JP2008012360A - Playing card - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a set of playing cards allowing a person to judge whether the set contains an irregular card not constituting a specified set. <P>SOLUTION: To find out an irregular card which is mixed to genuine playing cards for the purpose of wrong doing, an identification code which indicates the card belongs to a set of playing cards is given to each of the set of playing cards. By reading the identification code from two or more cards of each of the set of playing cards, one can judge whether it is a genuine playing card or an irregular one. The identification code is given to a card in a condition in which a man cannot see with his/her eyes in a normal using condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for inspecting (determining) whether or not an abnormal playing card that does not constitute a predetermined set is included in a set of playing cards.

  In the casino amusement hall, a plurality of corners are provided, and a game using a playing card is performed in each corner. In such a casino amusement hall, the sales person monitors whether or not fraud has occurred in the game. A malicious fraudster uses a fraudulent card by falsifying the playing card or bringing a playing card prepared by himself into the game.

In order to find such an illegal card, conventionally, a human manual inspection has been performed. Specifically, by confirming the suits (spades, hearts, diamonds, clovers) and ranks (A, 2, ..., 10, J, Q, K) of the playing cards that make up a certain group. , It was inspected for illegal cards in the set.
JP-A-11-267264

  In the conventional inspection method described above, if a fraudulent card is only mixed in a certain group, or if a playing card is extracted from a certain group, it is confirmed that a fraudulent act has been performed in a game using that group. I was able to find it. However, if a fraudulent card is mixed into a group and a legitimate card corresponding to the fraudulent card, that is, a card with the same suit and rank as the fraudulent card, is extracted from the pair. It is not possible to discover that fraud has been performed in a game using the set. This is because usually a fraudulent card looks almost the same as other cards.

  Further, in the manual inspection work by humans, there are problems that labor costs increase and the operation speed is slow. Furthermore, there is a problem that the person who performs the inspection work himself may perform an illegal act in the inspection work, and the reliability of the inspection is low.

  In particular, since the quality of playing cards has improved in recent years and has become usable for a long period of time, for example, about two weeks, the number of inspections for reusing playing cards after use has increased, and the workability has been improved. Improvement of reliability and cost reduction are major issues.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a playing card inspection technique capable of determining whether an illegal card is mixed in a certain set, and also provides a playing card suitably used for the inspection technique. For the purpose. In particular, the present invention provides an inspection technique that can appropriately detect that an illegal card that appears to be a legitimate card in human appearance is mixed, and is suitably used for the inspection technique. The purpose is to provide a playing card.

  Another object of the present invention is to reduce labor costs, improve work speed, or improve inspection reliability in the inspection of playing cards.

  In order to achieve the above object, the inspection apparatus is an inspection apparatus for inspecting a playing card, and reads the identification code that is an identification code provided on the playing card and constitutes a predetermined set, and reads the data. And a determination unit that determines that an abnormal playing card that does not form a predetermined group is included in the plurality of playing cards based on the read data.

  With this inspection device, a playing card brought in as an unauthorized card by an unauthorized person is identified as an abnormal playing card. In the present invention, the reading means recognizing the contents of the identification code such as optically reading the identification code appearing as an image and electromagnetically reading the identification code magnetically provided on the playing card. Including all the processing for.

  If this inspection apparatus is introduced in a casino amusement park using a playing card with a different identification code for each predetermined group consisting of one deck or a plurality of decks, the manager of the casino amusement park When an illegal card is mixed in a plurality of playing cards that should belong to the card, such a set of playing cards can be recognized as an abnormal set in which an abnormal playing card is mixed. In particular, it is possible to detect an abnormal playing card mixture that cannot be determined only by the design by reading the identification code, such as when a fraudulent person steals a playing card used at a table and uses it illegally at a different table. .

  All the playing cards of the set classified by the identification code may not be inspected by one inspection. For example, when a certain identification code is given to a set of 1000 decks, only a few of the 1000 decks may be subject to inspection. Also in this case, if an abnormal playing card that does not constitute the set is included in the plurality of playing cards that are the inspection target, the abnormal playing card is found.

  This inspection apparatus improves the workability of the card card inspection work, improves its reliability, and further leads to cost reduction.

  Preferably, the identification code is provided on the playing card in a state where it cannot be seen by human vision under normal use conditions.

  As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormal playing card is mixed with the identification code without hindering the original use of the playing card. In other words, the front (front) face is a kind of notation consisting of soot and rank, and the back is just a picture card on the back, and the card card looks the same as before. Card cards can be used, so casino players can use the card without any sense of incongruity, and casino managers can easily adopt this technology.

  In addition, the state that cannot be seen by human vision under normal use conditions is, for example, that the identification code is printed on the surface of the playing card with special ink that is visible to human eyes only by giving a predetermined light. And a state in which an identification code is given to the playing card as magnetic information.

  Preferably, the determination device includes a light source for applying predetermined light to the playing card, and the identification code can be read by the code reading unit upon receiving the predetermined light.

  Preferably, the inspection apparatus further includes a notification unit that notifies a result of determination by the determination unit.

  As a result, the operator of the inspection apparatus can easily know that an abnormal playing card is mixed in the plurality of playing cards that have been inspected. As a means of notification, whether it is something that appeals to the visual sense of the operator (for example, that is notified by a monitor display) or something that appeals to the auditory sense (for example, that is notified by a buzzer sound), it appeals to other senses. It may be a thing.

  Preferably, the inspection apparatus further includes a type notation reading unit that reads a type notation of a playing card, and the notification unit is a monitor that displays a result of the determination on the monitor, and is read by the type notation reading unit. The type of abnormal playing card is also notified by displaying the type on the monitor.

  According to this, the operator of the inspection apparatus can visually recognize that an abnormal playing card is mixed and the abnormal playing card.

  Preferably, when the code reading unit cannot read an identification code for any of the plurality of playing cards, the determination unit includes an abnormal playing card that does not constitute a predetermined set in the plurality of playing cards. It is determined that it is included.

  As a result, it is possible to discriminate a playing card to which an unauthorized person has not been given an identification code, that is, an unauthorized playing card brought in from outside the casino, as an abnormal playing card.

  Preferably, the inspection apparatus further includes a normal identification code storage unit that stores a normal identification code corresponding to the predetermined set, and the determination unit includes the identification code read by the code reading unit and the normal code An abnormal playing card that does not constitute the predetermined set in the plurality of playing cards when the normal identification code stored in the identification code storage unit is compared and the identification code does not match the normal identification code Is determined to be included.

  According to this inspection apparatus, first, a normal identification code as a reference standard is specified, and an abnormal playing card is determined based on whether or not a plurality of playing cards to be inspected respectively match the specified normal identification code. Is done.

  Preferably, the storage unit stores the identification code read by the code reading unit as a normal identification code.

  According to this inspection apparatus, the code reading unit can be used not only as a means for reading an identification code from a playing card to be inspected but also as a means for specifying a normal identification code, and the structure of the apparatus is simple. Can be

  Preferably, the identification code stored as the normal identification code is the most common identification code among the identification codes read from the plurality of playing cards.

  In this apparatus, the most common identification code is set as a normal identification code as a reference object in a plurality of playing cards to be inspected. Therefore, even if the operator of the inspection apparatus does not recognize the normal identification code in the plurality of playing cards, it can be determined whether or not there is an abnormal playing card. That is, when performing the inspection, the operator does not need to recognize the normal identification code for the inspection object in advance.

  Preferably, the identification code stored as the normal identification code is an identification code read first for the plurality of playing cards.

  Since it is assumed that the majority of the plurality of playing cards to be inspected are normal playing cards, the identification code read first can be considered as the normal identification code.

  If the identification code of the abnormal playing card is first read and the code is set as a normal identification code, the card card that is normally normal is determined as the abnormal playing card. However, even in that case, as a result, it can be determined that there is a playing card that is illegally mixed in the plurality of playing cards to be inspected.

  If the identification code that is read first and stored as a normal identification code is an identification code that is read from a sample card different from the plurality of playing cards, the above problem is solved.

  Preferably, the inspection apparatus further includes an input unit for an operator to input an identification code, and the identification code stored as the normal identification code is an identification code input from the input unit.

  Preferably, the predetermined set includes a plurality of decks, each of the plurality of decks has a different normal identification code, and the determination unit includes the identification code read by the code reading unit. If it does not match any of the codes, it may be determined that an abnormal playing card that does not constitute the predetermined group is included in the plurality of playing cards.

  A playing card may be used as a set of several decks. In such a case, according to this inspection apparatus, each deck may have a different identification code. For example, even if a plurality of playing cards to be inspected consist of four decks and the identification codes are different for each deck, all these four identification codes are used as normal identification codes, and any of the four identification codes is used. A card that does not have a card can be identified as an abnormal playing card.

  Preferably, the determination unit compares the identification codes read from the plurality of playing cards by the code reading unit with each other, thereby not forming the predetermined group in the plurality of playing cards. It is determined that a card is included.

  According to this inspection apparatus, it is determined that an abnormal playing card is mixed except when the identification codes of a plurality of playing cards to be inspected all match.

  Preferably, the inspection apparatus further includes an abnormal playing card extracting unit that extracts abnormal playing cards that do not constitute the predetermined set.

  According to this, it is possible to check which playing card the mixed abnormal playing card is.

  Preferably, the abnormal playing card extracting means extracts the abnormal playing card by arranging the abnormal playing card that has been read by the reading unit at a location different from other playing cards.

  According to this inspection apparatus, the abnormal playing card can be easily taken out.

  Preferably, the inspection device includes a conveyance unit that sequentially sends the plurality of playing cards to the code reading unit, and the extraction unit performs the conveyance when the determination unit determines that an abnormal playing card is included. The abnormal playing card is extracted by stopping the operation of the section.

  According to this inspection apparatus, the abnormal playing card can be easily taken out and the time required for the inspection can be shortened.

  Preferably, the inspection apparatus further includes a pattern reading unit that reads a pattern displayed on the plurality of playing cards, and the determination unit further includes the pattern reading unit based on the pattern read by the pattern reading unit. It is determined that an abnormal playing card that does not constitute the predetermined group is included in a plurality of playing cards.

  According to this apparatus, since the presence of the abnormal playing card is determined based on the identification code and the design, the same identification code can be assigned to the playing cards having different designs.

  Preferably, the inspection apparatus further includes a type notation reading unit that reads a type notation of a playing card represented on a surface opposite to the surface on which the design is represented, the code reading unit, the design reading unit, The type notation reading unit is a common reading device, and further includes a mirror that reflects the pattern or the type notation toward the common reading device.

  According to this apparatus, since the mirror is used, it is possible to read the pattern and the type notation that are originally represented on different surfaces by a common reading apparatus. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a reading unit for reading one side at a time, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. In this case, the identification code may be provided on either side of the playing card. When the identification code cannot be directly read by the common imaging device, the identification code may be read using the mirror.

  Preferably, the inspection apparatus includes a stacker for stacking the plurality of playing cards and at least a pair of rollers, and the playing cards stacked on the stacker by the pair of rollers are sequentially opposed to the common reading device. And a mirror that reflects the pattern or type notation on the free end side of the playing card that is cantilevered by the pair of rollers toward the common reading device.

  With this configuration, the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  In order to achieve the above object, the playing card is an identification code that cannot be seen by human vision in a normal use state and can be identified by a predetermined identification device, and represents an identification code that represents a set to which the playing card belongs. Is given information.

  Even if the playing card itself is indistinguishable from a conventional playing card in normal use by this playing card, even if an abnormal playing card is mixed into the set of playing cards, By using a predetermined identification device, it is possible to determine the presence of such an abnormal playing card. Therefore, in the casino amusement hall using this playing card, it does not give a sense of incongruity to the user of the playing card (casino player) and does not interfere with the normal game, for example, from another table. It is possible to detect that a playing card has been illegally brought in. Also, according to this playing card, even if it is a plurality of playing cards with the same pattern and all suits and ranks, if an abnormal playing card is included in it, That can be determined. In this regard, as compared with the conventional inspection device that simply determines whether or not all suits and ranks are available, a more sophisticated fraud, that is, fraudulent cards are mixed and mixed. It can also detect fraud that removes normal cards with the same suit and rank as the card.

  Preferably, in the playing card, there are at least two identification codes, and the two identification codes are point-symmetric with respect to the center of the playing card.

  With such a configuration, the identification code is recognized at a predetermined position of the playing card regardless of whether the playing card is oriented upward or downward. If there are at least two identification codes, a third identification code that is not point-symmetrical may be provided, or other two identification codes that are point-symmetrical positional relation are further provided. May be.

  Preferably, in the playing card, the identification code is printed with a paint that is visualized by receiving predetermined light.

  There are various methods for giving the information of the identification code to the playing card, but the method of printing with the paint is one of the methods that can suppress the manufacturing cost to the lowest.

  Preferably, in the playing card, the identification code is printed as a barcode.

  With this configuration, the identification code can be read easily and reliably.

  Preferably, in the playing card, the identification code is printed at a position that does not overlap with the playing card type.

  With this configuration, when it is desired to read the type notation, the identification code and the type notation can be clearly read.

  Preferably, in the above-mentioned playing card, the identification code includes group information unique to the group and information on the date of manufacture of the group.

  According to this configuration, even when the same set information is given for sets having different production dates, the entire identification code represents a specific set.

  Preferably, in the above-mentioned playing card, the identification code has casino information unique to the casino in which the playing card is used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the inspection method is an inspection method for inspecting several playing cards as inspection objects, and is provided as a code representing the set on each playing card constituting a predetermined set. And a step of determining that an abnormal playing card that does not constitute a predetermined group is included in the plurality of playing cards to be inspected based on the result of the reading.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not an abnormal playing card has been mixed, and to find an illegal act.

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

[Trump card]
FIG. 1 is a general view of the front (front) surface of a playing card in a normal use state. FIG. 2 is a schematic view when the playing card of FIG. 1 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays as a special light beam. On the front surface of the playing card 10, an identification code recording unit 11 in which an identification code is recorded in a state that cannot be seen by human eyes in a normal use state, and spades, hearts, diamonds, There is provided a type notation section 12 in which any one of the clovers and any one of A, 2,..., J, Q, and K is indicated as a rank (value).

  In the present specification and claims, “type” means a suit and rank of a playing card, and “type notation” means a suit represented on the front (front) surface of the playing card. And notation indicating rank. The “picture” means a pattern shown on the back of the playing card. In the playing cards constituting one deck, the type of the front surface is different, and the pattern on the back surface is the same. In a normal playing card game, only one deck is used, but in a casino, a game may be played using a plurality of decks having the same pattern.

  The identification code recording unit 11 is provided at the end in the longitudinal direction of the playing card. The identification code recording unit 11 is provided with a barcode 110 as an identification code. The barcode 110 is printed on the playing card 10 with ultraviolet coloring ink that is colored when exposed to ultraviolet light (black light) and can be seen with the human eye.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the identification code recording unit 11 is provided so as not to overlap the type notation unit 12. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the type of playing card is described using soot marks as many as the number of ranks, as in the conventional playing card. It is also possible to use this as a type notation part.

  FIG. 3 is an overview diagram of the front (front) surface of another example of the playing card in a normal use state. FIG. 4 is a schematic view when the playing card of FIG. 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. 3 and 4, the identification code recording unit 11 is provided near both long sides of the playing card 10. Two barcodes 110 are printed on the playing card 10 so as to face both ends in the short direction of the card body.

  There are two identification code recording units 11 at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the playing card 10, and the same identification code is given to both identification code recording units 11.

  Here, assuming that the identification code recording unit 11 is provided only at one place, a plurality of playing cards whose vertical directions are different after use when inspecting by an inspection apparatus described later. The card must first be oriented so that its single identification code is in place. Such work is complicated. In addition, since the identification code is not visible in a normal use state, it is difficult to align the single identification code so that the positions thereof are aligned. In addition, some cards have a design that does not distinguish between the top and bottom (for example, diamond 4), and such cards cannot be relied on depending on the design.

  On the other hand, for a playing card provided with only a single identification code, the one that has read the identification code from two locations (which can only be read from either) depending on its orientation. Although a reading identification code can be adopted, it is not preferable in that the configuration of the inspection apparatus becomes complicated.

  Therefore, in the playing card 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two identification codes 110 are provided at point-symmetrical positions with respect to the center of the playing card. As a result, the inspection apparatus can find the identification code at a predetermined position regardless of whether the playing cards to be inspected are oriented in any direction. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the inspection based on the reading of the identification code can be performed without complicating the inspection work and without complicating the inspection apparatus.

  In addition to the two identification codes having a point-symmetric positional relationship, the same identification code may be provided in another position, or another two identification codes having a point-symmetric positional relationship may be further provided. Also good.

  When the barcodes 110 and 110 are read by the inspection device, both may be read, and if one is not readable but one is readable, it may be determined as a normal card. Further, when there are a lot of code contents constituting the barcode, it is possible to print it in two places and to make both code data as one data.

  The identification code may be printed with other inks such as ink visualized by infrared rays in addition to ink visualized by ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, in the above example, the barcode is printed with ink that is invisible to human vision in a normal use state, but this is not a limitation, and the barcode is printed with visible ink that is visible to human vision in a normal use state. May be. When the barcode 110 is printed with such visible ink, the user feels uncomfortable, but does not affect the game itself. Therefore, it is effective in that the card can be made inexpensive.

  When the identification code is magnetically provided, the magnetized portion may appear black on the card surface. In this case as well, humans can visually determine that some sort of identification code is given in normal use, but they cannot see what the identification code is. In other words, depending on human vision, it is not possible to distinguish between a magnetized portion given information of a certain identification code and a magnetized portion given information of another identification code. Such a state is also a state that cannot be seen by human vision in a normal use state.

  In addition to the examples in FIGS. 1 to 4, the identification code recording unit 11 may be provided on the back surface of the playing card 10. Furthermore, the identification code part 11 may be provided in the playing card 10 by giving information on the identification code to an IC chip built in the playing card.

  The identification code may be composed of not only a bar code but also numbers, symbols, etc., or a mixture thereof.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing information included in the playing card 10. Each playing card 10 includes, as information contained therein, identification code information 110J representing a set to which the playing card belongs, type information 12J representing the type of the playing card, and pattern information 13J representing the pattern of the playing card. Have. When one set is constituted by one deck of playing cards, the identification code information 110J representing the set is different for each deck, and when one set is constituted by a plurality of decks of playing cards, The identification code information 110J representing a set is common to a plurality of decks constituting the set.

  The identification code information 110J is obtained from the group code information 1101, the manufacturing date code information 1102, the manufacturer code information 1103, the casino code information 1104, and the manufacturing lot code information 1105 which are uniquely given to the group to which the playing card 10 belongs. It has become.

  Here, the group code 1101 may be given in common to, for example, 100 decks or 1000 decks of playing cards, or may be given uniquely to each deck. That is, the set may be composed of, for example, 1000 decks, or may be composed of one deck.

  Further, in the actual inspection, as will be described later, for example, playing cards such as 1 deck, 4 decks, or 8 decks are to be inspected, and the plurality of playing cards to be inspected are not necessarily classified by the identification code. Does not match the set. For example, when a common identification code is given to 1000 decks of playing cards, only 8 of the 1000 decks may be subject to inspection. In addition, when a unique identification code is given to a deck of playing cards, four decks each having a different identification code may be subject to inspection. In any case, an inspection based on the identification code can be performed by an inspection process described later.

  The group code information 1101 is a group code different from group to group in at least the same manufacturing date code. As a result, the identification code as a whole is given a code unique to the set.

  The type information 12 </ b> J includes soot information 121 and rank information 122 included in the type notation unit 12, and type code information 1106 recorded in an invisible state in a normal use state, similar to the identification code 110. The type code information 1106 may be provided at the same place as the identification code 110 or may be included in the identification code 110.

  The pattern information 13J is image information that the pattern on the back side of the playing card 10 has.

[First inspection device]
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing the first form of the inspection apparatus. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the inspection apparatus of FIG. The inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is designed as an apparatus for inspecting a playing card 10 of the type shown in FIGS.

  The playing card inspection apparatus 1 includes a card set base 14 for placing a bundle 100 of playing cards 10 to be inspected, and a delivery roller 15 for sending the playing cards 10 one by one from the bottom side of the card setting base 14. Have. The playing card 10 to be inspected is set on the card set table 14 with the front (front) surface on which the soot and rank are written and the identification code is printed facing upward.

  The inspection apparatus 1 also includes transport rollers 16 and 17 provided at an appropriate interval for transporting the playing card 10 delivered from the card set base 14, and between the transport rollers 16 and 17. The reading data is obtained by reading the barcode 110 provided between the ultraviolet lamp 19 and the ultraviolet lamp 19 provided between the ultraviolet lamp 19 for irradiating the identification code recording unit 11 of the playing card 10 with ultraviolet light (black light). An ultraviolet sensor 20 for generating, a CCD camera 21 for generating the read data by reading the type notation of the playing card 10, and the pattern of the playing card 12 provided between the conveying roller 16 and the conveying roller 17. And a CCD camera 22 for reading the form.

  The ultraviolet sensor 20 may be a CCD camera that photographs the identification code portion 11 irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet lamp 19. The ultraviolet sensor 20 is suitable for reading when the identification code is a bar code as described above, while the CCD camera is suitable for reading when the identification code is printed as a number or symbol by the special ink. Suitable for

  The playing card 10 delivered from the card setting table 14 by the delivery roller 15 is conveyed to a position facing the ultraviolet sensor 20 and the like by the conveyance roller 16. The ultraviolet sensor 20, the CCD camera 21, and the CCD camera 22 read a predetermined portion of the playing card 10 at an appropriate timing.

  Furthermore, in order to extract the abnormal card, the inspection device 1 is turned up and down to switch the normal card and the abnormal card in the traveling direction, and the rotary solenoid 25 that rotationally drives the sorted piece 24. It has a normal card stocker 27 for stocking normal cards and an abnormal card stocker 28 for stocking abnormal cards. The normal card stocker 27 and the abnormal card stocker 28 are provided with finger cutouts 32 and 33 for facilitating removal of the playing card 10, respectively.

  In addition, the inspection apparatus 1 stores the read data generated by the ultraviolet sensor 20, the CCD camera 21, and the CCD camera 22 and performs various processes such as discrimination between a normal card and an abnormal card. Have The control unit 31 includes a computer and includes a storage determination unit 29 and a monitor 30 that notifies the determination result of the storage determination unit 29. The monitor 30 is a touch panel type operation panel and also has a function of accepting an input from an operator.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the inspection apparatus 1. The inspection apparatus 1 includes a control unit 31, an extraction unit 50, a reading unit 60, and a conveyance unit 70. The extraction unit 50 corresponds to the partition piece 24, the rotary solenoid 25, the normal card stocker 27, and the abnormal card stocker 28 in FIGS. 6 and 7 and has a function of extracting the playing card determined to be an abnormal card so that it can be specified. Take on.

  The reading unit 60 corresponds to the ultraviolet sensor 20 and the CCD cameras 21 and 22, and has a function of reading a specific portion of the playing card 10, generating read data, and sending it to the control unit 31. Specifically, in the reading unit 60, the identification code reading data is generated when the ultraviolet sensor 20 reads the identification code, the type reading data is generated when the CCD camera 21 reads the type notation, and the CCD camera 22 displays the picture. The pattern reading data is generated by reading.

  Further, the transport unit 70 corresponds to the delivery roller 15, the transport rollers 16 and 17, and their drive motors, and sequentially transports the cards one by one in order to read the identification code from the playing card 10 set on the card set base 14. Take on the function.

  The extraction unit 50, the reading unit 60, and the conveyance unit 70 are electrically connected to the control unit 31, and are controlled by the control unit 31 to exhibit their functions.

  The control unit 31 includes a storage determination unit 290 and an input / output unit 300. The storage determination unit 290 corresponds to the storage determination unit 29. The storage determination unit 290 is further divided into a storage unit 291 and a determination unit 292. The storage unit 291 includes a normal identification code storage unit 2911 for storing a normal identification code as a reference code, a comparative design data storage unit 2912 for storing comparison design data as reference design image data, and a reference type A comparison type data storage unit 2913 that stores image data as comparison type data for all suits and ranks.

  Further, the determination unit 292 compares the identification code read data generated and transmitted by the ultraviolet sensor 20 of the reading unit 60 with the normal identification code stored in the normal identification code storage unit 2911, so that the playing card 10 An identification code determination unit 2921 for determining whether the image is normal or abnormal, image read data generated and transmitted by the CCD camera 22 of the reading unit 60, and comparison pattern data stored in the comparison image data storage unit 2912 The pattern determination unit 2922 that determines whether the playing card 10 is normal or abnormal by comparing the card cards, and the type reading data generated and sent by the CCD camera 21 of the reading unit 60 and the comparison type data storage unit By comparing with the comparison type data stored in 2913, the read card card 10 And a type determination unit 2923 that identifies the class.

  The determination unit 292 also performs a process of recognizing the read identification code by analyzing each read data sent from the reading unit 60. Here, when an image determined to be an identification code by the ultraviolet sensor 20 is not detected, the determination unit 292 recognizes an identification code (error code) representing an error. That is, when the reading unit 60 reads a playing card that does not have an identification code (card brought in from the outside) or a playing card in which the identification code is damaged, it is recognized as an error code. This error code does not match any currently used identification code.

  The input / output unit 300 corresponds to the monitor 30 that also functions as a touch panel type operation panel, and functionally includes an output unit 301 and an input unit 302. The output unit 301 displays a result of the inspection, a button as a touch panel, and the like, and the input unit accepts an input from the operator in association with the output content from the output unit 301. In this specification, the monitor 30 that functions as an operation panel may be referred to as an “operation panel 30”.

[First inspection process]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a first inspection process (inspection process 1) for inspecting a bundle 100 of a plurality of playing cards 10 using the inspection apparatus 1. In the inspection process 1, first, a normal identification code is specified (step S1), and for each of a plurality of playing cards to be inspected, each playing card is normal or abnormal based on the normal identification code specified in step S1. Is determined (step S2), and the determination result is notified (step S3). A group determined to be abnormal can be discarded, and a group determined to be normal can be reused.

  In the following description, the inspection process 1 will be mainly described as a process for inspecting a bundle of playing cards for four decks in a mixed state as a set.

  The normal identification code specified in step S1 is stored in the normal identification code storage unit 2911. Here, only one identification code may be given to a set of playing cards of four decks, or different identification codes may be given to each of the four decks. In the former case, only one normal identification code is specified, and in the latter case, four normal identification codes are specified.

  Since there are various modes for the process from the identification of the normal identification code in step S1 to the determination in step S2, they will be described in order below.

[Mode 1 in First Inspection Process]
In the first mode, first, the identification codes 110 are read from a plurality of playing cards 10 to be inspected, and the most common codes are identified as normal identification codes. Then, the identification code 110 is read again from the plurality of playing cards 10 to determine whether or not each of the playing cards 10 is normal or not by determining whether or not the identification code 110 matches the previously specified normal identification code.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the normal identification code specifying process (normal identification code specifying process 1) in the form 1, FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the determining process (determination process 1) in the form 1, and FIG. It is a display example of the monitor 30.

  In the normal identification code specifying process 1, first, the operator sets the playing card bundle 100 for four decks to be inspected on the card set base 14 (step S111). Then, the start is instructed by pressing the reading determination start button 303 on the operation panel 30 (step S112). Then, the control part 31 which received this with the input part 302 drives the sending roller 15 and the conveyance rollers 16 and 17 as the conveyance part 70 (step S113). Then, the playing cards 10 are sent one by one from the set playing card bundle 100 by the sending roller 15. The ultraviolet lamp 19 is turned on simultaneously with the start of the roller driving. At this time, the partition piece 24 always faces upward, and all the playing cards 10 conveyed to the conveying roller 17 are stocked in the normal card stocker 27.

  The control unit 31 stores the identification code read from the card card 10 being conveyed in the storage unit 291 (step S114). Here, since the ultraviolet lamp 19 is lit, the ink of the identification code is colored, and the identification code can be read using the ultraviolet sensor 20.

  Next, it is determined whether all the playing cards of the four decks have been read (step S115). If all have not been completed (NO in step S115), the process returns to step S114 to read and store the identification code for the next card. When reading has been completed for all (YES in step S115), the most common code among the stored identification codes is identified as a normal identification code and stored in the normal identification code storage unit 2911 (step S117). End the code identification process.

  Here, when there is one identification code for the four decks, only one identification code is specified as a normal identification code as it is. On the other hand, if the identification codes of the four decks are different, the top four codes that have been read are specified as normal identification codes.

  In the determination process 1, first, the operator sets the playing card bundle 100 stocked in the stocker 27 by the normal identification code specifying process 1 again on the card setting table 14 (step S211). Next, the operator instructs the start by pressing the abnormal card extraction start button 304 on the operation panel 30 (step S212). In response to the start instruction, the feed roller 15 and the transport rollers 16 and 17 are driven (step S213). Simultaneously with the start of the roller driving, the ultraviolet lamp 19 is turned on. At this time, the partitioning piece 24 faces upward, and the playing card conveyed to the conveying roller 17 is conveyed to the normal card stocker 27.

  The reading unit 60 reads an identification code, a type notation, and a picture from the playing card 10 conveyed one by one, and generates each read data. The determination unit 292 compares the identification code read data with the normal identification code stored in the normal identification code storage unit 291 by the identification code determination unit 2921 (step S214).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the identification code read data and the normal identification code match (step S215). If they do not match (NO in step S215), the rotary solenoid 25 is driven to replace the playing card with an abnormal card. Lead to the stocker 28 (step S216). Then, it is determined whether or not the inspection has been completed for all the playing cards (step S217). Here, whether or not the inspection has been completed for all the playing cards is determined by the presence or absence of the playing cards remaining on the card setting table 14 by a sensor (not shown) provided on the card setting table 14 of the inspection apparatus 1. For cards that do not have an identification code, the identification code read data is recognized as an error code, so that NO is always determined in step S215, and the rotary solenoid is driven (step S216).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S215 that they match, that is, it is a normal playing card (YES in step S215), it is determined whether or not all of the operations have been completed without driving the rotary solenoid 25 (step S217). . If it is determined that all have been completed (YES in step S217), the driving of the delivery roller 15 and the transport rollers 16 and 17 is stopped (step S218), and the determination process ends. On the other hand, if all of them are not completed (NO in step S216), the process returns to step S214, and the next playing card is read and compared.

  In this determination process, in parallel with the determination of the abnormal playing card, the group information, manufacturing date information, manufacturer information, casino information, and manufacturing lot information included in the read identification code are analyzed and displayed on the monitor 30. To do. Further, the type code, the type notation, and the picture are read and the result is also displayed on the monitor 30.

  For these processes, the monitor 30 includes a reading determination start button 303 and an abnormal playing card extraction start button 304 described above, a reading data display unit 305 that displays information indicating the read code and information, and a reading. And a type display unit 306 for displaying the type of the playing card 10 and the number thereof.

  In the type display section 39, the right side S row is a spade, the D row is a diamond, the C row is a clover, the H row is a heart, the N row is a joker, and the upper A to K columns indicate ranks. Each segment of the type display unit 306 displays the number of sheets read based on the type reading data generated by reading the type notation. The example of FIG. 12 is a display when the inspection is performed with one deck as a set, and 2 is displayed for J of H, indicating an abnormal state where J of H is one more. Also, 0 is displayed for K of H, indicating an abnormal state in which one K of H is insufficient. These two places change color and blink, and are informed that there is an abnormality by sound. When a 4-drum playing card is inspected, 4 is displayed as a normal state, and a state where 3 or 5 is displayed is an abnormal state.

  Further, a code display button is further provided on the monitor 30, and when the code display button is pressed, a screen showing the contents of the identification code and the abnormal code is displayed, and the type of card is also displayed in the abnormal code content. It may be. In this way, it is possible to identify the group to which the abnormal playing card should originally belong, return it to the group to which it originally belongs, and reuse it as a normal group.

  As described above, in step S214, it is determined whether the card is a normal playing card or an abnormal playing card by comparing the identification codes. However, the determination based on the pattern may be performed in parallel with this determination. In this case, the pattern reading data generated by the CCD camera 22 in the reading unit 60 and the comparison pattern data stored in the comparison pattern data storage unit 2912 are compared by the pattern determination unit 2922, and whether or not they match. judge. If they do not match, the rotary solenoid is driven to guide the playing card to the abnormal card stocker 28.

[Mode 2 in the first inspection process]
In the first form, the normal identification code is specified by the so-called majority method, whereas in the second form, the normal identification code is specified by reading the sample card. At least one sample card is prepared for a set of one or a plurality of decks. When a group is composed of multiple decks, a sample card is prepared for each deck when the identification code differs between the decks, and one sample card per group when the identification code is common among the decks in the group Is prepared. The sample card is not used in a normal card game, but is used to specify a normal identification code in this inspection process.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of normal identification code specifying processing (normal identification code specifying processing 2) in the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a display example of the monitor 30 in the second embodiment.

  In the normal identification code specifying process 2, first, only the sample card is set on the card set base 14 (step S121). At this time, if the normal identification codes are different for each of the four decks, those four sample cards are set. When the operator is instructed to start by pressing the sample reading start button 307 on the operation panel 30 (step S122), the roller driving is started (step s123), and the sample card identification code is read and stored (step S122). S124). At this time, the ultraviolet lamp 19 is turned on.

  When there are a plurality of sample cards, that is, when the identification codes are different for each of the four decks, the reading and storing of the sample cards are repeated (NO in step S125). When all the sample cards have been read (YES in step S125), the driving of the rollers is stopped (step S126), and the normal identification code specifying process is ended.

  The determination process is performed in the same manner as the determination process 1 shown in FIG. Note that the start instruction in step S212 is performed by pressing the determination process start button 308 in FIG. The determination result is displayed in text on the result display unit 309.

[Mode 3 in the first inspection process]
In the form 3, the normal identification code is specified by manual input by the operator. An identification code representing each deck or an identification code representing a set of four decks is written, for example, in a case for accommodating the playing card bundle, and the operator identifies the set by looking at the notation. Know the code.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the normal identification code specifying process (normal identification code specifying process 3) in the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a display example of the monitor 30 in the third embodiment. In the normal identification code specifying process 3, the operator inputs a normal identification code using the numeric keypad 310 displayed on the monitor 30, and presses the confirm button 311 (step S131). As a result, the normal identification code is specified, and then the same determination process as the determination process 1 is performed.

  Here, in the determination processing in the third aspect, in step S212, the operator instructs the start by pressing the start button 312 displayed on the monitor 30. In the third form, as in the second form, the determination result is displayed in text on the result display unit 313.

[Mode 4 in First Inspection Process]
In Form 4, when it is determined in the determination process that there is an abnormal card, the driving of the roller is stopped at that time, and the subsequent card reading is stopped.

  For casino amusement halls that employ the operation of discarding all of the multiple playing cards when the abnormal playing cards are included in the plurality of playing cards to be inspected in this way, If the inspection is stopped at the time when the presence of the is found, the inspection processing can be performed in a short time.

  Note that after the inspection is stopped due to the presence of the abnormal card, the abnormal card may be removed and the inspection process may be resumed for the remaining playing cards that have not been inspected. By repeating this operation, all abnormal cards can be removed from a plurality of playing cards to be inspected.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the determination process (determination process 2) in the fourth embodiment. In the fourth aspect, the identification code is specified by the normal identification code specifying process in any of the first to third aspects or the other normal identification code specifying process. In the determination process 2, the process from the setting of the card in step S221 to the end of the determination process when there is no abnormal playing card is the same as the process from step S211 to step S217 of the determination process 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

  In the determination process 2, if the reading identification code does not match the normal identification code (NO in step S225), the driving of the feed roller 15 and the transport rollers 16 and 17 is stopped (step S227), and the determination process ends. To do.

[Mode 5 in First Inspection Process]
In the fifth aspect, the identification code (first identification code) read from the first playing card among the plurality of playing cards to be inspected is regarded as a normal identification code, and this first identification code is used for the second and subsequent playing cards. And whether or not these identification codes match, it is determined whether the state is normal or abnormal.

  Further, the monitor 30 displays the reading result of the identification code in association with the type of the playing card at any time. Thereby, it is possible to specify which type of playing card is normal and which type of playing card is abnormal.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the normal identification code specifying process (normal identification code specifying process 4) in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the determination process (determination process 3) in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a display example of the monitor 30 in the fifth embodiment.

  In the normal identification code specifying process 4, the operator first sets a plurality of playing card bundles 100 to be inspected on the card set base 14 (step S141). Then, the start is instructed by pressing the start button 314 of the operation panel 30 (step S142). Thereby, the driving of the roller is started (step S143). At this time, the ultraviolet lamp 19 is also turned on simultaneously. Then, the lowermost playing card 10 of the playing card bundle 100 is conveyed, and the identification code, type notation, and picture are read. The read identification code is stored in the normal identification code storage unit 2911 as a normal identification code (step S144). Also, the type determination unit 2923 determines the type based on the type notation read at this time, and the display content of the monitor 30 is updated.

  Thereafter, the determination process for the second and subsequent playing cards is started without stopping the driving of the rollers. In the determination process 3, the identification code of the playing card is read and compared with the normal identification code stored in the normal identification code storage unit 2911 (step S231), and a match / mismatch is determined. Then, the number of the segment corresponding to the type determined by the type determination unit 2923 is incremented based on the reading of the type notation (step S232). At this time, if the read identification code does not match the normal identification code, the color of the number of the segment is changed and blinked.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the determination is completed for all the playing cards (step S233). When the determination is completed (YES in step S233), the driving of the roller is stopped (step S234), and the determination process is ended. If all the determinations have not been completed (NO in step S233), steps S231 and S232 are repeated.

When the determination process ends, the result is displayed on the result display unit 313 of the operation panel.
If the four decks have different identification codes, the identification codes of the first four playing cards are not directly used as normal identification codes, but the first recognized identification code is first specified as a normal identification code. Thereafter, when an identification code different from the identification code already specified as the normal identification code is read, these are sequentially specified as the normal identification code. This is repeated until there are four normal identification codes.

[Modification of Form 5]
In the above-described form 5, the card that is read first, that is, the card that is set at the bottom of the card set base 14 may be used as the sample card. When the four decks have different identification codes, the first four cards (four from the bottom) may be used as sample cards.

[Second inspection process]
In the first inspection process, the normal identification code is first specified, and then the card is determined to be normal by determining whether or not the identification code read from the card to be inspected matches the normal identification code. It was judged whether or not it was abnormal. On the other hand, in the second inspection process, whether or not an abnormal playing card is included in a plurality of playing cards to be inspected by so-called relative comparison without specifying a normal identification code as a reference. Determine whether. In the second inspection process, the identification code is common in the set of a plurality of decks.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the second inspection process (inspection process 2). In the inspection process 2, the operator first sets a plurality of playing cards to be inspected on the card set base 14 (step S11). Then, start is instructed by the operation panel (step S12), and roller driving is started (step S13). The inspection device first reads the identification code for the first playing card (step S14) and stores it (step S15).

  Then, the identification code of the next playing card is read (step S16), and it is determined whether or not it matches the previously stored identification code (step S17). If they do not match (NO in step S17), the fact is notified (step S18), and the roller is stopped (step S21). If they match, it is determined whether or not the inspection has been completed for all the playing cards (step S19). If not (NO in step S19), the identification code stored in step S15 is determined in step S16. The identification code read is updated (step S20), and the identification code of the next playing card is read (step S16).

  In this way, by repeatedly reading the identification code, determining, and updating the storage, it is determined whether or not all the identification codes match for a plurality of playing cards to be inspected. If the inspection has been completed for all the playing cards in step S19 (YES in step S19), the rollers are stopped (step S21) and the inspection process is terminated.

[Second inspection device]
FIG. 22 is a schematic side view illustrating a second embodiment of the inspection apparatus. In the playing card inspection device 2, a sending belt 34 is inclined and provided in place of the sending roller 15 and the transport rollers 16 and 17 of the playing card inspection device 1. In the second embodiment, there is no CCD camera for reading the type of the playing card 10 and no CCD camera for reading the picture. Furthermore, there are no partition pieces or rotary solenoids for extracting abnormal cards. By adopting such a configuration, the apparatus can be reduced in size as compared with the first embodiment.

  The playing card bundle 100 placed on the delivery belt 34 abuts against the wall member 35 according to the inclination of the delivery belt 34 by its own weight. There is a gap through which one playing card 10 passes between the lower end of the wall member 35 and the delivery belt 34, and the lowermost card of the playing card bundle 100 faces the ultraviolet sensor 20 as the delivery belt 34 rotates. It is conveyed to the position where The playing card 10 is further sent out by the sending belt 34, and then drops from the sending belt 34 to the stocker 36. In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the control unit 31 including the storage determination unit 29 and the monitor 30 and the ultraviolet lamp 19 are provided.

[Third inspection device (2-roller pair type)]
The third inspection device is a type of inspection device that includes two pairs of conveyance rollers that convey a card while holding a playing card when reading an identification code or the like.

  FIG. 23 is a schematic side view illustrating a third embodiment of the inspection apparatus. The inspection device 3 according to the third embodiment includes a card set base 14 for setting a playing card bundle 100 to be inspected, a wall member 35, and a delivery roller 15. In the third embodiment, the playing card 10 to be inspected is set on the card set base 14 so that the surface on which the identification code is printed faces downward.

  The card set base 14 is curved on the upper side so as to guide the playing card 10 to the delivery roller 15, whereby the playing card bundle 100 contacts the wall member 35. The delivery roller 15 is used singly and is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure to feed out the lowermost playing card 10 of the playing card bundle 100.

  An iron ball weight 13 that is rotatable at a fixed position is provided above the feed roller 15. The lowermost playing card 10 of the card setting table 14 is pressed against the delivery roller 15 by the iron ball weight 13. Thereby, the playing card 10 is surely sent out one by one. In the inspection apparatus 3, the playing card 10 to be inspected is set with the back surface, that is, the surface on which the pattern is displayed facing up.

  The inspection device 3 further includes transport rollers 16 and 17 provided at a predetermined interval, and an ultraviolet lamp 19, a CCD camera 20, and a mirror 38 are provided below the transport rollers. The pair of transport rollers 16 and the pair of transport rollers 17 are rollers for transporting while holding the playing card 10 when the identification code or the like of the playing card 10 is read. Further, a CCD camera 37 for reading the pattern on the back surface of the playing card 10 and reading the type notation on the front surface of the playing card 10 using the mirror 38 is provided above the conveying roller pairs 16 and 17. .

  The playing cards 10 fed one by one by the feeding roller 15 are conveyed to a position facing the CCD camera 20 and the CCD camera 37 in order by the conveying roller pairs 16 and 17. The CCD camera 20 and the CCD camera 37 perform sensing at an appropriate timing accompanying the conveyance of the playing card 10.

  In the inspection apparatus 3, the CCD camera 37 directly reads the pattern, and the type notation of the front surface is read by the CCD camera 37 using the mirror 38. Therefore, the CCD camera for reading each is used. The apparatus can be simplified and miniaturized as compared with the first embodiment in which two are provided.

  The inspection device 3 also includes a stocker 36 for stocking the playing cards 10 that have been inspected, and a motor 39 for moving the stocker 36 up and down according to the number of playing cards 10 stacked on the stocker 36. The inspection device 3 also has a control unit 31 including a storage determination unit 29 and a monitor 30, as with the inspection devices 1 and 2.

[Fourth inspection device (1 roller pair type)]
The third inspection apparatus is provided with two pairs of conveyance rollers, whereas the fourth inspection apparatus is provided with only one pair of conveyance rollers, and from the playing card held by the one conveyance roller pair. Read the identification code.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic side view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the inspection apparatus. Similar to the inspection device 3, the inspection device 4 according to the fourth embodiment includes a card set base 14 for setting the playing card bundle 100 to be inspected, a wall member 35, and a delivery roller 15. In the fourth embodiment, the playing card 10 to be inspected is set on the card set base 14 so that the surface on which the identification code is printed faces upward.

  A transport roller 16 is provided at the end of the transport path of the delivery roller 15. In the inspection apparatus 4, there is no conveyance roller corresponding to the conveyance roller 17 of the inspection apparatus 3. That is, the identification code or the like is read while the playing card is held only by the transport roller 16. Further, in the inspection apparatus 4, the ultraviolet lamp 19 is provided between the two rollers so as to irradiate the portion of the playing card 10 that has not yet passed through the conveying roller 16 with ultraviolet rays.

  Further, in the inspection apparatus 4, a mirror 38 is provided so as to reflect the lower surface of the playing card 10 toward the CCD camera 40. Therefore, the CCD camera 40 can read all of the identification code, the type notation, and the picture of the playing card 10 supported only by the transport roller 16. The CCD camera 40 directly senses the identification code and the type notation of the playing card cantilevered by the conveying roller 16, and the pattern on the lower surface senses the image reflected by the mirror 38.

  The configurations of the stocker 36 and the motor 39 are the same as those of the inspection apparatus 3. The point having a control unit including the memory determination unit 29 and the monitor 30 is the same as that of the inspection apparatus 3.

  In the above-described embodiment, the identification code is described as being uniquely given to each deck, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the identification code may be uniquely given to each playing card. In this case, when inspecting a four-deck playing card, the inspection apparatus has 212 (53 sheets × 4 decks) types of codes as normal identification codes, that is, identification codes that are included in normal playing cards constituting a predetermined set. You can recognize as.

  Further, the inspection device described in the above embodiment may be incorporated in a shuffle device for shuffling playing cards at each corner of the casino amusement hall. Many shuffle devices have a mechanism for transporting playing cards one by one. The inspection device incorporated in the shuffle device reads the identification code and other information as necessary from the playing card transferred by the transfer mechanism of the shuffle device. According to this embodiment, the card transfer mechanism of the shuffle device is used not only to shuffle the playing cards but also to inspect. Accordingly, the inspection apparatus can be provided at a low cost. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the inspection can be performed during the game, the reliability of the game is improved, and the rotation of the game is accelerated. Also, when checking a card in front of a customer during a game, the customer's psychology who wants to know the content of the abnormality if there is an abnormality is natural, and this request can be met. At the very least, the losing customer will not be convinced in a game where there might have been a slap with an abnormal card. Depending on the content of the game, which type of card is held by which customer is recognized by the player, leader, and spectator during the game. Therefore, by specifying the type of the abnormal card, it is possible to specify to which customer the card has been passed.

  The card card inspection technology described above not only discovers fraudulent acts performed at the casino amusement hall, but also contributes to identification of fraudulent persons when used together with a surveillance camera. For example, by identifying which table the pair containing the abnormal playing card was used, and identifying the person who handled the abnormal playing card from the video from the surveillance camera installed on the table, Can be identified.

[Appendix]
The outline of the inspection technique will be described below as an appendix. As is apparent from the above description, the following technique corresponds to the embodiments described so far. 25 to 27 correspond to the following inspection techniques.

  1. (FIG. 25) In this inspection technique, a playing card discriminating device having a reading means (identification code reading unit), a storage judging unit, and a notifying unit for the identification code of the playing card provided by printing on the front side of the card body. Read and memorize. The identification code is a code indicating that it is a playing card constituting one set (consisting of one or a plurality of decks), and can be read by reading means such as an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a camera, etc. This code is invisible to the human naked eye under the usage conditions. The identification code is composed of, for example, numbers, symbols, bar codes, and the like. If all of the read identification codes match, the set is determined to be a normal set, and if there is a difference (including unreadable, no barcode, etc.) from the read or read identification code. It is determined as an abnormal group. The informing means informs that the read one set is a normal group or an abnormal group. For example, a normal group or a normal card is reused, and an abnormal group or an abnormal card is discarded.

  2. (FIG. 26) Preferably, the first identification code is the identification code of the card read first. If the initial identification code and the identification code read subsequently match, the prime group is determined to be a normal group. On the other hand, when there is an identification code that differs from the initial identification code (including unreadable and no barcode) in the identification code that has been read or will be read, the group is determined to be an abnormal group.

  There may be a case where the initial identification code is abnormal. Typically, this is the case when an abnormal playing card is first read. In this case, identification codes that do not match the normal identification code are continuously read. Even when the initial identification code is abnormal, the group is determined to be an abnormal group.

3. (FIG. 27) Preferably, the identification codes of all the cards are read and stored, and the largest number of identification codes are specified as normal identification codes. When an abnormal code (including no identification code or unreadable), a shortage card, or an excess card is detected, the notification means detects an abnormality in the playing cards constituting the one set. Notify that there is.
Preferably, the playing card discriminating device has a type discriminating unit for discriminating the type of the playing card. The read result of the type is added to the read storage contents of the identification code. The notification unit is a monitor that notifies the type of the abnormal card.

  Preferably, the identification code is colored or emitted when exposed to special light rays such as ultraviolet rays, and printed on a playing card with special light color (or light emission) ink that becomes invisible to the naked eye when the influence of the special light disappears. Has been.

  Preferably, the identification code is a bar code. The identification code includes a set code and a manufacturing date code. Further, a casino code is added to the identification code.

  The present invention is suitably used in the casino industry. Specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for finding an abnormal playing card mixed in an authentic playing card for illegal purposes in a casino amusement park.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a playing card in a state in which ultraviolet rays are not irradiated (normal use state). FIG. 2 is a schematic view when the playing card of FIG. 1 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another example of a playing card in a state in which ultraviolet rays are not irradiated (normal use state). FIG. 4 is a schematic view when the playing card of FIG. 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing information included in the playing card. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing the first form of the inspection apparatus. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the inspection apparatus of FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the inspection apparatus. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the first inspection process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the first normal identification code specifying process. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the first determination process. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a first display example of the operation panel. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the second normal identification code specifying process. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a second display example of the operation panel. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the third normal identification code specifying process. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a third display example of the operation panel. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the second determination process. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the fourth normal identification code specifying process. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the third determination process. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a fourth display example of the operation panel. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the second inspection process. FIG. 22 is a schematic side view illustrating a second embodiment of the inspection apparatus. FIG. 23 is a schematic side view illustrating a third embodiment of the inspection apparatus. FIG. 24 is a schematic side view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the inspection apparatus. FIG. 25 is a conceptual diagram of a semi-different method of playing cards. FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram of a semi-different method of playing cards. FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram of a semi-different method of playing cards.

Claims (12)

A playing card,
A code that cannot be seen by human vision in a normal use state and can be identified by a predetermined identification device is provided,
The card includes at least an identification code indicating a set to which the playing card belongs.   The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the identification code is set information unique to the set.   The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the code includes a type code.   The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the group is configured by a plurality of decks.   5. The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the code is divided into a plurality of places and printed as code data, and the code data constitutes one identification code.   The playing card according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two identification codes, and the two identification codes are point-symmetric with respect to a center of the playing card.   The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the identification code is printed with a paint that is visualized by receiving predetermined light.   The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the identification code is printed as a bar code. The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the identification code is printed at a position that does not overlap with the playing card type.   6. The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the playing card contains an IC chip, and information on the identification code is given to the IC chip.   6. The playing card according to claim 1, wherein a blank portion is provided between the bar code and an end of the playing card.   The playing card according to claim 1, wherein the identification code includes casino information unique to a casino in which the playing card is used.