HK1226355B - Management system and method of package of shuffled playing cards - Google Patents

Description

Management system and method for shuffled game card packs

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a management system and method for shuffled playing card packages, which is used to prevent the card packages from being lost or replaced during the operation of a casino or other card game facilities using card game tables and using a large number of card packages.

Background Art

Among the many live table games played in casinos and gaming establishments are baccarat and blackjack. These games use a standard deck of 52 playing cards, dealt to the gaming table from a card dealer containing multiple pre-shuffled decks (6, 9, or 10 decks). The casino operator (hereinafter referred to as the "dealer") distributes the playing cards to the gaming table for use in these games, so the outcome (winner) of the game is determined by the arrangement of the multiple decks from the card dealer. For this purpose, casinos use these shuffled multiple-deck packs, using a predetermined deck of playing cards that are shuffled in a random order (arrangement) and individually packaged into packs.

Loss or replacement of cards in a casino is prohibited. This is because if someone reads the arrangement of the cards placed in a pack and replaces the pack or replaces it with cards whose arrangement is known, the arrangement of the cards dealt by the dealer when the pack is used can be known, allowing this person to predict the outcome of the game. Preventing the loss and replacement of shuffled playing card packs in a casino ensures fair play, so casinos manage shuffled playing card packs so that the game on the table proceeds appropriately (i.e., management is performed to prevent replacement of shuffled playing card packs or other unexpected or improper behavior). The management of shuffled playing card packs is well known and is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (International Application Publication WO2015/019619).

The present invention provides a management method or system for monitoring shuffled playing card packs in a casino. Shuffled playing card packs in the casino are managed around the gaming tables, thereby preventing shuffled playing card packs from becoming unaccounted for (even temporarily) or lost, thereby preventing their replacement. This management is important because if a shuffled playing card pack on a table is lost in the casino, even if it is later found, someone may have known or recorded the arrangement of the cards in the pack during the period it was lost. For example, if someone reads or replaces the entire arrangement of several cards or a pack before the pack is transported to the gaming table, that person may win the game on the table to which the replaced or read pack was transferred.

Summary of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, the game card packs used in casino games need to be managed from the time they are transported to the game table to the time they are taken out by the operator (dealer) so as to prevent the card packs from being lost, replaced, or mixed in with unidentified card packs.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the management system of the present invention is a management system for shuffled playing card packs, which has:

A shuffled playing card pack, wherein playing cards constituting a predetermined number of decks are shuffled in a random order, packaged individually as a card pack, and affixed with a unique ID code;

a game table for playing games using the shuffled game cards;

a card dealing device, receiving shuffled playing cards from a card pack placed on the game table, capable of manually dealing the shuffled playing cards one by one onto the game table, and at least reading the card values of the playing cards;

a safe deposit box, provided on the game table and storing a plurality of the card packs, from which the card packs can be taken out one by one;

One or more ID code readers, reading the ID codes of all the playing card packs stored in the safe deposit box as the ID codes of the playing card packs before use;

The registration device registers the ID code of the card pack when or after being taken out from the safe deposit box as a taken out (scheduled for game use, in use, or completed) card pack; and

The management control device includes a memory for storing the ID codes of the multiple card packs placed in the safe deposit box and constructing a database. By reading the ID codes of the multiple card packs placed in the safe deposit box at specified time intervals, the management control device confirms the presence of each ID code registered in the database in the safe deposit box, and manages the ID codes of the card packs before use and the ID codes of the card packs that have been taken out.

Furthermore, the card pack management system of the present invention may have the following specific embodiment. Specifically, the management control device further includes a time stamping device that stores the time at which each ID code is confirmed to be present in the safe deposit box, and is programmed to inspect the card packs with respect to at least one of the following items 1) to 4):

1) The time stamping device further stores the time when the ID code of the removed card pack was registered on the registration device, and whether the time from when the card pack ceased to exist in the safe deposit box to when the ID code of the removed card pack was registered on the registration device exceeded a specified time;

2) whether the ID code registered in the registration device as the ID code of the card pack that has been taken out exists in the database of ID codes of the card packs placed in the safe deposit box;

3) Whether the items have been in the safe deposit box for a specified period of time or longer; and

4) Has the ID code of the card pack been registered in the past?

In addition, at least one of the following devices is provided as a registration device for storing the ID code of the removed card pack:

1) a device disposed on the gaming table and configured to read the ID code of a shuffled playing card pack scheduled for or currently being installed on the card delivery device; and

2) Connecting to a card discarding device that receives the shuffled playing cards used in a game, and obtaining the ID code of the discarded used card pack. Furthermore, the management control device includes a database capable of searching for the ID code of the contained card pack based on the ID of the container, pallet, or box holding the card pack, and is configured to obtain the ID code of the removed card pack from the container ID, pallet ID, or box ID.

Furthermore, in the management system of the present invention, at least one of the following items (1) to (4) is associated with the ID code of the shuffled playing card pack and recorded in the database for management:

(1) The gaming table being used;

(2) The dealer (person who draws the cards) who is responsible for the gaming table being used;

(3) the expected time associated with use at a gaming table of individual packs of shuffled playing cards; and

(4) Information regarding the repository to which individual packs of shuffled playing cards are distributed.

The management control device is further included in a game table management device disposed on the game table, and the game table management device is configured to be directly or indirectly connected to the card dealing device on the game table. Furthermore, the card dealing device is capable of at least reading the card values of the shuffled playing cards manually dealt one by one onto the game table. Furthermore, the card dealing device is capable of counting the number of shuffled playing cards dealt one by one onto the game table. Furthermore, the card discarding device, which receives the shuffled playing cards used in a game, reads at least the card values of the shuffled playing cards used in a game and, upon receiving information from the card dealing device, determines whether the information about the shuffled playing cards manually dealt one by one onto the game table matches the information read by the card discarding device.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides a card pack management method in which playing cards constituting a predetermined number of decks are shuffled in a random order and individually packaged as sets of shuffled playing cards, and an ID code is attached to the card packs of the sets. The method comprises:

The step of storing the card packs in a storage box provided on the game table and having an openable and closable lid for storing the plurality of card packs, the storage box having an openable and closable lid for allowing the card packs to be taken out one by one;

The step of reading the ID codes of the plurality of playing card packs placed in the safe deposit box by an ID code reader to form a database;

A step of logging in the card pack using the ID code of the card pack used in the table game as a log-in step for logging in the card pack that has been removed; and

A step of confirming the presence of the ID code logged in the database in the safe deposit box by reading the ID codes of multiple card packs placed in the safe deposit box at specified time intervals, and comparing the ID codes of the removed cards logged in the login step with the ID codes logged in the database.

The method for managing shuffled playing card packs of the present invention may further include the following features. Specifically, the comparison management step further determines the ID codes of the card packs whose presence in the safe deposit box has not been confirmed, stores the time when the packs are no longer confirmed in the safe deposit box together with the ID codes of the card packs whose presence has not been confirmed, and manages whether the time from when the packs are no longer confirmed to when the registration device registers the packs as the ID codes of the removed card packs exceeds a predetermined time. Furthermore, the registration step utilizes a database capable of searching the ID codes of all the card packs contained in the box using the box ID of the box containing the card packs, reads the box ID of the used box, determines the ID codes of the card packs contained in the box, and registers the ID codes of all the card packs contained in the box as the ID codes of the removed card packs. Furthermore, the card dealing device further comprises a dealt card reading step for reading at least the card values of the shuffled playing cards when the card dealing device manually deals the shuffled playing cards one by one onto the gaming table, and a discarded card reading step for reading at least the card values of the shuffled playing cards used in a game by the card discarding device, and a determination step for determining whether the information obtained in the dealt card reading step and the information obtained in the discarded card reading step are consistent. Furthermore, the ID code of the card pack is attached to the card pack by an RFID.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 is a perspective view of a card pack used in a card dealing device of a shuffled playing card pack management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shuffled playing cards from which the pack has been removed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall overview of a management system for shuffled playing card packs according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention wherein shuffled playing cards are stacked in card packs, packaging boxes, or pallets and transported from a factory to a management storage box at a back-end or casino table.

Figure 4A is a three-dimensional diagram showing a state in which the pull-out front cover of the management safe deposit box according to an embodiment of the present invention is partially pulled out to expose the card pack, Figure 4B is a three-dimensional diagram showing an overview of the ID code reader in a state in which the front cover of the management safe deposit box according to an embodiment of the present invention is removed, and Figure 4C is a three-dimensional diagram showing a state in which the pull-out front cover of the management safe deposit box according to an embodiment of the present invention is fully pulled out to expose the card pack.

Figure 5A is a three-dimensional diagram of the state in which the packaging of the packaging box set on the packaging box configuration part of the management safe deposit box in an embodiment of the present invention is removed, and a fixing frame is embedded in the exposed card pack to fix the card pack. Figure 5B is a three-dimensional diagram of the state in which the card pack fixed on the fixing frame and the packaging box configuration part are integrated and lifted up in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG6 is a plan view of a table, a safe deposit box, and a card discarding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A is a perspective view of a main body of a card discarding device and a discarding container of a table game management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG7B is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the card discarding device and a discarding container of a table game management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a side sectional view of a main body and a discarding container of a card discarding device in a table game management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a perspective view showing a state where a discarded card shoe is taken out from the card discarding device of the table game management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of playing cards and stop playing cards according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between outputs of ON signals of two UV sensors (ultraviolet sensors) and flags according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG12 is a side sectional view of the card dealing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

<Implementation Method 1>

The following describes an embodiment of a shuffled playing card management system according to the present invention. FIG1 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an overview of a randomly arranged pack of shuffled playing cards used in a tabletop game at a casino, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the shuffled playing cards 1s are packaged in a card pack 2. However, to allow the shuffled playing cards 1s to be used in table games, the pack 2 is unpacked and placed in a card delivery device S. During play, a dealer D removes the cards 1 from the card delivery device S and distributes them to the gaming table. Each shuffled playing card pack 1s, consisting of a specified deck (typically 6, 8, 9, or 10 decks), is randomly shuffled, individually created into a unique random arrangement, and packaged with an ID (identification) code 4 attached to the pack 2, which is a barcode 3 that can be individually read by a barcode reader R. Alternatively, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag (or RF tag) may be attached as the ID code 4 in place of or in addition to the barcode 3. Management and control device 7 within casino 6 is used to manage missing card packs. If a card pack 2 is lost or unaccounted for, someone might mix or replace the cards in the pack 2 with pre-arranged cards in order to control or win the game at the table. To address this issue, management and control device 7 in this embodiment manages the shuffling of the card packs 2 containing the playing cards 1s. Management and control device 7 is implemented by a computer (as a management and control device having the functions described below). The functions of the methods and processes are implemented by installing a program in the computer and executing it on the computer processor.

Playing card packs 2, each with a unique ID code 4 (barcode 3), are packed into a packaging box CA in units of 18 and transported to at least one gaming table 11 for use in gaming. A management storage box 10 is provided on gaming table 11 to store multiple (18 in this embodiment) playing card packs 2, allowing the packs 2 to be removed one by one. A card dealing device S is provided on gaming table 11 to receive shuffled playing cards 1s from the packs 2 and allow dealer D to manually deal them one by one onto gaming table 11. The card dealing device S is capable of reading at least the card value of the dealt playing cards 1s. One or more ID code readers (10R) (described in detail later) are provided in management storage box 10 to read the ID codes of all the playing card packs 2 stored in management storage box 10 as the ID codes 4 of the playing card packs before use.

A registration device 70 is connected to a card dealing device S for registering the ID code 4 of a card pack 2 removed from a management safe deposit box 10 as a removed card pack 2 (a card pack 2 scheduled for game use or completed for game use (including currently in use)). A barcode reader R is connected to the ID code registration device 70, which reads the ID code 4 of the card pack 2 removed from the management safe deposit box 10 as a removed card pack 2. The registration device 70 registers the ID code 4 as the removed card pack 2 and transmits the registration information (including the ID code 4) to the management control device 7. The management control device 7 includes a memory M for storing the ID codes 4 of the plurality of card packs 2 placed in the management safe deposit box 10 and constructing a database DB. The management control device 7 also verifies the presence of each ID code 4 registered in the database within the management safe deposit box 10 by reading the ID codes 4 of the plurality of card packs 2 placed in the management safe deposit box 10 at predetermined time intervals using an ID code reader (10R). To this end, the management control device 7 includes a time stamping device 7T for storing the confirmation time, and manages the ID codes 4 of the card packs 2 before use and the ID codes 4 of the card packs 2 after removal. The playing cards 1s dealt by the card delivery device S are used in a table game such as Baccarat, and the shuffled playing cards 1s used in the game are received by the card discarding device 100 (described later).

Next, before describing in detail the various components of an embodiment of a management system for shuffled playing cards, an overview of the management of card packs 2 in a casino 6, centered around a management control device 7, will be described based on Figures 2 and 3 . Shuffled decks of playing cards 1s are pre-shuffled by a card shuffling device (not shown) to be arranged in a random order, packaged into card packs 2, and then packaged with sealing and shrink-wrap materials at a factory 5 for shipment. The card packs 2 are delivered from the factory 5 to a back-office (warehouse, etc.) 8. Eighteen card packs of shuffled playing cards 1s are placed in packaging boxes CA and are typically shipped to the casino 6 based on the appearance of the packaging boxes CA. The card packs 2 are typically packaged in 18 pieces in packaging boxes CA for storage and transported from the back-office 8 to a management storage box 10 at a gaming table 11 (including those near or below the gaming table 11) by multiple carts 9. Before being manually taken out by the dealer D or the like, the card pack 2 is stored in the management safe 10 of the game table 11 for a certain period of time. Thereafter, the dealer D or the like manually takes out the card pack 2 from the management safe 10 of the game table 11 and places it on the game table 11 for use in the game.

All card packs 2 (or packaging boxes CA storing card packs 2) located in the casino 6 are monitored by having a surveillance camera 12 or a barcode reader 10R read the ID codes of all card packs 2 containing shuffled playing cards (or the box ID codes 30 of the packaging boxes CA storing card packs 2) at a predetermined location. The surveillance camera 12 is configured or equipped to read the barcodes 3 (as ID codes) of all card packs 2 (or the box ID codes 30 of the packaging boxes CA storing card packs 2) containing shuffled playing cards 1s in the management storage boxes 10 from the backroom 8 to the gaming tables 11.

The card packs 2 with barcodes 3 are stored in packaging boxes CA while being transported to the casino 6. The packaging boxes CA are placed on pallets PA and stored in the back office 8 (see Figure 3). A unique packaging box ID code 30 is attached to each packaging box CA, and a unique pallet ID code PA-ID is attached to each pallet PA. The packaging box ID code 30 is associated with the ID code of the card pack stored in the packaging box CA and pre-registered in the database DB of the management and control device 7. The pallet ID code PA-ID is associated with the packaging box ID code 30 of the packaging box CA on the corresponding pallet PA and the ID code 4 of the card packs 2 stored in those packaging boxes CA, and pre-registered in the database DB of the management and control device 7. All ID codes of the card packs 2 are associated with the packaging box ID code 30 and the pallet ID code PA-ID in which the card packs 2 are stored.

Next, the various components of an embodiment of a management system for shuffled playing cards will be described in detail. Typically, card packs 2 are transported from the backroom 8 to the management storage box 10 at the gaming table 11 while stored in their packaging boxes CA. However, this embodiment is not limited to this; the card packs 2 can also be transported intact on a cart 9. Multiple card packs 2 (at least 18 or 36 card packs) are stored in the management storage box 10 at each gaming table 11 and are manually transported from there to the gaming table 11. In this case, the management control device 7 monitors the cart 9 holding the packaging boxes CA or card packs 2 using a surveillance camera 12 or the like at a pre-determined location along the delivery route 13 within the casino 6.

The structure of the management safe 10 will be described below using Figures 4A to 4C. In this embodiment, the management safe 10 is located on the side of the gaming table 11. It contains multiple card packs 2 and packaging boxes CA for use in the next game. The management safe 10 has a retractable door 24 that allows it to be opened and closed, allowing it to be slightly opened to remove the card packs 2 used in the next game from the management safe 10 one by one (see Figure 4A). Furthermore, shuffled playing cards 1s can be placed on the card delivery device S. Figure 1 shows the management safe 10 with the door 24 closed, while Figure 4A shows it with the door 24 open.

Inside the management safe deposit box 10, in order to store the shuffled game cards 1s used on the game table 11 in card packs 2, an ID code reader 10R is provided for reading the ID codes 4 of the card packs 2 of all the shuffled game cards 1s present in the management safe deposit box 10. In addition, in order to store the cards in packages CA, a package ID reader 23 is provided in the management safe deposit box 10 for reading the ID codes 30 of the packages CA (in addition, a surveillance camera 12 or other reading device (not shown) can also be used).

As shown in FIG4B , a plurality of (up to 18) card packs 2 for use in the next round of games are stored in a card pack storage area 21 at the front (near side when viewed from the dealer D) of the management safe 10. The reader 10R is configured to scan in both the X and Y directions so that scanning mechanisms 25 and 26 located at the rear (far side when viewed from the dealer D) of the management safe 10 can read all ID codes 4 of all card packs 2. The reader 10R may also be a surveillance camera 12 (or an RFID tag reader or a QR (Quick Response) code reader (not shown) may be used in place of the barcode reader 10R).

As shown in FIG4C , an unopened package CA containing multiple (18) playing card packs 2 is stored on the upper package storage section 22 within the management safe deposit box 10. One or more (e.g., two) package ID codes 30 are attached to the package CA. When the package CA is placed in the management safe deposit box 10, the package ID code 30 is located at the front (the near side when viewed from the dealer D). The package ID code 30 attached to the package CA is continuously read or read at predetermined intervals by a reader 23 located near the front of the management safe deposit box 10. The reader 23 may also be a surveillance camera 12 (or, instead, an RFID tag reader or a QR code reader (not shown) may be used).

As described above, the ID code readers 10R and 23 are used to read all ID codes 4 of the playing card packs 2 and the package ID codes 30 of the packages CA stored in the management safe deposit box 10 at all times or at predetermined intervals, and these are monitored as the ID codes 4 and package ID codes 30 of the playing card packs 2 before use. Furthermore, the reader 10R and the reader 23 may be any number of one or more, as long as they are capable of reading the card pack ID codes 4 attached to all the playing card packs 2 and the package ID codes 30 attached to the packages CA stored in the management safe deposit box, and may be located either inside or outside the management safe deposit box 10.

The results of reading all the ID codes 4 of the playing card packs 2 and the package ID codes 30 of the packages CA transported to the management safe deposit box 10 are transmitted to the back office 8 and the management control device 7 and stored in the memory M provided in the management control device 7. In the management safe deposit box 10, the ID codes 4 of the playing card packs 2 are checked each time each pack 2 arrives at the management safe deposit box 10 and each pack 2 leaves the management safe deposit box 10. Alternatively, the package ID code 30 of the package CA can be checked only when the pack 2 arrives at the management safe deposit box 10. The management control device 7 also confirms the presence of the multiple playing card packs 2 and packages CA placed in the management safe deposit box 10 at predetermined timings, and stores the confirmation results along with the time using a time stamping device 7T. The intervals at which the ID codes 4 and package ID codes 30 are read by the ID code readers 10R and 23 can be set to a wide range, for example, every 1 minute, every 5 minutes, every 1 hour, or even longer. Alternatively, the system can be configured to read the ID codes 4 of all the card packs 2 and the package ID codes 30 of the packaging boxes CA stored in the management safe deposit box 10 within 10 seconds of opening and closing the door 24 of the management safe deposit box 10. This allows for immediate detection of any issues such as a card pack 2 escaping from the card pack. Furthermore, the intervals for reading the ID codes 4 and package ID codes 30 can be set separately. Furthermore, card packs 2 that remain in the management safe deposit box 10 for longer than a predetermined period can be identified as unused or incorrect. Furthermore, the reading results can be transmitted to the back office 8 and the management control device 7, with the timing for transmission also being configurable for the ID codes 4 and package ID codes 30.

Using Figures 5A and 5B , the following describes how to store the package box CA and playing card packs 2 in the management safe deposit box 10 and how to remove the playing card packs 2 from the management safe deposit box 10 for the next game. An unopened package box CA containing multiple (18) playing card packs 2 is stored in the package box storage area 22 of the management safe deposit box 10. After all the playing card packs 2 located at the front (near side) of the management safe deposit box 10 have been used, the pull-out flap 24 is further pulled out, exposing the entire package box CA located in the package box storage area 22. This allows the playing card packs 2 to be exposed. At this point, the packaging of the package box CA is slit, etc., leaving only the bottom surface of the package box CA in contact with the package box storage area 22. This allows the playing card packs 2 to be exposed in a short period of time while maintaining their alignment. Subsequently, the fixing frame 27 is inserted to cover all the playing card packs 2, securing the playing card packs 2 from the package box storage area 22 (see Figure 5A ). The fixing frame 27 can be any structure capable of securing the card packs 2 to the packaging box arrangement portion 22. For example, a protrusion (not shown) of the fixing frame 27 can be inserted into the gaps between the individual card packs 2 to secure the card packs 2. The packaging box arrangement portion 22 is configured to have a rotation axis (not shown) and can rotate about the front (near side) within the management safe deposit box 10. By lifting the grip 28 provided on the far side of the packaging box arrangement portion 22, the packaging box arrangement portion 22, the fixing frame 27, and the 18 card packs 2 secured to the fixing frame 27 are integrated and lifted toward the front (near side) (see FIG. 5B ).

The package box placement section 22 and the fixing frame 27, which are integrally raised toward the front (near side) of the management and storage box 10, along with the 18 card packs 2 secured to the fixing frame 27, are then moved intact to the card pack placement section 21. The card pack placement section 22 and fixing frame 27 are then removed from the card packs 2, and the package box placement section 22 is again lifted and rotated, returning to its original position. Furthermore, the fixing frame 27 may not be removed at this stage, allowing it to continue to be used to secure the card packs 2 in the card pack placement section 21. This completes the process of removing the card packs 2 from the package box CA and storing them in the card pack placement section 21. The stored card packs 2 are then lifted one by one from the management and storage box 10 by the dealer D and used at the gaming table 11. Furthermore, after the card packs 2 from the package CA are stored, or while the dealer D is playing a game, the dealer D, a pit manager, or the like replenishes the package arrangement unit 22 with new packages CA.

The management safe deposit box 10 can be configured with a number of readers 10R configured within it, equal to the maximum number of card packs 2 that can be stored. Furthermore, a communication mechanism (not shown) can be provided for not only transmitting information obtained by the readers 10R and 23 to the outside (e.g., to the back office 8 or the management control device 7), but also for exchanging information with the outside. Furthermore, the management safe deposit box 10 is equipped with a locking mechanism 31 that prevents the door 24 from being opened to remove the card packs 2 and packaging boxes CA from the management safe deposit box 10. The locking mechanism 31 can only be disengaged and the door 24 opened while authorized personnel in the casino 6 are removing or placing card packs 2 and packaging boxes CA from the management safe deposit box 10, or while the card packs 2 are being stored in the packaging boxes CA. Only authorized personnel in the casino 6 can operate the locking mechanism 31 (e.g., a password-based electronic lock).

Furthermore, the management safe deposit box 10 may be provided with a notification mechanism or warning mechanism (which may be wireless, not shown) for notifying that the door 24 has been opened. A structure may also be provided to record the removal and placement of card packs 2 and packaging boxes CA from the management safe deposit box 10 by an authorized person or other person upon notification of the door 24 being opened (or at any time), with the nearest surveillance camera 12 capturing images of the management safe deposit box 10. By recording these actions (images of actions used to obtain the image of the management safe deposit box 10 being opened), it is possible to confirm, for example, whether the locking mechanism 31 has been unlocked (ie, the door 24 has been opened) by an authorized person. Furthermore, by monitoring these images, the presence of all card packs 2 and packaging boxes CA in the management safe deposit box 10 can be confirmed.

Next, the system configuration at the gaming table 11 will be described. Shuffled playing card packs 2, manually removed one by one from the management safe 10 by the dealer D, are opened for use in a subsequent game (baccarat or blackjack). To register the ID code 4 of the removed card pack 2 (a pack 2 that has been used, is scheduled to be used, or is currently in use) before the pack 2 is opened (or before the shuffled playing cards 1s are used, or during or after actual use in a game), the ID code 4 of the removed card pack 2 is read by a barcode reader R of the card delivery device S. The barcode reader R is not necessarily provided on the card delivery device S but may be connected to the card delivery device S directly or indirectly, either by wire or wirelessly. To register the ID code 4 of the removed card pack 2, the barcode reader R of the card delivery device S reads the ID code 4 of the card pack 2, which is then registered in a registration device 70. The barcode reader R may be a device connected to the card dealing device S by wire or wirelessly, that is, in this embodiment, a part of the game table management device 80 (see Figures 1 and 6). The ID code read from the barcode reader R is temporarily registered in the database DB as the ID code 4 of the card pack 2 that has been removed (the card pack 2 that has been used in the game, is scheduled to be used, or is in use).

The ID code temporarily registered as ID code 4 in the database DB is compared with the ID code 4 group of card packs 2 already registered in the database DB and stored in the management storage box 10. If the ID code 4 matches the stored ID code 4, it is deleted from the database DB. If it does not match, it constitutes an error, and the management control device 7 notifies the management department 14, such as the casino, of the existence of a counterfeit card pack 2 via a communication circuit. Removed card packs 2 (card packs 2 that have been used in a game, are scheduled for use, or are currently in use) can be registered to the registration device 70 by manual registration or the card discarding device 100, described later, in addition to using a barcode reader R. The management control device 7 examines the ID code 4 registered as the removed card pack 2 by determining at least one of the following: whether the card pack 2 was originally required to be on the gaming table 11, whether it arrived at a regular time or period (not when originally expected), whether it was improperly mixed in, or whether it is suspected of being unauthorized. Furthermore, the time imprinting device 7T is configured to also store the time registered in the registration device by the registration device 70 as the ID code 4 of the removed card pack 2 .

1) Whether the time from when the card pack 2 ceases to exist in the management safe 10 to when the ID code 4 as the removed card pack 2 is registered in the registration device 70 exceeds a predetermined time (e.g., several minutes);

2) Whether the ID code registered in the registration device 70 as the ID code 4 of the card pack 2 that has been taken out exists in the aforementioned database DB as the ID code 4 that was put into the management safe deposit box 10;

3) Whether the item has been in the management safe deposit box 10 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., several minutes);

4) Whether the ID code 4 of the card pack 2 that has been removed has been registered by the registration device 70 in the past;

5) Whether it was transported via the predetermined delivery route 13;

6) Whether the whereabouts of the person are unknown until now;

7) Whether the card pack 2 was transferred from a management safe deposit box 10 other than the management safe deposit box 10 of the gaming table 11 from which the ID code 4 was read (an unintended management safe deposit box 10 ), or whether the card pack 2 was transferred without passing through any management safe deposit box 10 .

If a situation such as a situation that is inconsistent with the pre-programmed or set situation occurs, it constitutes an error. The above-mentioned inspection result and the content of the unqualified situation of the card pack 2 are sent from the management control device 7 to the management department 14 of the casino, etc. together with the ID code 4 via the communication circuit, etc.

The login device 70 may also include a device for reading the ID code of a barcode reader R or the like installed on the card dealing device S, or a device for reading a predetermined ID code of a barcode reader R or the like that is normally arranged on the game table 11 and is installed or connected to the card dealing device S by wire or wireless, directly or indirectly, only when the ID code 4 of the removed card pack 2 is read and the ID code 4 of the removed card pack 2 is logged. In addition, the login device 70 may also include a device for obtaining the ID code 4 of the removed card pack 2 that is connected to the card discarding device 100 that receives the shuffled game cards 1 used in the game (details will be described later).

The aforementioned inspection results are transmitted from the management and control device 7 to the card delivery device S. To prevent the use of suspicious cards 2 or to prevent further use of card packs 2, the card delivery device S is equipped with an output mechanism 241 or a warning mechanism (which issues a warning) 242 for notifying the user of unqualified inspection results. Furthermore, the management and control device 7 is configured to manage whether all ID codes 4 of card packs 2 registered in the database DB have been deleted within a predetermined period (e.g., a week or a month), whether they have been authenticated as having been used by any gaming table 11, and whether any card packs 2 remain unused at any gaming table 11. Alternatively, the management and control device 7 may be directly or indirectly connected to the card delivery device S on the gaming table 11 and disposed within a gaming table management device 80 disposed at the gaming table 11.

Furthermore, the management control device 7 may be configured to retrieve, upon confirming the presence of a suspicious card pack 2, images from the surveillance camera 12 from the time the suspicious card pack 2 was successfully authenticated in the past. For example, if the time from when the card pack 2 ceased to exist in the management safe deposit box 10 to when the ID code 4 of the removed card pack 2 was registered in the registration device 70 exceeds a predetermined time (e.g., several minutes), the management control device 7 may be configured to automatically retrieve images from the surveillance camera 12 monitoring the management safe deposit box 10 and/or the gaming table 11 from the time the ID code 4 of the card pack 2 was last read in the management safe deposit box 10.

Next, the structure of a card discarding device 100 for discarding used cards in a game according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG6 . In FIG6 , the card discarding device 100 used in the table game management system of the present invention is installed below or next to a game table 11. FIG6 shows a simplified diagram of a typical baccarat table. As is well known, baccarat is played between a player and a dealer. A card dealing device S is installed on the game table 11. The card dealing device S is the source of cards 1, dealing cards 1 from a sheet of paper S to the players. After the game ends, the cards 1 are discarded by the card discarding device 100. The card discarding device 100 is a card discarding device that discards the cards 1 stored in the card dealing device S placed on the game table 11 and manually distributed on the game table 11 by the dealer or the like after use in the game. It discards the sets of cards 1 constituting multiple decks (usually 6, 8 or 12 decks) and the recovered cards 1a stored in the card dealing device S.

Before the set 1s of playing cards 1 is placed in the card delivery device S of the game table 11, a stop card 1c is inserted (see FIG10 ). The stop card 1c is inserted into the second half of the set 1s of playing cards 1 (approximately one-quarter or one-fifth remaining) when the set 1s of playing cards 1 is used in a game. This stop card 1c is used to prevent the players from counting the values of the cards dealt during the game and to predict the values of the remaining few cards. This is used to stop the game at the game table 11 with approximately 20 to 40 cards 1 remaining in the card delivery device S (see FIG1 and FIG10 ).

Next, the structure of the card discarding device 100 will be described in detail using FIG7 . The card discarding device 100 sequentially receives cards 1a used and collected during each game. After a final card 1c is issued from the card dealing device S, the device then receives all unused cards 1r remaining in the card dealing device S at a predetermined timing (either the next game after the final card 1c is drawn or when the game is terminated after two or three games). The card discarding device 100 uses a deck inspection mechanism 113, described later, to determine whether the total number of discarded cards corresponds to the predetermined number of decks by combining the number of cards 1a used during each game and the number of unused cards 1r remaining in the card dealing device S after the final card 1c is issued. Furthermore, a card counter (not shown) is provided within the card dealing device S and/or the management and control device 7, or is connected thereto by wire or wireless connection, to count the number of shuffled playing cards dealt to the gaming table from the card dealing device S. Furthermore, as will be described later, information on the rank and suit of the shuffled playing cards 1 dealt to the gaming table from the card dealing device S is read by the card dealing device S and transmitted to the gaming table management device 80 and/or the management and control device 7, which are connected thereto by wire or wireless connection.

Playing cards 1 used in a game are discarded by being inserted into a discharge port 101 of a card discarding device 100. The card discarding device 100 includes a discarded card receiving station 102 that receives discarded cards 1a from the discharge port 101; a discarded card information acquisition mechanism 106 that acquires information on the rank (card value) and type (suit) of the cards 1a inserted into the discharge port 101; a group information acquisition mechanism 107 that acquires group information (information specifying the casino where the cards were used) from the discarded cards 1a; a card number counter 108 as a card number counting mechanism that counts the number of discarded cards 1a inserted into the discharge port 101; an authenticity determination mechanism 109 that compares the card group information obtained from the group information acquisition mechanism 107 with predetermined group information to determine whether the card group information matches the predetermined group information; and an output mechanism 110 that outputs the determination result of the determination mechanism. The card discarding device 100 also includes a card pair inspection mechanism 113 that combines information obtained from the discarded card information acquisition mechanism 106 with information from the card number counter 108 to measure the number of cards 1 for each rank (card value) and determine whether the rank of the cards 1 inserted into the discharge port 101 meets the specified number. The card discarding device 100 includes a control device 114 that controls the overall operation. The aforementioned mechanisms are located in the control device 114 and control the various operations. The control device 114 is composed of an electronic circuit including a microcomputer and memory, and has a conventional computer configuration, including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The control device 114 controls the entire device and performs necessary processing by executing programs stored in memory other than the ROM.

The card discarding device 100 will be described in further detail. Playing cards 1 after use in a game are inserted into the discharge port 101 and discarded. A weight 156 is placed above the discarded card receiving platform 102, which receives the discarded cards 1. This weight 156 is designed to help press the discarded cards 1 against the discarded card receiving platform 102 even if they become bent during play, reliably discharging the cards 1 toward the rollers 115. The weight rollers 157 and 158 press the front and rear ends of the cards 1 downward. As shown in FIG7B , the weight 156 receives the cards 1 at the discharge port 101, allowing them to be moved upward even in a stacked state.

Below the discarded card receiving platform 102, a delivery roller 115 is installed to deliver the discarded cards 1 placed on the discarded card receiving platform 102 one by one. The delivery roller 115 is driven by a drive motor 116. This drive motor 116 utilizes a stepping motor. When a card 1 is placed on the discarded card receiving platform 102, the card sensor 117 detects it, and the control device 114 controls the drive motor 116, causing the delivery roller 115 to rotate. This causes the delivery roller 115 to deliver the card 1 from the discarded card receiving platform 102. The card 1 delivered from the delivery roller 115 is then delivered by a pair of delivery rollers 118a toward a temporary storage container 119f (arrow D1). The delivery roller 118a is driven and controlled by the delivery motor 116a. The drive speed is set so that the card 1 is delivered faster than the card 1 delivered by the delivery roller 115. Therefore, the card 1 is pulled by the delivery roller 118 and reliably delivered to the temporary storage container 119f (arrow D1). During delivery, the delivered card 1 passes through the group information acquisition sensor 120 and the two card information acquisition sensors 121, where the card 1 information is detected and acquired.

The group information acquisition sensor 120 is connected to the group information acquisition mechanism 107, which acquires group information from the playing cards 1. Furthermore, the card information acquisition sensor 121 is connected to the discarded card information acquisition mechanism 106, which acquires the point (card value) information from the playing cards 1, to acquire the point (card value) information. The playing cards 1 sent to the temporary storage 119f are detected by the card counter 108, which is connected to the playing card sensor 117, and the number of passing cards 1 is counted. The signal from the group information acquisition sensor 120 is transmitted to the group information acquisition mechanism 107. The group information of the playing cards 1 obtained by the group information acquisition mechanism 107 is compared by the authenticity determination mechanism 109 with pre-stored predetermined group information to determine whether the group information of the playing cards 1 matches the predetermined group information. When the group information of the card 1 is inconsistent with the specified group information, it is judged as a fake card by the authenticity judgment mechanism 109. The control device 114 lights the display light 122 via the output mechanism 110 that outputs the judgment result, and sends the existence of the fake card to the management department 14 of the casino, etc. via the communication circuit 114L.

When a card 1 is sent to the temporary storage container 119f, information is acquired by the group information acquisition sensor 120 and the card information acquisition sensor 121, respectively. A disabling mechanism (not shown) creates a disabling hole or slit in the card 1 to prevent future use of the card 1. Therefore, the card 1 sent to the temporary storage container 119f passes through the disabling mechanism. If the authenticity determination mechanism 109 determines that the card 1 is counterfeit, the control device 114 causes the disabling mechanism to create a special disabling hole or slit (not shown) in the card 1 that has received this information, indicating that it is defective. The card 1, having been authenticated by the authenticity determination mechanism 109, is sent to the temporary storage container 119f through the gap. The card 1 sent to the temporary storage container 119f can be removed by opening and closing a lid 119fo (not shown) located on the top of the temporary storage container 119f. Thus, even when the reading result is an error, for example, the cover 119fo is opened to take out and check the actual playing cards.

The invalidation mechanism forms invalid holes or slits in the playing cards 1 using a punching mechanism (such as a punch or die). Discarded playing cards 1h with invalid holes are temporarily stored in a temporary storage container 119f. In this embodiment, the invalidation mechanism creates the invalid holes, but alternatively, the card 1 may be notched at its corner, marked invalid with a known seal or laser printing mechanism, or have slits added to the card. Thus, by providing invalid holes or invalid marks on the playing cards, the cards cannot be reused after disposal and inspection, completely eliminating the improper reuse of the cards. Furthermore, the timing of these actions is not limited and can occur before or after the card is read, or simultaneously with the reading.

The delivered playing cards 1h are temporarily stored in the temporary storage container 119f. Furthermore, the communication unit 114C of the control device 114 is configured to receive the rank (card value) and suit, as well as information related to the number of playing cards, and group information of the shuffled playing cards 1 delivered to the gaming table from the card delivery device S and/or from the gaming table management device 80 and/or the management control device 7 connected to the card delivery device S by wire or wireless. Furthermore, the card pair inspection mechanism 113 of the control device 114 determines whether the rank (card value) and suit, as well as information related to the number of playing cards, and group information of the shuffled playing cards 1 received by the communication unit 114C, match the rank (card value) and suit, as well as information related to the number of playing cards, and group information of the shuffled playing cards 1 obtained during delivery. If they match, the delivery roller 118b is driven and controlled by the delivery motor 116b, and the playing cards 1h temporarily stored in the temporary storage container 119f are delivered toward the discard card container 119 (arrow D2). Furthermore, this temporary storage step is preferably performed while each game, for example, of Baccarat, is progressed. (Alternatively, after each game, the dealer D may place a corresponding number of cards 1a at the discharge outlet 101, causing them to land in the discarded card reservoir 119 before moving on to the next game.) The intervals for performing temporary storage can be freely set by the control device 114. Furthermore, an external input device (not shown) can be used to control the timing of discharging the cards 1a from the discharge outlet 101 into the temporary storage reservoir 119f and the timing of delivering the cards 1h from the temporary storage reservoir 119f to the discarded card reservoir 119. For example, the card 1 can be set to land in the discarded card reservoir 119 by pressing a button.

Next, the card set inspection mechanism 113 will be described in detail. The electronic card delivery device S mounted on the gaming table 11 typically contains multiple decks (4, 6, or 8 decks). The card sets 1s are provided as shuffled, packaged decks (card packs 2), each bearing a unique barcode 3 (see FIG1 ). A barcode reader R located on the gaming table 11 reads the ID information identifying each card set 1s from the barcodes 3, thereby identifying the card sets 1s used in the game. Furthermore, the card sets 1s are stored within the card delivery device S and provided for each round of play. Not all of the card sets 1s within the card delivery device S are used. At the start of each game, for game safety, a final card (1c in FIG1 ) is inserted into the multiple (4, 6, or 8) card sets 1s. After the final card 1c is inserted, the remaining cards 1r within the card delivery device S are no longer used. All remaining cards 1r are thrown into the discharge port 101 for discard.

All of the remaining playing cards 1r are inserted into the discard outlet 101, and the discarded card information acquisition mechanism 106 obtains the rank (card value) information from the remaining playing cards 1r. The deck inspection mechanism 113 combines the rank (card value) information obtained from the discarded card information acquisition mechanism 106 with the minimum rank (card value) information obtained from each card 1a used in each round of the game, and combines this information with the information from the card number counter 108, which serves as a card number counting mechanism. The deck inspection mechanism 113 measures the rank (card value) of each card and determines whether the rank (card value) of all the playing cards placed on the game table and inserted into the discharge outlet 101 corresponds to a predetermined number of decks (Ace to King, a total of 416 cards (e.g., 4 types x 8 decks)).

The total number of playing cards 1 used in a table game is predetermined by the casino (typically, one of 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 decks). For example, in the case of 8 decks, 8 cards of the same suit and rank are used in 52 x 8 decks, totaling 416 cards. In the deck inspection mechanism 113, the control device 114 determines whether the required number of cards has been counted. The output mechanism 110 illuminates the display light 122 in different colors according to the result, and simultaneously transmits the card count result to the casino management department 14 via the communication mechanism 114L. In this way, the deck inspection mechanism 113 confirms whether the 416 cards have been counted.

After use of a set (e.g., eight decks) of playing cards 1h placed in the card delivery device S is completed, all of the cards are stored in the discarded card stocker 119 as described above. Subsequently, to identify the set 1s of playing cards placed in the discarded card stocker 119, the barcode 3 attached to the card pack 2 containing the set 1s of playing cards can be cut off and inserted into the discarded card stocker 119 (the upper cover 1190 of the discarded card stocker 119 is openable and closable, allowing for insertion of the barcode 3. Preferably, the barcode 3 is pre-inserted after use of the playing cards 1 in the card delivery device S is completed and before use of the card pack 2 contained in a new packaging CA is resumed, or before the used playing cards 1a are initially placed in the card discarding device 100). In this case, not only the barcode 3 but also the card pack 2 can be inserted into the discarded card stocker 119. Inserting both the card pack 2 and the barcode 3 into the same discarded card stocker 119 prevents the generation of trash around the casino table, which is beneficial for cleanliness. The card pack 2 and barcode 3 enter the discarded card stocker 119 through a slit (not shown) formed in the removal cover 119o. The removal cover 119o is unlocked and opened upward, allowing the card pack 2 and barcode 3 to be placed into the discarded card stocker 119 through the slit (not shown). In this way, the set of cards (e.g., eight decks) placed in the card delivery device S is completely stored in the discarded card stocker 119. The barcode 3 used to identify the set 1s of cards is also placed in the same discarded card stocker 119. Alternatively, instead of inserting the barcode 3, the barcode 3 can be read by a barcode reader R located on the far side of the door 161 of the discarded container.

The entire set of playing cards (e.g., eight decks) placed in the card dealing device S is stored in the discarded card stocker 119, and the barcode 3 is placed therein. As a result, the entire set of playing cards (e.g., eight decks), including the discarded cards 1h, and the barcode 3 are accumulated on the lid 162 on the top surface of a discard container 161 (described later) at the bottom of the card discarding device 100 (see FIG. 7B ). The discarded card stocker 119 is sized to sequentially receive the discarded cards 1h distributed from the card dealing device S, used in the game, and then collected. Furthermore, when the game is terminated at a predetermined time, all remaining playing cards 1r and barcodes 3 in the card dealing device S can enter the discarded card stocker 119.

When the deck inspection mechanism 113 of the discarding device 100 confirms that 416 cards have been collected, the dealer D opens the lid 162 on the top of the discarding container 161 (see Figure 7B). The entire deck (e.g., 8 decks), including the discarded cards 1h, and the barcode 3 are moved (dropped) into the discarding container 161 through a hole 163o formed in the upper portion of a discarded card box 163a disposed within the discarding container 161. The lid 162 can also be opened and closed by controlling an electric cylinder provided by a control device within the discarding container 161. Alternatively, an external input device (not shown) can be used as the timing for dealer D to open the lid 162 on the top of the discarding container 161. For example, by pressing a button, the lid 162 can be opened, allowing the discarded cards to be moved into the discarded card box 163a.

On the other hand, if the deck inspection mechanism 113 confirms that the 416 cards are not complete, the entire set (e.g., 8 decks) of cards, including the discarded card 1h, and the barcode 3 are stacked on the closed lid 162 of the discard container 161. At this point, the dealer D or the like pulls the lever 164 on the side of the card discard device 100 in the direction D3 (see FIG8 ), causing the discarded card box 163a located below the discarded card storage 119 of the main body 160 to move forward. Simultaneously, the NG (bad) discarded card box 165 located behind the discarded card box 163a moves and is positioned below the discarded card storage 119. Simultaneously, when the dealer D opens the lid 162 of the discard container 161, the card 1h moves (falls) into the interior through the hole 165o provided in the upper portion of the NG discarded card box 165. Afterwards, the lever 164 is restored, and the NG discarded card box 165 is returned to its original position, a door (not shown) provided on the side of the card discarding device 100 is opened to remove only the NG discarded card box 165. The door is also lockable.

In another embodiment, if the deck inspection mechanism 113 determines that the 416 playing cards are not complete, and a set of playing cards (e.g., eight decks) including the playing card 1h is accumulated on the top cover 162, the removal cover 119o provided on the upper portion of the discarded card storage 119 of the main body of the card discarding device 100 can be opened to remove the entire set of playing cards (e.g., eight decks) including the discarded card 1h and the barcode 3 upward. This allows the control device 114 to quickly verify the actual existence of the playing cards. The misuse prevention device (not shown) is controlled so that only authorized operators can open the cover 119o using a key or the like. This prevents the discarded card 1h from being improperly removed from the discarded card storage 119.

Furthermore, if the secondary card inspection mechanism 113 determines that the 416 playing cards are not complete, or if the communication unit 114C detects that the information on the shuffled playing cards 1 drawn from the card delivery device S does not match the rank (card value), suit, number of playing cards, and group information of the shuffled playing cards 1 obtained by the card discarding device 100, the system may also be configured to retrieve images from the surveillance camera 12 that captured the suspicious situation. For example, the system may be configured to automatically retrieve images from the surveillance camera 12 monitoring the gaming table 11 and/or the card discarding device 100 from the time when the information on the shuffled playing cards 1 drawn from the card delivery device S and the information obtained by the card discarding device 100 last matched.

As shown in FIG7A , a discard container 161 houses two discarded card boxes 163a and 163b, each of which is assigned discarded card box IDs 166a and 166b for identifying the discarded card boxes 163a and 163b. These IDs are constantly readable by ID code readers 167a and 167b located on the far side of a front door 161o of the card discarding device 100. Discarded card box IDs 166a and 166b are capable of storing cards 1 contained in a plurality (nine) of card packs 2. Cards 1 corresponding to eighteen card packs contained in one package CA supplied to the management and storage box 10 can be stored and discarded in the two discarded card boxes 163a and 163b. Furthermore, by obtaining the package ID codes 30 attached to the packages CA when the packages CA are supplied to the management safe deposit box 10, and attaching them to the discarded card boxes 163a and 163b as discarded card box IDs 166a and 166b, respectively, it is possible to accurately determine which package CA the cards 1 discarded by the discarded card boxes 163a and 163b correspond to. Furthermore, the timing at which the ID code readers 167a and 167b read the discarded card box IDs 166a and 166b can be freely set using the control device 114. For example, the timing can be set so that the discarded card boxes 163a and 163b are read when the front door 161o of the card discarding device 100 is opened and the discarded card boxes 163a and 163b are transported or moved. After discarding the cards 1h contained in the plurality (nine) of card packs 2 by discarding the discarded card box 163a, the upper opening 163o of the discarded card box 163a is closed (the sliding cover (not shown) is configured to close automatically or manually), and the front door 161o of the card discarding device 100 is opened, and the discarded cards 1h are transported to a disposal location, etc. At this time, a discarded card box 163b is provided below the main body 160 of the card discarding device 100, and new cards 1h fall into the discarded card box 163b and are discarded. Furthermore, the card discarding device 100 is replenished with an empty, new discarded card box by the dealer D, the floor manager, or the like (see FIG. 9 ).

Next, referring to FIG10 , a playing card 1 used in a tabletop game according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. The rank of the card 1 is encoded on the playing card 1. Codes 170, consisting of invisible markings MC, are arranged point-symmetrically on the top and bottom edges of the card 1. Codes 170 are formed by combining the number and arrangement of multiple markings MC printed with infrared- or ultraviolet-reactive ink, which are invisible to the naked eye. Furthermore, card 1 is provided with a combination of code information 171, which is encoded information indicating the authenticity of the card and printed in a form that is invisible to the naked eye (e.g., ultraviolet-reactive ink) to serve as an authenticity determination code. Code 170 and combination code information 171 are arranged at at least two locations on the playing card 1, point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the card 1.

The code 170 is read by the two card information acquisition sensors 121 that constitute the card information acquisition sensor 121. The card information acquisition sensor 121 is configured to emit an output signal (using a known ultraviolet-reactive light sensor) when detecting a marker MC. Figure 11 shows the relationship between the output of the two UV sensors' on-state signals (the electrical signal output when reading the code 170 formed by the marker MC) and the marker MC. By comparing the relative changes in the output of the two UV sensors' on-state signals with the code 170 formed by the marker MC, a specific combination of markers MC can be determined. As a result, in the embodiment shown in Figure 11, there are four possible combinations of markers MC in the upper and lower columns. Printing these four columns results in 256 possible codes, which can be formed by multiplying these four codes by the power of four. With this configuration, each of the 52 playing card types is assigned to one of the 256 card codes. This comparison table, pre-stored in a memory or program, allows the rank (card value) of at least card 1 to be determined from the comparison table (not shown). The code 170 is preferably printed using a coating that becomes visible under ultraviolet light and is printed in a location that does not overlap with the type mark 172 and index 173 of the card 1. Furthermore, a blank space is provided between the code 170, the group code information 171, and the end of the card 1, and between the group code information 171 and the end of the card 1. Alternatively, the group code information 171 can be printed in the same location using ink representing the group code information in the code 170. Furthermore, the end card 1c also has a code 170 printed with a mark MC indicating the end card 1c, similarly providing a structure that allows identification as the end card 1c.

Next, the authenticity determination mechanism 109, which determines the authenticity of a playing card based on information related to the authenticity of the playing card 1, will be described. As described above, the playing card 1, the subject of the authenticity inspection, is provided with group code information 171, which encodes information indicating the authenticity of the playing card 1 and is typically invisible to the naked eye (e.g., ultraviolet-reactive ink). Group code information 171 is composed of a substance or material (e.g., ink or paint) that emits light of different wavelength spectra in response to different wavelengths of light. The authenticity determination mechanism 109 includes a function in which the group information acquisition sensor 120 illuminates the group code information 171 with light of different, invisible wavelengths. The group information acquisition sensor 120 receives light from at least two different wavelengths emitted from the group code information 171. The authenticity determination mechanism 109 determines whether the ratio of the intensities of these light rays is the same, thereby determining the authenticity of the playing card 1. Alternatively, light of different wavelength spectra can be received to perform a more complex analysis of light of two or more wavelengths.

When reading the group code information 171, the group information acquisition sensor 120 emits two types of ultraviolet light to illuminate the group code information 171 printed on the playing card 1. The group information acquisition sensor 120 receives the light of different wavelengths emitted by the group code information 171. The control device 114, which includes the authenticity determination mechanism 109, is composed of an electronic circuit including a microcomputer and memory, and has a conventional computer structure including a CPU, ROM, and RAM. It performs the process of determining the authenticity of the group code information 171.

Finally, the contents managed by the management control device 7 will be described.

1) All ID codes 4 of the playing card packs 2 delivered to the back office 8 are registered in a database DB (stored in a memory M of the database DB connected to the management control device 7). Instead of reading the barcodes 3 of all the playing card packs or using a camera 12 or RFID tag reader (not shown) to register all the ID codes of the playing card packs 2 supplied to the casino 6, data from the factory, a package ID code 30, or a pallet ID code PA-ID can be used. In embodiments of the present invention, a two-dimensional code reader such as a QR code reader can be used instead of a barcode reader R.

2) In order to store the shuffled playing cards used in the table game in units of card packs 2 or packages CA, the ID code 4 of each shuffled playing card pack 2 in the management safe deposit box 10 is obtained by the ID code reader 10R, and the package ID code 30 of each package CA is obtained by the ID code reader 23 (which can use a surveillance camera 12 or other reading device). This reads all the ID codes 4 of the card packs 2 and the package ID codes 30 of each package CA delivered to the management safe deposit box 10, and monitors all the ID codes 4 of the shuffled playing card packs 2 and the package ID codes 30 of each package CA in the management safe deposit box 10. The results of reading all the ID codes 4 of the card packs 2 and the package ID codes 30 of each package CA delivered to the management safe deposit box 10 are transmitted to the back office 8 and the management control device 7, and are then registered in the database DB connected to the management control device 7 and stored in the memory M. In addition, the management control device 7 reads the ID codes 4 of multiple card packs placed in the management safe deposit box 10 at specified time intervals, thereby confirming the presence of each ID code 4 logged in the database DB in the management safe deposit box 10, and has a time imprinting device 7T for storing the confirmation time.

3) After being kept in the management safe deposit box 10 for a certain period of time, the cover of the management safe deposit box 10 is opened and closed, and all the ID codes 4 of the shuffled playing card packs 2 taken out one by one from the management safe deposit box 10 or the card packs 2 that are subsequently used or scheduled to be used on the game table 11 are registered by the registration device 70 as the ID codes 4 of the card packs 2 that have been taken out. The management control device 7 monitors the ID codes 4 of the card packs 2 transported to the backroom 8 and the card packs 2 placed in the management safe deposit box 10, as well as the ID codes 4 of the card packs 2 that have been taken out, and monitors that the card packs 2 transported to the backroom 8 and the card packs 2 placed in the management safe deposit box 10 are reliably used on the game table 11 and then reliably discarded by the disposal system, etc.

Furthermore, the ID codes 4 of all the playing card packs 2 transported to the back office 8 and registered in the database DB (memory M, etc.) of the management control device 7 are monitored to see whether they have been deleted from the database DB within a predetermined period or registered as the ID codes 4 of the removed playing card packs 2 by the registration device 70. If any of the ID codes 4 of the playing card packs 2 has not been deleted or not been authenticated as removed, it means that the playing card packs 2 are not suitable for the casino 6 or that there are suspicious items in stock at the casino, and a notification is sent to the back office 8 or management department 14 of the casino via the communication circuit 114L.

Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above embodiments can of course be modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention, and the device of the present embodiment can be appropriately modified according to the needs of the game to which it is applied.

Description of reference numerals:

1 playing card

1a Recycled Cards

1c Stop Card

1h Discarded Cards

1r Unused and remaining cards in the card discarding device S

1s Shuffled Playing Card Set

2 card packs

3 barcodes

4 ID code

6 Casino

7 Management and control device

7T time stamping device

8 Backcourt

9 cars

10 Manage Safe Deposit Box

10R ID code reader

11 Game Table

12 surveillance cameras

12c Surveillance camera control device

13 Delivery routes

14 Management Department

14b Management Department Database

21 Card Pack Configuration

22 Packaging Box Configuration Department

23 ID code reader

24 Management safe cover

25 Scanning mechanism

26 Scanning mechanism

27 Fixed frame

28 handle

30 Packaging box ID code

31 Locking mechanism

41 Output mechanism

42 Warning Agency

60 monitor display

70 Login Device

80 Game Table Management Device

100 Card Discarding Device

100R ID code reader

101 Exhaust

102 receiving station

106 Discarded Card Information Acquisition Agency

107 Group Information Acquisition Agency

108-sheet counter

109 Authenticity Determination Agency

110 Output mechanism

113 Licensing Deputy Inspection Agency

114 Control Device

114C Communications Department

114L communication circuit

115 Roller

116 drive motor

117 Card Sensor

118 delivery roller

119 Discard Card Storage

119f Temporary storage device

119fo Cover

119o Cover

120 groups of information acquisition sensors

121 Card Information Acquisition Sensor

122 display lights

156 Heavy Object

157 Heavy Roller

158 Heavy Roller

160 Main Body

161 Disposal Container

161o Door of waste container

162 Cover on top of waste container

163a Abandoned Card Box

163b Abandoned Card Box

163o A hole in the top of a discarded card box

164 strokes

165 NG discarded card box

165o hole

166a Discarded Card Box ID

166b Abandoned Card Box ID

167a ID code reader

167b ID code reader

170 yards

171 Group code information

172 Card Type Symbols

173 Index

202 Card Storage Department

203 Cover

205 Card Guidance Department

206 opening

207 Card detection unit (card detection sensor)

208 Card Reading Unit

209 Victory and Defeat Department

210 Control Department

210MB memory

211 Output

212 Result display button

213 Side Monitor

CA Box

D Dealer

DB database

M Memory

MC Mark

PA Pallets

PA-ID Pallet ID code

R barcode reader

S Card Dealing Device

Claims (13)

1. A management system for shuffling game card packs, comprising: Shuffled game cards: The game cards that make up a specified number of decks are shuffled in a random order, packaged as a separate card pack, and attached with a unique ID code. A game table, using the aforementioned shuffled playing cards for the game; A card dealing device receives shuffled game cards from a card pack placed on the game table, and can manually deal the shuffled game cards one by one onto the game table, and at least read the card values of the game cards; A safe deposit box is placed on the game table and stores multiple card bundles, allowing the card bundles to be retrieved one by one; One or more ID code readers read the ID codes of all the card packs stored in the safe as the ID codes of the card packs before use; The login device uses the ID code of the card pack taken from the safe deposit box or after it has been taken out as the login code for the retrieved card pack; and The management and control device includes a memory that stores the ID codes of multiple card packs placed in the safe deposit box and constructs a database. By reading the ID codes of the multiple card packs placed in the safe deposit box at specified times, it confirms the presence of each ID code registered in the database in the safe deposit box, and manages the ID codes of card packs before use and the ID codes of card packs that have been removed. The management control device also has a time stamping device that stores the confirmation time of the presence of each ID code in the safe deposit box, configured to examine the card packs for the following: the time stamping device also stores the time when an ID code of a card pack that has been taken out is logged into the login device, and whether the time from when the card pack is no longer present in the safe deposit box to when an ID code of a card pack that has been taken out is logged into the login device for the purpose of use exceeds a predetermined time. 2. The management system for shuffled game card packs as described in claim 1, wherein, The login device for storing the ID code of the removed playing card pack includes at least one of the following devices: 1) A device configured on the game table for reading the ID code of a pre-installed or currently installed shuffled game card pack for the card dealing device; and 2) Connect to the card disposal device that receives the shuffled game cards used in the game, and obtain the ID code of the discarded used card pack. 3. The management system for shuffled game card packs as described in claim 2, wherein, The management and control device has a database capable of retrieving the ID code of the contained playing card pack based on the container ID, pallet ID, or packaging box ID of the holding playing card pack, and is configured to obtain the ID code of the removed playing card pack from the container ID, pallet ID, or packaging box ID. 4. The management system for shuffled solitaire decks as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The ID code of the playing card bag is attached to the playing card bag by RFID. 5. The management system for shuffled game card packs as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of the following items (1) to (4) is recorded in the database and managed in association with the ID code of the shuffled solitaire pack: (1) The game table being used; (2) The person responsible for dealing the cards at the game table being used, i.e., the person who draws the cards; (3) The anticipated timeframe for the use of each card bundle in relation to the shuffled game cards on the game table; and (4) Information relating to the storage box of each of the shuffled game cards being delivered. 6. The management system for shuffled solitaire decks as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The management and control device is included in the game table management device disposed on the game table, and the game table management device is configured to be directly or indirectly connected to the card dealing device on the game table. 7. The management system for shuffled solitaire decks as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The card dealing device is capable of reading at least the card values of the shuffled game cards that are manually dealt one by one onto the game table. 8. The management system for shuffled solitaire decks as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The card dealing device is capable of counting the number of shuffled game cards that are manually dealt one by one onto the game table. 9. The management system for shuffled game card packs as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein, The card discarding device that receives the shuffled game cards used in the game reads at least the card values of the shuffled game cards used in the game and receives information from the card dealing device, and can determine whether the information of the shuffled game cards that are manually dealt one by one on the game table is consistent with the information read by the card discarding device. 10. A method for managing shuffled game card packs. The prescribed number of playing cards are shuffled in a random order, packaged separately as a set of shuffled playing cards, and each set of cards has an ID code attached to it. The management method includes: The step involves setting up a game table and storing multiple card packs in a storage box with an openable and closable lid that allows the card packs to be taken out one by one; The step of forming a database by reading the ID codes of multiple playing card packs placed in the safe deposit box using an ID code reader; In the login device, the ID code of the game card pack used in the tabletop game is used as the login step after the card pack has been retrieved; and The process involves verifying the presence of ID codes logged into the database within the safe deposit box by reading the ID codes of multiple card packs placed in the safe deposit box at predetermined time intervals, and then comparing the ID codes of the retrieved card packs logged in during the login step with the ID codes logged into the database. The comparison management step also determines that the ID code of the card pack that is not confirmed to exist in the safe deposit box is stored together with the time when it is no longer confirmed to exist in the safe deposit box. The time from when it is no longer confirmed to exist to when the login device logs in with the ID code of the card pack that has been taken out for use exceeds a specified time. 11. The method for managing a shuffled game card bag as described in claim 10, wherein, The login steps are as follows: The steps involve using a database that can retrieve the ID codes of all the card packs contained in the packaging box based on the packaging box ID attached to the packaging box containing the card pack, reading the packaging box ID of the used packaging box to determine the ID codes of the card packs contained in the packaging box, and logging the ID codes of all the card packs contained in the packaging box as the ID codes of the card packs that have been removed. 12. The method for managing a shuffled game card bag as described in claim 10, wherein, It also includes a card reading step that reads at least the card value of the shuffled game cards when the card dealing device manually deals the shuffled game cards one by one to the game table, and a discard card reading step that reads at least the card value of the shuffled game cards used in the game by the card discarding device, and a determination step that determines whether the information obtained by the card reading step is consistent with the information obtained by the discard card reading step. 13. The method for managing a shuffled game card bag as described in claim 10, wherein, The ID code of the playing card bag is attached to the playing card bag by RFID.