Sequenced antenna array for determining where gaming chips with embedded RFID tags are located on a blackjack, poker or other gaming table and for myriad other RFID applications

• US 7,852,223 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2009
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: CIAS Incorporated
• Inventors: Hecht, Kurt, Storch, Leonard
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan; Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US12/431,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20090267742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.7, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 463/25, 463/47, 463/1, 273/237, 273/238, 343/788
• US Class Current: 340/572.7
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00164 Casino tables
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/75 using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders , or using passive reflectors
• 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

Abstract

An improved antenna system, method and apparatus for interrogating and locating RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags and other RF (Radio Frequency) devices, and various applications therefore and thereof, are disclosed. One embodiment is for reading and locating the physical position of RFID tags (such as is made by Phillips, Siemens'"'"'s Infineon and Texas Instrument) that may be embedded in gaming chips (RFID gaming chips, such as is made by Gaming Partners International Corp.) used in a casino, TV or movie studio or elsewhere for wagering at table games and other gambling games including Blackjack, Poker, Craps, Baccarat and Roulette, but the invention may be used for various other RFID applications.

Claims

1. A system to determine the identity of gaming chips bet in a casino, the system comprising:

a plurality of gaming chips each comprising an RFID device which comprises unique RFID identification;

a casino gaming table comprising a plurality of player betting positions for betting one or more of the plurality of chips;

two or more antennas associated with each of one or more of the plurality of betting positions, the two or more antennas associated with each of the one or more betting positions (a) transmitting interrogation signals in an antenna excitation sequence to the RFID device or devices of the one or more chips of the plurality of chips placed in the associated betting position and (b) receiving response signals from the respective RFID device or devices of the respective chip or chips in the associated betting position; and

at least one processor coupled to the antennas associated with each of the one or more betting positions, the at least one processor being programmed to

generate respective excitation sequences,

receive respective response signals of a respective chip or chips, and

process the respective response signals and determine the identity of a respective chip or chips which provide response signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to process the excitation sequences and respective response signals of respective chips to detect the betting position or positions thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more antennas comprises a coverage pattern and include at least one other antenna with different a coverage pattern or patterns than the two or more antennas.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one other antenna is positioned between the two or more antennas.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to generate an excitation sequence in which interrogation signals are not provided to every antenna associated with a betting position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming chips comprises coding representing a denomination separately from the RFID device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the coding comprises an optical bar code associated with a periphery of the at least one chip.

8. The system of claim 7, comprising at least one optical bar code reader associated with at least one betting position positioned to read the optical bar code of each chip bet in the at least one betting position.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising means for providing a number of chips in each of the one or more betting positions.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to compare response signals received from a chip or chips in a betting position of the one or more betting positions and the number of chips in that betting position provided by the means for providing.

11. A system to determine information associated with gaming chips bet in a casino, the system comprising:

a plurality of gaming chips each comprising an RFID device which comprises the information;

a casino gaming table comprising a plurality of player betting positions for betting one or more of the plurality of chips;

two or more antennas associated with each of one or more of the plurality of betting positions, the two or more antennas associated with each of the one or more betting positions (a) transmitting interrogation signals in an antenna excitation sequence to the RFID device or devices of the one or more chips of the plurality of chips placed in the associated betting position and (b) receiving response signals from the respective RFID device or devices of the respective chip or chips in the associated betting position; and

at least one processor coupled to the antennas associated with each of the one or more betting positions, the at least one processor being programmed to generate respective excitation sequences,

receive respective response signals of a respective chip or chips, and

process the respective response signals and determine the information of a respective chip or chips which provide response signals.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to process the excitation sequences and respective response signals of respective chips to detect the betting position or positions thereof.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the two or more antennas comprises a coverage pattern and include at least one other antenna with different a coverage pattern or patterns than the two or more antennas.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one other antenna is positioned between the two or more antennas.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to generate an excitation sequence in which interrogation signals are not provided to every antenna associated with a betting position.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming chips comprises coding representing a denomination separately from the RFID device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the coding comprises an optical bar code associated with a periphery of the at least east one chip.

18. The system of claim 17, comprising at least one optical bar code reader associated with at least one betting position positioned to read the optical bar code of each chip bet in the at least one betting position.

19. The system of claim 18, comprising means for providing a number of chips in each of the one or more betting positions.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to compare response signals received from a chip or chips in a betting position of the one or more betting positions and the number of chips in that betting position provided by the means for providing.

21. A system to determine the identity of gaming chips bet in a casino, the system comprising:

a plurality of gaming chips each comprising an RFID device which comprises unique RFID identification;

a casino gaming table comprising a plurality of player betting positions for betting one or more of the plurality of chips;

two or more antennas associated with each of one or more of the plurality of betting positions, the two or more antennas associated with each of the one or more betting positions (a) transmitting interrogation signals in an antenna excitation sequence to the RFID device or devices of the one or more chips of the plurality of chips placed in the associated betting position and (b) receiving response signals from the respective RFID device or devices of the respective chip or chips in the associated betting position; and

means coupled to the antennas associated with each of the one or more betting positions for

generating respective excitation sequences,

receiving respective response signals of a respective chip or chips, and

determining the identity of a respective chip or chips which provide response signals.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the means coupled to the antennas associated with each of the one or more betting positions for generating the excitation signals and receiving respective response signals of a respective chip or chips determines the betting position or positions of a respective chip or chips which provide response signals.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein each of the two or more antennas comprises a coverage pattern and include at least one other antenna with different a coverage pattern or patterns than the two or more antennas.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the at least one other antenna is positioned between the two or more antennas.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the means generates an excitation sequence in which interrogation signals are not provided to every antenna associated with a betting position.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming chips comprises coding representing a denomination separately from the RFID device.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the coding comprises an optical bar code associated with a periphery of the at least one chip.

28. The system of claim 27, comprising at least one optical bar code reader associated with at least one betting position positioned to read the optical bar code of each chip bet in the at least one betting position.

29. The system of claim 28, comprising means for providing a number of chips in each of the one or more betting positions.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the means coupled to the antennas associated with each of the one or more betting positions compares response signals received from a chip or chips in a betting position of the one or more betting positions and the number of chips in that betting position provided by the means for providing.