Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
  • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
  • G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
  • G06K7/10316—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers
  • G06K7/10356—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers using a plurality of antennas, e.g. configurations including means to resolve interference between the plurality of antennas
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D9/00—Counting coins; Handling of coins not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
  • G07D9/002—Coin holding devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F1/00—Coin inlet arrangements; Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
  • G07F1/06—Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
  • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
  • G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
  • G07F17/3248—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
  • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
  • G07F7/0873—Details of the card reader
  • G07F7/0893—Details of the card reader the card reader reading the card in a contactless manner
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
  • G07F9/06—Coin boxes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
  • G07G1/00—Cash registers
  • G07G1/0036—Checkout procedures
  • G07G1/0045—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
  • G07G1/009—Checkout procedures with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader the reader being an RFID reader
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
  • B65D2203/10—Transponders
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2211/00—Anti-theft means
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
  • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to chip trays for storing gaming currency. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a low or high frequency single or dual chip tray that communicates with the memory of RFID-enabled casino currency to provide real-time chip counting and movement.
• RFID microchips installed in gaming chips, plaques or jetons 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 contact with an RFID reader. This makes RFID chips an ideal way to improve the accuracy of chip counting and cage inventory procedures while also providing a level of currency security that is practically impossible to breach.
• a casino may automate and perfect its chip counting procedures, enabling its staff and pit supervisors to focus on other tasks.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an RFID chip tray in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a top, front, and side view of an embodiment of the RFID chip tray of FIG. 1 showing the housing, molded top, Techart reader (optional) and locks;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top and an exploded view of top and locks of the RFID chip tray of FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one exemplary lock of the RFID chip tray of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a dual chip tray for storing gaming currency;
• FIG. 6 illustrates the lower housing assembly of the dual chip tray with gaming currency within the interior;
• FIG. 7 shows the dual chip tray in operation and in the open position with gaming currency in the top tray assembly and in chip trays within the interior of the lower housing assembly;
• FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the dual chip tray in the closed position
• FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the dual chip tray in the open position.
• FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an RFID chip tray 10 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
• RFID chip tray 10 is built to be transportable and used in several different ways within a gaming environment. In operation, RFID chip tray 10 offers
• RFID chip tray 10 is configured to authenticate RFID chips starting with a single chip up to several hundred chips in single and dual trays.
• RFID chip tray 10 may operate at both low and high frequencies, as those terms are known and understood in the gaming industry.
• FIG. 2 shows the various components of the RFID chip tray 10.
• RFID chip tray 10 is generally comprised of a chip tray lower housing or assembly 15 manufactured of sheet metal in the illustrated embodiment, a single chip tube 20, a molded chip tray top 60 having an acrylic window 65, a plurality of handles 70 and 80 coupled to the lower assembly 15, a Techart reader 30, and a plurality of locking mechanisms 40 and 50.
• the RFID chip tray 10 is configured to be driven by an RFID reader that is typically 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 with the design of the RFID chip tray 10 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Also, a wireless reader is contemplated within the scope of the illustrated embodiment.
• MERS-24 Magellan Multiple Antenna Reader System
• RFID chip tray 10 is shown as having a 15 rack chip tube 20, however, since the RFID chip tray 10 is intended to be modular to assist in its manufacture, the 15 rack chip tube may come in any variety of numbers, such as 10, 12, and 14 to name a few. Also, chip tube 20 is illustrated as a single tray, but a dual tray system is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the chip tubes in the illustrated example are shown as only configured to hold circular gaming chips, however, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the tubes may be configured to accommodate plaques, chips and other various shaped gaming chips.
• RFID chip tray 10 is designed to fit within a gaming table and provides real-time chip counting and movement tracking for the tray and the contents therein. RFID chip tray 10 is also configured to provide continuous tracking of the tray activity, such as lid opening and closing and lid locking and unlocking.
• FIG. 3 illustrates the molded chip tray top 60 of RFID chip tray 10 in greater detail.
• locking mechanisms 40, 50 engage the chip tray housing 15.
• a plurality of security sensors (not shown) is provided to monitor the molded chip tray top 60, locking mechanisms 40, 50 and movements in or around the RFID chip tray 10.
• FIG. 4 shows the lock assembly 50 in a locked position, specifically illustrating how the lock holds on to the lower tray assembly 15.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a dual chip tray 100 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
• dual chip tray 100 comprises a lower housing assembly 105, a chip tray lid 110 and a top tray sub assembly 115.
• the lower housing assembly 105 has an interior 106 for accommodating stacks, rows or chip trays of casino currency.
• Lower housing assembly is also provided with at least one RFID antenna (not shown) for communicating with RFID-enabled casino currency located within the interior 106.
• top tray sub assembly 115 comprises one or more columnar storage sections 116 for holding and storing casino currency.
• the columnar storage sections 116 are configured for receiving gaming chips, however, one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that the storage sections 116 may be configured for receiving plaques or jetons as well.
• Top tray sub assembly 115 is also provided with at least one RFID antenna (not shown) for communicating with RFID-enabled casino currency located within the storage sections 116.
• Top tray sub assembly 115 is hinged relative to the lower housing assembly 105 so as to pivot between a first (closed) position and a second (open) position. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the top tray sub assembly 115 is pivotally connected to the lower housing assembly 105 using a plurality of links 120, 125, 130, 135. On a first side of the dual chip tray 100, top tray sub assembly 115 is pivotally connected to the lower housing assembly 105 by means of a plurality of elongated links 120, 125. A first end of elongated links 120, 125 is coupled to the top tray sub assembly 115 and the other end of elongated links 120, 125 is coupled to the lower housing assembly 105.
• top tray sub assembly 115 is pivotally connected to the lower housing assembly 105 by means of a plurality of elongated links 130, 135.
• a first end of elongated links 130, 135 is coupled to the top tray sub assembly 115 and a second end of elongated links 130, 135 is coupled to the lower housing assembly.
• the elongated links are secured to top tray sub assembly 115 and lower housing assembly 105 using a plurality of securing means 140.
• Securing means 140 may be a bolt, screw or any other sufficient fastening mechanism.
• Top tray sub assembly is provided with a plurality of tray handles 117, 118 for moving the top tray sub assembly between the closed position and the open position.
• a plurality of RFID connections 107 is provided within the exterior wall of the lower housing assembly 105.
• the RFID connectors 107 are configured to be coupled to the RFID antennas in both the lower housing assembly and the top tray assembly and also coupled to an RFID reader such that the RFID reader may communicate with the plurality of antennas and the RFID reader may determine both the number and value of the RFID-enabled gaming currency located in the lower housing assembly and the top tray sub assembly.
• the RFID chip tray 100 is configured to be driven by an RFID reader that is typically 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 with the design of the RFID chip tray 100 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Also, a wireless reader is contemplated within the scope of the illustrated embodiment. In the closed position, the chip tray lid 1 10 is sized to fit over the lower housing assembly 105 and lock into place with a secure locking mechanism.
• MERS-24 Magellan Multiple Antenna Reader System
• the locking mechanism is a dual lock system having a first lock 113 and a second lock 114.
• the chip tray lid has a plurality of handles 111, 112 for transporting the dual chip tray 100 both to and from a table game for use and storage.
• locking mechanisms 1 13, 114 engage the chip tray housing 105.
• a plurality of security sensors (not shown) is provided to monitor the molded chip tray top 110, the locking and unlocking of locking mechanisms 113, 114 and movements in or around the dual chip tray 100.
• FIGS. 6 illustrate the lower housing assembly 150 with the top tray sub assembly removed.
• casino currency is located within the interior of the lower housing assembly 150.
• the casino currency may be stacked in rows as shown, or it may be stored in chip trays as shown in FIG. 7.
• FIG. 7 shows the dual chip tray 160 in operation, specifically, where the top tray sub assembly is in the second or open position relative to the lower housing assembly.
• casino currency in both the top tray sub assembly and the lower housing assembly is accessible by a dealer, pit boss or other casino employee.
• Top tray sub assembly is provided with a plurality of tray handles 160, 165 for moving the top tray sub assembly between the closed position and the open position.
• FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the operation of the dual chip tray between a closed position (FIG. 8) and open position (FIG. 9).
• the top tray sub assembly in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 8, the top tray sub assembly is contained substantially within the interior of the lower housing assembly and the elongated links 205, 210 are in a first position.
• the chip tray lid may be placed in the covered position.
• the open position 215 illustrated in FIG. 9 the elongated links 205, 210 move to a second position and the top tray sub assembly is configured to be at least partially outside of the interior of the lower housing assembly.
• the gaming currency in both the lower housing assembly and the top tray sub assembly is accessible by a dealer, pit boss or other casino employee.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Toxicology (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
• Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

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ID=45994746

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (9)

Families Citing this family (19)

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• 2011
  • 2011-10-27 US US13/282,715 patent/US8668148B2/en active Active
  • 2011-10-27 CA CA2816062A patent/CA2816062A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-10-27 WO PCT/US2011/058037 patent/WO2012058401A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-10-27 NZ NZ610162A patent/NZ610162A/en unknown
  • 2011-10-27 AU AU2011319851A patent/AU2011319851B2/en active Active
  • 2011-10-27 JP JP2013536816A patent/JP6250880B2/ja active Active
  • 2011-10-27 PH PH1/2013/502447A patent/PH12013502447A1/en unknown

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