Gambling chip with identification device

• US 6,021,949 A
• Filed: 03/13/1996
• Issued: 02/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gaming Partners International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Etablissements Bourgogne et Grasset SA (Gaming Partners International Corporation)
• Inventors: Boiron, Dominique
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US08/617,840
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/451, 235/493, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 21/00 Coins coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms G07F1/06; Emergency money; Beer or gambling coins or tokens, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/047 the record carrier being shaped as a coin or a gambling token
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07779 the inductive antenna being a coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07781 the coil being fabricated in a winding process

Abstract

A gaming or casino token or chip includes a thick flat plastic body 12 provided with a circular through hole 14 in which an electronic identification element is placed. The casing 16 of the device is protected by two protective wafers 18 and 20. The permanent integration of the casing 16 in the body 12 is supplemented by attaching, for example by laminating, a plastic covering sheet 22 and 24 in each face 19 and 21 of the body 12. This forms a monobloc rigid assembly for the electronic identification device 15. Device 15 includes a memory which stores identification codes and an inductively coupled transmitter-receiver equipped with an antenna.

Claims

1. A gaming chip representing a value, comprising:

a contactless electronic identification device;

a rigid plastic shell, said shell substantially encapsulating said electronic identification device; and

a body having an aperture, said shell being disposed within said aperture.

2. The gaming chip of claim 1, said electronic identification device further comprising:

a memory for storing token identification information;

an element effective to receive an external signal and transmit at least a portion of said token identification information responsive to receipt of said external signal; and

a peripheral antenna having an inductive coupling, said antenna being connected to said receiver and said transmitter.

3. The gaming chip of claim 2, wherein said element is disposed in a center of said shell, and said antenna is disposed circumferentially about said element.

4. The gaming chip of claim 1, wherein said electronic identification device is disposed within a casing, and said casing is disposed within said shell.

5. The gaming chip of claim 1, wherein said shell is an injection molded plastic monobloc element.

6. The gaming chip of claim 1, wherein said shell consists of a half-shell and at cover, said half-shell and said cover being sealed together to encapsulate said electronic identification device.

7. The gaming chip of claim 6, wherein said cover is layer of plastic, injection molded over said half-shell and electronic identification element to form said shell.

8. The gaming chip of claim 1, wherein said shell is plastic having nonferrous metals suspended therein.

9. The gaming chip of claim 1, wherein said shell is plastic having particles suspended therein, said particles enhancing a transmission performance of said electronic identification device.

10. A gaming chip representing a value, comprising:

a central portion having substantially disk shape;

a body having an aperture, said central portion being disposed within said aperture;

first and second labels applied to top and bottom faces of said central portion, said first and second labels each having a detectable oriented film; and

said first label being oriented at approximately 90 degrees relative to said second label.

11. The gaming chip of claim 10, wherein said detectable oriented film is an active material.

12. The gaming chip of claim 10, wherein said detectable oriented film is an alloy sensitive to electromagnetic radiation.

13. A gaming chip of value, comprising:

a body having a central portion and an outer portion, a thickness of said outer portion being greater than a thickness of said central portion;

first and second labels applied to top and bottom faces of said central portion, said first and second labels each having a detectable oriented film; and

said first label being oriented at approximately 90 degrees relative to said second label.

14. The gaming chip of claim 13, wherein said detectable oriented film is an active material.

15. The gaming chip of claim 13, wherein said detectable oriented film is an alloy sensitive to electromagnetic radiation.

16. A method of manufacturing a gaming chip, comprising:

encoding a contactless electronic identification element with identification information;

substantially encapsulating said electronic identification element within a rigid plastic shell; and

surrounding at least an outer peripheral portion of said shell within a ring.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said encapsulating further comprises injection molding said shell over at least two sides of said electronic identification element.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said encapsulating further comprises placing said electronic identification element into a casing, and injection molding plastic over said casing to form said shell.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said electronic identification element includes a receiver/transmitter element connected to an antenna, wherein said step of placing further comprises:

positioning said receiver/transmitter element in a central portion of said half shell; and

encircling said receiver/transmitter element with said antenna.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of covering further comprises injection molding plastic over said half shell.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of encapsulating comprises:

providing a half shell;

placing said electronic identification element in said half shell; and

covering said half shell and electronic identification element.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said step of covering further comprises fastening a plastic cover over said half shell.

23. A gaming chip representing a value, comprising:

a body having an opening;

a contactless electronic identification device disposed in said opening;

first and second rigid plastic plates in said opening on each side of said electronic identification device;

first and second covers disposed on top and bottom sides of said body to cover said opening.

24. A gaming chip representing a value, comprising:

an electronic identification device including a memory for storing chip identification information, an element effective to receive an external signal and transmit at least a portion of said chip identification information responsive to receipt of said external signal, and a peripheral antenna having an inductive coupling, said antenna being connected to said receiver and said transmitter;

said element being disposed within a casing;

a monobloc injection molded rigid shell, said shell encapsulating said casing;

a body having an aperture, said shell substantially being disposed within said aperture such that said element is disposed in a center of said shell, and said antenna is disposed circumferentially about said element.

25. A gaming chip representing a value, comprising:

an electronic identification device including a memory for storing chip identification information, an element effective to receive an external signal and transmit at least a portion of said chip identification information responsive to receipt of said external signal, and a peripheral antenna having an inductive coupling, said antenna being connected to said receiver and said transmitter;

a rigid plastic shell including a half-shell and a cover, said half-shell and cover being sealed to substantially encapsulate said electronic identification device;

a body having an aperture, said shell being disposed within said aperture;

said element being disposed in a center of said shell, and said antenna is disposed circumferentially about said element.