chips. For example, it is not limited to the table game devices 100A, 100B, and 100C, and other game devices such as slot machines can also be applied. Moreover, the distribution route of the chips is not limited to the distribution route within the casino hall, and may be the distribution route for the entire casino including the casino hall.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the casino system using gaming chips as game media has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied when using a medium. Other media may also be provided with a communication means such as an RFID IC tag capable of non-contact communication.

1 Casino System 10 Safe Section 11 Safe Terminal 12A, 12B, 22A, 22B, 102A, 102B RFID Reader/Writer 20 Game Table 100A, 100B, 100C Table Game Device 101A, 101B Gate 310 Card Shoe 113 450A, 450B Control Section 500 Network 600 management server

Claims (14)

A game content management device for managing game content distributed on a distribution channel,
Based on a game medium identifier unique to the game medium, and location status information indicating the location of the game medium on the distribution channel, which is associated with the game medium identifier in an updatable manner. a control unit that manages
a device-side contactless communication unit that reads the game medium identifier stored in the game medium by performing contactless communication with a medium-side contactless communication unit provided in the game medium;
The control unit
determining whether the destination of the game media is appropriate based on the game media identifier received via the device-side contactless communication unit and the location status information associated with the game media identifier; and managing the movement of the game content based on the result of the determination
A game content management device characterized by: The control unit comprises a table indicating whether or not each storage location of the game media in the distribution channel can be moved to another storage location,
2. The game content management device according to claim 1 , wherein it is determined whether or not the destination is appropriate by referring to the table. 3. The game content management device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit updates the location status information when determining that the destination of the game content is appropriate. 4. The game content management device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit registers expiration date information of the game content as the location status information is updated. 2. The game content management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes an authentication unit that authenticates a holder of the game content in determining whether the destination is appropriate. 2. The game content management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit updates a balance sheet for accounting management as the game content is transferred. The control unit validates the face value of the game content in the game for the accounting management when the game content becomes usable in the game as the game content is moved. 7. The game content management device according to claim 6 . A game content management method executed by a game content management device for managing game content distributed on a distribution channel, comprising:
performing non-contact communication with the game media in the distribution channel of the game media;
a game content identifier unique to the game content received by the contactless communication; and a location indicating the location of the game content on a distribution channel of the game content, which is associated with the game content identifier in an updatable manner. managing the game media based on the status information ;
determining whether or not the destination of the game media is appropriate based on the received game media identifier and the location status information associated with the game media identifier; to manage the movement of said game media
A game media management method characterized by: Determining whether or not the transfer destination is appropriate by referring to a table indicating whether or not the game content can be transferred to another storage location for each storage location of the game media in the distribution channel.
9. The game content management method according to claim 8, wherein: updating the location status information when determining that the destination of the game content is appropriate;
10. The game content management method according to claim 9, wherein: registering the expiration date information of the game media in accordance with the update of the location status information;
11. The game content management method according to claim 10, wherein: Authenticating a holder of the game content in determining whether the destination is appropriate
9. The game content management method according to claim 8, wherein: Update the balance sheet for accounting management in accordance with the transfer of the game media
9. The game content management method according to claim 8, wherein: When the game content becomes usable in the game as the game content is moved, the face value of the game content in the game is validated for the accounting management.
14. The game content management method according to claim 13, wherein:

Images