U.S. Pat. No. 10,650,633

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(Outline)

A game controller of the present invention is communicably connected to a server which manages information used for authenticating game chips dedicated to a gaming facility, and the game controller is configured to download the management information in advance from the server at a predetermined timing. On this account, the game controller is able to refer to information used for authenticating game chips even when communication connection with the server is impossible, and is therefore able to authenticate the game chips used for a game.

To be more specific, as shown inFIG. 1, the game controller1of the present embodiment is connected to a server100so that data communications therebetween are possible. In other words, a game control system including the server100and at least one game controller1is constructed.

A game chip9has a storage area for storing information. In the storage area, at least chip identification information91by which a game chip used in the gaming facility is uniquely identified is stored. The server100includes a chip database110in which all sets of chip identification information91used in the gaming facility are associated with sets of the information used for authenticating the game chips9. When connected to the server100, the game controller1refers to the chip identification information91of the game chip9in the server100each time the game chip9is used, and receives an authentication result of the game chip9in response. The game chips9may not be cashed in. For example, the game chips may be used only for betting with which a game is played.

The “information used for authenticating a game chip” can be variously arranged on condition that the information indicates that the game chip can be used by users. For example, in the chip database110, the chip identification information91is associated with “valid” or “invalid” as information used for authenticating the game chips9. To put it differently, when a game chip9is issued, the game controller1or a predetermined apparatus requests the server100to validate the “information used for authenticating the game chip” associated with the chip identification information91of that game chip9. Meanwhile, when a game chip9betted by a user is collected or when a game chip9is cashed in, the game controller1or a predetermined apparatus requests the server100to invalidate the “information used for authenticating the game chip” associated with the chip identification information91of that game chip9. Hereinafter, the information used for authenticating game chips9may be referred to as chip authentication information.

(Game Controller1)

The game controller1includes a chip communication unit10accessible to the game chips9, a communication connection unit11, a control unit12, and a storage unit13.

The chip communication unit10is accessible to the chip identification information91of the game chips9used in the game. For example, the chip communication unit10is formed of an antenna for reading information stored in the IC tag of a game chip9by wireless such as RFID, and a controller of the antenna. The communication connection unit11is an interface which enable data communication with the server100.

The control unit12includes a server access unit121, an offline determination unit122, a chip authentication unit123, and a game control unit124. The server access unit121has a function of downloading the chip database110from the server100at a predetermined timing and storing the chip database110as offline data in the storage unit13. The offline determination unit122is configured to determine whether the communication with the server100is impossible (offline), when the chip communication unit10accesses a game chip9. The chip authentication unit123is configured to authenticate the game chip9with reference to the offline data in the storage unit13, when the communication with the server100is impossible.

When the communication with the server100is impossible in this manner, authentication of the game chip9is performed with reference to offline data which is the same information as the chip database110and has been downloaded from the server100in advance. This makes it possible to continue the game without lowering the security, even in the offline state in which the network is down.

In the present embodiment, the “predetermined timing” at which the control unit12downloads the chip database110is a timing at which the game controller1is activated and is predetermined intervals. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. The method of determining whether the network is offline is not limited to a particular method. For example, the game controller1may determine that the network is offline when there is no response from the server100for a predetermined time from a request such as authentication.

The game control unit124of the control unit12has a function as a deal information acquisition unit capable of acquiring deal information of game chips between a player playing the game and a dealer managing the game and a function as a game result acquisition unit capable of acquiring game results.

The game controller1includes the following members which are not illustrated: a CPU (Central Processing Unit); an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) rewritably storing programs executed by the CPU and data used for the programs; and a RAM (Random Access Memory) temporarily storing data when a program is executed. A hard disk device may be additionally included according to need. The above-described functional units10to13of the game controller1are constructed by cooperation between these sets of hardware and software in the EEPROM. The game controller1may not be a single apparatus, and functions of the game controller1may be distributed to plural apparatuses. Furthermore, while the present embodiment mainly deals with the game controller which is a device for playing a game, the above-described functions and below-described arrangements may be applied to a device of another type. For example, the functions and arrangements may be applied to a gaming facility device such as a cashing machine and a money changer machine, which is provided at a counter in the gaming facility or the like and converts the game chips9to gaming values (e.g., currencies, game points, or game chips9of another type).

As shown inFIG. 2, the game controller1of the present embodiment is a gaming table for baccarat which is a game run by a dealer. On a game board21constituting the top surface of the game controller1, a betting area210of each player and a dealer area211are provided. In the betting area210, an area where a game chip9is betted for each bet object is provided. The game controller1has antennas provided at the game board21to correspond to the bet objects in the betting area210and the dealer area211, respectively. This allows the game controller1to read a game chip9for each bet object in the betting area210and a game chip9in the dealer area211. The game may be poker or roulette, for example, and the game may be automatically run.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the game controller1includes members such as: a dealer display4which includes a touch panel41and assists the dealer to run the game and exchange the game chips9with users; a card shoe5which supplies cards and scans the supplied cards to output the game progress and game results to the game control unit124; and a common display6which displays the state of the game and a game result history for the users. The progress of the game is divided, for example, into a bet phase, a bet monitoring phase, a collection phase, and a payment phase. The game controller1is able to grasp what is the current phase base on game information acquired by the card shoe5and a dealer's touch onto the dealer display4. The game controller1is able to scan the betting area210and the dealer area211in each phase and to identify a game chip9betted by each player, a game chip9collected by the dealer, and a game chip9awarded to a player by the dealer. In this way, in the present embodiment, due to the function of the game control unit124, the game controller1is able to acquire the game information indicating game results or the like and the deal information indicating the exchange of the game chips9with the users. The disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. The game information and the arrangement and method of acquiring the deal information may be identical with those disclosed in U.S. Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-0018140A1.

As shown inFIG. 1, the game controller1includes player IC card reader-writers7controlled by the game control unit124and a dealer IC card reader-writer8. The player IC card reader-writers7are provided to correspond to the respective betting areas210of the game board21. The player IC card reader-writer7writes and reads data to and from a player's ID card inserted into a card slot (not illustrated). The card slot is provided in the vicinity of each betting area210. The player's ID card stores player identification information by which the player is identified. The dealer IC card reader-writer8is provided at a card slot (not illustrated) which is on the side where the dealer display4and the common display6are provided in the game controller1. The dealer IC card reader-writer8writes and reads data to and from a dealer's ID card inserted into the card slot. The dealer's ID card stores dealer identification information by which the dealer is identified. The player identification information and the dealer identification information read by the player IC card reader-writers7and the dealer IC card reader-writer8are associated with the game controller1or the game run by the game controller1.

The game controller1is arranged to store, in the storage unit13, game information indicating a game result or the like and history of deal information, and to send the sets of information to the server100one after another. To put it differently, the game controller1acquires the game information indicating a game result or the like and the deal information and determines if the game controller1is in the offline state in which the connection with the server100is impossible. When the game controller1is not in the offline state, the game controller1sends the acquired game information or deal information to the server100one after another (not illustrated). Furthermore, the game controller1accumulates the game information and deal information in the storage unit13each time it acquires information, and if there are the game information and the deal information accumulated during a period in which the game controller1is in the offline state, the game controller1sends these sets of information to the server100after the restoration of the communication (see later-describedFIG. 10). The following specifically describes an example of the game information and the deal information stored in the storage unit13by the game controller1.

(Game Controller1: Game Information Table)

A game information table storing game information will be described with reference toFIG. 3. As shown inFIG. 3, the game information table has a table ID column, a dealer ID column, a game ID column, a game result ID column, a participant ID column, a seat ID column, a bet object ID column, a bet amount ID column, a payout ID column, a commission column, and a server column. In addition to them, a history of cards picked until a game result is fixed may be stored as game information.

In the table ID column, a table ID which is identification information uniquely identifying the game controller1is stored. The table ID is assigned to each game controller1in advance. For example, the table ID may be a MAC address of the communication connection unit11, if it is associated in an identifiable manner.

In the dealer ID column, dealer identification information of the dealer who manages the game at the game controller1is stored. Before managing the game at the game controller1, the dealer causes the dealer IC card reader-writer8to read the dealer's ID card. In other words, the game controller1stores, in the dealer ID column, the dealer identification information of the ID card read by the dealer IC card reader-writer8.

In the game ID column, a game ID of each execution of the game is stored. In other words, the game ID makes it possible to identify how many times the game has been run in the game controller1. In the game result ID column, a game result is stored. In the present embodiment, the game is baccarat and a game result is one of PLAYER, BANKER, TIE, PLAYER PAIR, and BANKER PAIR.

In the participant ID column, player identification information of a participant of the game is stored. Before participating in the game at the game controller1, a player causes the player IC card reader-writer7to read his/her ID card. In other words, the game controller1stores, in the participant ID column, the player identification information of the ID card read by the dealer IC card reader-writer7. In the seat ID column, a seat ID which is identification information uniquely identifying each betting area210in the game controller1is stored. This makes it possible to identify which betting area210is used by a player to participate in the game.

In the bet object column, information is stored to indicate which bet object in the betting area210a participant has placed a bet. In the present embodiment, one of PLAYER, BANKER, TIE, PLAYER PAIR, and BANKER PAIR is stored in the bet object column. In the bet amount column, an amount of betting on each bet object by a player is stored. In the payout column, a payout amount corresponding to a game result, a bet object, and a bet amount is stored. In the commission column, a house edge amount is stored. When a participant bets on BANKER and wins, 5% of the payout amount is collected as house edge.

In the server column, information indicating whether the game information has been sent to the server100is stored. The game controller1sends the game information to the server100each time the game is run. When the sending of the game information to the server100is properly completed, the game controller1stores TRUE in the server column of the data having been sent. When the sending of the game information to the server100is not properly completed, the game controller1stores FALSE in the server column of the data having been sent. Alternatively, when the sending of the game information to the server100is not properly completed, the data may be stored in a different data table for storage until the communication with the server100is restored.

(Game Controller1: Deal Information Table)

A deal information table storing deal information will be described with reference toFIG. 4. As shown inFIG. 4, the deal information table has a table ID column, a dealer ID column, a game ID column, a participant ID column, a chip ID column, a chip amount column, an owner before game column, an owner after game column, and a server column. The table ID column, the dealer ID column, the game ID column, and the participant ID column are identical with those of the game information table and are not explained. In addition, history indicating in which betting area210the game chip9is placed may be stored.

The chip ID column stores chip identification information91by which a game chip9is identified. The chip amount column stores an amount of gaming values indicated by a game chip9. In the owner before game column, an owner before the start of the game is stored. The game controller1may obtain the owner before the game from the server100at the time of authentication of the game chip9, or may obtain the information from the game chip9when it is stored in the game chip9. The game controller1may obtain the information from offline data when the apparatus is in the offline state. In the owner after game column, an owner after a game result of the game is output is stored. The game controller1may determine the owner after the game based on the game result, or may determine the owner based on an input to the touch panel41of the dealer display4by the dealer.

In the server column, information indicating whether the game information has been sent to the server100is stored, in the same manner as in the game information table. The game controller1sends the deal information to the server100each time the game is run. When the sending of the deal information to the server100is properly completed, the game controller1stores TRUE in the server column of the data having been sent. When the sending of the deal information to the server100is not properly completed, the game controller1stores FALSE in the server column of the data having been sent. Alternatively, when the sending of the deal information to the server100is not properly completed, the data may be stored in a different data table for storage until the communication with the server100is restored.

(Game Chip9)

The game chip9is formed of resin or the like and an RFID tag which is an IC chip for RFID is provided in a central part of the game chip (not illustrated). The types of the game chips9include medals, tokens, and plaques. Each game chip9indicates currency information or a gaming value of a game point in the form of appearance. The appearance indicates information recognizable from the outside, such as color, pattern, text, image, and shape.

As described above, the RFID tag of the game chip9stores the chip identification information. In addition to this, the RFID tag may store the following sets of electronic information. For example, the electronic game chip9may store electronic information such as a gaming value of the game chip9, a money type, an issuer, an issue date, and an expiration date. The money type is information indicating to which currency unit the gaming medium belongs. The issuer is information indicating the issuer of the game chip9. The issuer may be information for identifying an entity which hands over the game chips9to participants. For example, when a gaming facility such as a casino directly issues game chips9for users, the issuer is the gaming facility. When the game chips9issued by a gaming facility are handed over to participants via a junket, the issuer is information for identifying the junket.

(Server100)

The server100is a computer and includes the following members which are not illustrated: a CPU (Central Processing Unit); an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) rewritably storing programs executed by the CPU and data used for the programs; and a RAM (Random Access Memory) temporarily storing data when a program is executed. A hard disk device may be additionally included according to need. A control unit of the above-described functions of the server100is constructed by cooperation between these sets of hardware and software in the EEPROM. The server100may not be a single apparatus, and functions of the server100may be distributed to plural apparatuses.

The server100is constructed to return a response based on stored data in response to requests from the game controllers1which are connected to the server100via a communication line. For example, in response to a request for authentication along with chip identification information91of a game chip9from a game controller1or a predetermined device, the server100refers to chip authentication information associated with the chip identification information91in the chip database110, and returns the authentication result.

To be more specific, the following shows an example of the data structure of a record800stored in the chip database110with reference toFIG. 5. The record800includes a chip identification information field801, a business site identification information field802, a displayed surface amount field803, a chip status information field804, a chip owner field805, a valid/invalid status field806, a latest validation time and date field807, a validation device information field808, a latest invalidation time and date field809, and an invalidation device information field810. Although not illustrated, a time stamp is associated with the record800itself. The latest time and date when any one of the fields is updated is registered as the time stamp. In other words, the record800is associated with a time stamp indicating the last update time and date when the current record800is formed. The game controller1downloads the time stamp together with the record800.

In the chip identification information field801, chip identification information91stored in the RFID IC tag of the game chip9used in the gaming facility is stored. In the record800, the chip identification information91of the game chip9functions as a unique key. In the business site identification information field802, information for specifying the gaming facility, hotel, etc. where the game chip9is used is stored. In the displayed surface amount field803, a displayed value or a point of the game chip9is stored. For example, “10” is stored when the monetary value of the game chip9is $10, or “100” is stored when the monetary value is $100.

In the chip status information field804, information indicating the state of the game chip9in terms of accounting is stored. Examples of the information stored in the chip status information field804include information indicating that the chip has been handed over to a player in exchange for cash, information indicating that the chip is awarded to a player as a payout, information indicating that the chip has been collected from a player, and information indicating that the chip has been cashed in. In the chip owner field805, information indicating the owner of the game chip9, e.g., player identification information is stored.

In the valid/invalid status field806, valid/invalid information indicating whether the game chip9is valid or invalid is stored. The valid/invalid information is information indicating that the game chip9is valid or invalid. In other words, the value of the valid/invalid status field806associated with the chip identification information91functions as the chip authentication information. In response to a request for authentication along with chip identification information91of a game chip9from a game controller1or a predetermined device, the server100refers to the value of the valid/invalid status field806associated with the chip identification information91in the chip database110, and authenticates the game chip9as the game chip is usable by players if the value is valid, or does not authenticate the game chip9as the game chip is not usable by players if the value is invalid. The server100does not authenticate the game chip9as the game chip is not usable by players when the chip identification information91accompanied with the authentication request is not found in the chip database110.

In the present embodiment, all game chips9used in the gaming facility are validated or invalidated. For example, a validated game chip9has a monetary value in the gaming facility, and is allowed to be changed to cash at a casher or to be used for payment in place of cash in shops such as a restaurant. Meanwhile, an invalidated game chip9has no monetary value in the gaming facility and cannot be used in the gaming facility, etc.

The validation and invalidation of the game chips9are managed by the server100. For example, when a game chip9is owned by the gaming facility as a result of, for example, a deal in the game, the game controller1or another predetermined device requests the server100to invalidate that game chip9. In other words, a game chip9is invalidated when the game chip9is not lent to a player. Meanwhile, when the game chip9becomes owned by a user as a result of, for example, a deal in the game or purchase by the user, the game controller1or another predetermined device requests the server100to validate the game chip9. In other words, a game chip9is validated when the game chip9is lent to a player. As such, when the game chips9are handed over between an employee of the gaming facility such as a dealer and a user, the employee of the gaming facility validates or invalidates the game chips9via the game controller1or another predetermined device. For this reason, even if a user deceivingly obtains a game chip9, the game chip9cannot be used because an invalidated game chip9is not authorized.

In the latest validation time and date field807, the latest time and date of the validation of a game chip9is stored. In the validation device information field808, information specifying the device which read the RFID IC tag of a game chip9at the latest validation of the game chip is stored.

In the latest invalidation time and date field809, the time and date of the latest invalidation of a game chip9is stored. In the invalidation device information field810, information specifying the device which read the RFID IC tag of a game chip9at the latest invalidation of the game chip is stored.

(Operations)

Operations of the game controller1structured as described above, which are mainly executed by the control unit12, will be explained with reference to a flowchart.

(Operation: Download Process)

A download process executed by the control unit12will be explained with reference toFIG. 6. To begin with, the control unit12determines whether the current time is a predetermined timing (S1). In the present embodiment, the predetermined timing is a timing of activation and a timing which comes everyday. When the current time is not the predetermined timing (S1: No), the control unit12ends the routine. Meanwhile, when the current time is the predetermined timing (S1: Yes), the control unit12refers to offline data in the storage unit13and determines whether the offline data exists (S2). When there is no offline data (S2: No), the control unit12sends a request for acquiring data of the chip database110to the server100(S3). Subsequently, the control unit12determines whether the data of the chip database110has been downloaded from the server100(S4). When the data of the chip database110has not been downloaded (S4: No), the control unit12repeats the step S4until the download. Meanwhile, when the data of the chip database110has been downloaded (S4: Yes), the control unit12stores the data of the chip database110acquired as a response in the storage unit13as the offline data (S5) and ends the routine.

When there is offline data in the step S2, the control unit12acquires the time stamp of the offline data (S6). The control unit12then sends a database update time and date determination request including the time stamp to the server100(S7).

The server100has a function of, upon receiving the database update time and date determination request from the game controller1, comparing the time stamp associated with the chip database110with the time stamp having been sent, and answering whether the time stamp associated with the chip database110is later than the time stamp having been sent. When the time stamp is sent from the game controller1, the server100may send the data of the chip database110if the time stamp associated with the chip database110is later than the time stamp having been sent.

The control unit12then determines whether the time stamp of the chip database110is later than the time stamp of the offline data, based on the response from the server100(S8). When the time stamp is earlier than that of the offline data (S8: No), the control unit12ends the routine.

Meanwhile, when the time stamp is later than that of the offline data (S8: No), the control unit12sends a request for acquiring the data of the chip database110to the server100(S9). Subsequently, the control unit12determines whether the data of the chip database110has been sent from the server100(S10). When the data of the chip database110has not been sent (S10: No), the control unit12repeats the step S8until the data is sent.

Meanwhile, when the data of the chip database110has been sent (S10: Yes), the control unit12overwrites the downloaded data of the chip database110onto the offline data of the storage unit13and updates the time stamp of the offline data by the time stamp of the downloaded data of the chip database110(S11), and then the control unit12ends the routine.

As such, the chip database includes the last update time, and the control unit12downloads the chip database110from the server100as the offline data, when, at the predetermined timing, the last update time of the chip database110in the server100is later than the last update time of the offline data. Because the time stamps are compared and the chip database110of the server100is downloaded only when its timestamp is later than that of the offline data, a load on the network resource is restrained and a possibility of suppressing communication regarding security such as authentication of the game chips9is lowered.

(Operation: Offline Data Update Process)

An offline data update process executed by the control unit12will be explained with reference toFIG. 7. To begin with, the control unit12determines whether a chip additional registration request has been made by an operation of the touch panel41or the like by the dealer (S20). When no chip additional registration request has been made (S20: No), the control unit12ends the routine.

Meanwhile, when the chip additional registration request has been made (S20: Yes), the control unit12controls the chip communication unit10to read the chip identification information91of all game chips9placed on an area (e.g., the dealer area211) which is selected for chip additional registration in advance (S21). The control unit12then acquires player identification information from a player's IC card or the like (S22). Furthermore, the control unit12acquires other information registered to the server100, from the storage unit13, the game chip9, or the like (S23). Examples of the other information registered to the server100include identification information of a gaming facility where the game controller1is installed, identification information of the game controller1, a value of a game chip9, and a chip state. The control unit12determines whether the communication connection with the server100is offline (S24). When the connection is not offline (S24: No), the control unit12sends, to the server100, a request to validate game chips9indicated by the chip identification information91having been read, which includes data in which the chip identification information91having been read is associated with the acquired player identification information and the other information (S25).

After the step S25or when the connection is offline in the step S24(S24: No), the control unit12executes an offline data update process to validate the chip identification information91, based on the data in which the chip identification information91having been read is associated with the acquired player identification information and the other information (S26), and ends the routine. As such, when performing additional registration of the game chips9, the control unit12executes the process of registration to the server100and the process of updating the offline data, when the connection is online.

Referring toFIG. 8, an example of an offline data table which is stored as the offline data in the storage unit13is shown. Being similar to the record800of the chip database110, the offline data table includes a chip identification information field, a business site identification information field, a displayed surface amount field, a chip status information field, a chip owner field, a valid/invalid status field, a latest validation time and date field, a validation device information field, a latest invalidation time and date field, and an invalidation device information field. In addition to them, the offline data table includes a server field.

In the offline data update process (seeFIG. 7), the chip identification information91of all game chips9to be additionally registered is searched for in the offline data table, and the field corresponding to each set of data is updated. For example, when a betted game chip9is collected, the chip status information field of the data of the corresponding chip identification information91is updated to “collected”, the chip owner field is updated to the identification information of the gaming facility, the valid/invalid status field is updated to “invalid”, the latest invalidation time and date is updated, the invalidation device information field is updated to the identification information of the game controller1, and the server field is updated to TRUE when the connection is online or updated to FALSE when the connection is offline.

Furthermore, for example, when a game chip9is cashed in, the chip status information field of the data of the corresponding chip identification information91is updated to “cash in”, the chip owner field is updated to the identification information of the gaming facility, the valid/invalid status field is updated to “invalid”, the latest invalidation time and date is updated, the invalidation device information field is updated to the identification information of the game controller1, and the server field is updated to TRUE when the connection is online or updated to FALSE when the connection is offline.

Furthermore, for example, when a game chip9is purchased, the chip status information field of the data of the corresponding chip identification information91is updated to “purchased”, the chip owner field is updated to the player identification information of the player who purchased the game chip, the valid/invalid status field is updated to “valid”, the latest validation time and date is updated, the validation device information field is updated to the identification information of the game controller1, and the server field is updated to TRUE when the connection is online or updated to FALSE when the connection is offline.

Furthermore, for example, when a game chip9is awarded as a payout, the chip status information field of the data of the corresponding chip identification information91is updated to “payout”, the chip owner field is updated to the player identification information of the player who purchased the game chip, the valid/invalid status field is updated to “valid”, the latest validation time and date is updated, the validation device information field is updated to the identification information of the game controller1, and the server field is updated to TRUE when the connection is online or updated to FALSE when the connection is offline.

Although not illustrated, when the chip identification information91of a game chip9to be additionally registered is not found in the offline data table, a deceit may be reported to the server or the like.

(Operation: Chip Authentication Process)

A chip authentication process executed by the control unit12will be explained with reference toFIG. 9. To begin with, the control unit12determines whether a game chip9of a participant has been read in the game (S30). The reading of the game chip9occurs when, for example, a participant places a game chip9in the betting area210in the bet phase in the game. When no game chip9has been read (S30: No), the control unit12ends the routine.

Meanwhile, when there is a game chip9having been read (S30: Yes), the control unit12determines whether the connection is offline (S31). When the connection is not offline (S31: No), the control unit12sends, to the server100, an authentication request to which the chip identification information91of all game chips9having been read is added (S32).

The server100authenticates all chip identification information91added to the authentication request, and returns an authentication result to the game controller1which has sent the authentication request. The server100sends the authentication result in which the chip identification information91of the game chip9is associated with “valid” or “invalid”.

When the connection is offline in the step S31(S31: Yes), the control unit12searches the offline data table (seeFIG. 8) for the chip identification information91of all game chips9having been read, and associate “invalid” or “valid” with the chip identification information91with reference to the valid/invalid status field.

After the step S32or after the step S33, the control unit12determines if there is an invalid game chip9in all game chips9having been read (S34). When all game chips9are valid (S34: No), the control unit12ends the routine. When an invalid game chip9is included (S34: Yes), the routine returns to the step S30.

Although not illustrated, when an invalid game chip9is included, a deceit may be reported to the dealer display4or the like.

(Operation: Restoration Process)

A restoration process executed by the control unit12will be explained with reference toFIG. 10. To begin with, the control unit12determines whether restoration from the offline state to the online state has been done (S40). When the restoration has not been done (S40: No), the control unit12repeats the step S40until the restoration is done. Meanwhile, when the restoration has been done (S40: Yes), the control unit12determines whether there is data having not been sent to the server100, with reference to the game information table (seeFIG. 3) (S41). When there is data having not been sent (S41: Yes), data which is “FALSE” in the server column is sampled from the game information table (seeFIG. 3) and sent to the server100(S42).

When in the step S41there is no data having not been sent (S41: No) or after the step S42, the control unit12determines whether there is data having not been sent to the server100, with reference to the deal information table (seeFIG. 4) (S43). When there is data having not been sent (S43: Yes), data which is “FALSE” in the server column is sampled from the deal information table (seeFIG. 4) and sent to the server100(S44).

When in the step S43there is no data having not been sent (S43: No) or after the step S44, the control unit12determines whether there is data having not been sent to the server100, with reference to the offline data table (seeFIG. 8) (S45). When there is data having not been sent (S45: Yes), data which is “FALSE” in the server column is sampled from the offline data table (seeFIG. 8) and sent to the server100(S46). When in the step S45there is no data having not been sent (S45: No) or after the step S46, the control unit12ends the routine.

As such, the game controller1includes the game control unit124, the chip communication unit10, etc. which function as a deal information acquisition unit capable of acquiring deal information of game chips9between a player playing the game and a dealer managing the game. The game controller1determines whether communication with the server100is possible when deal information is acquired. When the communication is possible, the game controller1sends the deal information to the server100, and when the communication is impossible, the game controller1accumulates the deal information in the deal information table (seeFIG. 4) of the storage unit13. After the restoration of the communication, the game controller1sends the accumulated deal information to the server100. With this arrangement, even if the communication with the server100is impossible, the deal information can be locally stored. Return to the normal state is therefore possible after the progress of the game in the offline state, with the result that loss due to discontinuation of the game is prevented.

In addition to the above, the game controller1further includes the game control unit124, the chip communication unit10, the card shoe5, etc. which function as a game result acquisition unit capable of acquiring a game result of the game. The game controller1determines whether communication with the server100is possible when a game result is acquired. When the communication is possible, the game controller1sends the game result to the server100, and when the communication is impossible, the game controller1accumulates the game result in the game information table (seeFIG. 3) of the storage unit13. After the restoration of the communication, the game controller1sends the accumulated game result to the server100. With this arrangement, even if the communication with the server100is impossible, the game information can be locally stored. Return to the normal state is therefore possible after the progress of the game in the offline state, with the result that loss due to discontinuation of the game is prevented.

In addition to the above, when additional registration of a game chip9is newly requested, the game controller1determines whether communication with the server100is possible. If the communication is possible, the game controller1associates information “valid” with the chip identification information91of that game chip9and registers the information to the server100. When the communication is impossible, the game controller1associates information “valid” with the chip identification information91of that game chip9and accumulates the information in the offline data table (seeFIG. 8) of the storage unit13. After the restoration of the communication, the game controller1registers, to the server100, that the accumulated chip identification information91is valid. As such, even if the communication with the server100is impossible, a new game chip9is validated and the game chip9is provided for a player as a usable game chip. In this way, scarcity of the game chips9is restrained for players.

(Overview of Invention)

A game controller1includes: a chip communication unit10capable of accessing identification information of a game chip9used for a game; a communication connection unit11configured to enable data communication with a server100including a chip database110in which the chip identification information91for identifying the game chip9is associated with information used for authenticating the game chip9; a storage unit13; and a control unit12, the control unit12downloading the chip database110from the server100at a predetermined timing and storing the chip database110as offline data in the storage unit13, determining whether the communication with the server100is possible, when the chip communication unit10accesses the game chip9, and authenticating the game chip9with reference to an offline data table (seeFIG. 8) when the communication is impossible.

According to this arrangement, when the communication with the server100is impossible in this manner, authentication of the game chip9is performed with reference to the offline data table (seeFIG. 8) which includes the same information as the chip database110and has been downloaded from the server100in advance. This makes it possible to continue the game without lowering the security, even in the offline state in which the network is down.

The game controller1further includes a game control unit124, a chip communication unit10, etc. which function as a deal information acquisition unit capable of acquiring deal information of game chips9between a player playing the game and a dealer managing the game. The control unit12determines whether communication with the server100is possible when deal information is acquired by the game control unit124, the chip communication unit10, etc. When the communication is possible, the game controller1sends the deal information to the server100, and when the communication is impossible, the game controller1accumulates the deal information in the storage unit13. After the restoration of the communication, the game controller1sends the accumulated deal information to the server100.

According to this arrangement, even if the communication with the server100is impossible, the deal information can be locally stored. Return to the normal state after the restoration is therefore possible after the progress of the game in the offline state, with the result that loss due to discontinuation of the game is prevented.

In addition to the above, the game controller1further includes a game control unit124, a chip communication unit10, a card shoe5, etc. which function as a game result acquisition unit capable of acquiring a game result of the game. The control unit12determines whether communication with the server is possible when a game result is acquired by the game control unit124, the chip communication unit10, the card shoe5, etc. When the communication is possible, the game controller1sends the game result to the server, and when the communication is impossible, the game controller1accumulates the game result in the storage unit13. After the restoration of the communication, the game controller1sends the accumulated game result to the server100.

With this arrangement, even if the communication with the server100is impossible, the game information can be locally stored. Return to the normal state is therefore possible after the progress of the game in the offline state, with the result that loss due to discontinuation of the game is prevented.

The chip database110includes the last update time, and the control unit12downloads the chip database110from the server100as the offline data, when, at the predetermined timing, the last update time of the chip database110in the server100is later than the last update time of the offline data table.

According to this arrangement, because the last update dates and times are compared and the chip database110of the server100is downloaded only when its last update time and date is later than that of the offline data, a load on the network resource is restrained and a possibility of suppressing communication regarding security such as authentication of the game chips9is lowered.

In addition to the above, when additional registration of a game chip9is newly requested, the control unit12determines whether communication with the server100is possible. If the communication is possible, the game controller1associates information “valid” with the chip identification information91of that game chip and registers the information to the server100. When the communication is impossible, the game controller1associates information “valid” with the chip identification information91of that game chip9and accumulates the information in the storage unit13. After the restoration of the communication, the game controller1registers, to the server100, that the accumulated chip identification information91is valid.

According to this arrangement, even if the communication with the server100is impossible, a new game chip9is validated and the game chip9is provided for a player as a usable game chip. In this way, scarcity of the game chips9is restrained for players.

The above embodiment thus described solely serves as a specific example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to such an example. Specific structures and various means may be suitably designed or modified. Further, the effects described in the embodiment of the present invention described in the above embodiment are no more than examples of preferable effects brought about by the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described hereinabove.

Further, the detailed description above is mainly focused on characteristics of the present invention to for the sake of easier understanding. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and is applicable to diversity of other embodiments. Further, the terms and phraseology used in the present specification are adopted solely to provide specific illustration of the present invention, and in no case should the scope of the present invention be limited by such terms and phraseology. Further, it will be obvious for those skilled in the art that the other structures, systems, methods or the like are possible, within the spirit of the present invention described in this specification. The description of claims therefore shall encompass structures equivalent to the present invention, unless otherwise such structures are regarded as to depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the abstract is provided to allow, through a simple investigation, quick analysis of the technical features and essences of the present invention by an intellectual property office, a general public institution, or one skilled in the art who is not fully familiarized with patent and legal or professional terminology. It is therefore not an intention of the abstract to limit the scope of the present invention which shall be construed on the basis of the description of the claims. To fully understand the object and effects of the present invention, it is strongly encouraged to sufficiently refer to disclosures of documents already made available.

The detailed description of the present invention provided hereinabove includes a process executed on a computer. The above descriptions and expressions are provided to allow the one skilled in the art to most efficiently understand the present invention. A process performed in or by respective steps yielding one result or blocks with a predetermined processing function described in the present specification shall be understood as a process with no self-contradiction. Further, the electrical or magnetic signal is transmitted/received and written in the respective steps or blocks. It should be noted that such a signal is expressed in the form of bit, value, symbol, text, terms, number, or the like solely for the sake of convenience. Although the present specification occasionally personifies the processes carried out in the steps or blocks, these processes are essentially executed by various devices. Further, the other structures necessary for the steps or blocks are obvious from the above descriptions.