Secure identification devices and methods for detecting and monitoring access thereof

• US 20070105618A1
• Filed: 11/07/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Steil, Rolland
• Granted Patent: US 8,480,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

A detectable identification device (DID) comprising a communication device, a power converter device, memory, and a processor and/or read-write logic and counter logic is disclosed. The counter logic of the DID may selectively increment a counter value stored in the memory ever time the DID has been accessed by a reader. Furthermore, a method for detecting and monitoring the number of times the DID has been accessed is disclosed. This may comprise comparing a reader access count to the DID counter values to determine if unauthorized access is occurring.

Claims

1. A system for tracking access of a game token comprising:

a game token having a token identification element comprising;

one or more token memories configured to store at least one type of token data and at least one counter value,

a counter configured to modify the at least one counter value each time the at least one type of data is read;

one or more authorized readers configured to;

read at least one type of token data from the token during play of a wagering game; and

communicate the at least one type of token data to a computer to thereby enable the computer to track use of the game token during play of a game.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor in communication with one or more authorized readers, and memory associated with the processor, such that the memory stores processor executable machine readable code configured to maintain and modify a reader access value, wherein the reader access value represents the number of times the game token has been read by an authorized reader.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more authorized readers or a counter value reader are configured to read the counter value from the game token.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor executable machine readable code is further configured to compare the counter value stored on the game token to the reader access value.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor executable machine readable code is further configured to generate an alert in response to the comparison of the counter value stored on the game token to the reader access value.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the token identification element further comprises a token identification element processor configured to execute machine executable code, wherein the machine executable code performs the modification to the at least one counter value.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein modify comprises increment.

8. A game token having a counter system comprising:

a housing;

a token identification element at least partially contained within the housing, the token identification element comprising;

one or more antenna configured to receive and transmit a signal;

a processor or control logic configured to perform memory read operations and generate a control signal in response to a memory read operation;

a memory configured to store token data and a read attempt value; and

a counter, responsive to the control signal, configured to modify a read attempt value to thereby maintain the read attempt value within the token such that the read attempt value represents the number of read attempts of the memory.

9. The game token of claim 8, wherein to token data comprises data representing one or more of the following:

token value, token serial number, read attempt value.

10. The game token of claim 8, wherein the memory is further configured to store a successful read value representing a number of successful reads of the memory.

11. The game token of claim 8, wherein modifying a read attempt value further comprises retrieving the read attempt value from memory, incrementing the read attempt value with the counter to create a incremented read attempt value, writing the incremented read attempt value to the memory.

12. The game token of claim 8, wherein the read attempt value represents the actual number of times token data was read from memory.

13. The game token of claim 8, wherein token data comprises any type data stored in the token.

14. The game token of claim 8, further comprising a reader system comprising:

one or more authorized readers configured to energize the token identification element;

a memory configured to store machine readable code;

one or more processors configured to execute the machine readable code, wherein the machine readable code is configured to maintain a token read value external to the game token representing the number of times the token identification element was read.

15. A method for tracking read attempts of a readable memory in a game token, the method comprising:

generating a read signal to energize a token identification element in an attempt to read data from the readable memory;

energizing the token identification element to attempt reading of data from the readable memory;

responsive to attempting to read data from the readable memory, modifying a token counter value, wherein the token counter value represents the number of times an attempt has been made to read data form the readable memory.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the token counter value is stored in a memory within the token.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the token counter value is stored in a memory external to the token.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

maintaining a read attempt value for a particular game token, wherein read attempt value represents the number of times an authorized reader has attempted to read data from a token.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising comparing the read attempt value to the token counter value and responsive to the comparison, optionally generating an alert.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the read attempt value is stored in a server in communication with an authorized reader.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising modifying a second counter value when a read is attempted but not successful.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein modifying comprises incrementing.