WO2018225240A1

WO2018225240A1 - Card and game system

Info

Publication number: WO2018225240A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/021453
Authority: WO
Inventors: 加藤　史裕; 雄次嶋田
Original assignee: セガサミークリエイション株式会社
Priority date: 2017-06-09
Filing date: 2017-06-09
Publication date: 2018-12-13

Abstract

First identification information is invisibly printed on a first surface of a card, and second identification information is invisibly printed on a second surface thereof. A game system is equipped with: a table top which light passes through and on which cards having identification information invisibly printed on a surface thereof can be placed; an invisible light source which emits invisible light at the card surface, and is positioned on the opposite side of the table top from the cards; an image sensor which detects the invisible light reflected by the card surface, and is positioned on the opposite side of the table top from the cards; a detection unit which reads the identification information on the basis of the results detected by the image sensor, and detects one or more features among the card type, the card location on the table top, and the card orientation on the table top; and an output unit for outputting features detected by the detection unit such as the card type and card orientation on the table top. As a result of this configuration, it is possible to prevent dealer errors and cheating.

Description

Card and game system

The present invention relates to a card and a game system.

In casinos and other amusement halls, card games such as baccarat, poker and blackjack are played. The progress of these card games is controlled by the dealer. However, dealers sometimes make mistakes while a card game is in progress. Also, the dealer may cheat while the card game is in progress. For this reason, measures to prevent dealer mistakes and fraud in card game progress are being studied. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a card shooter device including a barcode reader that reads a barcode attached to a shuffle playing card and reads a shuffle card ID that can individually identify the shuffle playing card.

JP-T-2015-525391

However, the card shooter device described in Patent Document 1 cannot detect the position of the shuffled playing card on the gaming table, and uses the soot and number of the shuffled playing card placed on the gaming table. It cannot be detected. For this reason, this card shooter device may not be able to prevent dealers' errors and fraud.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique relating to prevention of dealer error and fraud.

In the card according to one aspect of the present invention, the first identification information is invisible printed on the first surface, and the second identification information is invisible printed on the second surface. A gaming system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a top plate that can transmit light, a light source that irradiates light to the first surface of the top plate, and a second surface of the top plate. A reading unit that reads identification information invisible printed on the contact surface of the card by detecting light from the light source reflected by the contact surface with the second surface of the card, and the read A determination unit that determines whether the contact surface is the back of the card based on the identification information.

According to these aspects, the gaming system reads the identification information that is invisible printed on the front surface of the card, and determines whether the contact surface of the card with the top of the gaming table is the back surface of the card. be able to. According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the placement state of a card on a gaming table, and to prevent dealer errors and fraud.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique relating to prevention of dealer error and fraud.

It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the game system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the game table which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the cross section of the game table which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the software configuration of the management system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the surface of the card | curd which concerns on embodiment.

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

<Explanation of terms>
In this specification, terms are defined as follows.
“Card”: A playing card used in games played at casinos and other amusement halls. Soot and numbers are printed on the front surface of the playing card, and a pattern is printed on the back surface. The suit and number represent the type of card. In addition, a film made of a material that does not transmit invisible light such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays is sandwiched between the front and back surfaces of a playing card used in casinos and other game halls.
“Identification information”: Invisible printing is performed on at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the card. The identification information invisible printed on the front surface includes, for example, identification information such as a code associated with at least one of the suit and number of the card. The identification information invisible printed on the back surface includes identification information such as a code indicating the back surface. Invisible printing refers to printing performed with a paint or pigment that cannot be visually recognized by humans but reacts to invisible light such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays.
“Game table”: A table on which various games are played in a game arcade. Generally, one dealer is assigned to one table. In addition, a plurality of users can participate in the game simultaneously per table.
“Dealer”: A person on the playground side that controls the progress of the game, such as distributing cards used in the game.
"User": A guest person who comes to the game hall and participates in the game.
“Baccarat”: A traditional card game in which a user predicts and wins a card game by BANKER (player role) and PLAYER (customer role). Users simply expect to win or lose the game, and are gaining popularity in casinos around the world because of their ease. The dealer distributes two or three playing cards to each of the bunker and player in accordance with a certain rule, and the first digit of the total number distributed is closer to “9” wins.
“Blackjack”: A game in which the user aims to obtain a higher score than the dealer so that the total score of the card does not exceed 21 points.
"Chip": A substitute for currency in the form of bills or coins used when participating in a game. However, in the embodiment, it does not have an economic value exchangeable with currency or the like.
“Bet”: An expression of a user's expectation to bet. For example, in Baccarat, it means to bet according to the prediction of win or loss in anticipation of whether the bunker wins (BANKER), the player wins (PLAYER), or the game ends in a draw (Tie). . For example, in blackjack, the user predicts his / her chances of winning, and bets in accordance with the winning / losing prediction.
“Bet amount”: an amount used for betting. Each user can arbitrarily specify the bet amount by placing a desired type and number of chips on the table. When the user's prediction is won, a payout corresponding to the bet amount is obtained.
“BET AREA”: An area where the user asserts the bet amount by placing a chip. That is, it is an area where the user bets chips. For example, in Baccarat, the area for betting according to whether the bunker wins (BANKER), the player wins (PLAYER), or the game ends in a draw (Tie) is clearly shown on the table. .
“Credit”: A balance held by the user. If a dividend is obtained, the amount of credit increases, and if it is not expected, the amount of credit decreases.

Hereinafter, a baccarat table will be described as an example of a gaming table in which a chip betting section is provided independently for each user.

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

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the gaming system according to the embodiment. A game system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a server 10, a plurality of game tables 20, 21, 22,..., And a cashier apparatus 31 installed at a game hall window. Although an example in which there are a plurality of gaming tables will be described here, a configuration having only one gaming table may be used. In the following, the configuration of the gaming table will be described by taking the gaming table 20 as an example, but the same description can be applied to the other gaming tables 21, 22,. It is also possible for the dealer D to play the role that the cashier device 31 plays, and the server 10 is built in the game tables 20, 21, 22,.

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

<Hardware configuration of server>
The server includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk 14, and a communication I / F (interface) 15. The CPU 11 controls the server 10 according to various control programs stored in the ROM 12 and the hard disk 14. The ROM 12 stores a control program. The RAM 13 is used for temporarily storing various data and programs. The hard disk 14 stores various data and programs. The hard disk 14 stores, for example, game rule information that can be played by the gaming system 1.

<Description of window>
A cashier device 31 is provided at the window. The counter is a cashier provided in the game hall, and is a place where the actual currency and the substitute currency used in the game hall are exchanged.

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

<Description of chip reading unit>
Next, the chip reading units 240a to 240f provided in each section will be described. Hereinafter, the chip reading units 240a to 240f may be collectively referred to as a chip reading unit 240. That is, the alphabet at the end of the code may be omitted. For example, the chip reading units 240 a to 240 f read information on the chip from an RFID included in the chip, and transmit the read chip information to the server 10. The server 10 is configured so as to be able to identify the chip information in which section of which gaming table.

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

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

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

<Description of card shoe>
A card shoe 230 is also arranged on the gaming table. A card shoe is a case for storing a playing card used in a game. The dealer sequentially takes out the playing cards used for the game from the card shoes and distributes them to a predetermined area on the table.

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

<Description of notification unit>
The notification unit 260 is, for example, a display, a speaker, or a vibrator provided on the dealer side. The notification unit 260 notifies the dealer, for example, by outputting an image, a moving image, light, sound, and vibration.

<Description of cross section of gaming table>
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the gaming table 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the panel 280 is a top plate of the housing 281 provided so as to close the upper surface opening 281 a of the housing 281 of the gaming table 20. The panel 280 includes a cross 280a, a buffer material 280b, and a glass plate 280c. A buffer material 280b is provided on the upper surface of the glass plate 280c, and a cross 280a is provided on the upper surface of the buffer material 280b. The cross 280a is a play field sheet of the gaming table 20. The cushioning material 280b is a member that absorbs vibration on the play field of the gaming table 20. The cloth 280a and the buffer material 280b are formed of a material that can transmit visible light and invisible light. The glass plate 280c is formed of a material that can transmit visible light and invisible light. That is, panel 280 is configured to transmit visible light and invisible light of the irradiated light.

Inside the housing 281,

light sources

282 a and 282 b, an image sensor 283, and a reflection plate 284 are provided. The

light sources

282a and 282b are provided at positions opposite to the upper surface side of the panel 280 on which the cards C1, C2 and C3 can be placed, and at positions where light can be emitted in the direction of the glass plate 280c. The

light sources

282a and 282b emit light including invisible light such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays. The

light sources

282a and 282b irradiate the lower surface (first surface) of the panel 280 with light. The image sensor 283 is also installed on the side opposite to the upper surface (second surface) side of the panel 280 on which the cards C1, C2, and C3 can be placed. The image sensor picks up only invisible light by removing visible light using a filter attached thereto. In this embodiment, visible light is removed by a filter attached to the image sensor, but the method of reading invisible light, such as taking out only invisible light by taking out only light of a specific frequency, is not limited to this.

Light emitted from the

light sources

282a and 282b is applied to the surface of the cards C1, C2, and C3 placed on the panel 280 by the light emitted from the

light sources

282a and 282b (the surface on which the cards C1, C2, and C3 are in contact with the panel 280). Is done. The reflected light reflected by the surfaces of the cards C1, C2, and C3 is reflected by the reflecting plate 284 and guided to the image sensor 283. The image sensor 283 detects the reflected light (invisible light) from the reflecting plate 284, thereby capturing an image (identification information) that is invisible printed on the surface of the card C1, C2, C3 that contacts the panel 280.

Here, the first identification information is invisible printed on each surface (first surface) of the cards C1, C2, and C3. The second identification information is invisible printed on the back surface (second surface) of each of the cards C1, C2, and C3. The first identification information includes information about the type of card on which the first identification information is invisible printed. The second identification information includes information indicating that the surface on which the second identification information is invisible printed (that is, the second surface) is the back surface. Other information may be included in the first identification information and the second identification information. For example, the card identification information can be included in at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information. Further, at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information can include identification information of a card production lot.

The invisible printing on each of the front and back surfaces of the cards C1, C2, C3 can be performed at one place or at a plurality of positions.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of invisible printing on the card according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, identification information (for example, images having a predetermined shape indicating the type of card) is invisible printed at a plurality of positions on the surface (first surface) of the card S. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, identification information is invisible printed in the four corner areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 of the surface of the card S. In this way, the identification information is invisible printed at a plurality of positions on the surface of the card, so that even if the plurality of cards are placed on the top plate in a state of being partially overlapped, they are placed on top of each other. All types of cards and their positions on the top board can be detected.

The areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 are, for example, a circular area having a diameter of 10 mm and a square area having a side of 10 mm. The form of the code indicating the identification information that is invisible printed in the areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 is not particularly limited, and may be the same code, different codes, or a combination of multiple types of codes.

Further, the area that actually functions as identification information may be the whole or a part of each of the areas A1, A2, A3, and A4. The identification information is different for each card constituting a set of cards, for example. Further, when a plurality of sets of cards are used in the game, the identification information of cards having the same suit and number may be unified. The set of cards includes 12 cards of each suit and 2 jokers.

The identification information may be invisible printed in at least one of the areas A1, A2, A3, and A4 shown in FIG. For example, the identification information may be printed invisible in the areas A1 and A3. In this case, the gaming system 1 can detect all card types and positions on the top board even if a plurality of cards are stacked while being shifted in the short side direction. Alternatively, the identification information may be invisible printed in the areas A1 and A2. In this case, the gaming system 1 can detect the type of all cards and the position on the top board even if a plurality of cards are stacked while being shifted in the long side direction. Alternatively, the identification information may be invisible printed in the areas A1 and A4. In this case, the gaming system 1 reads all the types of cards and positions on the top board by reading the area A1 or A4, even if a plurality of cards are stacked while being shifted in the short side direction and the long side direction. Can be detected. Also on the back surface (second surface) of the card S, invisible printing can be performed in any shape and size at one or more positions.

The identification information is preferably updated for each game. For example, the identification information corresponding to each card may be changed for each set or a plurality of sets of cards used in one game. Thereby, since the identification information corresponding to each card is changed for each game, it is possible to prevent the dealer and the game participants from performing fraud such as forgery of the identification information. Further, for example, the identification information corresponding to each card may be changed for each set of manufacturing lots of cards. In this case, since the identification information corresponding to each card is changed for each game by using the card of one production lot in one game, the dealer and the game participants are illegal such as forgery of the identification information. Is suppressed.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. The image sensor 283 detects the invisible light reflected on the surfaces of the cards C1, C2, and C3, thereby reading the identification information printed invisible on the cards C1, C2, and C3, and the types of the cards C1, C2, and C3. Can be detected. The image sensor 283 can also detect the positions of the cards C1, C2, and C3 on the panel 280 based on the position of the identification information detected in the captured image. Furthermore, the image sensor 283 can also detect the orientation of each of the cards C1, C2, and C3 on the panel 280 based on the orientation of the identification information detected in the captured image. In this case, the image sensor 283 can also detect the orientations of the cards C1, C2, and C3 on the panel 280 based on the orientation of the identification information stored in the server 10 in advance. The image sensor 283 may record the detected types of the cards C1, C2, and C3 and the positions on the top board in the server 10.

In addition, the image captured by the image sensor 283 is transmitted from the gaming table 20 to the server 10, and the server 10 reads the identification information, detects each position of the cards C1, C2, and C3, and It is also possible to carry out processing for detecting the orientation of each of the cards C1, C2, and C3. In this case, the detection unit 121 of the server 10 performs these processes.

The above-described chip reading unit 240 is provided inside the housing 281 and on the top of the panel 280.

<Server software configuration>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the server according to the embodiment. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the server 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk 14, and a communication I / F (interface) 15. The detection unit 121, the determination unit 122, and the output unit 123 illustrated in FIG. 4 are realized by the CPU 11 temporarily expanding the software program stored in the ROM 12 or the hard disk 14 in the RAM 13 and performing processing according to the expanded program. Is done. Or the detection part 121, the determination part 122, and the output part 123 operate | move as CPU11 and communication I / F15 cooperate, and these function parts. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the server will be described by processing by software. However, by hardware dedicated to perform similar processing or by a combination of such hardware and software, You may be comprised so that a process may be implement | achieved.

When the game is continued, the detection unit 121 reads identification information printed invisible on the surface of the card based on the result detected by the image sensor 283, and determines the card type and the card on the top panel (panel 280). , The orientation of the card on the top plate, and at least one of whether the surface (contact surface) of the card in contact with the top plate is the back surface. For example, the detection unit 121 detects the card type based on the identification information recorded as some code and a table stored in the server 10 and associating the identification information with the card type. . Moreover, the detection part 121 detects the position of the card | curd on a top plate based on the position on the top plate of the identification information printed on the surface of a card | curd, for example. Furthermore, the detection unit 121 detects the orientation of the card on the top board based on, for example, the orientation of the identification information printed on the surface of the card on the top board. In this case, the detection unit 121 can also detect the orientation of the card on the top board based on the orientation of the identification information stored in the server 10 in advance. The detection unit 121 may record at least one of the detected card type, the position of the card on the top board, and the orientation of the card on the top board in the server 10. Note that the detection unit 121 may be included in the image sensor 283 instead of being included in the server 10.

Based on the game rule information stored in the hard disk 14, the determination unit 122 is in contact with the type of card detected by the detection unit 121, the position of the card on the top board, the orientation of the card on the top board, and the top board. It is determined whether the front and back of the card matches the rules of the game currently being continued.

The type of card detected by the determination unit 122, the position of the card on the top board, the orientation of the card on the top board, and the front and back of the surface of the card in contact with the top board match the rules of the game currently being continued. If the output unit 123 determines that the current card type, the position of the card on the top board, the direction of the card on the top board, and the signal that these match the game rules, May be output to the notification unit 260, and the notification unit 260 may notify the dealer of the information in various manners based on these signals.

The game rules in which at least one of the type of card detected by the determination unit 122, the position of the card on the top board, the orientation of the card on the top board, and the front and back of the surface of the card in contact with the top board are continuing When it is determined that they do not match, the output unit 123 matches the game rules with at least one of the current card type, the card position on the top board and the card orientation on the top board. The notification unit 260 may notify the dealer of the information in various manners based on these signals. Further, in this case, the output unit 123 outputs a signal corresponding to information indicating which type of card the dealer should place in which location and in which direction to the notification unit 260. The dealer may be notified in this manner.

The output unit 123 outputs to the notification unit 260 signals related to the type of card detected by the image sensor 283 or the detection unit 121, the position of the card on the top plate, and the orientation of the card on the top plate. Further, the output unit 123 may output a signal corresponding to information indicating which kind of card should be placed in which location and in what direction to the notification unit 260 by the dealer.

In the embodiment described above, the baccarat has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a typical card game performed in a casino includes blackjack. In the case of blackjack, unlike baccarat, the game results change depending on the user's intention. For example, it can be determined by the user's own intention whether the user requests addition of a playing card (hit) or does not request addition of a playing card (stay or stand).

<Effect of embodiment>
As described above, in this embodiment, the identification information is invisible printed on the surface of the card, the image sensor 283 detects the invisible light reflected on the surface of the card, and the image sensor 283 or the detection unit 121 identifies the identification information. The information is read, the card type and the position of the card on the top plate are detected, and the output unit 123 outputs the card type and the card position on the top plate to the notification unit 260. For this reason, the gaming system according to the present embodiment can prevent dealer errors. Further, the gaming system according to the present embodiment records the detected card type and the position of the card on the top board. For this reason, the gaming system according to the present embodiment can prevent the dealer from cheating.

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

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

10 Server 20 Game Table 31 Cashier Device 230 Card Shoe 260 Notification Unit

Claims

A card on which the first identification information including information on the card type is invisible printed on the first surface and the second identification information including information indicating that the card is the back surface is invisible printed on the second surface.
The card according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information includes identification information of the card.
2. The card according to claim 1, wherein the invisible printing is applied to a plurality of positions on at least one of the first surface and the second surface.
A top plate that can transmit light;
A light source for irradiating light on the first surface of the top plate;
By detecting light from the light source reflected by the contact surface with the second surface of the card placed on the second surface of the top plate, the card was invisible printed on the contact surface of the card A reading unit for reading the identification information;
A game system comprising: a detection unit that detects whether or not the contact surface is the back of the card based on the read identification information.
The game system according to claim 4, further comprising: an image output unit that detects the front and back of the card and displays an image on a display unit according to the state of the front and back of the card.