HK1110031A1 - Card reading device - Google Patents

Description

Card dealing device

The present application is a divisional application of an invention patent application having an application date of 2005, 3/4, an application number of 200580008328.7 and an invention name of "card shooter device".

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a card shoe for a card game played using playing cards (hereinafter simply referred to as cards) on a game table.

Background

Conventionally, card reading apparatuses used in card games such as casino have been proposed. For example, patent document 1 discloses a card reading device provided in a card shooter. In the device of this document, the card shoe incorporates a CCD image sensor and associated optics components. Further, a card reading window is provided at the outlet of the card shoe. The cards are read through the read window as they pass through the outlet of the card shoe.

[ patent document 1] Japanese patent application laid-open No. Hei 10-508236 (page 12)

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the above-described conventional technique, the reading accuracy is restricted by the structures of the CCD image sensor and the associated optical system. It is desirable to improve the reading accuracy as much as possible. This is extremely important to reduce the impact on game play caused by reading errors.

In addition, in the conventional apparatus, when the cards are drawn from the card shoe, the speed of the cards must be low. If the card speed is not low, the reading capability cannot be ensured. For example, the maximum speed is about 1 m/s. However, it is desirable to be able to read cards accurately even at higher speeds. This is also of paramount importance for the playing of casino and like games.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The purpose is to provide a card reading device having high reading accuracy and a high threshold value of card speed in reading.

The card shooter device of the invention is characterized in that: comprises a card shooter part having a card storage part for storing a plurality of cards and an opening through which the cards can be drawn out by sliding the cards from the card storage part; a card reading unit having a card guide unit for guiding the cards drawn one by one from the opening onto a game table, and reading the number of the cards from the cards drawn by the card shooter unit; a control unit having a processing function of determining the win or loss of the card game based on the information of the number of the cards sequentially read by the card reading unit; and a display unit that outputs a result of the determination by the control unit, wherein the card shooter unit, the card reader unit, and the control unit are integrally provided on the game table, and the card shooter device further includes a sensor that determines whether or not a card has normally passed through a card guide surface of the card guide unit.

According to the present invention, the reading accuracy is high, and the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading can be set to be large, for example, about 3.6 m/s. The reading result of the cards helps prevent fraud. Further, the winning or losing result is outputted to the display unit provided on the game table, thereby contributing to the progress of the game.

Preferably, the card reading unit may be configured to manually draw out the card drawn out from the card reading unit.

The card reading unit may include an invalidation mode setting unit that sets a first card invalidation mode for invalidating a card drawn out first in each game. The sensor is, for example, an object detection sensor. The card reading unit may include a mechanism for determining whether or not a code of the card drawn by the card shoe unit is normal. The card reading unit may include a mechanism that issues an alarm sound when the card is determined to be abnormal by determining whether the code of the card drawn by the card shooter unit is normal. This can contribute to the progress of the game and can prevent an illegal act.

Further, it is preferable that the card shooter unit, the card reader unit, the controller unit, and the display unit be integrally provided on the game table. The display unit includes a first display unit disposed on the upper portion of the housing and a second display unit disposed on a side portion of the housing. This enables the dealer to smoothly progress the card game.

Further, a card shooter device according to the present invention includes: a card shooter section having a card storage section for storing a plurality of cards and an opening through which the cards can be drawn out by sliding the cards from the card storage section; and a card reading unit having a card guide unit for guiding cards drawn one by one from the opening onto a game table, and reading the number of the cards from the cards manually drawn by the card dealing unit, wherein the card dealing unit and the card reading unit are integrated and can be provided on the game table.

According to the present invention, the card dealing device reads the cards on the game table, and when the cards are returned, the read result is invalidated. This can be suitably handled even when the card is returned. Further, it is possible to contribute to the progress of the game and prevent an illegal act.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a card reading device having high reading accuracy and a high threshold value of card speed at the time of reading.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a card reading device according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the platform together with a gaming table and a card shoe.

Figure 3 is a top view of the platform and card shoe.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the sensor cover (cover) removed.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the platform.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a sensor arrangement.

Fig. 7 is a view showing the back surface of the stage.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a control structure including a control box.

Fig. 9 is a graph showing sensor outputs in various situations.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of output waveforms of the sensor group.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the card reading device at the time of setting the normal mode.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the card reading device in the special mode setting.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of cards.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a structure in which a card reading device and a card shoe are integrated.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a detailed description of the present invention will be described. However, the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

The card reading device of the present embodiment is provided on a game table, and includes: the platform is arranged on the game table and used for installing the card shooter; a card guide unit which is provided on the table and guides the cards drawn one by one from the card shooter to the game table; and an ultraviolet sensor provided in the card guide unit and configured to read an ultraviolet response code indicating the number of cards from the cards.

By adopting the structure, a platform is arranged between the game table and the card dealer, and the platform has a card reading function. Therefore, the card can be read while using the conventional card shooter. In addition, since the ultraviolet sensor is used, the reading accuracy is high. The threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading can be set large. The critical value is, for example, around 3.6 m/s. Further, the reading result of the card can be effectively used for preventing the illicit.

The card reading device of the present embodiment may be: the card guide section has a card guide surface, a card guide rail is provided at an edge portion of the card guide surface, a card passage gap is formed between the card guide surface and the card guide rail, and an ultraviolet sensor is provided to read a card from the card guide surface in the card passage gap. Thus, the influence of external light on the card reading section can be reduced, and reading accuracy can be improved.

The card reading device may include a win/loss determination unit that determines a win/loss of the card game based on the number of the cards sequentially read by the ultraviolet sensor, and an output unit that outputs a win/loss result determined by the win/loss determination unit. Can assist in the game. And it is possible to prevent an illegal act.

The card reading device may include an invalidation mode setting unit that sets a first card invalidation mode for invalidating the first drawn card in each game. Even when a rule for invalidating the first card is adopted, the card reading device can perform a game result determination process conforming to the card game rule. Therefore, the card game can be smoothly performed.

The card reading device may include: a first card detection sensor and a second card detection sensor arranged along a guide direction of the card guide unit to detect the presence or absence of a card, and a measurement validity/invalidity determination unit; the measurement validity/invalidity determination unit determines whether or not the card has passed normally along the card guide unit based on detection signals from the first card detection sensor and the second card detection sensor.

The measurement validity/invalidity determining unit may be configured to validate reading of the cards when the first card detecting sensor and the second card detecting sensor sequentially detect the cards and then the first card detecting sensor and the second card detecting sensor sequentially do not detect the cards.

The measurement validity/invalidity determining unit may be configured to invalidate the reading of the cards when the first card detecting sensor and the second card detecting sensor sequentially detect the cards and the second card detecting sensor and the first card detecting sensor sequentially do not detect the cards. The card handling device can be suitably used when a card is returned.

The sensitivity of the second card detection sensor may be set so as to detect the playing card and not to detect the cut-card. The card reading device can be well handled when a base card is used.

The ultraviolet sensor may be configured to detect a code element from a predetermined number of code elements arranged in a card drawing direction as an ultraviolet response code, and output a detection signal. The card reading device includes a rank determination unit that determines the rank of the card associated with the number of code elements based on a detection signal of the ultraviolet sensor. The code elements are typically indicia printed with UV reactive ink.

The number of code elements is associated with at least the rank of the card. The number of code elements may be associated with a category (spade, heart, etc.) in addition to the number of cards. The number of code elements may also be associated with other information.

The UV-reactive code may have a plurality of columns of code elements. The cards may be determined by a combination of the number of code elements of the columns. In this case, the cards are determined based on a predetermined number of code elements of the plurality of columns. Therefore, in this case, a predetermined number of code elements are also read. Then, the rank determination section determines the rank of the card associated with the number of the code elements.

In such a configuration, an ultraviolet sensor is provided, and the code elements are detected by the ultraviolet sensor, and the cards are specified based on the number of the code elements. Therefore, the card can be detected with high accuracy.

From another perspective, a card-handing apparatus is disclosed. The card shooter device has a card reading function for reading the number of cards. The card shooter device includes an ultraviolet sensor for reading an ultraviolet response code indicating the number of cards drawn one by one from the card shooter. In this case, the card shoe and the card reading device may be separate or integrated. In this case, there is obtained an advantage that reading accuracy can be improved, and there is obtained an advantage that a threshold value of the speed of the card at the time of reading can be improved.

The card shoe device may include a housing (housing), a card shoe portion provided in the housing, and a card guide portion provided in the housing and guiding cards drawn one by one from the card shoe portion onto the game table. The ultraviolet sensor may be disposed in the housing. The housing may include a processing portion that processes read data of the ultraviolet sensor, and a display portion that displays a processing result of the processing portion.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a card reading device 10 according to an embodiment. A card reading device 10 includes a platform 12. A control box 14 is attached to the platform 12. A monitor 16 and a win-or-lose display box 18 are connected to the control box 14. The control box 14 is a computer device that controls the entire apparatus.

Referring to fig. 2, the platform 12 is disposed on a gaming table 20. Also, a card shoe 22 (shoe-shaped card shoe) is mounted on the platform 12.

The card shoe 22 may be an existing general type (type) card shoe. The card shooter 22 is constituted by a card storage unit 24, and a front leg 26 and a rear leg 27 below the card storage unit. The bottom plate 28 and the front wall 30 of the card storage unit 24 are inclined as shown in the drawing. In the card storage unit 24, the bundle of cards is pushed forward by the card pressing member 32 with rollers and abuts against the front wall 30. As shown in fig. 3, the front wall 30 has a U-shaped opening 34 at the lower side. The dealer (dealer) slides the cards to draw the cards from the opening 34.

A black cloth 36 (omitted in the other figures) is hung on the front wall 30 to block the opening 34. Although not shown, a cover (cover) is attached to an upper portion of the card storage unit 24. The card shoe 22 is made of resin and is black as a whole.

Next, the structure of the stage 12 will be described. The deck 12 is made of resin, and is black as in the card shoe 22. The platform 12 is in the form of a thin cuboid overall. The deck 12 has a game table mounting surface 40 on the lower side and a dealer setting surface 42 on the upper side. These faces are all flat.

The card shoe installation surface 42 is provided with shoe positioning blocks 44 and 46. The card shoe 22 is placed on the shoe setting surface 42 such that the front leg 26 and the rear leg 27 of the card shoe 22 are in contact with the shoe setting blocks 44, 46. In this manner, the card shoe 22 is positioned relative to the platform 12.

A dealer shoe 48 is attached to the front end of the dealer mounting surface 42. The card shoe 48 presses the front end portion of the card shoe 22 from above. In this manner, the card shoe 22 is retained on the platform 12.

The deck 12 has a card guide 50 at the front. The card guide unit 50 guides the cards drawn one by one from the card shoe 22 to the game table 20 as described below.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the card guide 50 has a card guide surface 52 that is an inclined surface. One end of the card guide surface 52 is connected to the card outlet opening 34 of the card shoe 22. The card guide surface 52 extends forward and downward from the card outlet. The other end of the card guide surface 52 is connected to the game table 20. The card guide surface 52 is a measuring surface for reading cards.

Card guide rails 54 are attached to both side edges of the card guide surface 52. As shown in fig. 2, a card passage gap 56 is formed between the card guide rail 54 and the card guide surface 52. The card pass gap 56 is sized to be slightly larger than the thickness of the card. The cards pass through the card guide surface 52 after being drawn from the card shoe 22. At this time, the opposite ends of the card pass through the card passage gap 56.

As shown in the drawing, the slope of the card guide surface 50 changes halfway. The card guide rail 54 is provided in a region before the slope is changed. Further, the card guide rail 54 is slightly longer than the short side of the card.

Further, a sensor cover 58 is attached to each of the 2 card guide rails 54 with screws. As shown in fig. 4, when the sensor cover 58 is removed, 4 sensors are exposed (present). The 4 sensors include 2 ultraviolet sensors 60, an object detection sensor 62, and a measurement validity determination sensor 64. These sensors are provided on the card guide surface 52 of the card guide unit 50. In the figure, the ultraviolet sensor 60 and the measurement valid judgment sensor 64 are visible from the sensor cleaning holes 66, 67. The sensor cleaning holes 66, 67 penetrate the card guide rail 54.

As shown in fig. 4, an ultraviolet sensor 60 (hereinafter, referred to as a UV sensor 60) is provided on the card guide surface 52 on the side relatively upstream in the card flow direction. As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the UV sensor 60 is disposed in the space inside the stage 12. The UV sensor 60 is fixed to the top plate (the back surface side of the card guide surface 52) by a fixing member (stay). The UV sensor 60 is exposed from the opening of the card guide surface 52.

The UV sensor 60 includes an LED (ultraviolet LED) and a detector. The LED emits ultraviolet (black light). Ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the cards, and the codes on the cards are detected by a detector. The cards are printed with codes of the number of cards (rank, a, 2 to 10, J, Q, K) using ultraviolet light emitting ink which develops when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

The UV sensor 60 is connected to the control box 14 via a cable (cable). The control box 14 judges the number of cards based on the output signal of the detector of the UV sensor 60.

Here, the code of the rank of the card is, for example, a plurality of quadrangular markers arranged on the edge of the card. The number of cards is represented by the number of indicia. The UV sensor 60 outputs an ON signal when detecting the mark. Therefore, the UV sensors 60 of both edges output an ON signal of the number of marks. The control box 14 counts ON signals input from the 2 UV sensors 60. The control box 14 determines the number of 2 markers detected by the 2 UV sensors 60. The control box 14 then determines the rank of the cards based on the number of indicia.

The number of indicia may be the same or different than the number of playing cards. The number of the marks may correspond to the number of the cards in a one-to-one manner. In the control box 14, the number of detected marks can be compared with the number of previously entered marks. The rank of the cards may be determined based on the comparison.

In the baccarat game, "J", "Q", and "K" are treated in the same manner as "10". Therefore, "J", "Q", and "K" may be labeled with the same code as "10". Further, a code indicating the rank and suit (suit) of the card may be marked on the card. The flower color is black peach, red peach, diamond, plum blossom. Such a code may also be read. In this way, the form of the code is not limited as long as the number of cards required for the game can be expressed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the card reading device 10 includes the UC sensor 60 that detects the mark from the card and outputs a signal. The UV sensor 60 outputs an ON signal when the mark passes. A predetermined number of indicia are provided on the playing cards. The mark is set at the edge portion. The indicia are arranged in the card drawing direction such that the indicia pass through the UV sensor 60. The number of indicia is associated with the rank of the card. The control box 14 determines the cards based on the detection signal of the UV sensor 60.

As described above, the card reading device 10 is provided with 2 UV sensors 60 (fig. 4 and 5). Therefore, as shown in the example of fig. 13, marks are arranged on both edges of the card corresponding to the UV sensors 60 on both sides. These marks are read by the UV sensor 60 on both sides. The marks are suitably arranged in the areas without pattern as shown in the figure. While the actual indicia is typically not visible.

Indicating the association of the number of indicia with the cards. In an embodiment, a predetermined number of indicia are suitably arranged on each edge of the playing card. Or only the sum of the number of tokens may be associated with the rank of the card. Further, it is also possible that a combination of 2 columns of the number of indicia is associated with the rank of the card. In the latter method, more cards can be identified with fewer marks. Fig. 13 is an example. The number of label columns is not limited to 2 columns. The number of columns may also be 1. The number of columns may also be greater than or equal to 3. Two 2 mark columns may be provided at each edge as appropriate. In this case, the configuration of the UV sensor is also appropriately adjusted.

Further, the description of the structure of the control box 14 is supplemented. The control box 14 includes a counter, a memory (storage section), and a point determination section. The counter counts the detection signal from the UV sensor 60 to determine the number of marks. The memory stores information associating the number of indicia with the cards. The associated information is typically a table (table). The rank determining unit determines the rank of the card based on the number of the marks by referring to the information in the memory.

In the case of the present embodiment, the counter can obtain the number of 2 marks corresponding to 2 UV sensors 60. Combinations of the number of indicia of the plurality of columns may be associated with the playing cards as described above. In this case, the memory stores information associating combinations of the number of indicia with the playing cards. The rank specifying unit specifies cards corresponding to the combinations of the number of tokens.

Next, the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 are optical fiber sensors that detect the presence or absence of a card. The object detection sensor 62 is located on the card guide surface 52 and on the most upstream side in the card flow direction. The measurement validity determination sensor 64 is located downstream of the object detection sensor 62. As shown in fig. 6, the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side with the reading point of the UV sensor 60 therebetween. The object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 correspond to the first card detection sensor and the second card detection sensor of the present invention, respectively.

The object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 are disposed in the internal space of the table 12, fixed to the top plate, and exposed from the opening of the card guide surface 52, as in the case of the UV sensor.

As shown in fig. 2, the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 are connected to the control box 14 by a cable via a sense amplifier (sensor amplifier) 68. The sense amplifier 68 is of the 2ch type. The sense amplifier 68 can independently control the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64. As will be described later, the control box 14 controls the start and end of reading by the UV sensor 60 based on the detection signals of the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64, and determines whether or not the card has normally passed the card guide surface 52.

Further, as shown in fig. 2, a buzzer 70, a button 72 with an indicator light (lamp), a reset switch 74, an error indicator light 76 (red), a monitor changeover switch 78, and a normal indicator light 80 (green) are provided on the side surface of the platform 12. A button 72 with an indicator light that lights up or goes out each time the button is pressed. The reset switch 74 is a switch of a type that turns a key inserted into a key hole. The monitor switch 78 is a handle switch. Further, on the upper face of the platform 12, a standard/special mode changeover switch 82 is provided. The switch 82 is also a switch of the type that turns a key inserted into a keyhole. As shown in fig. 7, a power switch 84 and a cable connector (cable connector)86 are provided on the rear surface of the platform 12. The various switches, indicator lamps, buzzers, and the like are connected to the control box 14 via cables, and used for various processes of the control box 14.

In the above, the structure of the stage 12 is explained. As shown in fig. 1, a monitor 16 and a win/lose display box 18 are also provided in the card reading device 10.

The monitor 16, which is controlled by the control box 14, displays the reading of the cards and information related to the game. On the victory or defeat display box 18, 3 indicator lights are provided. The 3 indicator lights are a player winning indicator light 90 (red), a tie indicator light 92 (yellow), and a banker winning indicator light 94 (green), respectively. These indicator lights, controlled by the control box 14, are illuminated to indicate the win or loss of the game. As described in the present description, the card reading device 10 according to the embodiment is applied to a baccarat game.

The monitor 16 and the win/lose display box 18 are provided at appropriate positions on the game table 20. The control box 14 is disposed at an appropriate position such as a lower side of the game table 20.

Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram of various structures associated with the control box 14. The control box 14 is a computer device as described above. The control box 14 is connected to the UV sensor 60, the object detection sensor 62, and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 of the platform 12. The control box 14 is connected to and controls various switches and indicator lamp groups of the platform 12. In addition, the control box 14 is connected to the monitor 16 and the 3 indicator lamps of the victory or defeat display box 18 to control their displays.

The computer of the control box 14 has a processing function of automatically judging the win or loss of the game. This function is realized by programming a program for win/loss judgment into a computer. The program is executed by a processor of a computer.

The judgment processing of the computer is as follows. The computer obtains the number of cards sequentially drawn from the card shoe 22 to the game table 20 using the UV sensor 60. The obtained card ranks are sequentially stored in a memory. At this time, information on which player each card has been dealt is also stored in the memory. That is, the rank of the card is stored in association with the player dealt.

Supplementing the description of this point. The card reading device 10 is used for baccarat game as described above. In the baccarat game, there are a player and a banker 2 person (here, both are referred to as players). Then, the player to whom the next card is dealt is uniquely determined based on the number of cards dealt before and the rank of each card. The computer refers to the number of cards stored in the memory and determines to which player the card read by the UV sensor 60 is dealt. Then, the rank of the dealt card is stored in the memory in association with each player.

Further, the computer reads out the number of cards dealt to the two players from the memory. The number of the read cards is compared to judge the win or loss. At this time, the number of cards of each player is summed. The aggregate of the two players is then compared. Then, it is determined which player wins. A determination is also made as to ties.

In this way, in the baccarat game, the win or loss can be automatically determined only based on the number of cards sequentially drawn from the card reading device 10. It is also possible to detect which player the card has been dealt to without using a separate sensor or the like. For example, a sensor provided separately on the table may not be used.

The control box 14 outputs the win/lose result to the monitor 16 and the win/lose display box 18. The monitor 16 displays the read points, the win or lose result, and the like. Also, in the win/loss display box 18, any one of the player win indicator lamp 90, the tie indicator lamp 92, and the dealer win indicator lamp 94 is lit in accordance with the win/loss result.

Next, the functions of the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 will be described. As described above, the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 detect the presence or absence of a card and output a detection signal to the control box 14. In the embodiment, the signal is ON when there is a card and OFF when there is no card.

First, the detection signal of the object detection sensor 62 is used to control the start and end of reading by the UV sensor 60. That is, when the object detection sensor 62 detects a card (turns from OFF to ON), the control box 14 instructs the UV sensor 60 to start reading. In the UV sensor 60, the LED is lit and the detector reads the code. When the object detection sensor 62 does not detect a card (changes from ON to OFF), the control box 14 instructs the UV sensor 60 to end reading. In the UV sensor 60, the LED is off.

The object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 are also used to determine whether or not the card has passed the card guide surface 52 normally.

The first horizontal row in fig. 9 shows the sensor output when the measurement is normal (when the card has passed normally). In this case, the signal is turned ON in the order of the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64. Next, the signal is turned OFF in the order of the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64. The reading result (measurement result) of the UV sensor 60 is valid (reading is established).

However, even if the passage of the cards is normal, the number of the marks read by the UV sensor 60 is abnormal. In this case, the control box 14 determines that the card itself is abnormal. For example, a card is abnormal when there is no mark on both edges of the card. The number of entered marks may also be compared to the number of detected marks.

The second horizontal row of fig. 9 shows the sensor output when the card is discharged to the card guide a little and then returned. The object detection sensor 62 is turned ON, and then the object detection sensor 62 is turned OFF. Since the card does not reach the measurement validity determination sensor 64, the measurement validity determination sensor 64 is not turned ON. In this case, the reading result of the UV sensor 60 is invalid.

The third row in fig. 9 shows the sensor output when the card reaches the measurement validity determination sensor 64 and is returned. The signal is turned ON in the order of the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64. Then, the signal is turned OFF in the order of the measurement validity determination sensor 64 and the object detection sensor 62. In this case, the reading result of the UV sensor 60 is also invalid.

The 4 th row in fig. 9 shows the sensor output when the bottom card is extracted. Here, the bottom deck refers to a card used in casino and the like. The base card is inserted into the bundle of cards. Cards from the base card onwards are not used in the game. If the floor is not ignored, a read error will occur. Therefore, in order to omit the floor plate, the embodiment is configured as follows.

The bottom card is blue. The sensitivity of the object detection sensor 62 is adjusted to detect not only the blue object but also the white and marker colors. The marking color is a color when the ultraviolet-reactive ink develops color. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the measurement validity judgment sensor 64 is adjusted so that the blue object cannot be detected. Further, the sensitivity of the measurement validity judgment sensor 64 is adjusted so as to be able to detect white and marker colored objects. This adjustment is achieved by reducing the sensitivity of the measurement valid judgment sensor 64.

Since the sensitivity setting is performed in this manner, the sensor output is as in the 4 th case of fig. 9. When the bottom plate passes, the object detection sensor 62 is turned ON and then turned OFF. The measurement validity determines that the sensor 64 is unresponsive. Therefore, the same sensor output as in the second case of fig. 9 can be obtained. Therefore, the reading of the UV sensor 60 is invalid. Thus, the passing of the bottom plate can be ingeniously ignored.

In the above example, the floor is blue. But the invention is not limited thereto. It is sufficient if the sensor sensitivity can be adjusted so that only the bottom plate is not detected. Other colors may be used.

Fig. 10 shows an example of a sensor output waveform. When the measurement is valid, the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement valid determination sensor 64 are normally ON and OFF. During the measurement period (ON period of the object detection sensor 62), the UV sensor 60 is turned ON and OFF. The number of cards can be obtained from ON/OFF signals of the UV sensor 60.

In the next category, a card hand-back occurs. In this case, the object detection sensor 62 is already turned OFF before the measurement valid determination sensor 64 is turned ON. The reading of the UV sensor 60 during the measurement is set to invalid.

In the next category, the floor is passed. As in the previous type, only the object detection sensor 62 is turned ON and OFF. The UV sensor 60 does not output an ON signal. In this case, the read result is also set to invalid.

In the next category, cards without printed codes are passed. The object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 are normally ON and OFF. However, during the measurement, the UV sensor 60 maintains the OFF state. In this case, the control box 14 determines that the abnormal card has passed.

The function of the sensor group is explained in detail above. Next, the operation of the card reading device 10 of the embodiment will be described.

Fig. 11 shows the operation of the card reading device 10 when 1 game is played. As a precondition of the operation of fig. 11, the power switch 84 is turned on. Then, the monitor switches the handle of the switch 78 to the "front of game" side. "before game" is displayed on the monitor 16. Further, the key of the reset switch 74 is rotated to the left. The left side is the usual position. Further, the standard/special mode setting switch 82 is turned to the standard side.

In this state, the first card is read (S10). Whether or not reading (measurement) is valid is determined based on the outputs of the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 (S12). When S12 is NO (invalid), the process returns to S10. For example, when a card return occurs, the flow returns from S12 to S10. When the card passes through the bottom card, the flow returns from S12 to S10.

If YES at S12, it is judged whether the card code is normal (S14). For example, in the case of NO code, S14 is NO. In this case, the error indicator lamp 76 is turned on, and the buzzer 70 sounds an alarm sound (S16). The warning sound is, for example, a loud continuous sound. The alarm sound is stopped when the reset switch 74 is operated. The reset switch 74 is rotated from left to right and then back to the left.

When S14 is YES, the normal indicator lamp 80 is turned on, and the buzzer 70 sounds a sound indicating normal (S18). For example, a short and small sound is output.

Subsequently, the game processing is performed (S20). Here, as described above, the number of read cards is stored for each player or each dealer. Then, the stored card ranks are compared. Then, it is judged whether the game has ended. And, the win or loss of the game is judged. If the game has not ended (S22, NO), the operation returns to S10 to read the next card. If the game has ended (YES at S22), the operation of the monitor changeover switch 78 is awaited (S24).

When the handle of the monitor switch 78 is turned upside down toward the "after game" (YES at S24), the display of the monitor 16 is switched to "after game", and the win or loss is displayed (S26). Also, in the win/loss display box 18, an indicator lamp is lighted in accordance with the win/loss result (S28).

When the monitor switches the handle of the switch 78 to reverse the direction to "before the game" (YES at S30), the display on the monitor 16 is changed to "before the game", and the process ends. Then, the next game is entered, and the process of fig. 11 is performed again.

Fig. 12 shows the operation of the card reading device 10 when the special mode is set. The special mode is set by the control box 14 when the standard/special mode changeover switch 82 is turned to the "special" side. In the special mode, the first drawn card is invalidated in each game. That is, the special mode is the first card disabling mode.

Fig. 12 is different from fig. 11 in that the process of S40 is performed first before S10. At S40, it is determined whether the card is the first card. For example, the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64 are turned ON in this order, and turned OFF in this order. At this point, the passage of the card is detected. Then, it is determined whether the card is the first card. If the card is the first card, then the process does not proceed to S10, but returns to S40. If the card is not the first card, then proceed to S10. The second and subsequent cards are read.

For example, a flag (flag) is used to determine whether the card is the first one. That is, in the process of S40, if no mark is made, it is determined that the card is the first card. And then marked. If the indicia has been made, it is determined that the card is not the first card. When the game is over, the flag is reset.

The indicator light-carrying button 72 of the platform 12 is a button that turns on or off the indicator light each time the button is pressed. When the indicator lamp of the button 72 is turned off, the card reading device 10 reads the cards as described above. When the button 72 is turned on, the card reading device 10 does not read the card. The button 72 is used, for example, when temporarily suppressing reading by the card reading device 10.

The preferred embodiments have been described above. According to an embodiment, there is a platform 12 between the gaming table 20 and the card shoe 22, the platform 12 having card reading functionality. Therefore, the cards can be read while using the conventional card shooter 22. Further, since the ultraviolet sensor 60 is used, the reading accuracy can be improved. In addition, the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading can be increased. The critical value is, for example, around 3.6 m/s. Thus, the conventional card shooter can be effectively used, the reading accuracy can be improved, and the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading can be increased. Further, the reading result of the card can be effectively used for preventing the illicit.

In the embodiment, the card guide portion 50 has a card guide surface 52. A card guide rail 54 is provided at an edge of the card guide surface 52. A card passage gap 56 is formed between the card guide surface 52 and the card guide rail 54. Further, an ultraviolet sensor 60 is provided to read the card from the card guide surface 52 in the card passage gap 56. Therefore, the influence of the external light of the card reading portion can be reduced, and the reading accuracy can be improved.

In the embodiment, the computer of the control box 14 has a function of the win/loss determination unit. The control unit automatically determines the win or loss of the card game based on the number of the cards sequentially read by the ultraviolet sensor. Then, the control section outputs the judged win or loss result from the monitor 16 and the win or loss display box 18. Therefore, the progress of the game can be assisted. And it is possible to prevent an illegal act.

In the embodiment, the computer of the control box 14 has a function of the invalid mode setting unit. The control unit can set the first card invalidation mode as described above. Even when a rule for invalidating the first card is adopted, the card reading device 10 can perform a game result determination process conforming to the card game rule. Therefore, the card game can be smoothly performed.

In the embodiment, the first card detection sensor and the second card detection sensor (the object detection sensor 62 and the measurement validity determination sensor 64) are arranged along the guide direction of the card guide unit 50. The computer of the control box 14 also has a function of a measurement validity/invalidity determination unit. The control unit can determine whether or not the card has passed normally along the card guide unit 50.

In the embodiment, when the first card detection sensor and the second card detection sensor sequentially detect cards and then the first card detection sensor and the second card detection sensor sequentially do not detect cards, the computer of the control box 14 can appropriately determine that the cards have passed normally.

In the embodiment, the computer of the control box 14 sets the reading of the cards to be invalid when the second card detection sensor and the first card detection sensor do not detect the cards after the first card detection sensor and the second card detection sensor detect the cards sequentially. Therefore, it is possible to cope with the return of the card.

In the embodiment, the sensitivity of the second card detection sensor is set to be low so that the playing card is detected and the base card is not detected. Therefore, the effect of the present invention can be suitably achieved when the base plate is used.

An ultraviolet sensor (UV sensor) detects code elements from cards in which a predetermined number of code elements are arranged in a card drawing direction as ultraviolet reaction codes, and outputs a detection signal. The card reading device 10 includes a rank determination unit that determines a card associated with the number of code elements based on a detection signal of the ultraviolet sensor. The code elements are in the above described embodiments marks printed with uv reactive ink. Further, the point determination section is a computer of the control box.

As in the above example, the UV reaction code may have multiple columns of code elements. The cards may be determined using a combination of the number of code elements of the columns. In this case, the cards are determined based on a predetermined number of code elements of the plurality of columns. Therefore, in this case, a predetermined number of code elements are also read. The rank determination section determines the rank of the card associated with the number of the code elements.

In an embodiment, as described above, the number of code elements is associated with at least the rank of the card. The number of code elements may be associated with a category (spade, red peach, etc.) in addition to the number of cards. The number of code elements may also be associated with other information.

According to an embodiment, an ultraviolet sensor is provided, and the code elements are detected by the ultraviolet sensor, and the cards are determined according to the number of the code elements. Therefore, the card can be detected with high accuracy.

The advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail here by comparison with the prior art.

The prior art uses visible light cameras. In the case of a visible light camera, the pattern that is originally on the card must be used. The code element as in the present invention cannot be used for the following reason. That is, when a visible light camera is used, only an object of visible light can be read. The code elements should be printed with visible ink. However, it is not allowed to add code elements of visible ink other than the original pattern to the cards. Because this impairs the appearance. Therefore, in the case of using a visible light camera, such a code element of the present invention cannot be used. In another aspect, the present invention uses an ultraviolet sensor. Therefore, the code element only needs to react to ultraviolet rays. That is, the code element may not be a visible-light subject in general. In this way, in the present invention, since the ultraviolet sensor is provided, the code element can be utilized. That is, a reading target other than the existing pattern of the card can be used.

In addition, since a visible light camera has been used conventionally, it is necessary to use the existing card pattern as described above. Therefore, the reading accuracy is low, and the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading is also low. On the other hand, in the present invention, the ultraviolet sensor detects the code element. Cards are then determined based on the number of code elements. The code element is, for example, a tag. The number of marks may be counted instead of the image processing of the pattern. Such counting can be performed with high accuracy. Further, even if the card speed is increased, the counting of the number of marks can be performed with high accuracy.

In addition, the present invention is also different from a bar code reader. The barcode reader takes the thickness of a line as a reading object. Whereas the thickness of the lines is not detected in the present invention. Only the mark is detected and counted. Cards are then determined based on the number of indicia. Thus, reading is more accurate than barcode readers. Then, the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading is increased.

As described above, in the present invention, (1) since the ultraviolet sensor is provided, the reading target is a code element other than the conventional pattern. (2) Unlike the conventional pattern image processing, code elements are detected, and cards are specified based on the number of code elements. Due to these factors, the accuracy of reading can be improved compared to the conventional one. In addition, the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading can be increased.

As a further advantage, the code elements are assigned to all cards appropriately. Therefore, when the code element is not detected, the card is known to be abnormal. This works well in preventing illicit behavior.

In addition, as another advantage, by using the ultraviolet sensor, the device can be downsized compared to a conventional configuration having a visible light camera.

Further, in the card reading apparatus 10 of the embodiment, the platform 12, the control box 14, the monitor 16, and the win or loss display box 18 are separated. As a modification, some or all of these may be integrally formed. For example, the control box 14 may be built into the platform 12.

The card reading device 10 according to the embodiment can be used for card inspection for preventing a fraud or the like. Therefore, the card reading device 10 may be referred to as a card checking device, and the card reading device 10 may be used together with a shoe (card shoe). Therefore, the card reading device 10 may be referred to as a shoe shape inspection device. The reading of the code in the above-described embodiment may also be referred to as measurement for inspection. Accordingly, the UV sensor 60 may also be referred to as a code reading sensor. Also, the UV sensor 60 may also be referred to as a measurement sensor.

In another modification, the card reading device 10 of the embodiment is integrated with a card shoe. In this case, the advantage that the existing card shooter can be used cannot be obtained. However, an advantage of being able to improve the reading accuracy can be obtained. Further, the card reading apparatus can obtain an advantage that the threshold value of the card speed at the time of reading can be increased.

Fig. 14 shows an integrated structure. The card-handing device 200 includes a housing 202. The housing 202 corresponds to a structure in which the housing of the card shoe and the housing of the deck in the above-described embodiment are integrated. The housing 202 is provided with a card shoe portion 204. The card shoe 204 has various configurations of the card shoe.

The housing 202 is also provided with: a card reading unit 206, a control unit 208, a first display unit 210, and a second display unit 212. The card reading unit 206 includes a card guide unit 214 and a sensor unit 216.

The card guide 214 has the same function and structure as those of the card guide in the above-described embodiment. In the above embodiment, the card guide portion is provided on the table. In this configuration, the card guide 214 is provided in the housing 202. The card guide 214 may be connected to the structure of the card outlet portion of the card shoe portion 204. Further, the card guide 214 may be integrated with the structure of the exit portion.

The sensor unit 216 is constituted by the sensor group of the above embodiment. That is, the sensor unit 216 includes an ultraviolet sensor 2161, an object detection sensor 2162, a measurement validity determination sensor 2163, and related components. In the above embodiments, the sensor is built into the platform. In the present configuration, the sensor unit 216 is incorporated in the housing 202. The sensor unit 216 is located at the card guide unit 206.

The control unit 208 is a control device corresponding to the control box of the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the control box is disposed separately from the stage. In the present configuration, the control unit 208 is incorporated in the housing 202.

The first display unit 210 is the monitor of the above embodiment. The second display portion 212 corresponds to the 3 indicator lamps of the win/lose display box in the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the monitor and the indicator lamp are disposed on the table apart from the platform. In the present configuration, the monitor of the first display unit 210 is provided on the side surface of the housing 202. The second display portion 212 is provided at the rear end portion of the upper surface of the housing 202.

The card shooter device 200 reads cards, processes the read data, and displays the processing result, as in the above-described embodiment.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments and that all such modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included in the following claims.

(availability in industry)

The present invention can improve the reading precision of the code of the card and is helpful to prevent the illegal action.

Claims (2)

1. A card shoe apparatus, comprising:

comprises that

A card shooter section having a card storage section for storing a plurality of cards and an opening through which the cards can be drawn out by sliding the cards from the card storage section;

a card reading unit having a card guide unit for guiding the cards drawn one by one from the opening onto a game table, and reading the number of the cards from the cards drawn by the card shooter unit;

a control unit having a processing function of determining whether or not the card game is successful based on the information on the number of cards sequentially read by the card reading unit; and

a display unit for outputting the judgment result judged by the control unit,

wherein the card shooter unit, the card reader unit, and the controller unit are integrally provided on the game table, and the controller unit is provided on the game table

The card shooter device further includes a sensor for determining whether or not the card has passed the card guide surface of the card guide portion normally.

2. The card shooter apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that:

the card player further includes an invalid mode setting mechanism for setting a first card invalid mode for invalidating the first drawn card.