AU2019201252B2 - Card reading apparatus and table game system - Google Patents

Abstract

A card shooter apparatus (1) in a table game system of the present invention includes a card shooter unit (4) including a card storage unit (2) that stores a plurality of cards (100) in a horizontal stack. A control device (5) constituted by a program storage unit, a computer device, or the like is placed in a lower part of the card shooter apparatus (1). A transparent bottom plate (9) is provided on a bottom of the card storage unit (2). An optical sensor (10) that receives reflected lights of lights applied to end surfaces of the plurality of cards (100) stored in the card storage unit (2), and a DNA sensor (11) that obtains DNA information from a DNA containing coating applied to the cards (100) stored in the card storage unit 2 are placed below the bottom plate (9). This allows inspection that a predetermined number of cards (416 cards in eight decks) are prepared with the plurality of cards being in the card shooter apparatus. [1/8] FIG.1 22 21 1 2 29 10010 51 5 13 510 TO B MAIN 14 CPU 1 - -- 19 1 8-20 23 6 18 17 16

Description

[1/8]

FIG.1

22 21 1 2 29

10010

51 5 13 510 TO B MAIN 14 CPU 1 - -- 19 1 8-20 23

6

18 17 16

Description

Title of Invention: CARD READING APPARATUS AND TABLE GAME

SYSTEM

Technical Field

[0001]

The present invention relates to a card shooter

apparatus used on a table for a table game, and a table

game system using the card shooter apparatus. The

present invention further relates to a card shooter

apparatus including a card shooter unit that includes a

card storage unit that stores a plurality of cards in a

horizontal stack, and allows a dealer to slide and take

out cards from the card storage unit and distribute the

cards onto a game table to assist progress of a game, and

having a function of preventing cheating, and a table

game system.

Background Art

[0002]

An apparatus that detects that a plurality of cards

used for a table game are prepared in proper quantity is

disclosed in International Publication No. W002/064225A1.

This literature discloses a technique in which a card has

a code indicating a type of the card using UV ink or the

like that reacts with a UV light, and it is detected whether a card deck used for a table game is a predetermined one by reading this code (Patent Literature

1).

[0003]

There is also a technique in which information

identifying a card is recorded in an IC chip or the like

instead of using UV ink, and the IC chip or the like is

embedded in the card together with an antenna that

radiates electromagnetic waves so that the card can be

remotely identified (Patent Literature 2).

[0004]

In the above conventional apparatus, stacked cards

are fed one by one using a roller or the like, and a UV

code of each of separated cards is read to inspect the

cards, thereby preventing cheating. For a table game,

for example, a baccarat game, a card shooter apparatus

storing a plurality of decks (generally six or eight

decks) is used on a table, and a predetermined number of

cards in the plurality of decks (416 cards in eight

decks)in the card shooter apparatus are required to be

prepared before start of the game. Further, if it is

found that the predetermined number of cards in the

plurality of decks (416 cards in eight decks) in the card

shooter apparatus are not prepared at finish of the game,

a strict rule may be applied to cancel all games that the

card shooter apparatus has played. However, the

conventional apparatus separates the cards one by one using the roller or the like and inspects the cards, and thus cannot inspect that the predetermined number of cards (416 cards in eight decks) are prepared with the plurality of cards being in the card shooter apparatus.

[0005]

If cards in which an IC chip or the like is embedded

and that can be remotely identified are used, a plurality

of cards can be remotely inspected while being in a card

shooter apparatus. However, such remote reading of

information may have a possibility of theft of

information by an advanced hacking technique, and cannot

be used for table games.

Citation list

Patent Literature

[0006]

Patent Literature 1: International Publication No.

W002/064225

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006

271596

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0007]

The present invention is achieved under the above

described background. The present invention has an

object to provide a card shooter apparatus and a table game system that allow inspection that a predetermined number of cards (416 cards in eight decks) are prepared with a plurality of cards being in the card shooter apparatus. The present invention has another object to provide a card shooter apparatus and a table game system that can determine mixing of a fraudulent card with a plurality of cards being in the card shooter apparatus.

Solution to Problem

[0008]

An aspect of the present invention is a card shooter

apparatus including: a card shooter unit including a card

storage unit that stores a plurality of cards in a

horizontal stack, and an opening through which the cards

can be slid from the card storage unit and taken out onto

a game table; a card reading unit that reads the number

of cards taken out from the card shooter unit; a win/loss

determination unit that determines win/loss of a card

game based on information on the number of the plurality

of cards from the card reading unit; a communication unit

that transmits the information on the number of cards

read by the card reading unit; an optical sensor that

receives reflected lights of lights applied to end

surfaces of the plurality of cards stored in the card

storage unit; a playing card counting unit that receives

a signal from the optical sensor and counts the number of

the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit; and a count determination unit that determines from an output of the playing card counting unit whether the number of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit is a predetermined number, wherein the optical sensor is placed so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit, or configured to be movable across a predetermined section by a sensor scanning unit so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit.

[0009]

Another aspect of the present invention is a table

game system. The table game system includes: cards each

having a molecular sequence for encoding deck information

indicating a deck of cards; and a card shooter apparatus

including a card shooter unit including a card storage

unit that stores a plurality of cards in a stack, and an

opening through which the cards can be slid from the card

storage unit and taken out onto a game table, wherein the

card shooter apparatus further includes a card reading

unit that reads the number of cards taken out from the

card shooter unit, a win/loss determination unit that

determines win/loss of a card game based on information

on the number of the plurality of cards from the card

reading unit, a communication unit that transmits the

information on the number of cards read by the card reading unit, an optical sensor that receives reflected lights of lights applied to end surfaces of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit, a molecular sequence sensor that reads a molecular sequences of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit and obtains molecular sequence information, a playing card counting unit that receives a signal from the optical sensor and counts the number of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit, a deck information obtaining unit that receives a signal from the molecular sequence sensor and obtains deck information on the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit, a count determination unit that determines from an output of the playing card counting unit whether the number of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit is a predetermined number and outputs a result, and a deck information determination unit that determines from an output of the deck information obtaining unit whether the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit each have predetermined deck information and outputs a result, the optical sensor and the molecular sequence sensor are placed so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit and the molecular sequence information, or configured to be movable across a predetermined section by a sensor scanning unit so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit and the molecular sequence information.

[0010]

As described below, the present invention includes

other aspects. Thus, disclosure of the invention is

intended to provide a part of aspects of the present

invention, and not intended to limit the scope of the

invention described and claimed herein.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011]

[Figure 1] Figure 1 illustrates an outline of a card

shooter apparatus in a table game system in Embodiment 1

of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a partial plan view of the card

shooter apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present

invention, Figure 2(b) is a partial side sectional view

of the card shooter apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the

present invention.

[Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of a card on which

deck information is printed in Embodiment 1 of the

present invention.

[Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of an

optical sensor and a DNA sensor in the table game system

in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an outline

of a DNA determination device for reading and determining

card information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[Figure 6] Figure 6 illustrates a relationship between

end surfaces of cards and an output of the optical sensor

in the table game system in Embodiment 1 of the present

invention.

[Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates a relationship between

the cards and an output of the DNA sensor in the table

game system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[Figure 8] Figure 8 illustrates an outline of a card

shooter apparatus in a table game system in Embodiment 2

of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments

[0012]

Now, the present invention will be described in

detail. The detailed description below and the

accompanying drawings do not limit the invention.

[0013]

To solve the conventional problem described above,

the present invention provides a card shooter apparatus

including: a card shooter unit including a card storage

unit that stores a plurality of cards in a horizontal

stack, and an opening through which the cards can be slid

from the card storage unit and taken out onto a game

table; a card reading unit that reads the number of cards taken out from the card shooter unit; a win/loss determination unit that determines win/loss of a card game based on information on the number of the plurality of cards from the card reading unit; a communication unit that transmits the information on the number of cards read by the card reading unit; an optical sensor that receives reflected lights of lights applied to end surfaces of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit; a playing card counting unit that receives a signal from the optical sensor and counts the number of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit; and a count determination unit that determines from an output of the playing card counting unit whether the number of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit is a predetermined number and outputs a result, wherein the optical sensor is placed so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit, or configured to be movable across a predetermined section by a sensor scanning unit so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit.

[0014]

Further, in the card shooter apparatus of the

present invention, the playing card counting unit may be

configured to decide the number of the plurality of cards

based on information obtained from the optical sensor on a minute clearance between the plurality of cards stored and stacked in the card storage unit or a black portion present in the cards, or both the minute clearance and the black portion.

[0015]

To further solve the conventional problem described

above, the present invention provides a table game system

including: cards each having a molecular sequence for

encoding deck information indicating a deck of cards; and

a card shooter apparatus including a card shooter unit

including a card storage unit that stores a plurality of

cards in a stack, and an opening through which the cards

can be slid from the card storage unit and taken out onto

a game table, wherein the card shooter apparatus further

includes a card reading unit that reads the number of

cards taken out from the card shooter unit, a win/loss

determination unit that determines win/loss of a card

game based on information on the number of the plurality

of cards from the card reading unit, a communication unit

that transmits the information on the number of cards

read by the card reading unit, an optical sensor that

receives reflected lights of lights applied to end

surfaces of the plurality of cards stored in the card

storage unit, a molecular sequence sensor that reads

molecular sequences of the plurality of cards stored in

the card storage unit and obtains molecular sequence

information, a playing card counting unit that receives a signal from the optical sensor and counts the number of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit, a deck information obtaining unit that receives a signal from the molecular sequence sensor and obtains deck information on the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit, a count determination unit that determines from an output of the playing card counting unit whether the number of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit is a predetermined number and outputs a result, and a deck information determination unit that determines from an output of the deck information obtaining unit whether the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit each have predetermined deck information and outputs a result, the optical sensor and the molecular sequence sensor are placed so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit and the molecular sequence information, or configured to be movable across a predetermined section by a sensor scanning unit so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit and the molecular sequence information.

[0016]

Further, the playing card counting unit may be

configured to decide the number of the plurality of cards

based on information obtained from the optical sensor on

a minute clearance between the plurality of cards stored and stacked in the card storage unit or a black portion present in the cards, or both the minute clearance and the black portion.

[0017]

The card shooter apparatus of the present invention

allows inspection that a predetermined number of cards

(416 cards in eight decks) are prepared with the

plurality of cards being in the card shooter apparatus,

and further can determine mixing of a fraudulent card

with the plurality of cards being in the card shooter

apparatus.

[0018]

(Embodiment 1)

Now, Embodiment 1 of a table game system of the

present invention will be described in detail.

Figure 1 illustrates an outline of a card shooter

apparatus 1 in a table game system in Embodiment 1. In

Figure 1, the card shooter apparatus 1 includes a card

shooter unit 4 including a card storage unit 2 that

stores a plurality of cards 100 in a horizontal stack,

and an opening 3 through which the cards 100 can be slid

from the card storage unit 2 and taken out onto a game

table (not shown). A control device 5 constituted by a

program storage unit, a computer device, or the like is

placed in a lower part of the card shooter unit 4. The

control device 5 includes a card reading unit 6 that

reads information (rank (number) and suit (heart, club, or the like)) on the cards 100 taken out from the card shooter unit 4, a win/loss determination unit 7 that determines win/loss of a card game based on the information on the number of the plurality of cards from the card reading unit 6, and a communication unit 8 that transmits the information on the number of cards read by the card reading unit 6 to an external main computer (not shown).

[0019]

A transparent bottom plate 9 is provided on a bottom

of the card storage unit 2, and an optical sensor 10 that

receives reflected lights of lights applied to end

surfaces of the plurality of cards 100 stored in the card

storage unit 2, and a DNA sensor 11 that obtains DNA

information from a DNA-containing coating (described

later) applied to the cards 100 stored in the card

storage unit 2 are placed below the bottom plate 9. The

optical sensor 10 and the DNA sensor 11 are configured to

be movable across a predetermined section by a sensor

scanning device 12. Specifically, the optical sensor 10

and the DNA sensor 11 are coupled to a drive shaft 14

rotationally driven by a motor 13 and having a helical

grove in an outer periphery, and configured to be movable

across a section (A-B) along a guide 15 so as to receive

reflected lights from end surfaces of all of the

plurality of cards 100 stored in the card storage unit 2

and the DNA information.

[0020]

The control device 5 further includes a playing card

counting unit 17 that processes a signal from the optical

sensor 10 via an image processing unit 16 that converts

an image signal from the optical sensor 10 into a digital

signal, and counts the number of the plurality of cards

100 stored in the card storage unit 2, a count

determination unit 18 that determines from an output of

the playing card counting unit 17 whether the number of

the cards stored in the card storage unit 2 is a

predetermined number, a deck information obtaining unit

19 that receives a signal from the DNA sensor 11 and

obtains deck information on the plurality of cards 100

stored in the card storage unit 2, and a deck information

determination unit 20 that receives an output of the deck

information obtaining unit 19, determines whether the

plurality of cards 100 stored in the card storage unit 2

each have predetermined deck information, and outputs a

result. An important point is that the deck information

obtaining unit 19 that obtains deck information on the

cards 100 does not have a function of reading information

(rank (number) and suit (heart, club, or the like)) on

the cards 100, and does not read such information. The

information (rank (number) and suit (heart, club, or the

like)) on the card 100 is read by the card reading unit 6

and a card information obtaining unit 23, which are

provided separately from the deck information obtaining unit 19 that obtains the deck information on the cards

100. The communication unit 8 is configured to transmit

a determination result of the deck information

determination unit 20. The plurality of cards 100 in the

card storage unit 2 are pressed in a direction of arrow P

by a card pressing member 21 with a roller so that no

clearance is created between the cards 100.

[0021]

In an upper part of the card shooter apparatus 1, a

display device 22 is provided that displays a win/loss

determination result of the card game by the win/loss

determination unit 7. The display device 22 includes a

display unit that displays the win/loss determination

result of the card game, and also a second display unit

that displays a determination result by the count

determination unit 18, and a third display unit that

displays a determination result by the deck information

determination unit 20.

[0022]

Next, the card reading unit 6 that reads the

information (rank (number) and suit (heart, club, or the

like)) on the cards 100 taken out from the card shooter

unit 4 will be described in detail. Figure 2(a) is a

partial plan view mainly showing the card information

obtaining unit 23 in the card shooter apparatus 1, and

Figure 2(b) is a partial side sectional view thereof.

The plurality of cards 100 are held in the card storage unit 2, and the frontmost card 100 is slid on a slide surface 24 of the card shooter unit 4 as indicated by arrow S and fed onto a table 200. Rails 25 that guide the card 100 are provided on opposite sides of the slide surface 24 of the card shooter unit 4, and as shown, the card 100 is slid and fed with opposite sides thereof being in contact with the rails 25. Thus, the card 100 is guided along the rails 25. A card information reading

DNA sensor 26 is provided on the slide surface 24. A

light from a light source 27 is applied to a DNA

containing coating printed on the card 100, and the card

information reading DNA sensor 26 receives a light of a

predetermined frequency reflected from the DNA-containing

coating.

[0023]

Figure 3 shows a card 100 to be inspected.

Information (rank (number) and suit (heart, club, or the

like)) on the card is printed on the card as DNA

information. Specifically, a DNA-containing coating is

mixed into ink for printing marks 101 (suit and rank) on

all cards including picture cards (J, Q, K), and thus the

marks are printed on the cards as DNA information. A

human cannot visually recognize individual DNA in the

DNA-containing coating under normal conditions of use.

As an application, the DNA-containing coating may contain

DNA of different types for different colors of ink for printing marks indicating suit or number so as to provide a card with a more complex configuration.

[0024]

The DNA-containing coating indicating deck

information is printed on a front side of the card 100, a

back side on which back design is printed, or both, as a

DNA-containing coating indicating deck information

without information on rank (number) and suit of the card

100, separately from the DNA-containing coating

indicating rank (number) and suit of the card 100.

[0025]

The card information reading DNA sensor 26 reads

information on the card 100 when the card 100 is guided

by the rail 25 and slid. The card information reading

DNA sensor 26 is placed so as to read deck information

from the DNA-containing coating contained in the ink for

printing the mark 101 (suit and rank) on the card 100.

The light source 27 for the card information reading DNA

sensor 26 to read the information is provided integrally

with the card information reading DNA sensor 26. In this

embodiment, the light source 27 is an LED that emits

ultraviolet rays (ultraviolet LED). Such an LED is

provided to reduce a size of the apparatus. A card

detection sensor 28 (a light emitting element integrated

with a light receiving sensor that receives a reflected

light from the card, or the like) is provided upstream of

the card information reading DNA sensor 26 (in a sliding direction S of the card). When detecting the card 100, the card detection sensor outputs a trigger signal to cause the card information reading DNA sensor 26 to start reading of information, the light source 27 emits ultraviolet rays, which is applied to the DNA-containing coating (the mark 101 in this case) printed on the card

100, and the card information reading DNA sensor 26

receives a light of a predetermined frequency reflected

from the DNA-containing coating. The card information

reading DNA sensor 26 and the card detection sensor 28

are connected to the card reading unit 6.

[0026]

Next, with reference to Figures 4 to 7, the playing

card counting unit 17 that processes a signal from the

optical sensor 10 and counts the number of cards 100

stored in the card storage unit 2, the count

determination unit 18 that determines from an output of

the playing card counting unit 17 whether the number of

cards is a predetermined number and outputs a result, the

deck information obtaining unit 19 that receives a signal

from the DNA sensor 11 and obtains deck information on

the plurality of cards 100 stored in the card storage

unit 2, and the deck information determination unit 20

that receives an output of the information obtaining unit

19, determines whether the plurality of cards 100 stored

in the card storage unit 2 each have predetermined deck information, and outputs a result will be described in detail.

[0027]

As shown in Figure 4, the optical sensor 10 and the

DNA sensor 11 include, in sets, a light source 30 for

applying a light to an end of the card 100, a light

source 31 for applying a light to the card 100 and

obtaining DNA information, an element 32 that receives a

reflected light of the light applied to the end surface

of the card 100, and a DNA light receiving element 33

that obtains DNA information from a DNA-containing

coating (described later) applied to the card 100 stored

in the card storage unit 2. The optical sensor 10 and

the DNA sensor 11 are configured to be movable across a

predetermined section by the sensor scanning device 12,

but such operations are controlled by a sensor scanning

control unit 40. Operations of the sensor scanning

control unit 40 and the sensor scanning device 12 will be

described below. First, a reading instruction unit 41

detects a switch (not shown) to start reading of deck

information, or a plurality of cards 100 being set in the

card storage unit 2 and a lid 29 being closed, and

instructs sensor driving units 42, 43 to start a reading

operation of the optical sensor 10 and the DNA sensor 11.

The reading instruction unit 41 operates the motor 13 and

causes the optical sensor 10 and the DNA sensor 11 to

move to scan from a position A to a position B shown in

Figure 1. Thus, the optical sensor 10 receives a

reflected light of a light applied to the end surface of

the card 100, and the DNA sensor 11 obtains DNA

information from the DNA-containing coating (described

later) applied to the card 100 stored in the card storage

unit 2 and reads deck information.

[0028]

Figure 6 shows a relationship between the plurality

of cards 100 seen from below in an enlarged manner, and

an output of the optical sensor 10. As shown by a signal

Z in a lower part of Figure 6, the output of the optical

sensor 10 is low at a white portion 101 in the card 100,

and a signal intensity is high in a clearance 102 between

the cards 100 and at a black portion 103 present in the

card 100, and a characteristic of each portion can be

detected. Even if the signal intensity at the white

portion 101 in the card 100 and the signal intensity in

the clearance 102 between the cards 100 and at the black

portion 103 in the card 100 are inversed depending on

signal processing by the image processing unit 16, a

characteristic of each portion can be detected.

[0029]

Based on the signal Z, the playing card counting

unit 17 counts peaks P of the intensity of the signal Z

to count the cards. In this manner, the playing card

counting unit 17 decides the number of cards from the

minute clearances 102 between the plurality of cards stored and stacked in the card storage unit 2 or the black portions 103 present in the cards 100. As an application, the peaks P for both the clearances 102 and the black portions 103 may be counted to decide the number of cards, or the number of the plurality of cards may be decided based on information obtained from the optical sensor 10 on the white portions 101 in the card

100 via the peak signals P.

Figure 6 shows a relationship between the plurality

of cards 100 seen from below in an enlarged manner, and

an output of the optical sensor 10. As shown by a signal

Z in a lower part of Figure 6, the output of the optical

sensor 10 is low at a white portion 101 in the card 100,

and a signal intensity is high in a clearance 102 between

the cards 100 and at a black portion 103 present in the

card 100, and a characteristic of each portion can be

detected. Even if the signal intensity at the white

portion 101 in the card 100 and the signal intensity in

the clearance 102 between the cards 100 and at the black

portion 103 present in the card 100 are inversed

depending on signal processing by the image processing

unit 16, a characteristic of each portion can be detected.

For a game card, a black portion 103 is provided at a

middle between a front side and a back side of the card

in order to prevent suit or rank on the front side from

being seen through from the back side.

[0030]

As shown by the signal Z in the lower part of Figure

6, the output of the optical sensor 10 is low at the

white portion 101 in the card 100, and the signal

intensity is high in the clearance 102 between the cards

100 and at the black portion 103 present in the card 100.

Thus, a position of each card 100 can be known from the

output of the optical sensor 10.

[0031]

As an application, the control unit 5 may further

include a number registration unit (not shown) that

previously registers a predetermined number of cards 100

to be stored in the card storage unit 2, and the count

determination unit 18 may determine whether the number of

the plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit 2

is the predetermined number set by the number

registration unit.

[0032]

Figure 7 shows a relationship between the plurality

of cards 100 seen from side and below in an enlarged

manner, and an output of the optical sensor 10. As shown

by a signal in a lower part of Figure 7, the output of

the DNA sensor 11 is processed by the deck information

obtaining unit 19 by extracting particular DNA

information as deck information. There is an output in a

portion with DNA ink (or a coating) 104 including DNA

information (circle-mark), and this portion can be

differentiated from a portion without DNA ink (or a coating) 104 (cross-mark), and each deck information can be detected.

[0033]

The cards 100 used in the table 200 used for each

game are stored in a memory (not shown) as correct deck

information previously set. For baccarat, it is supposed

that deck information on regular cards is set for each

casino, or deck information on cards to be distributed is

registered for each table used. An important point is

that particular DNA information as deck information on

the card 100, and a DNA-containing coating indicating the

information (rank (number) and suit (heart, club, or the

like)) on the card 100 are separate. The information

(rank (number) and suit (heart, club, or the like)) on

the card 100 is read by the card reading unit 6 and the

card information obtaining unit 23. The deck information

on the card 100 is read by the deck information obtaining

unit 19.

[0034]

The optical sensor 10 and the DNA sensor 11 are

secured to each other, and thus output signals from the

optical sensor 10 and the DNA sensor 11 can be compared

to each other. As a result, by knowing the peak P of the

intensity of the signal Z from the optical sensor 10, for

example, a distance between the clearances 102 or the

black portions 103 present in the cards can be measured

to recognize a thickness of each card 100 (about 0.28 mm), and it can be determined whether each card 100 having such a thickness includes the DNA-containing coating as deck information. The DNA-containing coating as deck information is printed on a front side of the card 100 on which rank (number) and suit are printed, a back side on which back design is printed, or both, but in this embodiment, the DNA-containing coating as deck information can be detected for each card 100.

[0035]

Based on deck information 104 for each card 100

processed by the deck information obtaining unit 19, the

deck information determination unit 20 compares the deck

information on the plurality of cards stored in the card

storage unit with deck information on the regular cards,

and determines whether the deck information is the deck

information previously set and stored. Also, the deck

information determination unit 20 further determines

whether the plurality of cards stored in the card storage

unit have entirely equal deck information and outputs a

result. As an application, the deck information

determination unit 20 may further determine whether the

plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit 2 have

entirely equal deck information and outputs a result.

[0036]

An important point in this embodiment is that as

described above, the deck information obtaining unit 19

that obtains deck information on the card 100 does not have a function of reading information (rank (number) and suit (heart, club, or the like)) on the card 100, and does not read such information. The information (rank

(number) and suit (heart, club, or the like)) on the card

100 is read by the card reading unit 6 and the card

information obtaining unit 23, which are provided

separately from the deck information obtaining unit 19

that obtains the deck information on the card 100. The

DNA-containing coating indicating deck information and

the DNA sensor that detects the DNA-containing coating

are independently used, and information (rank (number)

and suit (heart, club, or the like)) on the card 100

cannot be known from outside before a game. The deck

information of the DNA-containing coating is an example

of deck information that cannot be visually read by human

but is readable under a predetermined condition.

[0037]

(Embodiment 2)

Now, Embodiment 2 of a table game system of the

present invention will be described in detail.

Figure 8 shows a configuration of a card shooter

apparatus 300 in a table game system in Embodiment 2 of

the present invention, and the same components as in

Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In Embodiment 2, a DNA sensor 301 is not moved to scan by

a sensor scanning unit, but is fixedly placed across a

section W so as to receive reflected lights from end surfaces of all of a plurality of cards 100 stored in a card storage unit 302. An optical sensor (not shown) that obtains information on the cards 100 is similarly fixedly placed across the section W.

[0038]

A DNA-containing coating is applied to the card in

the present invention as an anchor coating that adjusts a

base of a card sheet to constitute deck information. The

deck information can be read from the anchor coating.

The DNA-containing coating may be applied to the card as

an external coating of the card. A configuration in

which a DNA-containing coating indicating deck

information is applied to the card as at least a part of

a coating for printing on back design of the card, or a

configuration in which a DNA-containing coating contains

multiple types of DNA and deck information is constituted

by one or more of the multiple types of DNA to make it

more difficult for a rigger to decode the information, or

the like are conceivable as effective means.

[0039]

A determination result may be output by an alarm

sound, or a sound other than an alarm sound, for example,

a voice message or a melody.

[0040]

A deck for the deck information may be one deck or a

plurality of decks. As deck information that provides

the same result, deck information other than for each casino or table may be of course used. The deck information may be of different type for each card source

(card shoe, or the like), or a different deck code may be

set for each production lot or each casino used.

[0041]

Further, the DNA-containing coating may be applied

to the card in the present invention as an anchor coating

of the card, the DNA-containing coating may be applied to

the card as an external coating of the card, the DNA

containing coating may be applied to the card as at least

a part of a coating for printing on back design of the

card, the DNA-containing coating may contain multiple

types of DNA, and the deck information may be constituted

by one or more of the multiple types of DNA.

[0042]

It is also conceivable that the DNA-containing

coating as deck information is applied to the card as a

special mark for deck information different from back

design or marks indicating number or suit of the card.

[0043]

Next, DNA ink used in the present invention will be

described. The DNA ink is developed by nanotechnology

and molecular science, and DNA is combined to constitute

a sign code or an encrypted code to provide a security

function using invisible DNA. Sign codes or encrypted

codes with DNA of substantially infinite types (about 30

trillion or more) including complexes of chemical substances having sizes of a single atom to a polymer, about 0.5 to 5 microns, and can be easily produced or reproduced. In order to prevent forging or reading, a true sign code may be hidden in many fake codes. It is almost impossible for a forger to replicate the same sign code and also to identify a true sign code, which provides high security. The sign code or the encrypted code with DNA is transparent and invisible, and if used in a transparent liquid or ink, mixing of the DNA cannot be normally found. It is extremely difficult to remove, inactivate, or eliminate a function of the sign code with

DNA ink mixed or added.

[0044]

If a particular light such as a UV light or the like

of a narrow band is applied to the sign code with DNA, a

complex light is reflected having a combination of

particular wavelengths according to the sign code. The

reflected light is converted into an electric signal by

an optical sensor (optoelectronic sensor), and the signal

is decoded to allow determination of presence or absence

of an intended sign code. A small amount of DNA that

constitutes the sign code or the encrypted code may be

mixed in a target substance such as pulp, ink, or varnish

and used. The DNA is stable and does not affect the

target substance, and thus use of the DNA ink or the like

does not affect a normal production process and a

production speed.

[0045]

The DNA can be determined substantially in real time

(actually, 0.01 seconds or less) using a device for

decoding an optoelectronic signal returned when a

particular light is applied to a target object. Common

hologram or the like is visible, and, for example, a

particular metal particle or the like used as deck

information can be replicated even if it is invisible.

Thus, such conventional methods have a disadvantage as

compared to the method using DNA.

[0046]

This embodiment uses the DNA-containing coating and

the DNA sensor that detects the DNA-containing coating.

The deck information of the DNA-containing coating is an

example of deck information that cannot be visually read

by human but is readable under a predetermined condition.

As DNA for encoding deck information, for example,

naturally-derived DNA, artificial DNA, or the like can be

used. A molecular sequence having a periodical sequence

such as a DNA base sequence can be used for encoding deck

information. For example, an amino acid sequence of

protein may be used to encode deck information. In this

case, a molecular sequence sensor is used that reads a

molecular sequence of cards (cards each having a

molecular sequence for encoding deck information

indicating a deck of cards) and obtains molecular

sequence information.

[0047]

Various embodiments of the present invention have

been described above, but the embodiments may be of

course modified by those skilled in the art within the

scope of the present invention. For example, the present

invention may be applied to a game other than baccarat,

such as black jack, and the apparatus of the embodiments

may be modified according to the needs of a game applied.

[0048]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention

conceivable at the present time have been described.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiments, and

appended claims encompass all of such modifications

within the true spirit and the scope of the present

invention.

[0049]

Throughout this specification and the claims which

follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word

"comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and

"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion

of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps

but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or

group of integers or steps.

[0050]

The reference to any prior art in this specification

is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Industrial Applicability

[0051]

The card shooter apparatus in the table game system

according to the present invention allows inspection that

a predetermined number of cards (416 cards in eight

decks) are prepared with the plurality of cards being in

the card shooter apparatus, and is useful in a table game

system or the like used in a casino or the like.

Reference Signs List

[0052]

1 card shooter apparatus

2 card storage unit

4 card shooter unit

optical sensor

11 DNA sensor that obtains DNA information

100 card

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A card shooter apparatus comprising:

an optical sensor that is placed below the bottom of

a card storage unit that stores a plurality of cards and

receives reflected light of light applied to end surfaces

of each of the plurality of cards stored in the card

storage unit;

a card reading unit that reads the number of cards

taken out from the card storage unit;

a win/loss determination unit that determines

win/loss of a card game based on information on the

plurality of cards from the card reading unit; and

a playing card counting unit that receives a signal

from the optical sensor and counts the number of the

plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit,

wherein

the optical sensor is placed so as to receive

reflected light from end surfaces of each of the

plurality of cards stored in the card storage unit, or

configured to be movable across a predetermined section

by a sensor scanning unit so as to receive reflected

light from end surfaces of each of the plurality of cards

stored in the card storage unit;

wherein

the playing card counting unit is configured to

decide the number of the plurality of cards based on information obtained from the optical sensor on a black portion present in the cards.

2. The card shooter apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprising:

a count determination unit that determines from an

output of the playing card counting unit whether the

number of the plurality of cards stored in the card

storage unit is a predetermined number.

3. The card shooter apparatus according to claim 2,

further comprising:

a display unit that displays a determination result

by the count determination unit.

4. The card shooter apparatus according to claim 3,

further comprising:

a communication unit which transmits the

determination result of the count determination unit.

5. The card shooter apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein

the communication unit is capable of wireless

transmission.