Secure identification devices and methods for detecting and monitoring access thereof

• US 8,480,484 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2006
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Steil, Rolland N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bumgarner, Melba
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIM, SENG HENG
• Application Number:
  US11/594,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20070105618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,436 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25
• 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 including a denomination value and a token identification element comprising;

one or more token memories configured to store a plurality of different types of token data and at least one counter value associated with each of the plurality of different types of token data, the plurality of different types of token data including the denomination value; and

a counter configured to modify a counter value associated with at least one of the plurality of different types of token data each time the at least one of the plurality of different types of token data is read;

at least one authorized reader configured to;

read each of the plurality of different types of token data from the game token during play of a wagering game; and

a computer comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the computer is configured to;

receive at least one type of token data of the plurality of different types of token data from the at least one authorized reader;

maintain and modify a reader access value in the memory, wherein the reader access value represents a number of times the game token has been read by the at least one authorized reader;

compare the modified counter value stored on the game token to the reader access value; and

generate an alert when the modified counter value stored on the game token does not match the modified reader access value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one authorized reader or a counter value reader is configured to read each counter value associated with each of the plurality of different types of token data from the game token.

3. 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.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the counter is configured to increment the at least one counter value associated with at least one of the plurality of different types of token data each time the at least one of the plurality of different types of token data is read.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the game token comprises a housing that has a coin shape.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the housing includes an outer rim to provide structure support for a middle that holds the one or more token memories and the counter.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more token memories is configured to hold an identification code or serial number for the token;

player information, if so assigned;

a client or casino name; and

encryption information.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more token memories is configured to hold, public information, physical chip size, data regarding memory, creation or in use date, DID type or family, and a locality code to provide for currency differences in different localities.

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

generating, by an authorized reader, a read signal to energize a token identification element in an attempt to read at least one of a plurality of different types of token data from the readable memory, wherein the plurality of different types of token data include a denomination value;

energizing the token identification element to attempt reading of the at least one of the plurality of different types of token data from the readable memory;

modifying, by the game token, a token counter value in response to the attempted reading of the at least one of the plurality of different types of token data from the readable memory, wherein the token counter value represents a number of times an attempt has been made to read the at least one of the plurality of different types of token data from the readable memory;

storing, by a computer, a read attempt value for the game token, wherein the read attempt value represents a number of times the authorized reader has attempted to read data from the readable memory;

comparing the modified token counter value stored on the game token to the read attempt value; and

generating an alert when the modified token counter value stored on the game token does not match the read attempt value.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising storing the token counter value in the readable memory within the game token.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the read attempt value is stored in a server in communication with an authorized reader.

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

a game token including a denomination value and a token identification element comprising;

one or more token memories configured to store a plurality of different types of token data and at least one counter value associated with at least one of the plurality of different types of token data, the plurality of different types of token data including the denomination value; and

a counter configured to modify a counter value associated with at least one of the plurality of different types of token data each time the at least one of the plurality of different types of token data is read;

at least one authorized reader configured to;

read each of the plurality of different types of token data from the game token during play of a wagering game; and

a computer comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the computer is configured to;

receive at least one type of token data of the plurality of different types of token data from the at least one authorized reader;

maintain and modify a reader access value in the memory, wherein the reader access value represents a number of times the game token has been read by the at least one authorized reader;

compare the modified counter value stored on the game token to the reader access value; and

generate an alert when the modified counter value stored on the game token does not match the modified reader access value.