Patent Application
20120105215
The present invention is directed to a portable reader that utilizes RFID technology to authenticate gaming currency. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a high frequency chip reader that communicates with the memory of RFID-enabled gaming currency placed on a reading surface and outputs the information read from memory to an LCD or LED display.
RFID microchips installed in gaming chips, plaques or jetons (i.e., gaming currency) provide a secure and reliable way to track and record the chip's movement throughout a casino. Because each chip has a unique tag that is encoded with the chip's monetary value, it can be instantly identified and validated when it comes in proximity with an RFID reader. This makes RFID microchips an ideal way to improve the accuracy of currency counting and cage inventory procedures while also providing a level of currency security that is difficult to breach.
Because gaming currency represents a significant point of vulnerability from counterfeiters and other theft opportunities, RFID-enabled gaming currency (i.e., gaming currency having RFID tags or microchips embedded within the interior of the currency) provides one of the highest levels of security available. Additionally, by implementing RFID-enabled casino currency along with a chip tracking system, a wealth of information is available about where the currency is at all times, their movement and more. Accordingly, casino operators are continuously seeking ways of enabling its staff to quickly and accurately track, read, authenticate and count casino currency from any location within the casino at any time.
The portable gaming currency reader of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for casinos to authenticate and validate RFID-enabled casino currency. More specifically, the portable gaming currency reader illustrated and described herein enables casino staff to quickly and accurately read, authenticate, and count casino currency from any location at any time. The portable reader extends the RFID protection from the cage or chip bank to the table, pit podium or even back-of-the-house counting areas. In one embodiment, the high speed reading capabilities of the RFID reader associated with the portable gaming currency reader make it possible to read several hundred items of currency per second while simultaneously identifying whether the gaming currency is authentic and valid—a key advantage that makes it possible for casino staff to easily identify and remove foreign, non-casino currency. Encased in a portable case that may be customized with a casino's unique logo, the portable gaming currency reader is able to authenticate RFID-enabled gaming currency that is either stacked directly on a currency reading surface or placed on the reading surface in currency trays. All validation information appears on a display that is configured to show the number of pieces being authenticated as well as the total value amount.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
Handle 25 is illustrated as protruding from the front of housing 10. In an alternate embodiment, handle 25 is connected to the front face of drawer 20 to facilitate opening and closing and a recessed hand grab mechanism (not shown) would be used on the face of the housing 10 in the location handle 25 is shown. Recessed hand grab mechanism would have a recess for accommodating the fingers of a user and would be strong enough to support the weight of portable reader 5 when carrying from location to location.
The currency reading surface 120 is configured for placing RFID-enabled gaming currency on its surface for performing an authentication and verification procedure in accordance with the operation of the portable gaming currency reader 100. Currency reading surface 120 is located adjacent to a shielded antenna (not shown). The shielded antenna is configured to read and communicate with the memory of each RFID tag embedded within RFID-enabled gaming 125, 130 currency located on the currency reading surface 120.
The shielded antenna is coupled to an RFID reader (not shown). The RFID reader is configured to communicate with the shielded antenna to identify, read from and write to each RFID tag embedded within RFID-enabled gaming currency 125, 130 located on the currency reading surface 120. In the illustrated embodiment, RFID reader is a Magellan Multiple Antenna Reader System (MARS-24) RFID reader designed to verify, inventory, monitor and control RFID chips having the ability to identify, read and write reliably to many hundreds of tags a second, however, as one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, any suitable RFID reader may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Portable gaming currency reader 100 typically operates high frequencies, but may also operate using ultrahigh frequencies (UHF) or microwave (MW), as those terms are known in the gaming industry.
In one embodiment, shielded antenna is a dual-axis or two-dimensional antenna for identifying, reading from and writing to each RFID tag associated with RFID-enabled gaming currency orientated in two directions on the currency reading surface 120. In another embodiment, shielded antenna is a tri-axis or three-dimensional antenna for identifying, reading from and writing to each RFID tag associated with RFID-enabled gaming currency orientated in three directions on the currency reading surface 120. The two and three directional reading capability of the shielded antenna will be further illustrated and described with respect to
The portable reader housing 101 is also provided with a display 105. The display 105 is configured for indicating information about the RFID-enabled gaming currency 125, 130 located on the currency reading surface 120. For example, the display 105 may indicate both the total number of pieces and the total value amount of the casino currency 125, 130 placed on the currency reading surface 120. In another embodiment, the display 105 may identify whether the casino currency 125, 130 placed on the currency reading surface is authentic, valid casino currency and display the authentication results. In yet another embodiment, the display 105 may display an error message for non RFID-enabled gaming currency located on the currency reading surface or for RFID-enabled gaming currency located on the currency reading surface that is not associated with the particular casino. Portable gaming currency reader 100 may be provided with wireless networking capabilities such that the information shown on display 105 may also be transmitted remotely to a second location for logging, review, etc.
In an alternate embodiment, when the shielded antenna is a tri-axis or three-dimensional antenna for identifying, reading from and writing to each RFID tag associated with RFID-enabled gaming currency orientated in two directions on the currency reading surface, the centerline 210 of the casino currency in trays may be parallel to the y-axis as shown or parallel to the x-axis (not shown) and the centerline 200 of the casino currency stacked directly on the currency reading surface 120 is parallel to the z-axis as shown. Accordingly, the RFID-enabled casino currency may be read by the RFID reader in three directions on the currency reading surface, i.e. along the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis.
In operation, the casino staff member would transport the portable gaming currency reader to a particular location having RFID-enabled chips to be read, authenticated, counted and logged. The portable gaming currency reader has a currency reading surface, an RFID reader coupled to a shielded antenna located adjacent to the currency reading surface, a display for indicating both the number and value of the gaming currency located on the currency reading surface, and a power supply for providing power to the RFID reader and the display. The staff person activates the power supply to the portable gaming currency reader. Next, the individual places RFID-enabled gaming currency having at least one RFID tag associated therewith on the currency reading surface.
In response, the RFID reader and the shielded antenna communicate to identify, read from and write to the at least one RFID tag associated with RFID-enabled gaming currency located on the currency reading surface. Finally, the display presents information about the RFID-enabled gaming currency located on the currency reading surface, such as number and value. In an alternate embodiment, the RFID reader identifies whether the casino currency placed on the currency reading surface is authentic, valid casino currency and the display shows the authentication results on the display.
In one embodiment of the portable reader, the currency reading surface has an x-axis along the width of the currency reading surface, a y-axis along the length of the currency reading surface, and a z-axis perpendicular to the currency reading surface. In operation, the RFID-enabled currency is placed on the currency reading surface in a stack such that the centerline of the gaming currency is parallel to the z-axis. The RFID reader is able to accurately read the information from the RFID tag embedded within the RFID-enabled gaming currency. In another operation, the RFID-enabled currency is placed on the currency reading surface such that the centerline of the gaming currency is parallel to the y-axis. The RFID reader is configured to accurately read the information from the RFID tag embedded within the RFID-enabled gaming currency. In yet another embodiment, for the operation of a tri-axis antenna, the RFID-enabled currency is placed on the currency reading surface such that the centerline of the gaming currency is parallel to the x-axis. The RFID reader is configured to accurately read the information from the RFID tag embedded within the RFID-enabled gaming currency.
While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form equivalent methods without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the operations is not a limitation of the present invention.
It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included, if desired, in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that two or more references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or “an alternative embodiment” or “one example” or “an example” in various portions of this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as desired in one or more embodiments of the invention.
Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61407381 | Oct 2010 | US |
