NZ783498A - Management system - Google Patents

Abstract

management system capable of identifying the location of a problem gaming chip. The management system 100 comprising: a camera 21 configured to capture a plurality of gaming chips having a built-in RFID tag storing first information and having second information written on a surface thereof to generate an image; a reading device 31 configured to read the RFID tags of the plurality of gaming chips to obtain the first information of the plurality of gaming chips; an image analysis unit 123 configured to obtain a location of each of the plurality of gaming chips and the second information, based on the image; and a comparison and judgement unit 110 configured to identify a location of a problem gaming chip whose RFID tag is fraudulent, damaged, or possibility thereof, or whose notation is fraudulent or possibly fraudulent, by comparing the first information of the plurality of gaming chips obtained by the reading device 31 with the second information of each of the plurality of gaming chips obtained by the image analysis unit 123. erate an image; a reading device 31 configured to read the RFID tags of the plurality of gaming chips to obtain the first information of the plurality of gaming chips; an image analysis unit 123 configured to obtain a location of each of the plurality of gaming chips and the second information, based on the image; and a comparison and judgement unit 110 configured to identify a location of a problem gaming chip whose RFID tag is fraudulent, damaged, or possibility thereof, or whose notation is fraudulent or possibly fraudulent, by comparing the first information of the plurality of gaming chips obtained by the reading device 31 with the second information of each of the plurality of gaming chips obtained by the image analysis unit 123.

Description

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MANAGfiMfiNl SYSTuE Field

[0001] TheThe presentpresent disclosuredisclosure relatesrelates toto a63 managementmanagement. systemsystem. forfor managingmanaging RFID-equippedREID—equipped gaminggaming chipschips inin aa gaminggaming facilityfacility (e.g., a(e.g., a casino) that uses gaming chips. casino) that uses gaming chips.

Background Background

[0002] AmongAmong thethe manymany tabletable ames playedplayed inin casinoscasinos andand otherother amusement facilities are baccarat and ack. In s, gamingamusement facilities are at and blackjack. In casinos, gaming chips are used for these games. chips are used for these games.

[0003] In s, RFID tags are embedded in gaming chips to verifyIn casinos, RFID tags are embedded in gaming chips to verify thatthat thethe amountsamounts paidpaid andand collectedcollected inin gamesgames areare correct,correct, andand toto identify and manage the location and owner of the gaming chips. RFID-identify and manage the on and owner of the gaming chips. RFID— equippedequipped gaminggaming chipschips areare knownknown toto thethe public,public, forfor example,example, International Application Publication No. WO2/008/120749. International Application Publication No. W02/008/120749.

[0004] TheThe RFIDRFID tagtag ofof anan RFID-equippedREID—equipped. gaming chipchip stores,stores, forfor example, identification information that identifies the gaming chipexample, identification information that identifies the gaming chip and information that indicates the value, type, and casino in whichand information that indicates the value, type, and casino in which the gaming chip is used. By using the information stored in the RFIDthe gaming chip is used. By using the information stored in the RFID tag, it is possible to determine the authenticity of the gaming chip.tag, it is l to d t rmin th auth nticity of the gaming chip.

For example, if the information cannot be read when a gaming chip isFor example, if the information cannot be read when a gaming chip is read by an RFID reader, it can be assumed that the RFID tag is faultyread by an RFID reader, it can be assumed that the RFID tag is faulty or that it is a counterfeit gaming chip that does not have an RFIDor that it is a counterfeit gaming chip that does not have an RFID tag. tag.

[0005] TheThe ID readerreader cancan readread thethe RFIDRFID gs ofof multiplemultiple RFID-RFID— equipped gamingequipped gaming hips (e.g.,(e.g., multiplemultiple RFIDRFID gaminggaming chipschips storedstored inin the dealer chip tray of a game table) simultaneously. Therefore, e dealer chip tray of a game table) simultaneously. Therefore, RFID hashas thethe advantageadvantage thatthat multiplemultiple gaminggaming chipschips cancan bebe inspectedinspected simultaneously at once, without the need to inspect each gaming chipsimultaneously at once, without the need to inspect each gaming chip one by one. On the other hand, it is difficult for the RFID one by one. On the other hand, it is difficult for the RFID reader to read multiple nearby RFID-equipped gaming chips individually. to read multiple nearby REID—equipped gaming chips individually.

[0006] If the RFID tags of a large number of gaming chips are readIf the RFID tags of a large number of gaming chips are read at the same time, even though it is possible to find that there is aat the same time, even though it is le to find that there is a gaming chip with a problem in its RFID tag (i.e., the RFID tag isgaming chip with a problem in its RFID tag (i.e., the RFID tag is faulty, the RFID tag is missing, the ation stored in the RFIDfaulty, the RFID tag is missing, the information stored in the RFID tag is incorrect, etc.), it is difficult to determine which specifictag is incorrect, etc.), it is difficult to determine which specific gaming chip has such a problem. In order to identify a gaming chipgaming chip has such a problem. In order to identify a gaming chip with a m from a large number of gaming chips, for example, itwith a problem from a large number of gaming chips, for example, it is necessary to read the RFID tags of gaming chips one by one withis necessary to read the RFID tags of gaming chips one by one with an inspection device, which is a very time-consuming s. an tion device, which is a very time—consuming process.

[0007] In addition, there is a case in which, an RFID tag can be readIn addition, there is a case in which, an RFID tag can be read normally whennormally when the inspectionthe inspection system readssystem reads thethe gaminggaming chips onechips one byby one, but the RFID tag is not read properly when the reading is e, but the RFID tag is not read properly when the reading is done on the table or in a chip tray where the gaming chips are actuallyon the table or in a chip tray where the gaming chips are actually used. In this case, even if the tion system inspects the gaming used. In this case, even if the inspection system inspects the gaming chips one by one, it will not be able to identify the gaming chipschips one by one, it will not be able to identify the gaming chips with such a problem. Furthermore, if the RFID tag is faulty, or ifwith such a problem. Furthermore, if the RFID tag is faulty, or if there is no RFID tag, it may not even be possible to ascertain thethere is no RFID tag, it may not even be possible to ascertain the existence of such a gaming chip. existence of such a gaming chip.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a ment system that canThe present disclosure provides a ment system that can identify a gaming chip with problem in RFID tag. identify a gaming chip with problem in RFID tag.

[0009] AA managementmanagement systemsystem ofof anan embodimentembodiment comprises: acomprises: a imageimage capturing device configured to capture a plurality of gaming chipscapturing device configured to capture a plurality of gaming chips havinghaving' aa built-inbuilt—in RFIDRFID tagtag storingstoring firstfirst informationinformation andand having second information written on a surface thereof to generate an image;second information written on a surface f to generate an image; a reading device configured to read the RFID tags of the pluralitya reading device configured to read the RFID tags of the plurality of gaming chips to obtain the first information of the plurality ofof gaming chips to obtain the first information of the plurality of gaminggaming chips; a nchips; an imageimage analysisanalysis devicedevice configuredconfigured to obtainto obtain aa location oflocation of eacheach ofof the pluralitythe plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips andand the secondthe second information, based on the image; and a control device ured toinformation, based on the image; and a l device configured to identify a location ofidentify a location of' aa problemproblenl gaminggaming chip whosechip whose RFIDRFID tagtag isis fraudulent,fraudulent, damaged,damaged, oror possibilitypossibility thereof,thereof, oror whosewhose notationnotation isis fraudulent or possibly fraudulent, by comparing the first informationfraudulent or possibly fraudulent, by comparing the first information of the plurality of gaming chips obtained by the g device withof the plurality of gaming chips obtained by the reading device with thethe secondsecond ationinformation ofof eacheach ofof thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips obtained by the image analysis device. obtained by the image analysis device.

[0010] In the management system bed above, the control deviceIn the management system described above, the control device may be configured to identify the location of the gaming chips having may be configured to identify the location of the gaming chips having the second information not corresponding to the first information asthe second ation not corresponding to the first information as the problem gaming chips. the problem gaming chips.

[0011] In the management system d described above, the l deviceIn the management system d bed above, the control device maymay be configuredbe configured to identify the gamingto identify the gaming chipchip having the secondhaving the second information,information, forfor whichwhich correspondingcorresponding firstfirst informationinformation isis notnot obtained, as the problem gaming chip. obtained, as the problem gaming chip.

[0012] In the management system described above, the l deviceIn the management system described above, the control device may be configured to determine the gaming chip having a RFID tag inmay be configured to determine the gaming chip having a RFID tag in whichwhich thethe firstfirst informationinformation notnot correspondingcorresponding toto thethe second informationinformation isis storedstored asas aa problemproblem gaminggaming chipchip andand thethe locationlocation thereof. thereof.

[0013] In the management system described above, the control device In the management system described above, the control device may be ured to ine the gaming chip having a RFID tag inmay be configured to determine the gaming chip having a RFID tag in whichwhich thethe firstfirst informationinformation forfor whichwhich thethe correspondingcorresponding secondsecond information does not obtained. information does not obtained.

[0014] In the management system described above, the control device In the management system described above, the control device may be ured to use information other than the first informationmay be configured to use information other than the first information and the second information of the problem gaming chip to determine and the second information of the problem gaming chip to determine whether the m is in the RFID tag or the notation. whether the m is in the RFID tag or the notation.

[0015] In the management system described above, the gaming chip mayIn the management system bed above, the gaming chip may have anhave an appearanceappearance thatthat senables identificationidentification ofof a typea type ofof thethe gaming chip, the image analysis device may be ured to determinegaming chip, the image analysis device may be configured to determine the type of each of the plurality of gaming chips based on the image, the type of each of the plurality of gaming chips based on the image, the control device may be configured to determine which of the RFIDthe control device may be configured to determine which of the RFID tag and the notation is wrong based on the type determined by thetag and the notation is wrong based on the type determined by the image analysis device. image analysis device.

[0016] In the management system described above, the gaming chip mayIn the management system described above, the gaming chip may have anhave an appearanceappearance thatthat enablesenables identificationidentification ofof a typea type ofof thethe gaming chip, second information may be unique for each of the types, gaming chip, second ation may be unique for each of the types, thethe imageimage analysisanalysis devicedevice maymay be configuredbe configured to obtainto obtain the secondthe second informationinformation andand inedetermine the typethe type forfor eacheach ofof the pluralitythe plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips ased onon the image, andthe image, and thethe controlcontrol device maydevice may be be configuredconfigured toto comparecompare thethe firstfirst informationinformation withwith a combinationa combination ofof the second information and information of the type. the second information and information of the type.

[0017] In the ment system described above, the gaming chip mayIn the ment system described above, the gaming chip may have anhave an anceappearance thatthat enablesenables identificationidentification ofof the typethe type ofof thethe gaming chip, the second information may be unique forgaming chip, the second ation may be unique for each of theeach of the types, the image is device may be configured to, for each oftypes, the image analysis device may be configured to, for each of thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chips,chips, obtain thethe secondsecond informationinformation andand ine the type, based on the image, and the control device maydetermine the type, based on the image, and the control device may be configured to, in the case where the second information cannot bebe configured to, in the case where the second information cannot be read, or in the case where it is determined that there is a problemread, or in the case where it is determined that there is a problem gaming chip, identify the second information using the informationgaming chip, identify the second information using the information of the type determined by the image analysis device and compare theof the type determined by the image analysis device and compare the identified second information with the first information. identified second information with the first information.

[0018] In the management system bed above, the gaming chip mayIn the management system described above, the gaming chip may have an appearance on a side thereof that can identify the type ofhave an appearance on a side thereof that can identify the type of the gaming chip. the gaming chip.

[0019] The management system described above may further comprise aThe management system described above may further comprise a housing unit configured to odate the plurality of gaming housing unit configured to accommodate the plurality of gaming chips, wherein the imagingwherein the imaging capturingcapturing devicedevice maymay be configuredbe configured toto capture capture the plurality of gaming chips accommodated in the housing unit. the plurality of gaming chips accommodated in the housing unit.

[0020] In the management system bed above, the housing unit mayIn the management system described above, the housing unit may be configuredbe configured toto accommodateaccommodate the pluralitythe plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips inin anan aligned manner. aligned manner.

[0021] In the management system bed above, the housing unit mayIn the management system described above, the g unit may be a chip tray provided on a game table. be a chip tray provided on a game table.

[0022] In the management system described above, the image capturingIn the management system described above, the image ing device may be fixed to the game table. device may be fixed to the game table. [0023 InIn thethe managementmanagement systemsystem describeddescribed above,above, thethe secondsecond information may be written on the side of the gaming chip. infor ation may be written on the side of the gaming chip. [0024 InIn thethe managementmanagement systemsystem describeddescribed above, above, thethe secondsecond informationinfor ation maymay be ationbe information representedrepresented byby aa matrixmatrix pattern,pattern, aa dotdot pattern,pattern, aa barcode,barcode, aa sequencesequence ofof numbers,numbers, oror aa sequencesequence ofof letters, the image analysis device may be configured to obtain thelette_s, the image analysis device may be configured to obtain the second information by decoding the matrix n, the dot pattern,second information by decoding the matrix pattern, the dot pattern, oror thethe barcode,barcode, oror byby recognizing therecognizing the sequencesequence ofof numbers ornumbers or thethe sequence of letters. sequence of letters. [0025 InIn the the managementmanagement systemsystem describeddescribed above,above, the the firstfirst information may be a unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaminginfor ation may be a unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaming chip. chip. [0026 InIn thethe managementmanagement systemsystem beddescribed above, above, thethe secondsecond information may be the same unique ID as the first information. infor ation may be the same unique ID as the first information. [0027 InIn thethe managementmanagement systemsystem describeddescribed above, above, thethe firstfirst information and the second information may be different information infor ation and the second information may be ent information fromfrom eacheach other, theother, the managementmanagement systemsystem maymay furtherfurther se acomprise a database that records a combination of the first information and the database that s a combination of the first information and the second information for each gaming chip, and the control device maysecond information for each gaming chip, and the control device may be configured to perform the comparison by referring to the database. be configured to perform the comparison by referring to the database.

[0028] InIn thethe managementmanagement systemsystem describeddescribed above, above, thethe second informationinformation maymay be duplicatedbe ated inin somesome ofof thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chips, and the l device may be configured to, when a pluralitychips, and the control device may be configured to, when a plurality of identical second information is obtained, and the number of the of identical second information is obtained, and the number of the identicalidentical secondsecond informationinformation isis greatergreater thanthan thethe numbernumber ofof firstfirst informationinfor ation correspondingcorresponding toto thethe identical secondidentical second information,information, determine the plurality of the gaming chips on which the cal deter ine the plurality of the gaming chips on which the identical second information are represented as the problem gaming chips andsecond ation are represented as the problem gaming chips and determine each of the locations of the ity of problem gamingdeter ine each of the locations of the plurality of problem gaming chips. chips. [0029 InIn thethe managementmanagement systemsystem a describeda bed above, theabove, the secondsecond informationinfor ation maymay be duplicatedbe duplicated inin me ofof thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaming chips, and the control device may be configured to, when a pluralitychips, and the control device may be configured to, when a plurality of identical second information is obtained, and the number of the of identical second information is obtained, and the number of the identicalidentical secondsecond informationinformation isis greatergreater thanthan thethe numbernumber ofof firstfirst informationinformation correspondingcorresponding toto thethe identical secondidentical second information,information, determine the plurality of the gaming chips on which the cal determine the plurality of the gaming chips on which the identical second information are represented as the problem gaming chips andsecond information are represented as the problem gaming chips and ine an area of the plurality of problem gaming chips. ine an area of the ity of m gaming chips.

[0030] InIn thethe managementmanagement systemsystem describeddescribed above, above, thethe secondsecond informationinformation maymay be duplicatedbe duplicated inin somesome ofof thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chips, and the control device may be configured to, when there is achips, and the control device may be configured to, when there is a pluralityplurality ofof candidatescandidates forfor thethe firstfirst informationinformation forfor whichwhich thethe correspondingcorresponding secondsecond informationinformation isis notnot obtained,obtained, fy theidentify the plurality of candidates for the first information. plurality of candidates for the first information.

[0031] The management system described above may further comprise aThe management system described above may further comprise a displaydisplay devicedevice configuredconfigured toto indicate the locationindicate the location ofof the problemthe problem gaming chip. gaming chip.

[0032] In the management system bed above, the display deviceIn the ment system described above, the display device is configured to superimposes the on on the image. is configured to superimposes the location on the image.

[0033] The management system described above may further comprise aThe management system bed above may further se a housing unit capable of accommodating the plurality of gaming chipshousing unit capable of accommodating the plurality of gaming chips inin aa predetermined accommodating positions, determined accommodating positions, the imageimage capturingcapturing devicedevice maymay be configuredbe configured toto capture the pluralitycapture the plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips accommodated inaccommodated in the housingthe housing unit,unit, and the displayand the display devicedevice maymay be be configuredconfigured toto displaydisplay anan address ofaddress of the accommodatingthe accommodating positionposition ofof the problem gaming chip in the housing unit. the problem gaming chip in the housing unit.

[0034] The management system described above may further comprise: a The management system described above may further comprise: a housing unit capable of accommodating the plurality of gaming chipshousing unit e of accommodating the plurality of gaming chips in an aligned manner; and a light irradiation device ured toin an aligned manner; and a light irradiation device configured to irradiate light to a designated gaming chip among the ity ofirradiate light to a designated gaming chip among the plurality of gaminggaming chipschips accommodated inaccommodated in the housingthe housing unit,unit, wherein thewherein the imageimage capturing device may be configured to capture the plurality of gamingcapturing device may be configured to capture the ity of gaming chipschips accommodated mmodated in the housingthe g unit, the controlunit, the control device maydevice may be be configured to control the light irradiation device to irradiate lightconfigured to control the light irradiation device to irradiate light onon the problemthe problem gaminggaming chip forchip for whichwhich thethe locationlocation thatthat ve beenbeen determined. determined.

[0035] A management system of another embodiment comprises: an imageA management system of another embodiment comprises: an image capturing device configured to capture a plurality of gaming chipscapturing device configured to capture a plurality of gaming chips havinghaving' aa built-inbuilt—in RFIDRFID tagtag storingstoring firstfirst informationinformation andand havinghaving second information written on surface thereon to generate an image; second information written on surface n to te an image; a reading device configured to read the RFID tags of the pluralitya reading device configured to read the RFID tags of the ity of gaming chips to obtain the first information of the plurality ofof gaming chips to obtain the first information of the plurality of gaminggaming chips; anchips; an imageimage analysisanalysis devicedevice configuredconfigured to obtainto obtain aa on oflocation of eacheach ofof the pluralitythe plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips andand the secondthe second ation based on the image; and a control device configured to,information based on the image; and a l device configured to, when there is a specific first information in the first informationwhen there is a specific first information in the first information ofof the pluralitythe plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips ed byobtained by the gthe reading ,device, identify a location of the second ation corresponding to the identify a location of the second information corresponding to the specific first information. specific first information.

Brief Description of the Drawings Brief Description of the gs

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a game table to which the management system ofFig. 1 shows a game table to which the management system of the embodiment is applied; the embodiment is applied; Fig. 2 shows an example of an image obtained by processing anFig. 2 shows an example of an image obtained by processing an image captured by a camera of the embodiment; image captured by a camera of the embodiment; Fig. 3A shows an e of a gaming chip of the embodiment; Fig. 3A shows an example of a gaming chip of the embodiment; Fig. 3BFig. 3B showsshows anotheranother exampleexample ofof aa gaminggaming chip ofchip of thethe embodiment; ment; Fig. 4 shows an example of an image captured by a camera ofFig. 4 shows an example of an image captured by a camera of the embodiment; the ment; Fig. 5 shows an example of a configuration of the managementFig. 5 shows an example of a configuration of the management system of the embodiment; system of the embodiment; Fig. 6Fig. 6 showsshows thethe processprocess ofof comparisoncomparison andand judgment byjudgment by the:he comparison and judgment unit of the embodiment; comparison and judgment unit of the embodiment; Fig.Fig. 77 showsshows anan eexample ofof thethe monitormonitor screenscreen ofof the:he ment; embodiment; Fig.Fig. 88 showsshows ranother eexample ofof thethe monitormonitor screenscreen ofof the:he embodiment; embodiment; Fig. 9Fig. 9 showsshows thethe processprocess ofof comparisoncomparison andand judgment byjudgment by the:he comparison and judgment unit of the embodiment; comparison and judgment unit of the embodiment; Fig. 10 shows an example a configuration of a management Fig. 10 shows an e a configuration of a management sys:em of another ment; of another embodiment; Fig. 11Fig. ll showsshows anotheranother exampleexample ofof thethe monitormonitor screenscreen ofof the:he system; system; Fig. 12 shows another example of a management system of theFig. 12 shows another example of a management system of :he embodiment; and embodiment; and Fig. 13 shows an example a configuration of a management systemFig. 13 shows an example a configuration of a ment sys:em of another embodiment. of anotqer ment.

Description of Embodiments Descrip:ion of Embodiments

[0037] (First Embodiment) (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 shows a game table to which the management system ofFig. 1 shows a game table to which the management system of the first embodiment is applied. As shown in Fig. 1, the game he first embodiment is applied. As shown in Fig. l, the game table 50 has a table surface having a y rectangular shape. The dealer50 has a table surface having a roughly gular shape. The dealer DD isis locatedlocated onon oneone sideside ofof thethe gamegame tabletable 50,50, andand thethe playerplayer PP participating in the game is located on the other side. participating in the game is located on the other side.

[0038] In addition, betting areas are laid out on the table surfaceIn addition, g areas are laid out on the table surface according to the type of game. In the example of Fig. 1, the gameaccording to the type of game. In the example of Fig. l, the game table 50 has a lay out for baccarat. The table surface has bettingtable 50 has a lay out for baccarat. The table surface has betting areasareas 531-536,531—536, respectivelyrespectively includingincluding aa playerplayer area,area, bankerbanker area,area, andand tietie area,area, divideddivided intointo multiplemultiple playerplayer positions,positions, asas wellwell asas betting areas for side bets such as player pairs and banker pairs. Abetting areas for side bets such as player pairs and banker pairs. A player P can participate in the game by placing his/her gaming chipplayer P can participate in the game by placing his/her gaming chip to be bet in the betting area (player area, banker area, etc.) atto be bet in the betting area (player area, banker area, etc.) at the player position. the player on.

[0039] AA ip traytray 5151 isis providedprovided onon thethe dealer de ofof thethe gamegame tabletable 5050 toto accommodateaccommodate thethe gaminggaming hips ownedowned byby thethe dealer ordealer or casino. An electronic shoe 52 is placed on the table surface of thecasino. An electronic shoe 52 is placed on the table surface of the game table 50 for drawing game cards therefrom one by one. In addition,game table 50 for g game cards therefrom one by one. In addition the game table 50 is equipped with a camera 21, a camera 22, and athe game table 50 is equipped with a camera 21, a camera 22, and a monitor 4. monitor 4.

[0040] TheThe cameracamera 2121 isis designeddesigned withwith itsits opticaloptical axisaxis direction,direction, angle of view, etc., to capture the gaming chips housed in the chipangle of view, etc., to capture the gaming chips housed in the chip tray 51. In the example of Fig. 1, the camera 21 is fixed and set ontray 51. In the example of Fig. 1, the camera 21 is fixed and set on the game table 50 to photograph the chip tray 51 from above at anthe game table 50 to photograph the chip tray 51 from above at an angle. Fig. 2 shows an example of an image obtained by processingangle. Fig. 2 shows an example of an image obtained by processing the image captured by the camera 21, such as trapezoidal correction. the image captured by the camera 21, such as trapezoidal correction.

[0041] The chip tray 51 has a chip float consisting of a pluralityThe chip tray 51 has a chip float consisting of a plurality of columns. Each column can accommodate a ity of gaming chipsof columns. Each column can accommodate a plurality of gaming chips dstacked inin thethe directiondirection ofof heir thicknessthickness andand alignedaligned alongalong thethe column.column. TheThe columnscolumns areare formedformed horizontallyhorizontally andand havehave aa half-tubehalf—tube shapeshape withwith thethe toptop halfhalf released.released. TheThe ides ofof thethe gaminggaming chipschips housed in the column can be observed from the upper side of the chiphoused in the column can be observed from the upper side of the chip tray 51. tray 51.

[0042] Fig. 3A shows an example of a gaming chip of the embodiment,Fig. 3A shows an example of a gaming chip of the embodiment, and Fig. 3B shows another example of a gaming chip of the embodiment.and Fig. 3B shows another e of a gaming chip of the embodiment.

As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the gaming chips C and C' are marked onAs shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the gaming chips C and C' are marked on the side with a side ID as identification information. In the examplethe side with a side ID as identification information. In the example of Fig. 3A, the side ID is represented by the presence or absence ofof Fig. 3A, the side 1D is represented by the presence or absence of a plurality of dots (dot pattern). In this e, the side ID isa plurality of dots (dot pattern). In this example, the side 1D is expressedexpressed byby thethe presencepresence oror absenceabsence ofof dotsdots inin aa dotdot stringstring consistingconsisting ofof eighteight dots,dots, soso thethe informationinformation cancan bebe sedexpressed asas eightheighth powers ofof two.two. InIn thethe exampleexample inin Fig.Fig. 3B,3B, thethe sideside ID1D isis represented by a sequence of numbers. In this example, the side IDrepresented by a sequence of numbers. In this example, the side ID is ented by eight digits, so it can represent information inis represented by eight digits, so it can ent information in eight powers of ten. The side ID may be expressed as a matrix pattern,eight powers of ten. The side ID may be expressed as a matrix pattern, barcode, or ter string. The side ID is represented within 1/6barcode, or character string. The side ID is represented within 1/6 ofof thethe circumferentialcircumferential areaarea ofof thethe sideside ofof thethe gaminggaming chip.chip. AA plurality of side IDs (for example, four side IDs) are representedplurality of side IDs (for example, four side IDs) are represented onon thethe sideside ofof thethe gaminggaming chipchip atat predeterminedpredetermined intervalsintervals inin thethe circumferential direction. circumferential direction.

[0043] The side ID may be a unique ID that uniquely fies eachThe side ID may be a unique ID that uniquely fies each gaming chip, or it may be information that indicates the group (e.g.,gaming chip, or it may be information that indicates the group (e.g., value) to which each gaming chip belongs, i.e., information that mayvalue) to which each gaming chip belongs, i.e., information that may be ated with other gaming chips. In particular, if the side IDbe duplicated with other gaming chips. In particular, if the side ID is represented by a sequence of numbers, the side ID may be a uniqueis represented by a sequence of s, the side ID may be a unique ID; if the side ID is represented by a dot pattern (dot sequence),ID; if the side ID is represented by a dot pattern (dot sequence), the side ID may be information about the group to which the gamingthe side ID may be information about the group to which the gaming chip s. chip belongs.

[0044] The sides of the gaming chips C and C' are divided into threeThe sides of the gaming chips C and C' are divided into three layers in the thickness direction. In this ment, the first andlayers in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the first and thirdthird layerslayers areare differentdifferent colorscolors dependingdepending onon thethe valuevalue of theof the gaming chip, and the second layer in the center (the center line) ng chip, and the second layer in th c nt r (th c nt r lin ) is a color common to all gaming chips of any value (e.g. For example,a color common to all gaming chips of any value (e.g. For example, black). The side ID can be indicated by printing or laser engraving. . The side ID can be indicated by printing or laser engraving.

[0045] AnAn RFIDRFID tagtag isis embeddedembedded inin thethe gaminggaming hip. TheThe RFIDRFID tagtag containscontains atat least aleast a uniqueunique IDID thatthat uniquelyuniquely identifiesidentifies thethe gaming chip and ation on the group (e.g., value) to which the gamingchip and information on the group (e.g., value) to which the gaming chip belongs. In this embodiment, the unique ID stored in the RFIDchip belongs. In this embodiment, the unique ID stored in the RFID tagtag andand thethe uniqueunique IDID expressedexpressed asas a sidea side IDID areare used.used. InIn thisthis embodiment, the unique ID stored in the RFID tag and the unique IDembodiment, the unique ID stored in the RFID tag and the unique ID described as the side ID are the same ID, but they may be differentdescribed as the side ID are the same ID, but they may be different IDs and the two IDs given to the same gaming chip may be associatedIDs and the two IDs given to the same gaming chip may be associated in the database. in the database.

[0046] The gaming chip has a built-in capsule, and the RFID tag isThe gaming chip has a built—in capsule, and the RFID tag is 10 housedhoused inin thethe capsule.capsule. OnOn thethe eoutside ofof thethe capsule,capsule, therethere isis aa decal with information about the value of the gaming chip and thedecal with information about the value of the gaming chip and the casino where the gaming chip is used. The capsule has a unique IDcasino where the gaming chip is used. The capsule has a unique ID printed on it that uniquely identifies the gaming chip. The uniqueprinted on it that uniquely identifies the gaming chip. The unique ID printed on the capsule may be the same as the unique ID stored inID printed on the e may be the same as the unique ID stored in the RFID tag, or it may be different. If the unique ID printed onthe RFID tag, or it may be different. If the unique ID d on the capsule is different from the unique ID stored in the RFID tag,the e is different from the unique ID stored in the RFID tag, thethe uniqueunique IDsIDs maymay bebe associatedassociated andand storedstored inin thethe database.database. TheThe unique ID may be d on the surface of the chip under the de-cal.unique ID may be printed on the surface of the chip under the de—cal.

TheThe uniqueunique IDID maymay bebe printedprinted. onon thethe surfacesurface ofof thethe chipchip byby anan invisible ink such as UV ink or infrared absorbing ink. invisible ink such as UV ink or infrared absorbing ink.

[0047] Returning to Fig. 1, the camera 22 is fixed and installed onReturning to Fig. 1, the camera 22 is fixed and installed on the game table 50 so as to capture the gaming chips bet on bettingthe game table 50 so as to capture the gaming chips bet on betting areasareas 531 to531 to 536. In536. Inthisthisembodiment,embodiment, cameracamera2222 captures allcaptures all betting areas 531 to 536, but these le g areas 531 tobetting areas 531 to 536, but these multiple betting areas 531 to 536 may be divided and captured by multiple cameras. 536 may be divided and captured by multiple cameras.

[0048] Fig. 4 shows an example of an image captured by camera 22. InFig. 4 shows an example of an image captured by camera 22. In thethe exampleexample ofof Fig.Fig. 4,4, multiplemultiple stacksstacks ofof gaminggaming hips placedplaced inin multiple betting areas are captured. The sides of the chips can bemultiple betting areas are captured. The sides of the chips can be observed in the image of the camera 22. observed in the image of the camera 22.

[0049] ReturningReturning toto Fig. 1,Fig. 1, aa. monitormonitor 4040 isis providedprovided toTX) displaydisplay information to the dealer. The monitor 40 may be a display panel, orinformation to the dealer. The r 40 may be a display panel, or it may be a touch-operable display panel (or touch panel). it may be a touch—operable display panel (or touch panel).

[0050] The electronic shoe 52 has a configuration in which cards areThe electronic shoe 52 has a configuration in which cards are drawn one by one by ion of the dealer, and information is readdrawn one by one by operation of the dealer, and information is read from the cards being drawn to obtain information on the rank of thefrom the cards being drawn to obtain information on the rank of the card being drawn. The onic shoe 52 determines the game resultcard being drawn. The electronic sho 52 d t rmin s th gam r sult r win, banker win, tie, etc.) based on the read rank and the(player win, banker win, tie, etc.) based on the read rank and the rules of the baccarat game. rules of the baccarat game.

[0051] The player P ipates in a game by placing gaming chips The player P participates in a game by placing gaming chips on the betting target in the betting area, and if he/she wins theon the betting target in the betting area, and if he/she wins the 11 11 game, he/she will receive a payout of gaming chips from the chip traygame, he/she will receive a payout of gaming chips from the chip tray 51 by the dealer. If the player loses the game, the betting 1 by the dealer. If the player los s th gam , th b tting chips are collected by the dealer and placed in the chip tray 51. In thisare collected by the dealer and placed in the chip tray 51. In this way, depending on the game results and bets, the gaming chips heldway, depending on the game results and bets, the gaming chips held by the player are stored in the chip tray 51, or the gaming chipsby the player are stored in the chip tray 51, or the gaming chips stored in the chip tray 51 are paid to the player. stored in the chip tray 51 are paid to the player.

[0052] Therefore, it is desirable to be able to detect a gaming chipTherefore, it is desirabl to b abl to d t ct a gaming chip with a fraudulent, damage, or possibly f in RFID, or fraudulentwith a fraudulent, damage, or possibly thereof in RFID, or fraudulent or possibility thereof in notation (hereinafter simply referred toor possibility thereof in notation (hereinafter simply referred to as a "problem gaming chip") for the gaming chips stored in the chipas a "problem gaming chip") for the gaming chips stored in the chip tray. It is also desirable to be able to detect problem gaming chipstray. It is also desirabl to b abl to d t ct problem gaming chips in the betting areas 531 to 536. Therefore, in this embodiment, ain the betting areas 531 to 536. Therefore, in this embodiment, a management system that can present the dealer with information thatmanagement system that can present the dealer with ation that can identify the location of the problem gaming chips. can identify the location of the problem gaming chips.

[0053] Fig. 5 shows a configuration of the management system of theFig. 5 shows a configuration of the management system of the embodiment. An antenna 32 is installed on the chip tray 51 of theembodiment. An antenna 32 is installed on the chip tray 51 of the game table 50, and corresponding to each player position 531 to 536,game table 50, and corresponding to each player position 531 to 536, antennas 331 to 336 are led for each player position 531 toantennas 331 to 336 are installed for each player on 531 to 536. An RFID reading device 31 is installed to control these antennas536. An RFID reading device 31 is installed to control these antennas 32,32, 331331 toto 336.336. Furthermore,Furthermore, aa controlcontrol devicedevice 1010 isis providedprovided toto control the entire ment system 100. control the entire ment system 100.

[0054] The control device 10 is ed with an image analysis unitThe l device 10 is equipped with an image is unit 123,123, aa comparison andcomparison and judgmentjudgment unit 110,unit 110, andand aa comparisoncomparison resultresult outputoutput unitunit 140. The140. Theimageimageanalysisanalysis unitunit 123,123, thethe comparisoncomparison andand judgment unit 110, and the comparison result output unit 140 may bejudgment unit 110, and the comparison result output unit 140 may be ed by a general-purpose information processing device executingrealized by a general—purpose information processing device executing a ic computer program. This computer program may be provideda specific computer program. This er program may be provided to the information processing device via a non-transitory computerto the information processing device via a non—transitory er readablereadable estorage mediummedium. oror viavia aa networknetwork andand installedinstalled inin thethe information processing device. information sing device.

[0055] TheThe imageimage analysisanalysis unitunit 123123 receivesreceives thethe capturedcaptured imagesimages generatedgenerated byby thethe cameracamera 2121 andand thethe camera 22,22, andand performsperforms imageimage 12 12 analysisanalysis onon them.them. ByBy performingperforming imageimage analysisanalysis onon these,these, itit recognizes at least the position, type, and side ID information ofrecognizes at least the position, type, and side 1D information of each of the plurality of gaming chips. The image analysis unit 123each of the plurality of gaming chips. The image analysis unit 123 performsperforms imageimage recognitionrecognition byby atat leastleast. partiallypartially usingusing' aa neuralneural network image recognition . k image recognition engine.

[0056] ForFor example,example, inin thethe imageimage captured bycaptured by thethe cameracamera 22,22, sincesince there is a stack of gaming chips at any given location, the imagethere is a stack of gaming chips at any given location, the image analysis unit 123 first extract a stack of gaming chips (or a singleanalysis unit 123 first extract a stack of gaming chips (or a single gaminggaming chip)chip) fromfrom thethe capturedcaptured imageimage usingusing aa neuralneural network.network. TheThe imageimage analysisanalysis it 123123 tsextracts thethe centerlinecenterline ofof eacheach ofof thethe ityplurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips fromfrom thethe portionportion ofof thethe extractedextracted stackstack using another neural network. using another neural network.

[0057] The image analysis unit 123 further ines the value ofThe image analysis unit 123 further determines the value of each gaming chip based on the colors above and below the extractedeach gaming chip based on the colors above and below the extracted centerline.c nt rlin . TheTh imageimag analysisanalysis unit 123unit 123 furtherfurther reads thereads the sideside IDID from the center line portion, and in the case of Fig. 3A, the om the center line n, and in the case of Fig. 3A, the side ID information is obtained by decoding the dot pattern, and in the1D information is obtained by decoding the dot pattern, and in the case of Fig. 3B, the side ID information is obtained by recognizing case of Fig. 3B, the side 1D information is ed by recognizing the numbers. the numbers.

[0058] For images captured by the camera 22, the image analysis unitFor images captured by the camera 22, the image analysis unit 123 superimposes the ized value and side ID information on the123 mposes the recognized value and side 1D information on the captured image as shown in Fig. 4, and output to the comparison tured image as shown in Fig. 4, and output to the comparison and nt unit 110. In other words, the information on the onjudgment unit 110. In other words, the information on the location of the recognized value and side ID is expressed by indicating theof the recognized value and side 1D is expressed by indicating the recognized value and side ID in the captured image. ized value and side 1D in the captured image.

[0059] On the other hand, in the image captured by the camera 21, theOn the other hand, in the image captured by the camera 21, the relationship between the position and posture of the camera 21 andrelationship between the position and posture of the camera 21 and the chip tray 51 is fixed, and as long as the gaming chips are housedthe chip tray 51 is fixed, and as long as the gaming chips are housed in the columns of the chip tray 51 in an aligned manner, the positionsin the columns of the chip tray 51 in an aligned manner, the positions (slots) where the gaming chips can appear in the captured image will(slots) where the gaming chips can appear in the captured image will bebe fixed.fixed. Therefore,Therefore, thethe imageimage analysisanalysis unitunit. 123123 determinesdetermines thethe presence or absence of gaming chips for each slot in the capturedpresence or absence of gaming chips for each slot in the captured 13 13 image,image, andand forfor slots whereslots where gaminggaming chipschips areare present,present, extractsextracts thethe center line in the same manner as above, determines the value, andcenter line in the same manner as above, determines the value, and determines the side ID is obtained. determines the side ID is obtained.

[0060] The same image recognition engine may be used for the imageThe same image recognition engine may be used for the image recognitionrecognition ofof thethe imageimage capturedcaptured byby thethe camera 21camera 21 andand thethe imageimage capturedcaptured byby thethe camera 22,camera 22, eithereither partiallypartially oror ly.entirely. InIn particular, the image recognition engine for extracting the centerparticular, the image recognition engine for extracting the center line,line, determiningdetermining thethe value,value, andand obtainingobtaining thethe sideside IDID describeddescribed above may be the same image recognition engine that is used for theabove may be the same image recognition engine that is used for the images captured by camera 21 and camera 22. images captured by camera 21 and camera 22.

[0061] Each slot in the image captured by the camera 21 is given anEach slot in the image captured by the camera 21 is given an address consisting of a column number and a step number. Therefore,address consisting of a column number and a step number. Therefore, the image is unit 123 outputs a recognition list showing thethe image is unit 123 outputs a recognition list showing the ized value and side ID for each slot by column number and steprecognized value and side ID for each slot by column number and step number to the comparison and judgment unit 110. The column numbers number to the comparison and judgment unit 110. The column numbers are assigned as 1, 2, ... in order starting from the left column,are ed as 1, 2, ... in order starting from the left column, and the step numbers are assigned as 1, 2, ... in order starting fromand the step numbers are assigned as 1, 2, ... in order starting from the bottom. the bottom.

[0062] The RFID reading device 31 ls the antennas 32, 331-336,The RFID reading device 31 controls the antennas 32, 331—336, respectively, at predetermined times or periodically at erminedrespectively, at predetermined times or periodically at predetermined timetime intervalsintervals toto readread thethe RFIDRFID tag. Astag. As describeddescribed above,above, inin thethe reading of RFID tags by the RFID reading device 31, a plurality ofreading of RFID tags by the RFID reading device 31, a plurality of gaming chips can be read at once for each a. The RFID ggaming chips can be read at once for each antenna. The RFID reading device 31 outputs the value and unique ID read from the RFID tag todevice 31 s the value and unique ID read from the RFID tag to the comparison and judgment unit 110 for each antenna. the comparison and nt unit 110 for each antenna.

[0063] It should be noted that the capturing by cameras 21 and 22 andIt should be noted that the capturing by cameras 21 and 22 and the reading of RFID tags by RFID reading device 31 are synchronizedthe reading of RFID tags by RFID reading device 31 are synchronized by the control device 10. However, these do not have to be at exactlyby the control device 10. However, these do not have to be at y the same time. It is sufficient that the same plurality of gamingthe same time. It is sufficient that the same plurality of gaming chips are captured and read at the same time to the extent that hips are captured and read at the same time to the extent that there is no movement of the gaming chips. is no movement of the gaming chips.

[0064] 14 14 The comparison and nt unit 110 obtains information onThe comparison and judgment unit 110 s information on the position, value, and side ID of each of the plurality of gamingthe position, value, and side ID of each of the plurality of gaming chips from the image analysis unit 123, as well as the value and sidechips from the image analysis unit I23, as well as the value and side IDID readread byby eacheach antennaantenna fromfrom thethe RFIDRFID readingreading device 31.31. TheThe comparison and judgment unit 110 obtains from the image analysis unitcomparison and judgment unit 110 obtains from the image analysis unit 123 the information on the position, value, and side ID of the gamingI23 the information on the position, value, and side ID of the gaming chipschips inin eacheach bettingbetting areaarea associatedassociated withwith thethe imagesimages captured bycaptured by the camera 22, as well as the information on the on, value,the camera 22, as well as the information on the on, value, and side ID of the gaming chips in the chip tray 51 obtained fromand side ID of the gaming chips in the chip tray 51 obtained from the images captured by the camera 21. the images captured by the camera 21.

[0065] TheThe isoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unit 110unit 110 obtainsobtains fromfrom thethe RFIDRFID reading device 31 the value and unique ID information of the pluralityreading device 31 the value and unique ID information of the plurality of gaming chips read in each of the chip tray 31 and betting areasof gaming chips read in each of the chip tray 31 and betting areas 331 to 336, respectively. 331 to 336, tively.

[0066] The comparison and judgment unit 110 compares the pluralityThe comparison and judgment unit 110 es the plurality of uniqueof unique IDsIDs obtainedobtained byby thethe RFIDRFID readingreading devicedevice 31 (hereinafter31 (hereinafter referredreferred toto asas thethe "first"first uniqueunique ID group") andID group") and thethe pluralityplurality ofof unique IDs obtained by the camera 21 and the image analysis unit 123unique IDs obtained by the camera 21 and the image analysis unit I23 (hereinafter referred to as the d unique ID group ") for the(hereinafter referred to as the "second unique ID group ") for the plurality of gaming chips in the chip tray 31. The comparisonplurality of gaming chips in the chip tray 31. The comparison andand judgment unit 110 identifies a unique ID among the unique IDs of thejudgment unit 110 identifies a unique ID among the unique IDs of the second unique ID group that do not have a corresponding unique ID insecond unique ID group that do not have a corresponding unique ID in the first unique ID group. In other words, the comparison and judgmentthe first unique ID In other words, the comparison and judgment unit 110 extracts a unique ID from the plurality of uniqueunit 110 extracts a unique ID from the plurality of unique IDs inIDs in thethe second uniqueunique IDID groupgroup thatthat dodo notnot pondcorrespond toto anyany ofof thethe unique IDs in the first unique ID group. unique IDs in the first unique ID group.

[0067] If the RFIDs of all the gaming chips are normal, there willIf the RFIDs of all the gaming chips are normal, there will be no such unique IDs, but if the RFID is fraudulent (a gaming chipbe no such unique IDs, but if the RFID is fraudulent (a gaming chip thatthat dodo notnot havehave thethe correctcorrect uniqueunique IDID recorded,recorded, oror thethe RFIDRFID tagtag itself doesdoes notnot exist,exist, etc.,etc., hereinafterhereinafter referredreferred toto asas "problem"problem gaminggaming chip"),chip"), thethe uniqueunique IDID ofof thethe problemproblem gaminggaming chip ip will bebe fied in the second unique ID group. Since each unique ID inidentified in the second unique ID group. Since each unique ID in the second unique ID group has information on its location (columnthe second unique ID group has information on its location (column 15 numbernumber andand stepstep ),number), thethe comparisoncomparison andand ntjudgment sectionsection 110110 identifies the location of the problem gaming chip. identifies the location of the problem gaming chip.

[0068] Fig. 6Fig. 6 hows thethe processprocess ofof comparisoncomparison andand judgment ment by thethe comparison and judgment unit 110. Fig. 6 shows an example in which comparison and judgment unit 110. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the unique ID stored in the RFID tag and the unique ID of the sidethe unique ID stored in the RFID tag and the unique ID of the side ID are the same for the same gaming chip. In this example, the uniqueID are the same for the same gaming chip. In this e, the unique ID "890123" in the second unique ID group ed from the side IDID "890123" in the second unique ID group obtained from the side ID does not have a corresponding unique ID in the first unique ID group.does not have a corresponding unique ID in the first unique ID group. ore, it can be determined that this gaming chip is a problemTherefore, it can be determined that this gaming chip is a problem gaming chip that has a problem with RFID. gaming chip that has a problem with RFID.

[0069] Since the unique ID is associated with the position ationSince the unique ID is associated with the position information (column number and column number), the comparison and judgment unit(column number and column number), the comparison and judgment unit 110110 cancan identifyidentify thethe positionposition ofof thethe mproblem gaminggaming chip. Thechip. The comparisoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unitunit 110110 outputsoutputs thethe informationinformation onon thethe location of the problem gaming chip to the comparison result outputlocation of the problem gaming chip to the comparison result output unitunit 140. TheI40. The comparisoncomparison resultresult output unitoutput unit 140I40 usesuses the positionthe position informationinformation obtainedobtained fromfrom thethe comparisoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unitunit 110110 toto generate a monitor screen showing the position. generate a monitor screen showing the position.

[0070] Fig. 7 shows an example of a monitor screen generated in theFig. 7 shows an example of a monitor screen generated in the comparison result output unit 140. The comparison result output unitcomparison result output unit I40. The comparison result output unit 140 generates a monitor screen 410 showing the position of the problemI40 generates a monitor screen 410 showing the position of the problem gaming chip. The r screen 410 is a screen on which a mark 411gaming chip. The r screen 410 is a screen on which a mark 411 indicating that the chip is a problem gaming chip is superimposed cating that the chip is a problem gaming chip is superimposed on the image obtained by image sing such as trapezoidal tionthe image obtained by image processing such as trapezoidal correction of the image captured by the camera 21. of the image captured by the camera 21.

[0071] In the example shown in Fig. 7, the monitor screen is generatedIn the example shown in Fig. 7, the monitor screen is generated byby superimposingsuperimposing thethe markmark onon thethe edcaptured imageimage generatedgenerated byby thethe camera 21. However, instead of this, the monitor screen showing thecamera 21. However, instead of this, the monitor screen showing the position of the problem gaming chip may be generated by placing aposition of the problem gaming chip may be generated by placing a mark on the position of the problem gaming chip in the pre-preparedmark on the position of the problem gaming chip in the pre—prepared image of the chip tray (real photo or computer graphics image). Inimage of the chip tray (real photo or er graphics image). In the case of using computer graphics, to indicate the position of thethe case of using computer graphics, to te the position of the 16 16 problemproblem gaminggaming chip,chip, thethe ercomputer graphicsgraphics maymay drawdraw allall thethe recognized gaming chips in the positions corresponding to the actualrecognized gaming chips in the positions corresponding to the actual chips, and then draw marks on the problem gaming chips among them. chips, and then draw marks on the problem gaming chips among them.

[0072] The ison judgment unit 110 compares a plurality of uniqueThe comparison judgment unit IIO es a plurality of unique IDsIDs obtainedobtained byby thethe RFIDRFID readingreading devicedevice 31 (the3I (the irst uniqueunique IDID group) and the plurality of unique IDs obtained by the camera 22 andgroup) and the plurality of unique IDs obtained by the camera 22 and thethe imageimage analysisanalysis unitunit 123I23 (the(the secondsecond unique IDID group) forgroup) for thethe plurality of gaming chips in the plurality of betting areas, for eachplurality of gaming chips in the plurality of betting areas, for each betting area. The comparison judgment unit 110 identifies, for eachbetting area. The comparison judgment unit IIO identifies, for each g area, among the unique IDs of the second unique ID group, abetting area, among the unique IDs of the second unique ID group, a unique ID that does not have a corresponding unique ID in the nique ID that does not have a corresponding unique ID in the first unique ID group, i.e., a unique ID that does not correspond to anyunique ID group, i.e., a unique ID that does not correspond to any of the unique IDs of the first unique ID group. of the unique IDs of the first unique ID group.

[0073] If the RFIDs of all the gaming chips are normal, there willIf the RFIDs of all the gaming chips are normal, there will be no such unique IDs. If there is a problem gaming chip, the uniquebe no such unique IDs. If there is a problem gaming chip, the unique ID of the problem gaming chip is identified from the second uniqueID of the problem gaming chip is identified from the second unique IDID group. up. The comparisoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unit 110unit IIO outputsoutputs thethe information of the identified problem gaming chip to the comparisoninformation of the identified problem gaming chip to the comparison result output unit 140. result output unit I40.

[0074] Fig. 8 shows an example of a monitor screen generated by theFig. 8 shows an e of a monitor screen generated by the comparison result output unit 140. Since each unique ID of the secondcomparison result output unit I40. Since each unique ID of the second unique ID group is superimposed on the captured image, the comparisonunique ID group is superimposed on the captured image, the comparison result output unit 140 generates a monitor screen 420 with the uniqueresult output unit I40 tes a monitor screen 420 with the unique IDs superimposed on the captured image marked. In the example of s superimposed on the captured image marked. In the example of Fig. 8, the unique ID 4" is a unique ID that does not exist in the8, the unique ID "833234" is a unique ID that does not exist in the first unique ID group, so the frame 421 indicating this unique ID isfirst unique ID group, so the frame 42I indicating this unique ID is bolded in the monitor screen 420. bolded in the monitor screen 420.

[0075] The monitor 40 displays the monitor screen 410 and the monitorThe monitor 40 displays the monitor screen 4I0 and the monitor screen 420 generated by the comparison result output section 140. By screen 420 generated by the comparison result output section I40. By checking this monitor screen 410 and 420, the dealer D can determinechecking this r screen 4I0 and 420, the dealer D can determine whichwhich ofof thethe actualactual gaminggaming chipschips inin thethe chipchip traytray 51SI andand gbetting areas 531 to 536 are the problem gaming chips. areas 53I to 536 are the problem gaming chips. 17 17

[0076] In theIn the casecase thatthat the firstthe first unique IDunique ID groupgroup obtained byobtained by thethe RFID g device 31 and the second unique ID group obtained byRFID reading device 31 and the second unique ID group obtained by the camera 22 and the image analysis unit 123 do not correspond tothe camera 22 and the image analysis unit 123 do not correspond to each other, but the number of unique IDs in the first unique ID ach other, but the number of unique IDs in the first unique ID group and the number of unique IDs in the second unique ID group are theand the number of unique IDs in the second unique ID group are the same, the problem gaming chip that is causing such inconsistency issame, the problem gaming chip that is causing such inconsistency is identified by the monitor screen. This identified problem gaming chipidentified by the monitor screen. This identified m gaming chip has a unique ID stored in its RFID tag and a side ID written on itshas a unique ID stored in its RFID tag and a side ID written on its side, but which of these is correct can be determined by identifyingside, but which of these is correct can be determined by identifying the unique ID d on the capsule built into this problem gamingthe unique ID printed on the capsule built into this m gaming chip.chip. ByBy obtainingobtaining thethe uniqueunique IDID printedprinted onon thethe capsule,capsule, thethe ison result output unit 140 determines which of the unique IDcomparison result output unit 140 determines which of the unique ID stored in the RFID tag and the side ID written on the side is correctstored in the RFID tag and the side ID written on the side is correct and which is incorrect. and whicq is incorrect.

[0077] (Second Embodiment) (Second Embodiment) In the above ment, unique IDs are recorded by way of theIn the above embodiment, unique IDs are recorded by way of the RFID tag and the side ID, respectively, and by comparing the firstRFID tag and the side ID, respectively, and by comparing the first unique ID group obtained from the RFID tags and the second unique ue ID group ed from the RFID tags and the second unique ID group obtained from the side IDs, the comparison and judgment unitgroup obtained from the side IDs, the comparison and judgment unit 140 can determine the unique IDs that do not correspond to each other,140 can determine the unique IDs that do not correspond to each other, especially a unique ID in the second unique ID group which does notespecially a unique ID in the second unique ID group which does not have a corresponding unique ID in the first unique ID group. In thishave a corresponding unique ID in the first unique ID group. In this embodiment, a problem gaming chip is identified when information onembodiment, a problem gaming chip is identified when information on the group (type) to which the gaming chip belongs is recorded as thethe group (type) to which the gaming chip belongs is recorded as the side ID. side ID.

[0078] In other words, in this embodiment, the side ID of a certainIn other words, in this embodiment, the side ID of a certain gaming chip overlaps with some other gaming chips in a plurality ofgaming chip ps with some other gaming chips in a plurality of gaming chips. Such a side ID is typically information on the valuegaming chips. Such a side ID is typically information on the value of the gaming chip. For example, the value of a gaming chip may beof the gaming chip. For example, the value of a gaming chip may be $10, $50, $100, $1000, etc. For example, the value of a gaming chip$10, $50, $100, $1000, etc. For example, the value of a gaming chip cancan bebe $10,$10, 0, $100,$100, $1,000,$1,000, etc.etc. TheThe mage analysisanalysis unitunit 123123 identifiesidentifies thethe group (value)group (value) ofof eacheach gaminggaming chipchip byby analyzinganalyzing thethe side IDs based on the ed images. side IDs based on the captured images. 18 18

[0079] Fig. 9 shows a process of the comparison and judgment unit 110Fig. 9 shows a process of the comparison and judgment unit 110 in this ment. In the example of Fig. 9, information indicatingin this embodiment. 1n the example of Fig. 9, information indicating three $10 chips, two $50 chips, two $100 chips, and two $1,000 chipsthree $10 chips, two $50 chips, two $100 chips, and two $1,000 chips areare edobtained fromfrom thethe RFIDRFID readingreading devicedevice 31. On31. Onthetheotherotherhand,hand, threethree $10$10 chips,chips, threethree $50$50 chips,chips, twotwo $100$100 chips,chips, andand twotwo $1,000$1,000 chipschips togethertogether withwith thethe locationlocation informationinformation thereofthereof areare obtainedobtained from the image analysis unit 123. from the image analysis unit 123.

[0080] In this way, the information of the same group is ed inIn this way, the information of the same group is obtained in the comparison and judgment unit 110, but in the example of Fig. 9,the comparison and judgment unit 110, but in the example of Fig. 9, thethe numbernumber ofof sideside IDsIDs (3)(3) inin thethe $50$50 groupgroup isis greatergreater an thethe number of RFIDs (2) in the $50 group. In such a case, the comparisonnumber of RFIDs (2) in the $50 group. In such a case, the comparison and judgment unit 110 identifies all the gaming chips whose side IDand judgment unit 110 identifies all the gaming chips whose side 1D is $50 as problem gaming chips, and identifies the location of eachis $50 as m gaming chips, and identifies the location of each such problem gaming chip. such problem gaming chip.

[0081] In fact, not all of the three $50 chips identified by the sideIn fact, not all of the three $50 chips fied by the side IDs are problem gaming chips, but one of them is a problem gamingIDs are problem gaming chips, but one of them is a m gaming chip. ore, in this embodiment, all of the these gaming chipschip. Therefore, in this embodiment, all of the these gaming chips with a possibility of problem are treated as problem gaming chips,with a ility of problem are treated as problem gaming chips, and their ons are identified. and their locations are identified.

[0082] The comparison and judgment unit 110 outputs the informationThe comparison and judgment unit 110 outputs the information of the group of problem gaming chips (the information of $50 in theof the group of problem gaming chips (the information of $50 in the exampleexample ofof Fig.Fig. 9)9) toto thethe comparisoncomparison resultresult outputoutput unitunit 140.140. TheThe comparison result output unit 140 generates a monitor screen showingcomparison result output unit 140 generates a monitor screen showing the positions of the problem gaming chips based on this information.the positions of the problem gaming chips based on this information.

In this monitor , all gaming chips belonging to the group mayIn this monitor screen, all gaming chips belonging to the group may be dually marked as in the first embodiment, or, if the gamingbe individually marked as in the first embodiment, or, if the gaming chips of the group are adjacent to each other, a mark may be attachedchips of the group are nt to each other, a mark may be attached toto thethe areaarea here thethe gaminggaming chipschips ofof thethe groupgroup areare located.located. ForFor example, if there is a stack of $100 chips and a stack of $10 chipsexample, if there is a stack of $100 chips and a stack of $10 chips as shown in Fig. 4, the stack with the problem gaming chips may beas shown in Fig. 4, the stack with the problem gaming chips may be marked. marked.

[0083] 19 19 （Other Embodiments) (Other Embodiments) Fig. 10 shows another example of a management system. In thisFig. 10 shows another example of a management system. In this example,example, thethe gamegame tabletable isis providedprovided withwith aa laserlaser pointerpointer 6161 thatthat emits a laser beam toward the chip tray 51. The laser pointer 61 s a laser beam toward the chip tray 51. The laser pointer 61 is driven by a drive unit 62 to change the direction of irradiation ofdriven by a drive unit 62 to change the direction of ation of the laser beam. the laser beam.

[0084] When the comparison result output unit 140 obtains ationWhen the comparison result output unit I40 obtains information on the position of the problem gaming chip from the comparison andon the position of the m gaming chip from the comparison and nt unit 110, it generates a drive signal to irradiate the laserjudgment unit 110, it generates a drive signal to irradiate the laser beam from the laser pointer 61 to the position of the problem gamingbeam from the laser pointer 61 to the position of the problem gaming chip and sends the drive signal to the drive unit 62. The drive unitchip and sends the drive signal to the drive unit 62. The drive unit 62 drives the laser r 61 to change the direction of the laser62 drives the laser pointer 61 to change the direction of the laser beam according to the drive signal. beam according to the drive signal.

[0085] InIn addition,addition, thethe devicedevice thatthat irradiatesirradiates thethe lightlight toto thethe problem gaming chip is not limited to the laser pointer 61, but mayproblem gaming chip is not limited to the laser pointer 61, but may be any other irradiating device. be any other light—irradiating device.

[0086] Fig. 11Fig. II showsshows anotheranother exampleexample ofof aa monitorHmnitor screen.screen. InIn thethe monitor screen 430, the address (slot) of the location of the problemmonitor screen 430, the address (slot) of the location of the problem gaminggaming chip obtainedchip obtained byby thethe comparisoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unit 110unit 110 isis indicated by characters representing the column number and the step indicated by ters representing the column number and the step number. In the example of Fig. 11, the column number of the problemnumber. In the example of Fig. II, the column number of the m gaming chip is "4" and the step number is "13". Such a monitor gaming chip is "4" and the step number is "13". Such a monitor screen 430 allows the dealer to fy which of the plurality of actual430 allows the dealer to identify which of the plurality of actual gaming chips in the chip tray 51 is a problem gaming chip. gaming chips in the chip tray 51 is a m gaming chip.

[0087] Fig. 12 shows yet another example of a management system. InFig. 12 shows yet another example of a management system. In this example, indicator lights are provided in each slot of the chipthis example, indicator lights are provided in each slot of the chip tray 51'. These indicator lights are turned on and off by a drivingtray 51'. These indicator lights are turned on and off by a driving devicedevice notnot shownshown inin thethe figure.figure. The comparisonThe comparison result outputresult output unitunit 140 outputs information on the address of the problem gaming chip toI40 outputs information on the address of the problem gaming chip to the driving . The driving device drives the tor lightsthe driving device. The driving device drives the indicator lights so that only the indicator light of the address designated by theso that only the indicator light of the s designated by the 20 comparison result output unit 140 is turned on. comparison result output unit I40 is turned on.

[0088] AccordingAccording‘ toto thisthis example,example, thethe dealerdealer‘ DD cancan identifyidentify thethe on of the problem gaming chips by viewing the points of thelocation of the problem gaming chips by g the points of the indicator lights and the like on the chip tray 51'. indicator lights and the like on the chip tray 51'.

[0089] Fig. 13 shows a configuration of a management system of anotherFig. 13 shows a configuration of a management system of another embodiment. In this example, a unique ID is recorded in the RFID tag,embodiment. In this example, a unique ID is recorded in the RFID tag, and the side ID ents the information of value. In a managementand the side ID ents the information of value. In a management system 100', a database 200 is provided. In the database 200, forsystem 100', a database 200 is provided. In the database 200, for eacheach gaminggaming chip,chip, thethe uniqueunique IDID andand thethe valuevalue areare associatedassociated andand stored. stored.

[0090] The comparison and judgment unit 110 can obtain informationThe comparison and judgment unit 110 can obtain information on the corresponding value by referring to the database 200 for theon the corresponding value by referring to the database 200 for the unique ID obtained from the RFID reading device 31. In addition, theunique ID obtained from the RFID reading device 31. In addition, the comparison and judgment unit 110 can obtain information on the valuecomparison and judgment unit 110 can obtain ation on the value represented by the side ID and information on its location from resented by the side ID and ation on its location from the image analysis unit 123. This allows the location of the pluralityimage analysis unit 123. This allows the location of the plurality of problem gaming chips to be identified by the same method describedof problem gaming chips to be identified by the same method described with Fig. 9 above. with Fig. 9 above.

[0091] In the above example, it has been explained that the locationIn the above example, it has been ned that the location of problem gaming chips that have problems with RFID is identified,of problem gaming chips that have problems with RFID is identified, but conversely, there may be a situation where the RFID tag can bebut conversely, there may be a situation where the RFID tag can be read but the corresponding side ID cannot be obtained. In other words,read but the corresponding side ID cannot be ed. In other words, if the RFID and side ID are unique IDs (see Fig. 6), it is possibleif the RFID and side ID are unique IDs (see Fig. 6), it is possible that a unique ID that does not have a corresponding unique ID in thethat a unique ID that does not have a corresponding unique ID in the second unique ID group is included in the unique IDs of the firstsecond unique ID group is included in the unique IDs of the first unique ID group. For e, there could be a case that the sideunique ID group. For example, there could be a case that the side IDs could not be obtained from the captured images by image analysis. IDs could not be obtained from the captured images by image analysis.

[0092] In such a case, the comparison and judgment unit 110 detectsIn such a case, the comparison and judgment unit 110 s the existence of such a gaming chip and reports it to the isonthe existence of such a gaming chip and reports it to the comparison resultresult outputoutput unitunit 140.I40. TheThe comparisoncomparison resultresult outputoutput unitunit 140I40 es the report, and generates a monitor screen indicating thereceives the report, and generates a monitor screen indicating the 21 21 existenceexistence ofof suchsuch aa gaminggaming hip, andand thethe rmonitor 4040 displaysdisplays thethe monitor screen. r screen.

[0093] WhenWhen thethe comparisoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unitunit 110110 comparescompares thethe ation of the group to which the gaming chip belongs (see Fig.information of the group to which the gaming chip belongs (see Fig. 9), it is also possible that the number of RFIDs read by the RFID9), it is also possible that the number of RFIDs read by the RFID reading device 31 is greater than the number of side IDs. For example,reading device 31 is greater than the number of side IDs. For example, it is found that there are three $50 chips by way of RFID, while onlyit is found that there are three $50 chips by way of RFID, while only two $50 chips are recognized from the side IDs. In this case, sincetwo $50 chips are recognized from the side IDs. In this case, since itit isis possiblepossible toto identifyidentify the groupthe group (e.g.,(e.g., $50)$50) inin whichwhich suchsuch aa problem occurs, the ison result output unit 140 may generate aproblem occurs, the comparison result output unit I40 may generate a monitor screen indicating the location or area of the group. monitor screen indicating the on or area of the group.

[0094] In the above embodiment, though the side ID was informationIn the above embodiment, though the side ID was information thatthat representsrepresents aa uniqueunique IDID oror informationinformation thatthat representsrepresents aa typetype (value), for example, the side ID may be a unique ID among chips of(value), for example, the side ID may be a unique ID among chips of thethe samesame value,value, allowingallowing gaminggaming chipschips ofof entdifferent valuesvalues toto havehave the same ID. In this case, the image analysis unit 123 can determinethe same ID. In this case, the image analysis unit 123 can determine the value based on the colors of the first and third layers of thethe value based on the colors of the first and third layers of the side of the gaming chip (i.e., information other than the side IDside of the gaming chip (i.e., information other than the side ID ascertained from the image) and can uniquely fy the gaming chipascertained from the image) and can uniquely identify the gaming chip by recognizing the side ID. by recognizing the side ID.

[0095] In this case, the database 200 stores the RFID, the side ID,In this case, the database 200 stores the RFID, the side ID, and the value ation associated with each other for each gamingand the value information associated with each other for each gaming chip. By referring to the database 200, the comparison and judgmentchip. By referring to the se 200, the comparison and judgment unit 110 can identify the unique ID corresponding to the combinationunit 110 can identify the unique ID corresponding to the combination of the side ID and the value, and compares the identified unique IDof the side ID and the value, and compares the identified unique ID and unique IDs read from the RFID tags. and unique IDs read from the RFID tags.

[0096] In addition, in the above embodiment, when the side IDs areIn addition, in the above embodiment, when the side IDs are ated for some of a plurality of gaming chips, as shown in Fig.duplicated for some of a plurality of gaming chips, as shown in Fig. 9, it was not le to identify a single problem gaming chip even9, it was not possible to identify a single problem gaming chip even though it is known that one problem gaming chip exists, and thereforethough it is known that one problem gaming chip , and therefore allall thethe gaminggaming chipschips thatthat maymay havehave aa problemproblem areare treatedtreated asas thethe problemproblem gaminggaming chips,chips, however,however, byby judgingjudging thethe valuevalue basedbased onon thethe 22 22 color of the first and third layers of the side of the gaming chip,color of the first and third layers of the side of the gaming chip, the number of the problem gaming chips can be narrowed down. the number of the problem gaming chips can be narrowed down.

[0097] For example, in the case where the side ID represents one ofFor example, in th cas wh r th sid ID represents one of 256 different identification numbers by using eight dots, the RFID256 different identification numbers by using eight dots, the RFID tag stores the same identification number as the side ID, and thetag stores the same identification number as the side ID, and the value of the gaming chip is also stored in the RFID tag, when thevalue of the gaming chip is also stored in the RFID tag, when the number (e.g., two) of identification number (e.g., "012") read fromnumber (e.g., two) of identification number (e.g., "012") read from the RFID tag is less than the number (e.g., three) of identificationthe RFID tag is less than the number (e.g., three) of identification number (e.g., "012") read from the side ID, then all the three gamingnumber (e.g., "012") read from the side ID, then all the three gaming chips with such an identification number result in being identifiedchips with such an identification number result in being identified as the problem gaming chips, according to the above embodiment. as the m gaming chips, according to the above ment.

[0098] Therefore, the comparative judgment unit 110 also refers toTherefore, the comparative judgment unit 110 also refers to the information on the value of the gaming chip determined in thethe information on the value of the gaming chip determined in the image analysis unit 123 to reduce the number of gaming chips thatimage analysis unit 123 to reduce the number of gaming chips that are considered to be the problem gaming chips due to the ilityare considered to be the problem gaming chips due to the possibility ofof problem. blem. For example,example, ifif values ofvalues of twotwo gaminggaming chipschips withwith thethe identification number "012" read from the RFID tag are $10 and $100,identification number "012" read from the RFID tag are $10 and $100, and the image analysis unit 123 determines the value of the nd the image analysis unit 123 determines the value of the three gaming chips with identification number "012" as $10, $50, and $100 gaming chips with identification number "012" as $10, $50, and $100 based on thebased on the colors of the first and third layers, the comparisoncolors of the first and third layers, the comparison and judgement unit 110 determines the gaming chip with value of $50and judgement unit 110 determines the gaming chip with value of $50 among the three gaming chips has a problem with RFID. among the three gaming chips has a problem with RFID.

[0099] The comparison and judgment unit 110 can thus reduce the numberThe comparison and nt unit 110 can thus reduce the number of candidates for the problem gaming chips or identify the problemof candidates for the problem gaming chips or identify the problem gaming chip uniquely as described above, in the case where the sidegaming chip uniquely as described above, in th cas wh r th sid IDs are allowed to p with the side IDs of other gaming chips. IDs are allowed to overlap with the side IDs of other gaming chips.

[0100] InIn thisthis example,xampl , theth samesam ficationid ntification numbernumber maymay be be duplicatedduplicated inin aa pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming hips ofof thethe samesame value.value. ForFor example, any of the identification numbers "001" through "256" mayexample, any of the identification numbers "001" through "256" may be ed to multiple gaming chips of the same value, resulting inbe assigned to le gaming chips of the same value, resulting in thethe chipchip traytray maymay containcontain severalseveral oror soso gaminggaming chipschips ofof thethe samesame value and the same identification number. In this case as well, itvalue and the same identification number. In this case as well, it 23 23 is possible to narrow down the candidates for problem gaming chipsis possible to narrow down the candidates for problem gaming chips ing to their value, and if there are still multiple potentiallyaccording to their value, and if there are still multiple potentially problemproblem gaminggaming chips, allall suchsuch chipschips shouldshould bebe treatedtreated asas mproblem gaming chips, the locations of those gaming chips are identified andgaming chips, the locations of those gaming chips are identified and presented to the dealer. presented to the dealer.

[0101] In the case that the side ID is not completely readable or itIn the case that the side ID is not completely readable or it is determined that there is a problem gaming chip, the side ID mayis determined that there is a problem gaming chip, the side ID may be determined using information on the value of the gaming chip. Forbe determined using information on the value of the gaming chip. For example, there is a $10 chip with a side ID of "120" and a $100 chipexample, there is a $10 chip with a side ID of "120" and a $100 chip with a side ID of "121" and there are no gaming chips with side IDswith a side ID of "121" and there are no gaming chips with side IDs ofof "122""122" toto "129", en thethe sideside IDID isis ad as "12X"as "12X" (“X” is (“X” is indeterminate) and the value is determined to be $10, the isonindeterminate) and th valu is d t rmin d to be $10, the comparison and judgment unit 110 determines that the side ID of this gaming chipand judgment unit 110 determines that the side ID of this gaming chip is "120" and es this side ID with the RFID. is "120" and compares this side ID with the RFID.

[0102] In addition, when a problem gaming chip whose side ID does notIn addition, when a problem gaming chip whose side ID does not correspond to the RFID is detected, the value information is used tocorrespond to the RFID is ed, the value information is used to determine which of the side ID and the unique ID is wrong. In thisdetermine which of the side ID and the unique ID is wrong. In this case, the side ID, the RFID and the value information are stored incase, the side ID, the RFID and the value ation are stored in association with each other for each gaming chip in the database 200.association with each other for each gaming chip in the database 200.

When, in the database 200,When, in the database 200, the value associated with the side IDthe value associated with the side ID that does not have a corresponding unique ID in the first unique IDthat does not have a corresponding unique ID in the first unique ID group read from the RFID tags matches the value determined by thegroup read from the RFID tags matches the value determined by the image analysis unit 123 for the gaming chip that has the side ID,image analysis unit 123 for the gaming chip that has the side ID, the comparison and judgement unit 110 shall determine that the sidethe comparison and judgement unit 110 shall determine that the side IDID isis correctcorrect andand thethe RFIDRFID isis wrong.wrong. InIn addition,addition, when,when, inin thethe database 200, the value associated with the RFID that does not havedatabase 200, the value associated with the RFID that does not have the corresponding side ID in the second unique ID group matches thethe corresponding side ID in the second unique ID group matches the value determined by the image analysis unit 123 for the gaming chipvalue determined by the image is unit 123 for the gaming chip that has the side ID, the comparison and judgment section 123 shallthat has the side ID, the comparison and nt section 123 shall determine that the RFID is correct and the side ID is wrong. determine that the RFID is correct and the side ID is wrong.

[0103] InIn addition,addition, althoughalthough thethe aboveabove mentembodiment identifiesidentifies thethe locationlocation ofof aa problem gamingproblem gaming chip,chip, the abovethe above configurationconfiguration ofof thethe management system 100 can also be used to specify any ic uniquemanagement system 100 can also be used to specify any specific unique 24 24 ID and identify the location of the gaming chip having such uniqueID and identify the location of the gaming chip having such unique ID. Specifically, in such a management system, if there is a icID. ically, in such a management system, if there is a specific uniqueunique IDID mong thethe uniqueunique IDsIDs (first(first uniqueunique IDID group) ofof thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips acquiredacquired byby thethe RFIDRFID readingreading device 31,device 31, the on of the gaming chip having the side ID corresponding tothe position of the gaming chip having the side ID corresponding to the unique ID is identified. the unique ID is identified.

[0104] In the above embodiment, although a system for managing gamingIn the above embodiment, although a system for managing gaming chipschips atat aa gamegame tabletable isis described,described, thethe managementmanagement systemsystem maymay bebe applied to places other than game tables. For example, the managementapplied to places other than game tables. For example, the management system may be applied to backyards, cages, etc. of casinos. system may be applied to rds, cages, etc. of casinos.

[0105] In on, although the above embodiment describes a systemIn addition, although the above embodiment describes a system for managing gaming chips, the management system can be applied tofor managing gaming chips, the management system can be applied to other gaming ts that can incorporate RFID. other gaming products that can incorporate RFID.

[0106] In the above embodiment, although the camera 21 that capturesIn the above embodiment, although the camera 21 that captures the gaming chips contained in the chip tray 51, the camera 22 thatthe gaming chips contained in the chip tray 51, the camera 22 that captures the gaming chips bet on the betting area 531 to 536, andcaptures the gaming chips bet on the betting area 531 to 536, and the monitor 40 that displays information to the dealer were fixed tothe monitor 40 that displays information to the dealer were fixed to the game table 51 respectively, it is not necessary for some or allth gam tabl 51 r sp ctiv ly, it is not necessary for some or all of these cameras 21, 22, and the monitor 40 to be fixed to the table.of these cameras 21, 22, and the monitor 40 to be fixed to the table.

For example, the camera 21, the camera 22, and/or the monitor 40 mayFor example, the camera 21, the camera 22, and/or the monitor 40 may be implemented in a hand-held information processing al suchbe implemented in a eld information processing terminal such as a tablet computer or a smart phone. as a tablet computer or a smart phone.

[0107] For example, if the information processing terminal is a tabletFor example, if the information processing al is a tablet computer, the camera 21 or the camera 22 is installed on the back ofcomputer, the camera 21 or the camera 22 is installed on the back of thethe tablet computercomputer andand thethe surfacesurface isis thethe monitor 40monitor 40 asas aa touchtouch panel. This tablet er is wired or wirelessly connected to thepanel. This tablet computer is wired or wirelessly connected to the control device 10. Even the various functions of the control devicecontrol device 10. Even the various functions of the control device may10 may bebe implementedimplemented inin thethe tablettablet er.computer. InIn thisthis ase, thethe tablettablet ercomputer maymay bebe wiredwired oror sslywirelessly connectedconnected toto thethe RFIDRFID reading device 31. reading device 31.

[0108] When the dealer or casino staff holds the tablet computer overWhen the dealer or casino staff holds the tablet computer over 25 the chip tray 51 and points the camera 22 at the chip tray 51, thethe chip tray 51 and points the camera 22 at the chip tray 51, the ed image of the chip tray 51 and the gaming chips containedcaptured image of the chip tray 51 and the gaming chips contained n is displayed on the monitor 40. The image analysis unit 123therein is displayed on the r 40. The image analysis unit 123 analyzesanalyzes thethe capturedcaptured image,image, andand thethe comparisoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unit unit 110 compares the information read by the RFID reading device 31 with110 compares the information read by the RFID reading device 31 with thethe informationinformation recognizedrecognized. byby thethe imageimage analysisanalysis unitunit 123.123. TheThe comparisoncomparison resultresult outputoutput unitunit 140 tes140 generates aa displaydisplay imageimage byby superimposing the result of the comparison on the captured image andsuperimposing the result of the comparison on the ed image and outputs it to the r 40. outputs it to the r 40.

[0109] WithWith thisthis configuration,configuration, thethe comparisoncomparison resultresult isis displayeddisplayed on the touch panel of the tablet computer. The image capture may beon the touch panel of the tablet computer. The image capture may be performed in response to the operationperformed in se to the operation to a capture button, or itto a capture button, or it maymay bebe medperformed continuously.continuously. In1n thethe casecase ofof continuouscontinuous image image e, the screen on which the comparison results are superimposedcapture, the screen on which the comparison results are superimposed will be displayed on the monitor 40 in real time. will be displayed on the monitor 40 in real time.

[0110] In on, in the above embodiment, a gaming chip having aIn addition, in the above embodiment, a gaming chip having a unique ID which is obtained by image analysis by the image analysis unique 1D which is obtained by image analysis by the image analysis unit 123 but not obtained by the RFID reading device was determinedunit 123 but not obtained by the RFID reading device was determined toto bebe aa problemproblem gaminggaming chip. . 1fthethegaminggamingchipchipdoesdoesnotnothavehavea a built-in RFID tag or if the RFID tag built into the gaming chip isbuilt—in RFID tag or if the RFID tag built into the gaming chip is broken,broken, thethe uniqueunique ID1D cannotcannot bebe readread byby thethe RFIDRFID reading device,reading device, however, due to the way the gaming chip is placed, deterioration orhowever, due to the way the gaming chip is placed, deterioration or partial failure of the RFID, the antennas 32, 331 to 335 and rtial failure of the RFID, the antennas 32, 331 to 335 and RFID reading device 31 may not be stable. reading device 31 may not be .

[0111] The RFID reading device 31 may read the RFID tag repeatedlyThe RFID reading device 31 may read the RFID tag repeatedly atat predeterminedpredetermined timetime intervals.intervals. If1f thethe readingreading isis unstable,unstable, thethe unique ID may or may not be read from the RFID tag in the repeatedunique 1D may or may not be read from the RFID tag in the repeated gs.readings. InIn thisthis case,case, thethe comparisoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unitunit 110110 maymay treat the gaming chip whose unique ID is read at least once as at the gaming chip whose unique 1D is read at least once as the normalnormal gaminggaming chip,chip, oror itit maymay treattreat aa gaminggaming chipchip havinghaving suchsuch aa uniqueunique IDID thatthat isis unstableunstable toto readread asas anan problemproblem gaminggaming chip.chip. InIn addition,addition, thethe comparisoncomparison andand judgmentjudgment unitunit 110110 andand thethe comparisoncomparison result output unit 140 may treat a gaming chip with a unique ID thatresult output unit 140 may treat a gaming chip with a unique ID that 26 26 isis unstableunstable inin readingreading asas aa problemproblem gaminggaming chip,chip, andand distinguishdistinguish between a gaming chip whose unique ID cannot be read completely andbetween a gaming chip whose unique ID cannot be read completely and a gaming chip whose unique ID is unstable in reading to output thea gaming chip whose unique ID is unstable in reading to output the comparison result. comparison result.

[0112] When a single antenna is used to read the RFID tags of a largeWhen a single a is used to read the RFID tags of a large number of gaming chips, unstable reading as described above may occur.number of gaming chips, unstable reading as described above may occur.

AccordingAccording toto thethe aboveabove example,example, itit isis possiblepossible toto identifyidentify gaminggaming chips with RFID tags with unstable gs from among a large numberchips with RFID tags with unstable readings from among a large number of gaming chips. of gaming chips.

Description of the nce Description of the reference

[0113] Control unit 10 Control unit 21 Camera 21 Camera 22 Camera 22 Camera 31 RFID reading device 31 RFID reading device 32, 331-336 Antenna 32, 331—336 Antenna 40 Monitor 40 Monitor 50 Game table 50 Game table 51 Chip tray 51 Chip tray 52 Electronic shoe 52 Electronic shoe 100 Management system 100 Management system 110 Comparison and judgment unit 110 Comparison and judgment unit 123 Image is unit 123 Image is unit 140 Comparison result output unit 140 Comparison result output unit 200 Database 200 Database 6 Player position 531—536 Player position C Gaming chip C Gaming chip D Dealer D Dealer P Player P Player 27 27

Claims (27)

What is d is:

1. l. A management system comprising: A management system comprising: a image capturing device configured to capture a plurality ofa image capturing device configured to capture a plurality of gaminggaming chipschips havinghaving aa inbuilt—in RFIDRFID tagtag storingstoring firstfirst informationinformation andand havinghaving secondsecond ationinformation writtenwritten onon a surface thereofa surface thereof to to generate an image; te an image; a readinga reading' devicedevice configuredconfigured. to readto read. thethe RFIDRFID gs ofof thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips toto obtainobtain thethe firstfirst informationinformation ofof thethe plurality of gaming chips; plurality of gaming chips; an image analysis device configured to obtain a location ofan image analysis device configured to obtain a location of eacheach ofof the pluralitythe plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips andand the secondthe second information, information, based on the image; and based on the image; and a l device configured to identify a location of a problema control device configured to identify a location of a problem gaminggaming chip whosechip whose RFIDRFID tagtag isis fraudulent,fraudulent, damaged,damaged, oror possibilitypossibility thereof, or whose on is fraudulent or possibly fraudulent, bythereof, or whose notation is fraudulent or possibly fraudulent, by comparingcomparing thethe firstfirst ationinformation ofof thethe ityplurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips obtained by the reading device with the second information of eachobtained by the reading device with the second information of each ofof thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips obtained byobtained by thethe mage analysisanalysis device. device.

2. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the lThe management system according to claim 1, wherein the control devicedevice isis configured to identify theconfigured to identify the locationlocation ofof the gamingthe gaming chipschips having the second informationhaving the second information notnot correspondingcorresponding toto the firstthe first ation as the problem gaming chips. information as the problem gaming chips.

3. 3. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the control The management system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to identify the gaming chip having the seconddevice is configured to fy the gaming chip having the second ation,information, forfor whichwhich correspondingcorresponding irst informationinformation isis notnot obtained, as the problem gaming chip. obtained, as the problem gaming chip.

4. 4. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the controlThe management system according to claim 1, n the control device is configured to determine the gaming chip having a RFID tagdevice is configured to determine the gaming chip having a RFID tag inin whichwhich the firstthe first informationinformation notnot correspondingcorresponding toto thethe secondsecond ationinformation isis storedstored asas aa problemproblem gaminggaming chipchip andand thethe locationlocation thereof. thereof. 28 28

5. 5. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the controlThe ment system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to determine the gaming chip having a RFID tagdevice is configured to determine the gaming chip having a RFID tag inin hich thethe firstfirst informationinformation forfor whichwhich thethe correspondingcorresponding secondsecond ation does not obtained. ation does not obtained.

6. 6. The ment system according to claim 1, wherein the controlThe management system according to claim 1, wherein the control device isdevice is configuredconfigured toto useuse informationinformation otherother thanthan thethe firstfirst information and the second information of the problem gaming chip toinformation and the second information of the problem gaming chip to determine whether the problem is in the RFID tag or the notation. d t rmin wh th r th problem is in the RFID tag or the notation.

7. 7. The management system ing to claim 6, wherein The management system according to claim 6, wherein the gaming chip has an appearance that enables identificationthe gaming chip has an appearance that enables identification of a type of the gaming chip, of a type of the gaming chip, the image analysis device is ured to determine the typethe image analysis device is configured to determine the type of each of the ity of gaming chips based on the image, and of each of the plurality of gaming chips based on the image, and thethe controlcontrol device isdevice is configuredconfigured toto determinedetermine whichwhich ofof thethe RFID tag and the notation is wrong based on the type determined by RFID tag and the notation is wrong based on the type determined by the image analysis device. the image analysis .

8. 8. The management system according to claim 1, wherein The management system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming chip has an appearance that enables identificationthe gaming chip has an appearance that enables identification of a type of the gaming chip, of a type of the gaming chip, the second information is unique for each of the types, the second information is unique for each of the types, the image is device is configured to obtain the secondthe image analysis device is configured to obtain the second informationinformation andand determinedetermine the typethe type forfor eacheach ofof the itythe plurality ofof gaming chips based on the image, and gaming chips based on the image, and thethe controlcontrol device ce is configuredconfigured toto comparecompare thethe firstfirst informationinformation withwith a combinationa combination ofof thethe secondsecond informationinformation andand information of the type. information of the type.

9. 9. The management system according to claim 1, wherein The management system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming chip has an appearance that s identificationthe gaming chip has an appearance that enables identification of the type of the gaming chip, of the type of the gaming chip, the second information is unique for each of the types, the second information is unique for each of the types, the image analysis device is configured to, for each of thethe image analysis device is configured to, for each of the pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chips,chips, obtainobtain thethe secondsecond informationinformation andand 29 29 determine the type, based on the image, and d t rmin th typ , bas d on the image, and thethe controlcontrol devicedevice isis configuredconfigured to,to, inin thethe casecase wherewhere thethe secondsecond informationinformation cannotcannot. bebe read,read, oror inin thethe se here itit isis determined that there is a problem gaming chip, identify the seconddetermined that there is a problem gaming chip, identify the second information using the information of the type determined by the imageinformation using the information of the type determined by the image analysis device and compare the identified second information with analysis device and compar th id ntifi d s cond information with the first information. the first information.

10. 10. The managementThe management systemsystem. ingaccording' to anyto any ofof claims 77 toto 9,9, wherein the gaming chip has an appearance on a side thereof that canwherein the gaming chip has an appearance on a side thereof that can identify the type of the gaming chip. identify the type of the gaming chip.

11. ll. TheThe mentmanagement systemsystem. accordingaccording' to anyto any ofof claimsclaims 77 toto 9,9, furtherfurther comprisingcomprising' aa housinghousing it configuredconfigured. toto accommodate the accommodate the plurality of gaming chips, wherein plurality of gaming chips, wherein the imagingthe imaging capturingcapturing devicedevice isis configuredconfigured toto capture the capture the plurality of gaming chips accommodated in the g unit. plurality of gaming chips accommodated in the housing unit.

12. 12. The managementThe management systemsystem accordingaccording to claim 11,to claim. ll, whereinwherein the the ghousing unit isunit is configuredconfigured toto accommodateaccommodate the pluralitythe plurality ofof gaminggaming chips in an aligned manner. chips in an aligned manner.

13. 13. TheThe managementmanagement systemsystem accordingaccording toto claim 11,claim. ll, whereinwherein the the housing unit is a chip tray provided on a game table. housing unit is a chip tray ed on a game table.

14. 14. The management system according to claim 13, wherein the imageThe management system according to claim 13, wherein the image capturing device is fixed to the game table. capturing device is fixed to the game table.

15. 15. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the secondThe management system ing to claim 1, wherein the second information is written on the side of the gaming chip. information is written on the side of the gaming chip.

16. 16. The ment system according to claim 1, wherein The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is information represented by a matrixthe second information is information represented by a matrix pattern,pattern, aa dotdot pattern,pattern, aa barcode,barcode, aa sequencesequence ofof numbers,numbers, oror aa sequence of letters, and sequence of s, and the image analysis device is configured to obtain the secondthe image analysis device is configured to obtain the second 30 30 information by decoding the matrix n, the dot pattern, or theinformation by decoding the matrix pattern, the dot pattern, or the barcode, or by recognizing the ce of numbers or the sequencebarcode, or by izing the sequence of s or the sequence of letters. of letters.

17. 17. The management system ing to claim 1, wherein the firstThe management system according to claim 1, wherein the first information is a unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaming chip. information is a unique ID that uniquely fies the gaming chip.

18. 18. The management system according to claim 17, n the secondThe management system according to claim 17, wherein the second information is the same unique ID as the first information. information is the same unique ID as the first information.

19. 19. The management system according to claim 1, wherein The management system according to claim 1, wherein the first information and the second information are entthe first information and the second information are different information from each other, information from each other, thethe managementmanagement systemsystem furtherfurther comprises acomprises a databasedatabase thatthat recordsrecords a combinationa combination ofof the firstthe first informationinformation andand the secondthe second information for each gaming chip, and ation for each gaming chip, and the control device is configured to perform the comparison bythe control device is configured to perform the comparison by ing to the database. referring to the database.

20. 20. The management system according to claim 1, wherein The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is duplicated in some of the pluralitythe second information is duplicated in some of the plurality of gaming chips, and of gaming chips, and thethe controlcontrol devicedevice isis configuredconfigured. to,to, whenwhen aa ityplurality ofof identicalidentical secondsecond informationinformation isis obtained,obtained, andand thethe numbernumber ofof the the identicalidentical secondsecond informationinformation isis greatergreater thanthan thethe numbernumber ofof firstfirst informationinformation correspondingcorresponding toto thethe cal secondidentical second information,information, determine the plurality of the gaming chips on which the identical determine the plurality of the gaming chips on which the identical second information are represented as the m gaming chips andsecond information are represented as the problem gaming chips and determine each of the locations of the plurality of problem gamingdetermine each of the locations of the plurality of problem gaming chips. chips.

21. 21. The management system according to claim 1, wherein The ment system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is duplicated in some of the pluralitythe second information is duplicated in some of the plurality of gaming chips, and of gaming chips, and thethe controlcontrol devicedevice isis configuredconfigured. to,to, whenwhen aa pluralityplurality ofof identicalidentical secondsecond ationinformation isis obtained,obtained, andand thethe numbernumber ofof the the 31 31 identicalidentical secondsecond informationinformation isis greatergreater thanthan thethe numbernumber ofof firstfirst informationinformation correspondingcorresponding toto thethe identical secondidentical second information,information, determine the plurality of the gaming chips on which the identical determine the plurality of the gaming chips on which the identical second information are represented as the problem gaming chips andsecond information are represented as the problem gaming chips and determine an area of the plurality of problem gaming chips. determine an area of the plurality of problem gaming chips.

22. 22. The management system ing to claim 1, wherein The management system according to claim 1, wherein the second information is duplicated in some of the pluralitythe second information is duplicated in some of the plurality of gaming chips, and of gaming chips, and the control device is configured to, when there is a pluralitythe control device is configured to, when there is a plurality of candidates for the first information for which the correspondingof candidates for the first information for which the ponding second informationinformation isis notnot obtained,obtained, identify ntify the pluralityplurality ofof ates for the first ation. candidates for the first information.

23. 23. The management system according to claim 1, r comprisingThe management system according to claim 1, further sing a display device configured to indicate the location of the problema display device configured to indicate the location of the m gaming chip. gaming chip.

24. 24. TheThe mentmanagement systemsystem accordingaccording toto claim 23,claim. 23, whereinwherein the the display device is configured to superimpose the location on the image. display device is configured to superimpose the location on the image.

25. 25. The management system according to claim 23, wherein The management system according to claim 23, wherein the management system further comprises a housing unit capablethe management system further comprises a housing unit capable ofof accommodating the pluralityaccommodating the plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips inin a predetermined a predetermined accommodating positions, accommodating positions, thethe imageimage capturingcapturing devicedevice isis configuredconfigured toto capture the capture the plurality of gaming chips odated in the housing unit, and plurality of gaming chips accommodated in the housing unit, and the display device is configured to display an address of the the display device is configured to display an address of the odating position of the problem gaming chip in the housing unit. accommodating position of the problem gaming chip in the g unit.

26. 26. The management systemThe management system according to claim 1, whereinaccording to claim 1, wherein furtherfurther comprising: comprising: a housing unit capable of accommodating the plurality of gaminga g unit capable of accommodating the plurality of gaming chips in an aligned ; and chips in an aligned ; and a light irradiation device configured to ate light to aa light irradiation device configured to ate light to a designateddesignated gaminggaming chipchip amongamong thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips 32 32 accommodated in the housing unit, wherein accommodated in the housing unit, wherein the the imageimage capturingcapturing devicedevice isis configuredconfigured. toto capture the capture the plurality of gaming chips accommodated in the housing unit, and plurality of gaming chips accommodated in the housing unit, and the controlthe control device isdevice is configuredconfigured toto control the lightcontrol the light irradiation device to irradiate light on the problem gaming chip adiation device to ate light on the problem gaming chip for which the location that have been determined. which the location that have been determined.

27. 27. A management system comprising: A management system comprising: an image capturing device configured to capture a pluralityan image ing device configured to capture a plurality of gaming chips having a built-in RFID tag g first informationof gaming chips having a built—in RFID tag storing first information and having second information written on surface thereon to generateand having second information n on surface thereon to generate an image; an image; a readinga reading' devicedevice configuredconfigured. to readto read. thethe RFIDRFID tags oftags of thethe pluralityplurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips toto obtainobtain thethe firstfirst informationinformation ofof thethe plurality of gaming chips; plurality of gaming chips; an image analysis device ured to obtain a on ofan image analysis device configured to obtain a location of eacheach ofof the pluralitythe plurality ofof gaminggaming chipschips andand the secondthe second ationinformation based on the image; and based on the image; and a control device configured to, when there is a specific firsta control device configured to, when there is a ic first information in the first information of the plurality of gaming nformation in the first information of the plurality of gaming chips obtained byobtained by the readingthe reading device,device, identify a onidentify a location ofof the secondthe second information corresponding to the specific first information. information corresponding to the specific first information. 33 33