RFID casino token with multiple RFID standards and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A dual standard RFID token for one or more electronic desk systems, the dual standard RFID token comprising a carrier body and a first RFID chip and a second RFID chip mounted relative to the carrier body. The first RFID chip is encoded with a first RFID standard and the second RFID chip is encoded with a second RFID standard different from the first RFID standard. The first embedded layer is mounted on the carrier body and includes a first RFID chip encoded with a first RFID standard. The second embedded layer is mounted on the carrier body and includes a second RFID chip encoded with a second RFID standard. The first RFID standard is a mode 2 RFID standard, and the second RFID standard is a mode 3 RFID standard.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), this application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 353,608, filed on June 19, 2022, entitled “RFID CASINO CHIPS HAVING MULTIPLE RFID STANDARDS AND METHODS OF THEIRMANUFACTURE,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology that has many applications, including, for example, tracking and managing casino tokens equipped with RFID technology in a casino environment.

[0004] RFID standards and protocols are the basis of RFID chip design. At present, the internationally used RFID standards and protocols are ISO / IEC 18000, ISO11784, ISO11785, ISO / IEC 14443, ISO / IEC 15693, EPC Gen2, etc. RFID chips are usually manufactured using a single and specific RFID standard. In the past few years, people have been working hard to develop better RFID standards that allow data to be exchanged and processed at higher and higher speeds.

[0005] While great strides have been made in developing improved RFID standards, many industries and users have existing legacy systems and products that rely on products with RFID chips that use existing RFID standards. It may not be economically feasible to implement new systems or products that use RFID chips that contain newer RFID standards if that means replacing existing systems and products that use RFID chips that contain older RFID standards. Similarly, if products that use newer RFID standards offer desirable benefits, it may not be economically feasible to continue using existing systems and products that use older RFID standards because managing or supporting different products that use different RFID standards may be too costly and / or undesirable (e.g., it may cause confusion for customers, employees, workflows, etc.). Summary of the invention

[0006] Thus, an RFID-enabled product is provided that includes multiple (e.g., two) different embedded layers therein. For example, the RFID-enabled product may include: a first embedded layer that includes an RFID chip that employs a first RFID protocol (e.g., an older RFID protocol); and a second embedded layer that includes an RFID chip that uses a second RFID protocol (e.g., a newer RFID protocol). Such an RFID-enabled product allows a given user / environment to include or employ some devices that are operable to utilize / read the first RFID protocol and some devices that are operable to utilize / read the second RFID protocol without requiring two different sets of RFID-enabled products (e.g., one set equipped with the first RFID protocol for use with devices that are operable to read the first RFID protocol, and a second set equipped with the second RFID protocol for use with devices that are operable to read the second RFID protocol). It should be understood that although the embodiments described herein involve two (2) RFID protocols, any number of different RFID protocols greater than one is within the scope of the invention described herein.

[0007] In some embodiments, a dual-standard RFID token for one or more electronic table systems includes a carrier body and a first RFID chip and a second RFID chip mounted relative to the carrier body. The one or more RFID chips are encoded using a first RFID standard and a second RFID standard different from the first RFID standard.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first RFID standard is a Mode 2 RFID standard and the second RFID standard is a Mode 3 RFID standard.

[0009] According to some embodiments, a first embedded layer is mounted to a carrier body, wherein the first embedded layer includes a first RFID chip encoded using a first RFID standard. A second embedded layer is mounted to the carrier body, wherein the second embedded layer includes a second RFID chip encoded using a second RFID standard. The first RFID standard may be a Mode 2 RFID standard, and the second RFID standard may be a Mode 3 RFID standard.

[0010] In some embodiments, the carrier gasket is disposed between the first embedding layer and the second embedding layer within the carrier body.

[0011] According to some embodiments, a method includes registering a first RFID identifier of a first RFID chip and a second RFID identifier of a second RFID chip to a public record ID of a single dual-standard RFID token; wherein the method is performed by at least one processor coupled to a memory.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first RFID chip is encoded using a first RFID standard and the second RFID chip is encoded using a second RFID standard different from the first RFID standard.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method includes using a first RFID standard reader to read the first RFID chip to confirm that the first RFID identifier has been registered to a public record ID of a single dual-standard RFID token. In some embodiments, the first RFID chip is encoded using a Mode 2 RFID standard, and wherein the first RFID standard reader is a Mode 2 standard reader.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method includes using a second RFID standard reader to read the second RFID chip to confirm that the second RFID identifier has been registered to the public record ID of the single dual-standard RFID token. In some embodiments, the second RFID chip is encoded using the Mode 3 RFID standard, and wherein the second RFID standard reader is a Mode 3 standard reader.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the method includes assigning a public record ID to a single dual-standard RFID token, registering a first RFID chip identifier of a first RFID chip and a second RFID chip identifier of a second RFID chip to the public record ID, respectively, associating the public record ID with a player identity of a player, the player using the single dual-standard RFID token in a game participation activity at an electronic gaming table, using an RFID standard reader associated with the electronic gaming table to read one of the first RFID chip and the second RFID chip, associating the RFID chip identifier of one of the read first RFID chip and the second RFID chip with the public record ID, and updating a casino database to reflect the game participation activity of the player associated with the public record ID.

[0016] In some embodiments, registering the first RFID chip identifier and the second RFID chip identifier includes registering the first RFID chip identifier with a first RFID standard and registering the second RFID chip identifier with a second RFID standard different from the first RFID standard. In some embodiments, the first RFID standard is a Mode 2 RFID standard, and wherein the second RFID standard is a Mode 3 RFID standard. In some embodiments, reading using an RFID standard reader includes reading one of the first RFID chip and the second RFID chip using one of a Mode 2 RFID standard reader and a Mode 3 RFID standard reader.

[0017] In some embodiments, reading using the RFID standard reader includes reading a first RFID chip to obtain a first RFID chip identifier. In some embodiments, reading using the RFID standard reader includes reading a second RFID chip to obtain a second RFID chip identifier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings depict embodiments for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the systems and methods shown herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein;

[0020] Figure 2 is a top view of a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein;

[0021] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein;

[0022] Figure 4 is an exploded front view of a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein;

[0023] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein;

[0025] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for testing a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein;

[0026] Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for tracking gaming participation activity with dual-standard RFID tokens according to some embodiments described herein;

[0027] Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a system for implementing a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein; and

[0028] Fig.10 is a block diagram of a system for implementing a dual-standard RFID token according to some embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] I. Terms and Definitions

[0030] Terms and Definitions - The following terms will be used in the present description in accordance with the definitions below. The embodiments described herein are described with reference to specific use cases within a casino, such as table games that employ RFID-enabled products (e.g., casino tokens); therefore, some definitions refer to specific casino-related embodiments. It should be understood that the dual-standard RFID tokens described herein can be used in different contexts and use cases, and the casino embodiments cited herein are for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only.

[0031] Casino Tokens - Small discs used in casinos in place of currency. Prior to Applicant's invention, RFID-enabled casino tokens included a single embedded layer embedded therein, which embedded layer employed a single specific RFID standard (e.g., Mode 2 PJM). The improved casino token embodied in Applicant's invention will include multiple (e.g., two) embedded layers, each embedded layer employing a different RFID standard, such that the improved casino token can be read by a first reader operable to read the first RFID standard and by a second reader operable to read the second RFID standard (and also readers capable of reading other RFID standards if more than two embedded layers (i.e., RFID standards) are included in the casino token).

[0032] Inlay layer - The RFID chip, tag antenna and substrate are combined together and usually located on the surface of the film.

[0033] Phase Jitter Modulation (PJM) - PJM is a modulation method designed to meet the unique requirements of passive RFID tag technology. The Mode 2 PJM standard referenced in this article complies with the international standard ISO / IEC 18000 Part 3 Mode 2 and operates at a frequency of 13.56MHz. The Mode 2 PJM standard data rate is 423.75kbit / s.

[0034] Mode 3 standard - A newer RFID standard that also operates at 13.56MHz and is capable of higher data rates in certain applications. The air interface uses amplitude-shifted keying (ASK) modulation similar to ISO / IEC14443 and provides a higher-speed air interface (higher than ISO / IEC15693) and the ability to identify a large number of tags in the field. The actual performance is 100kbit / s for the tag and 424 or 848kbit / s for the tag (maximum speed). Slower rates are also available. There is also an optional PJM mode that provides 212kbit / s for the tag and a tag speed of 106 / channel.

[0035] Reader (also called interrogator or RFID reader) - Hardware (such as may be located in an RFID-enabled tabletop game, counter (cage) or other location) placed in a location where it can read items equipped with RFID chips. A reader may consist of a scanner and one or more antennas (called reader antennas) that are operable to send and / or receive signals, power passive RFID tags, and / or communicate with and receive information from RFID tags.

[0036] The RFID chip (also referred to herein as a silicon chip or integrated chip "IC") is responsible for data storage (e.g., storing a casino token ID) and processing logic based on the corresponding protocol. The RFID chip is manufactured according to a specific RFID standard. The RFID chip can be designed for a specific RFID standard, such as the Mode 2 (PJM) RFID standard (referred to herein as a Mode 2 RFID chip) or the Mode 3 standard (referred to herein as a Mode 3 RFID chip). In the embodiments described herein that have specific applications in a casino environment, a casino token that includes both a Mode 2 RFID chip and a Mode 3 RFID chip is referred to as a dual-standard RFID casino token.

[0037] RFID tag (also simply called a "tag") - consists of an RFID chip coupled to a tag antenna.

[0038] Substrate - The substance that holds the tag antenna and RFID chip together, typically silicon in the applications described herein. A silicon substrate is an example of a substrate, and the use of the term "substrate" is intended to encompass silicon substrates herein.

[0039] Tag Antenna - The antenna or antenna coil in an RFID tag that is part of a specific embedding layer and is responsible for receiving and transmitting signals from a reader / interrogator. The tag antenna typically has a dual function - a) generating voltage to power the RFID chip and b) sending and receiving data from the RFID reader.

[0040] II. Overview

[0041] Various items tracked and identified by RFID technology, such as RFID-enabled casino tokens that currently use a specific RFID standard (e.g., Mode 2PJM). This means that the items include an embedding layer and / or RFID tag that uses a specific RFID standard, and the antenna reader in the RFID-enabled system that tracks the items (e.g., in a casino, an RFID-enabled casino game table that uses RFID-enabled casino tokens, which has antenna readers at one or more locations of player locations, game host locations, shared game participation locations, token trays, counters where players can purchase or redeem tokens, and carts used to transport casino tokens within the casino) is configured to read data encoded on a chip that uses a given RFID standard. For example, a casino that uses casino tokens embedded with an embedding layer that uses a specific Mode 2PJM standard also utilizes a system that includes a reader antenna that is configured to read casino tokens encoded using the Mode 2PJM standard. For some casino applications, a newer RFID standard has been developed, the Mode 3 standard, which has many advantages. Development work related to the Mode 3 standard is currently underway and it is expected that certain product applications (such as the casino industry) may increasingly use items that adopt the Mode 3 standard.

[0042] Applicants have recognized that, in certain circumstances, it would be advantageous to develop methods and systems that would enable businesses that currently use items encoded using a first RFID standard (e.g., the Mode 2 PJM standard that is popular in casinos and used on casino tokens) to upgrade at least some of their RFID-enabled products and systems to items encoded using a second RFID standard (e.g., the Mode 3 standard) without incurring unnecessary cost and complexity for an environment that includes tracking some items that are only encoded using (and therefore traceable to) the first RFID standard and tracking other items that are only encoded using (and therefore traceable to) the second RFID standard. For example, it may be beneficial for a casino to use casino tokens encoded using the Mode 2 PJM standard for some RFID-enabled table games while using casino tokens encoded using the Mode 3 standard for other RFID-enabled table games. Using two different types of RFID-enabled casino tokens in a given casino or gaming venue / environment may be confusing to patrons, staff, and systems because of the need to distinguish between the two tokens and be able to identify whether a given casino token is a Mode 2 PJM casino token or a Mode 3 casino token. In this context, any type of mix-up or additional processing power required could result in accounting errors or unacceptable delays, while in a casino any delay could result in frustrated customers and / or reduced gaming speed (and therefore revenue).

[0043] For example, in casino applications, some casino equipment manufacturers sell RFID-enabled table games (e.g., card games, roulette games, or poker games), and the readers equipped with the RFID-enabled table games are currently operable to read casino tokens that include a Mode 2 RFID chip. An example of such an RFID-enabled table game is described in Applicant's PCT patent application number PCT / US2016 / 032797, filed on May 16, 2016 in the name of Moore et al., entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UTILIZING RFID TECHNOLOGY TO FACILITATE A GAMING SYSTEM" (published as WO2016187164, published on November 24, 2016), i.e., "Applicant's '164 PCT publication", which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0044] Applicants have recognized that for certain specific applications in a given casino, casino operators may benefit from introducing products equipped with readers that are configured to read casino tokens that include Mode 3 RFID chips. Applicants have recognized that gaming device manufacturers whose products use the Mode 2 PJM standard would be more competitive and / or a more attractive option for casinos if they could provide a cost-effective way for casinos to continue to use casino tokens that use the Mode 2 PJM standard and readers that can be manipulated to read the Mode 2 PJM standard while also allowing for the installation / use of products and devices that support casino tokens that use the newer Mode 3 standard for certain applications without incurring the significant cost of purchasing two different sets of casino tokens and the undesirable consequences of using two different types of casino tokens (one set encoded using the Mode 2 PJM standard and the other set encoded using the Mode 3 standard) in a casino environment. Purchasing a set of casino tokens is a significant expense for casinos, and requiring casinos to purchase both a Mode 2 PJM set of casino tokens and a Mode 3 set of casino tokens is impractical. In addition to the cost factor, if casino tokens encoded using the Mode 2 PJM standard are used in the same casino as casino tokens encoded using the Mode 3 standard, it will increase confusion and slow down the game (for example, a player may place a Mode 2 casino token on a table that can only read Mode 3 and need to be informed that it is the wrong token and cannot participate in the game at that table, which may cause the player to leave and not return to play).

[0045] III. Detailed Description of Some Embodiments

[0046] According to some embodiments, the design and manufacture of casino tokens include multiple (e.g., two) RFID protocols. For example, the casino tokens are designed and manufactured to be encoded using both the Mode 2 PJM standard and the Mode 3 standard, so that the casino tokens can be read by either a Mode 2 PJM reader or a Mode 3 reader.

[0047] According to some embodiments, casino tokens may be encoded using both the Mode 2 PJM standard and the Mode 3 standard (a "dual standard RFID casino token") by including a Mode 2 PJM embedding layer (also referred to as a "Mode 2" embedding layer) and a Mode 3 embedding layer (also referred to as a "Mode 3" embedding layer) in the casino token. For example, one embedding layer may be laminated on top of another embedding layer (possibly with a carrier layer in between, such as a 0.5-thousandth of an inch polyester film).

[0048] Figures 1 to 5 An exemplary design of a dual-standard RFID token 50 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. The dual-standard RFID token 50 includes an outer carrier body 52 defining a body interior 54 and opposing sides 56 secured to the outer body 52. ​​The outer carrier body 52 can have a lower body wall 52a coupled to one of the opposing sides 56. In some embodiments, the opposing side 56, opposite the lower body wall 52a, surrounds the body interior 54. Figure 3 and Figure 4, for clarity, the opposing side 56 is not shown. The carrier body 52 can be made of any suitable RF transmissive material (including suitable RF transmissive polymer materials). The thickness and diameter of the outer carrier body are approximately 3.33 millimeters (mm) and 40 millimeters (mm), respectively; however, other dimensions are also contemplated. The opposing side 56 may include one or more decals or markings, such as representing the name and logo of the casino, value, game type, etc., as well as information about the dual-standard RFID token 50, such as its unique identifier and / or chipset identifier. A first embedding layer 58 and a second embedding layer 60 separated by a carrier gasket 62 are disposed within the interior 54 of the body carrier 52. The first embedding layer 58 is a mode 2 embedding layer, which includes a substrate and a standard RFID chip with an antenna using mode 2 encoding. The second embedding layer 60 is a mode 3 embedding layer, which includes a substrate and a standard RFID chip with an antenna using mode 3 encoding. The first embedded layer 58 and the second embedded layer 60 may define a thickness ranging from about 0.24 millimeters (mm) to about 0.32 millimeters (mm), from about 0.24 millimeters (mm) to or about 0.28 millimeters (mm); however, other sizes are also contemplated. A carrier gasket 62 may be in contact with the first embedded layer 58 and the second embedded layer 60. The carrier gasket 62 may be made of a suitable RF transparent polymer material. The carrier gasket 62 may define a thickness ranging from about 0.45 millimeters (mm) to about 0.55 millimeters (mm), or from about 0.45 millimeters (mm) to about 0.50 millimeters (mm). Other sizes are also contemplated.

[0049] Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment of the components of the embedding layers 58, 60 of the dual-standard RFID token 50 according to some embodiments is schematically illustrated. Figure 6In the figure, for ease of illustration, only one embedding layer 58, 60 is shown. Each embedding layer 58, 60 includes a substrate 62a, 62b and an RFID tag mounted relative to the substrate 62a, 62b. The RFID tag can be passive or active. The RFID tag includes an RFID chip 66a, 66b and an antenna 68a, 68b coupled to the RFID chip 66a, 66b. Each RFID chip 66a, 66b includes a memory 70a, 70b and an electronic circuit or processor 72a, 72b. In an active RFID tag, the embedding layer 58, 60 may include a battery 74. As described above, in some embodiments, the first embedding layer 58 is a mode 2 embedding layer, in which the RFID chip 66a is a mode 2 standard RFID chip, and the second embedding layer 60 is a mode 3 embedding layer, in which the RFID chip 66b is a mode 3 standard RFID chip. When using any embedding layer 58, 60, the electronic processor 72a, 72b and the antenna 68a, 68b act as a transponder capable of responding to an interrogator (not shown). In essence, the electromagnetic signal emitted by the interrogator impacts the antenna 68a, 68b to excite the current in the electronic processor 72a, 72b. In response to the excitation current, the electronic processor 72a, 72b causes the antenna 68 to emit a second electromagnetic signal in response, which is received by the interrogator. The second signal is encoded with identification information about the RFID component 50 so that the interrogator can identify the dual-standard RFID token 50 when receiving the second signal. The second signal can be generated passively or actively. In embodiments involving passive RFID chips 66a, 66b described herein, the energy from the interrogation signal provides sufficient power for the electronic processor 72a, 72b to send the second signal. In embodiments utilizing active RFID chips 66a, 66b, the electronic processor 72a, 72b may include a battery or other power source for powering the generation of the second signal.

[0050] In some embodiments, the RFID chips 66a, 66b may be mounted on a single substrate including multiple chips 66a, 66b. In some embodiments, the RFID chips 66a, 66b may be mounted side by side on a single substrate.

[0051] Using the dual-standard RFID casino token assembly described herein, a casino can flexibly equip its casino tables so that some casino tables are equipped with Mode 2 readers and some casino tables are equipped with Mode 3 readers, so that those gaming applications that have advantages under the Mode 3 standard can use the Mode 3 standard on the same casino token, and the casino token can also be used on another gaming table that uses the Mode 2 PJM standard. The dual-standard RFID token described herein also allows a given casino table to use both a Mode 2 PJM reader and a Mode 3 reader. For example, in one illustrative application, the player position and the game host position of an RFID-enabled table game can be equipped with a Mode 3 reader, while the token tray can be equipped with a Mode 2 PJM reader.

[0052] According to some embodiments, dual-standard RFID tokens require modifications to existing casino token manufacturing and tracking processes to account for the fact that two different RFID standards are included on a given casino token.

[0053] For example, each RFID chip 66a, 66b of the embedding layer 58, 60 is encoded with a unique / unique casino token identifier ("ID"). Therefore, in at least one embodiment, the dual-standard RFID token 50 will be associated / encoded with two different RFID chip IDs, both of which point to the same physical casino token. It is also contemplated that the dual-standard RFID token 50 may include more than two embedding layers and RFID chips.

[0054] In another example, adjustments to the manufacturing process may include providing two (or more, depending on the number of RFID standards included in the casino tokens) programming stations (one for each standard) to program the RFID chip 66a, 66b in each embedding layer 58, 60 according to the appropriate RFID standard. Additionally, once each embedding layer 58, 60 is added and programmed, the manufacturing process should include a different validation / reading step for each standard to ensure that each standard on the same chip points to the same value.

[0055] For example, Figure 7An exemplary method of manufacturing one or more dual-standard RFID tokens 50 according to some embodiments is shown. The process 100 includes programming the RFID chip 66a of the encoded first embedding layer 58 (e.g., the embedding layer of mode 2) with a first unique identifier at a first programming station (step 102), and programming the RFID chip 66b of the encoded second embedding layer 60 (e.g., the embedding layer of mode 3) with a second unique identifier at a second programming station (step 104). In some embodiments, the first programming station and the second programming station may include the same programming station or be located at the same location. In some embodiments, the first programming station and the second programming station are different. In step 106, the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier are associated with or registered to a given single dual-standard RFID token 50. In some embodiments, the first unique identifier and the second unique identifier are associated with a public record identifier (ID) or value, which is associated with a given dual-standard RFID token 50. In some embodiments, the public record ID or value is an alphanumeric value assigned to a given dual-standard RFID token 50 of a given entity and recorded in a casino database. In some embodiments, the method may include assigning a public record ID to the dual-standard RFID token 50. In step 108, the first embedding layer 58 and the second embedding layer 60 are assembled into the carrier housing 52 with the carrier layer 56 disposed therebetween to form the given dual-standard RFID token 50. Thereafter, the assembled given dual-standard RFID token 50 is subjected to one or more test reader processes to ensure that the unique identifiers of the RFID chip 66a of the first embedding layer 58 and the RFID chip 66b of the second embedding layer 60 reference or are associated with the public record ID of the given dual-standard RFID token 50. In some embodiments, the assembled given dual-standard RFID token 50 is subjected to a first test reader including a mode 2 PJM reader to ensure that the unique identifier of the encoded RFID chip 66a of the first embedding layer 58 (i.e., the embedding layer of the mode 2 PJM) points to or is registered with the public record ID of the given dual-standard RFID token 50. (Step 110) The assembled given dual-standard RFID token 50 is then sent to a second test reader, including a Mode 3 reader, to ensure that the unique identifier of the encoded RFID chip 66b of the second embedding layer 60 (i.e., the Mode 3 embedding layer) points to or is registered with the public record ID of the given dual-standard RFID token 50. (Step 112) After verifying the registration of each unique identifier of the RFID chip 66a, 66b with the public record ID of the individual dual-standard RFID token 50, the chip can be distributed for use. Steps 102 to 112 can be repeated for each individual dual-standard RFID token 50.

[0056] Although process 100 is described in a particular order of steps 102 to 112, it should be understood that steps 102 to 112 may be performed in any order. In some embodiments, some of steps 102 to 112 may be performed simultaneously. It should also be noted that additional and / or different steps may be added to the steps described, not all of the steps described are necessary for any embodiment described herein, and in some embodiments, the steps may be performed in a different order. For example, but not limited to, the method may include assigning a public record ID to the dual-standard RFID token 50.

[0057] In another example, with reference to the tracking of dual-standard RFID tokens 50 within a casino, one or more process modifications may need to be implemented. For example, a centralized database is used to store and register multiple unique identifiers of RFID chips 66a, 66b to a single public record ID of a single dual-standard RFID token, that is, the unique identifiers of the mode 2 RFID chip 66a and the mode 3 RFID chip 66b within each given dual-standard RFID token 50 are registered to the single public record ID of the given dual-standard RFID token 50. In addition, various software programs and processes that use the public record ID may need to be updated to take into account the single physical dual-standard RFID token 50 that is now associated with multiple unique identifiers ID of the RFID chips 66a, 66b, so that the physical dual-standard RFID token 50 can be uniquely identified and tracked throughout the casino regardless of which RFID standard is used to read the physical dual-standard RFID token 50. For example, a unique database structure, such as the non-limiting example shown below, may be implemented that will store multiple unique identifiers for a given physical dual-standard RFID token 50 (these dual-standard RFID tokens can be collectively identified as being associated via a public record ID that the casino stores for each physical dual-standard RFID token 50 being tracked in its system). This can allow the casino system to receive a unique identifier of a first unique RFID chip read according to a first RFID standard (e.g., in a first gaming event) and associate it with an identifier of a second unique RFID chip previously read according to a second RFID standard (e.g., in a second gaming event) based on the record in the database, and treat the first RFID chip identifier and the second RFID chip identifier as corresponding to the same public record ID of physical dual-standard RFID tokens 50 involved in both gaming events.

[0058]

[0059]

[0060] For example, in the table, a public record ID (e.g., public record ID number 4217809) is assigned to a given dual-standard RFID token 50. The first RFID chip identifier (ID) 8055096E of the encoded RFID chip 66a of the first mode 2 embedding layer 58 of the given dual-standard RFID token 50 is associated with or assigned to the public record ID of the given dual-standard RFID token 50. The second RFID chip ID 42E624F of the encoded RFID chip 66b of the second mode 3 embedding layer 60 of the given dual-standard RFID token 50 is also associated with or assigned to the same public record ID. For each given dual-standard RFID token 50, the pairing of the first RFID ID of the RFID chip 66a of the mode 2 embedding layer 258 and the second RFID ID of the RFID chip 66b of the mode 3 embedding layer 260 with the same public record ID is valid. Thus, any activity that occurs within a casino using a given dual-standard RFID token 50 , whether tracked by a Mode 2 reader or a Mode 3 reader, is associated with the physical dual-standard RFID token 50 .

[0061] In another example, where a single physical casino token is associated with multiple RFID standards and therefore has multiple RFID chip IDs, where a single RFID-enabled table game is equipped with both a Mode 3 reader (e.g., at the player location) and a Mode 2 reader (e.g., in the token tray), software modifications may be required to the system used to track physical casino tokens on such a table. For example, some RFID-enabled table games are operable to determine token tray differences and associate them with differences caused by specific player locations (as described in Applicant's '164 PCT patent publication (cited above)). In such a system (or other systems that use casino token IDs for various purposes), this situation may require a software program update or module to enable the system to convert events read at the player location using a Mode 3 reader and the casino token read / identified to data read by a Mode 2 PJM reader in the token tray. Such modifications may include accessing a database or table that associates two different RFID chip IDs with the public record ID of a given casino dual-standard RFID token 50, and thus with the given chip itself.

[0062] In addition, casino tokens can be assigned or registered to specific players, for example, at the time of buying in (e.g., when a player exchanges monetary value to purchase casino tokens) or when a player wins casino tokens for participating in a game. A specific player has a unique player identity (hereinafter referred to as "player identifier") associated with it, which is assigned to the player by the casino. For example, a casino employee who provides casino tokens to a player will register the player identifier of the player who purchased the dual-standard RFID token 50 as being associated with each corresponding dual-standard RFID token 50 provided to the player (e.g., after the employee enters the player identifier using an RFID reader, scans each chip). This information is uploaded and stored in the casino database. The player identifier associated with a given casino token may change over time because the casino first provides the casino token to the first player (e.g., provided by the game host at the gaming table when the player initially buys in, or provided at the casino counter), and then if the player loses the casino token due to participating in the game, and then provides the casino token to the second player due to winning the game. U.S. Patent No. 9,694,272 filed by Moore et al., entitled “RFID-ENABLED SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING TABLE GAMES”, issued on July 4, 2017, application No. 14 / 994,127 filed on January 12, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 813,151 filed by Moore et al., entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UTILIZING RFID TECHNOLOGY TO FACILITATEA GAMING SYSTEM” filed on November 14, 2017, describe various methods and supporting systems for assigning, changing, and tracking player identifiers associated with casino token identifiers. Each of these patent applications is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, particularly for supporting and enabling systems and methods for assigning, changing, and tracking which player identifier, if any, is associated with a given casino token at any given time.

[0063] Figure 8A process or method for mapping activities associated with one or more dual-standard RFID tokens 50 to a specific player having a player identifier is shown. The process 200 initially includes assigning a unique public record ID to a dual-standard RFID token 50 having a first RFID chip 66a encoded with a first RFID standard and a second RFID chip 66b encoded with a second RFID standard, respectively. (Step 202) The assignment of the public record ID can be performed during the initial programming phase of the process. In some embodiments, the first RFID chip 66a is encoded with a mode 2 RFID standard, while the second RFID chip 66b is encoded with a mode 3 RFID standard. The first RFID chip 66a and the second RFID chip 66b can be components of a first embedding layer 58 and a second embedding layer 60 mounted on a carrier body of the dual-standard RFID token 50. In step 204, the respective unique identifiers (RFID IDs) of the first RFID chip 66a and the second RFID chip 66b are associated or registered with the public record ID of the given dual-standard RFID token 50. The RFID IDs may be assigned to the first RFID chip 66a and the second RFID chip 66b during programming of the first embedding layer 58 and the second embedding layer 60.

[0064] Continue to refer Figure 8In step 206, the public record ID of the dual-standard RFID token 50 is assigned or associated to the unique player identifier assigned to the player. The assignment or association may occur when the player purchases one or more dual-standard RFID tokens 50, or when the player receives one or more dual-standard RFID tokens 50 upon winning a game. The assignment may change over time during game play or winning of a game. U.S. Patent No. 9,694,272 filed by Moore et al., entitled “RFID-ENABLED SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING TABLE GAMES”, issued on July 4, 2017, application No. 14 / 994,127, filed on January 12, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 813,151 filed by Moore et al., entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UTILIZING RFID TECHNOLOGY TO FACILITATE A GAMING SYSTEM”, filed on November 14, 2017, describe various methods and supporting systems for assigning, changing, and tracking player identifiers associated with casino token identifiers. Each of these patent applications is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, particularly for supporting and enabling systems and methods for assigning, changing, and tracking which player identifier, if any, is associated with a given casino token at any given time.

[0065] In step 208, the player uses at least one dual-standard RFID token 50 in a game participation activity (e.g., at an electronic gaming table). The game participation activity may include, but is not limited to, placing at least one dual-standard RFID token 50 in a token tray on the electronic table to participate in a game or losing the dual-standard RFID token 50 in a game. In some embodiments, the electronic gaming table may include an RFID standard reader that can be used to track game participation activities, such as a mode 2 PJM reader or a mode 3 reader. The available RFID standard reader reads one of the RFID chips 66a, 66b of the dual-standard RFID token 50 associated with it or operable to read to determine the RFID chip ID of the read RFID chip 66a, 66b (step 210). For example, if there is a mode 2 PJM reader on the electronic gaming table, the mode 2 PJM reader will read the data encoded in the first RFID chip 66a of the embedding layer 58 of mode 2 to determine or identify the RFID chip ID of the first RFID chip 66a. If there is a mode 3 reader on the electronic gaming table, the mode 3 reader will read the data encoded in the second RFID chip 66b of the embedding layer 60 of mode 3 to determine or identify the RFID chip ID of the second RFID chip 66b. In step 212, the read RFID chip ID of the read RFID chips 66a, 66b related to the game participation activity is associated with the public record ID of the given dual standard RFID token 50. This at least associates the game participation activity with the player identifier and the player by assigning the public record ID to the unique player identifier specified for the player. In step 214, the casino database maintained by the gaming venue is updated to reflect the game participation activity of the player identifier, thereby reflecting the game participation activity of the player. For example, the game participation activity can be added to the record of the player identifier. In some embodiments, the player can participate in additional game participation activities at the same electronic table or other locations. With respect to additional game participation activities, at least steps 210 to 214 can be repeated to read the data associated with the first RFID chip 66a and the second RFID chip 66b through an available RFID standard reader, thereby tracking, recording and updating the casino database representing the game participation activities of the player.

[0066] In some embodiments, subsequent game play activity involves the RFID chips 66a, 66b of the dual standard RFID token 50 that were not previously read by the RFID reader. In some embodiments, the electronic table may include a first type of RFID standard reader and a second type of RFID standard reader as described above, for example, using a mode 3 reader to track the location of players and game hosts and a mode 2 PJM reader to track the token tray. The casino database is updated with each game play activity to track or monitor the player identifiers and player activities.

[0067] Thus, according to some embodiments, the dual-standard RFID token 50 can operate in conjunction with a Mode 2 PJM reader or a Mode 3 reader to track and record specific game play activity, player identifiers, and players occurring at an electronic gaming table, and can be used throughout a casino to track all of a player's game play activity and update a database accordingly.

[0068] Reference now Fig. 9 , which shows a system 300 that can be used to implement at least some embodiments described herein. The system 300 can, for example, include a system within a particular gaming venue that includes multiple smart tables for card games. According to at least some embodiments, the system 300 includes a table game server 320 (e.g., for managing tokens, players, and / or game activities at one or more connected smart tables), which communicates with one or more table systems 340 via a communication network 330. According to some embodiments, some table systems 340 can be equipped to read or process data using a first RFID protocol, while other table systems 340 can be equipped to read or process data using a second RFID protocol. Therefore, casino tokens including dual-standard RFID tokens (e.g., dual-standard RFID tokens 50) can be used for any table system 340.

[0069] The desktop game server 320 can communicate directly or indirectly with the desktop system 340 through a wired or wireless medium, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network or an Ethernet, a token ring, or through any appropriate communication method or combination of communication methods. Each desktop system 340 may include a computer (e.g., based on Any number and type of desktop systems 340 may communicate with the desktop game server 320, although in Fig. 9 Only three desktop systems are shown in the example.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the table game server 320 may be operable to store and / or utilize a centralized database to store and register multiple unique identifiers of dual-standard RFID tokens to a single public record ID of a single dual-standard RFID token (e.g., registering and / or tracking the unique identifiers of the Mode 2 RFID chip 66a and the Mode 3 RFID chip 66b within each given dual-standard RFID token 50 to a single public record ID of a given dual-standard RFID token 50, as referenced in the accompanying drawings). Figure 7In addition, the table game server 320 may store one or more software programs or modules for performing one or more processes using the public record ID and communicating with one or more table systems 340 using a database and / or program to determine, track and / or update data corresponding to a given uniquely identified casino token (e.g., the table game server may receive a unique identifier read using a first RFID protocol at a first table system 340 and access the data such as Figure 7 said desktop or database to determine a unique identifier for the same casino token according to a second RFID protocol).

[0071] Communications between the table systems 340 and the table game servers 320, and (in some embodiments) between the table systems 340, may be direct or indirect, such as via the Internet, a website maintained by the table game servers 320 on a remote server, or via an online data network (including commercial online service providers, bulletin board systems, etc.). In other embodiments, the table systems 340 may communicate with each other and / or with the table game servers 320 via RF, cable television, satellite links, etc.

[0072] Some (but not all) possible communication networks that may include network 330 or be part of system 300 include: local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet, telephone line, cable line, radio channel, optical communication line, satellite communication link. Possible communication protocols that may be part of system 300 include: Ethernet (or IEEE802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth, and TCP / IP. Communications may be encrypted in various ways well known in the art to ensure privacy and prevent fraud.

[0073] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that devices that communicate with each other need not constantly transmit data to each other. Rather, the devices only need to transmit data to each other when necessary, and may not actually exchange data most of the time. For example, a device that communicates with another device over the Internet may not transmit data to the other device for weeks at a time.

[0074] In some embodiments, a desktop game server 320 may not be necessary and / or preferred. For example, at least some embodiments described herein may be implemented on a standalone desktop system 340 and / or a desktop system 340 that communicates only with one or more other desktop systems 340 or dedicated server devices. In such embodiments, any functions described as being performed by a desktop game server 320 or data described as being stored on a desktop game server 340 may instead be performed by one or more desktop systems 340 or stored on one or more desktop systems 340.

[0075] Reference now Fig.10 , which shows a block diagram of a desktop system 400 consistent with some embodiments described herein. The desktop system 400 may include, for example Fig. 9 Table system 340 is shown. Table system 400 may be implemented as a system controller, dedicated hardware circuitry, a suitably programmed computer that is a component or peripheral of a table for facilitating card games, or any other equivalent electronic, mechanical or electromechanical device.

[0076] Desktop system 400 includes a processor 484, such as one or more Processor. Processor 484 can communicate with memory 490 and communication port 480 (e.g., for communicating with one or more other devices). Memory 490 may include an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and / or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), optical disks, tape drives and / or hard disks. Memory 490 may include or contain any type of computer-readable medium. Processor 484 and memory 490 may each, for example: (i) be completely located within a single computer or other device; or (ii) be interconnected via a remote communication medium (e.g., a serial port cable, a telephone line, or a radio frequency transceiver). In some embodiments, desktop system 400 may include one or more devices connected to a remote server computer to maintain a database.

[0077] The memory 490 may store a program 490A for controlling the processor 484. The processor 484 may execute instructions of the program 490A to operate in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The program 490A may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled, and / or encrypted format. The program 490A may include some necessary or desirable program elements, such as an operating system, a database management system, and a "device driver" that enables the processor 484 to interface with computer peripherals (e.g., an RFID-enabled token tray, an electronic card box, a camera, etc., any of which may provide data to the processor 484). Appropriate program elements are known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in detail herein.

[0078] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 484 (or any other processor of the devices described herein) for execution. Such media can take a variety of forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as memory 490. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wires, and optical fibers, including wires that contain a system bus coupled to processor 484. Transmission media can also take the form of sound waves, electromagnetic waves, or light waves, such as waves generated during radio frequency (RF), microwave, and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, any other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs, any other optical media, punch cards, paper tapes, any other physical media with a pattern of holes, RAM, PROMs, EPROMs, FLASH-EEPROMs, any other memory chips or cassettes, or any other medium that can be read by a computer.

[0079] Various forms of computer-readable media may be used to transmit one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 484 (or any other processor of the devices described herein) for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be stored on a disk of a remote computer. The remote computer may load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. The local modem of desktop system 340 may be operable to receive data on the telephone line and convert the data into an infrared signal using an infrared transmitter. The infrared detector may receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on the system bus of processor 484. The system bus may transmit the data to the main memory, from which processor 484 may retrieve the data and execute the instructions. The instructions received by the main memory may optionally be stored in memory 490 before or after execution by processor 484. In addition, instructions may be received through communication port 480 as electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals representing various types of information. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the instructions of program 490A may be read into main memory from another computer-readable medium (e.g., from ROM into RAM). The execution of the sequence of instructions in program 490A may cause processor 484 to perform at least some of the functions described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement at least one embodiment described herein.Thus, the embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

[0080] Memory 490 may also store at least one database, such as token state database 490B. In some embodiments, some or all of the data stored in database 490B described herein may be stored in part or in whole in one or more other devices (e.g., Fig. 9 In some embodiments, the token state database may store chip identification data and / or token state data (e.g., a unique chip identifier, a chipset identifier, a gaming venue identifier, a token value, a player identifier associated with the chip identifier, token validity, etc.). For example, the token state database may include a public record ID for the dual-standard RFID token 50 and the RFID chip identifiers of the RFID chips 66a, 66b of at least some or possibly all of the dual-standard RFID tokens 50 used in the casino. In some embodiments, the memory 490 may store additional data about the movement, location, or game participation activities of the dual-standard RFID token 50 that occurred, for example, on the tabletop. For example, a history of token movement (e.g., an indication of which antennas or tabletop game participation locations a particular token was acquired at, the time a token was acquired at a particular antenna, a determination of when a token is no longer at that antenna, etc.) may be stored (e.g., for determining shared game participation). In some embodiments, the history of token movement may be stored on another device (e.g., Fig. 9 In the memory of the desktop game server 340) (e.g., stored in a file-based archive log).

[0081] The processor 484 is also operable to communicate with one or more display devices: (i) a game host display 458 and a second display 470. The second display 470 may, for example, include a display for displaying historical results or other game information to the player. The game host display 458 may, for example, output the following information: a tray discrepancy alarm or an imbalance alarm notifying the game host of the absence of tokens in the RFID-enabled token tray and / or other information about the state of the game, including information about the state of one or more game participation or the state of the RFID-enabled tokens used on the table. In some embodiments, one or both of the displays 458 and 470 may include or have associated therewith a processor, memory, and program (and may be operable to transmit data to and / or from the processor 484). Any of the display devices 458 and 470 may include, for example, one or more display screens or areas for outputting information related to game play on the gaming system, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, or a light emitting diode (LED) screen. In some embodiments, any of the display devices 458 and 470 may include a touch screen.

[0082] As described herein, in some embodiments, an RFID-enabled token tray may include one or more readers or antennas for reading information from an RFID-enabled token placed in the token tray. In such an embodiment, the processor 484 is also operable to communicate with one or more token tray antennas 460A. The one or more antennas 460A are operable to read data (e.g., a chip identifier, a chipset identifier, etc. according to a given RFID protocol) from one or more tokens placed in the token tray. The one or more antennas or readers may be a mode 2 PJM reader or a mode 3 reader, which is operable to read the mode 2 RFID chip 66a and the mode 3 RFID chip 66b of the one or more dual standard chip assemblies 50, respectively.

[0083] The processor 484 is also operable to communicate with a shared location antenna 460C, which includes at least one antenna located at a shared or public game participation area for identifying tokens placed in (and removed from) the shared or public game participation area. In some embodiments, the processor can receive data about tokens placed in the public game participation area from the antenna 460 and determine that a particular player or a particular player position has engaged in a particular game based on this data and additional data stored in the memory (e.g., a player identifier or last player position associated with the token now acquired at the shared location antenna 460C). One or more antennas or readers can be a Mode 2 PJM reader or a Mode 3 reader.

[0084] The processor 484 is also operable to communicate with multiple antennas placed at the player positions on the table. In some embodiments, each player position of the table can have a corresponding player game participation area and a game host game participation area, and each such area can have an antenna associated with it for determining that a token has been placed in its area. In some embodiments, one or more antennas or readers can be mode 2PJM readers and / or mode 3 readers. The tabletop system 400 shows three player positions 456 (456a, 456b, and 456c), each of which has two antennas associated with it: a player game participation antenna 496a and a game host game participation antenna 498b. Each such antenna may be uniquely identified, for example, by (i) a unique identifier associated therewith, and (ii) an identification of a port or other component of the table with which the antenna is associated (e.g., the port into which the antenna is plugged may have a unique identifier associated therewith), and such unique antenna identifier may be transmitted to or recognized by processor 484 when chip information about a token acquired by the corresponding antenna is transmitted to processor 484, so that processor 484 may be programmed to determine at which player location and within which game participation area within that player location the token is placed. In some embodiments, a single player station 456 may include interrogators associated with two or more players. For example, one interrogator may be used for a first player playing a game at a table, while another interrogator may be used for a second player (e.g., a "later game participant") who may participate in the game together or jointly with the first player, may participate in the game remotely, or may participate in the game from substantially the same location, but whose tokens and game participation activities will be tracked separately. In some embodiments, the token state database 490B may store detailed data containing information about tokens identified on the table, these details being associated with the chip identifier of each token storing data (e.g., the token value, the chipset identifier, or other indicator of the class or characteristics associated with the chip), whether the chip identifier is stored according to the first RFID protocol or the second RFID protocol. Storing this data on the table may enable faster RFID scanning because the system does not need to acquire a large amount of data each time the table's antenna acquires or identifies a chip (e.g., only the chip identifier may be required, and other information may be looked up by the system from a local database or memory based on the chip identifier). According to some embodiments, data corresponding to a given dual-standard RFID casino token may be retrieved from the database based on the casino token's unique identifier, regardless of whether the identifier was read using an antenna equipped to read the first RFID standard or the second RFID standard, because the database may store the two unique identifiers corresponding to the respective RFID standards in association with these data.

[0085] Processor 484 is also operable to communicate with electronic card shoe 464. Card shoe 464 may be a smart card shoe, such as the IS-T1 sold by SHUFFLE MASTER. TM and IS-B1 TM Or MD1, MD2 or other such devices. Card box 464 can determine which cards are issued to which player station by the printed code (such as bar code) on RFID technology, image recognition, cards, etc. The embodiment described herein does not rely on any specific technology for identifying the cards dealt (or remaining cards dealt) in the card game. More information about the intelligent card box can be found in the patent No. 5,941,769 and 7,029,009 United States Patents, both of which are fully incorporated herein by reference, and publication No. 2005 / 0026681, 2001 / 7862227, 2005 / 0051955, 2005 / 0113166, 2005 / 0219200, 2004 / 0207156 and 2005 / 0062226 U.S. Patent Applications, all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. Instead of a smart card shoe, a camera, such as one used with pattern recognition software, can be used to detect which cards have been dealt to which player stations and which tokens have been involved in the game at a particular player station. German patent application number P4439502.7 teaches a method of reading data from playing cards for table games. U.S. patent application number 2007 / 0052167 teaches other methods, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0086] The processor 484 is also operable to communicate with a game host station antenna 460B, which includes one or more antennas placed in a game host area of ​​a corresponding table. The game host station antenna 460B is operable to detect an RFID-enabled token placed within its acquisition area, such as a token placed in the area by a game host for identification by the system, and then placed in a game host tray or handed over to a player.

[0087] In some embodiments, the processor 484 is operable to receive data read from a token (e.g., a dual-standard RFID token 50) via the RFID antenna 460A, derive or determine first information therefrom (e.g., the total value of the tokens within the token tray 460A), compare the first information to second information (e.g., the expected total value of the tokens that should be within the token tray 460A based on one or more transactions or events), and output an alert or message if the first information does not match the second information, or other conditions are met for outputting an alert or message based on consideration of the first information and the second information. The alert or message may be output, for example, via the game host display 458. For example, the processor 484 may receive data from at least one of the following: (i) at least one of the antennas 496a and 498b located within the player station 456a, 456b, or 456c (e.g., as an indication of the tokens placed to participate in the game), (ii) the shared location antenna 460C, (iii) the game host station antenna 460B, (iv) the electronic card shoe 464 (e.g., cards dealt for the game).

[0088] IV. Interpretation of the Rules and General Definitions

[0089] Many embodiments are described in this disclosure for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not and are not intended to be restrictive in any sense. It is apparent from this disclosure that the presently disclosed invention is broadly applicable to many embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention can be implemented by various modifications and changes, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although specific features of the disclosed invention may be described with reference to one or more specific embodiments and / or drawings, it should be understood that, unless otherwise expressly stated, these features are not limited to use in the one or more specific embodiments or drawings referenced.

[0090] This disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments nor a listing of features of the invention that must be present in all embodiments.

[0091] Neither the title (presented at the beginning of the first page of the disclosure) nor the abstract (presented at the end of the disclosure) should be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed invention in any way.

[0092] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "product" means any machine, product, and / or composition of matter as defined in 35 U.S.C. §101.

[0093] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," etc. mean "one or more (but not all) disclosed embodiments."

[0094] The terms "invention" and "present invention" mean "one or more embodiments of the present invention."

[0095] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, reference to "another embodiment" when describing an embodiment does not mean that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive of another embodiment (eg, an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment).

[0096] The terms "includes," "comprising," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0097] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more".

[0098] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "plurality" means "two or more." Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "herein" means "in this disclosure, including anything that may be incorporated by reference."

[0099] Unless expressly stated otherwise, when the phrase "at least one of" modifies multiple items (e.g., an enumerated list of items), the phrase refers to any combination of one or more of those items. For example, the phrase "at least one of a widget, a car, and a wheel" means: (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car, and a wheel.

[0100] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on.” In other words, the phrase “based on” describes both “based only on” and “based at least on.”

[0101] If a limitation in a first claim will cover one feature as well as multiple features (for example, a limitation such as “at least one widget” covers one widget as well as multiple widgets), and in a second claim that is dependent on the first claim, the second claim uses the definite article “the” to refer to the limitation (for example, “the widget”), this does not mean that the first claim covers only one of the features, nor does it mean that the second claim covers only one of the features (for example, “the widget” can cover one widget as well as multiple widgets).

[0102] Each process (whether referred to as a method, algorithm or otherwise) essentially includes one or more steps, and therefore, all references to the "step" or "steps" of a process have an inherent premise basis, that is, reference only to the term "process" or similar terms. Therefore, any reference to the "step" or "steps" of a process in the claims has a sufficient premise basis.

[0103] When an ordinal number (e.g., "first," "second," "third," etc.) is used as an adjective before a term, the ordinal number is used only (unless otherwise expressly stated) to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish the particular feature from another feature described by the same or similar term. For example, a "first widget" may be so named solely to distinguish it from, for example, a "second widget." Thus, the use of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" alone does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, nor any other characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the use of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" alone (1) does not indicate that either widget is before or after any other widget in order or position; (2) does not indicate that the widget appears or functions before or after any other time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget is more or less important or of lesser quality than any other widget. Furthermore, the use of an ordinal number alone does not impose a numerical limit on the feature identified by the ordinal number. For example, the use of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" alone does not indicate that there cannot be more than two widgets.

[0104] When a single device or article is described herein, multiple devices or articles (whether or not they cooperate) may also be used in place of the described single device or article. Thus, the functionality described as being possessed by a device may also be possessed by multiple devices or articles (whether or not they cooperate).

[0105] Similarly, when multiple devices or articles are described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device or article may be used in place of the multiple devices or articles described. For example, a single computer-based device may be used in place of multiple computer-based devices. Thus, various functions described as being possessed by multiple devices or articles may also be possessed by a single device or article.

[0106] The functions and / or features of a single device described may also be embodied by one or more other devices that are described but not explicitly described as having such functions and / or features. Therefore, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but may include one or more other devices that have such functions / features in other embodiments.

[0107] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, devices that are in communication with each other need not be in constant communication with each other. Instead, the devices need only transfer data to each other when necessary or desired, and may not actually exchange data most of the time. For example, a machine that communicates with another machine over the Internet may not transfer data to the other machine for weeks at a time. Furthermore, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[0108] The description of an embodiment with multiple components or features does not mean that all or even any such components and / or features are required. Instead, various optional components are described in order to illustrate various possible embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise expressly stated, no component and / or feature is necessary or required.

[0109] In addition, although process steps, algorithms, etc. can be described in order, these processes can be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any order or sequence of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily represent a requirement to perform these steps in this order. The steps of the process described herein can be performed in any practical order. In addition, some steps may be performed simultaneously, although described or implied as being performed non-simultaneously (for example, because one step is described after another step). In addition, the description of the process by the description in the accompanying drawings does not mean that the described process does not include other changes and modifications to it, nor does it mean that the described process or any of its steps are necessary for the present invention, nor does it mean that the described process is preferred.

[0110] Although a process may be described as including multiple steps, this does not indicate that all steps or even any steps are necessary or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise expressly stated, no step is necessary or required.

[0111] Although a product may be described as including multiple components, aspects, qualities, properties and / or features, this does not imply that all of these components, aspects, qualities, properties and / or features are necessary or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention include other products that omit some or all of the described embodiments.

[0112] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the enumerated listing of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive.

[0113] Likewise, unless expressly stated otherwise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category. For example, the enumerated list "computers, laptops, PDAs" does not imply that any or all of the three items in the list are mutually exclusive or that any or all of the three items in the list are comprehensive of any category.

[0114] The section headings provided in this disclosure are for convenience only and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure in any way. "Determining" can be done in a variety of ways, so the term "determining" (and similar terms) includes calculating, computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, database, or data structure), ascertaining, identifying, and the like.

[0115] As used herein, the term "display" is an area that conveys information to a viewer. The information may be dynamic, in which case an LCD, LED, CRT, LDP, rear projection, front projection, or similar device may be used to form the display. The aspect ratio of the display may be 4:3, 16:9, and the like. In addition, the resolution of the display may be any appropriate resolution, such as 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and the like. The format of the information sent to the display may be any appropriate format, such as standard definition (SDTV), enhanced definition (EDTV), high definition (HD), and the like. The information may also be static, in which case a display may be formed using painted glass. Note that static information may be presented on a display capable of displaying dynamic information, if desired.

[0116] The present disclosure relates to a "control system". As used herein, the term "control system" may be a computer processor coupled to an operating system, device drivers, and appropriate programs (collectively referred to as "software") that contain instructions that provide the functions described by the control system. The software is stored in an associated storage device (sometimes referred to as a computer-readable medium). While it is contemplated that a properly programmed general-purpose computer or computing device may be used, it is also contemplated that hard-wired circuits or custom hardware (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) may be used in place of, or in combination with, the software instructions to implement the processes of the various embodiments. Thus, the embodiments are not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

[0117] "Processor" refers to any one or more microprocessors, CPU devices, computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or similar devices. An exemplary processor is an INTEL PENTIUM or AMD ATHLON processor.

[0118] The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer, processor, or similar device. Such media can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memories. Volatile media include DRAM, which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wires, and optical fibers, including wires that contain a system bus coupled to a processor. Transmission media may include or transmit sound waves, light waves, and electromagnetic radiation, such as those generated during RF and IR data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, any other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs, any other optical media, punch cards, paper tapes, any other physical media with a pattern of holes, RAM, PROMs, EPROMs, FLASH-EEPROMs, USB memory sticks, dongles, any other memory chips or cassettes, carrier waves, or any other computer-readable media.

[0119] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in transmitting the sequence of instructions to the processor. For example, the sequence of instructions (i) may be transmitted from a RAM to the processor, (ii) may be transmitted via a wireless transmission medium, and / or (iii) may be formatted according to a variety of formats, standards, or protocols. For a more exhaustive list of protocols, the term "network" is defined below and includes a number of exemplary protocols that are also applicable herein.

[0120] It will be apparent that the various methods and algorithms described herein may be implemented by a control system, and / or software instructions may be designed to perform the processes of the present invention.

[0121] When describing a database, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that: (i) in addition to the described database structure, other database structures can be used; (ii) in addition to the database, other memory structures can be used. Any illustration or description of any exemplary database presented herein is an illustrative arrangement for information storage representation. In addition to the arrangement suggested by the table shown in the drawings or elsewhere, any number of other arrangements can be used. Similarly, any illustrated entries in the database represent only exemplary information; it will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the number and content of the entries may be different from those described herein. In addition, although the database is described as a table, other formats (including relational databases, object-based models, hierarchical electronic file structures, and / or distributed databases) can be used to store and process the data types described herein. Similarly, various processes (such as the processes described herein) can be implemented using the object methods or behaviors of the database. In addition, the database can be stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such a database in a known manner. In addition, while it is contemplated to use a unified database, it is also possible to distribute and / or replicate the database between various devices.

[0122] As used herein, a "network" is an environment in which one or more computing devices can communicate with each other. Such devices may communicate directly or indirectly via a wired or wireless medium such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or Ethernet (or IEEE802.3), a token ring, or via any appropriate communication means or combination of communication means. Exemplary protocols include, but are not limited to: BLUETOOTH TM , TDMA, CDMA, GSM, EDGE, GPRS, WCDMA, AMPS, D-AMPS, IEEE802.11 (WI-FI), IEEE802.3, SAP, IGT's SAS TM SUPERSAS TM OASIS by Aristocrat Technologies TM, SDS of Bally Gaming and Systems, ATP, TCP / IP, Gaming Device Standard (GDS) issued by the Gaming Standards Association of Fremont, California, Best of Class (BOB), System to System (S2S), etc. It should be noted that if a video signal or a large file is sent over a network, a broadband network can be used to reduce the delay that occurs when transmitting such large files, but this is not a strict requirement. Each device is suitable for communicating on such a communication device. Any number and type of machines can communicate over a network. In the case where the network is the Internet, communication on the Internet can be carried out through a website maintained by a computer on a remote server, or through an online data network (including commercial online service providers, bulletin board systems, etc.). In other embodiments, devices can communicate with each other through RF, cellular networks, cable television, satellite links, etc. Where appropriate, encryption or other security measures (such as login names and passwords) can be provided to protect proprietary or confidential information.

[0123] Communications between computers and devices can be encrypted in various ways well known in the art to ensure privacy and prevent fraud. Suitable encryption protocols for enhancing system security are described in Schneier's APPLIED CRYPTOGRAPHY, PROTOCOLS, ALGORITHMS, AND SOURCE CODE IN C (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2nd Edition, 1996), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0124] The present disclosure provides a description of multiple embodiments and / or inventions to those of ordinary skill in the art, some of which may not be claimed in the present disclosure but may be claimed in one or more subsequent applications claiming priority to the present disclosure.

[0125] Although several embodiments, examples, and descriptions are disclosed herein, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention described herein extends beyond the scope of the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples, and descriptions and includes other uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terms used in the description herein should not be interpreted in any limiting or restrictive manner simply because they are used in conjunction with the detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. In addition, embodiments of the invention may include multiple novel features, and there may not be any single feature that alone determines its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A dual-standard RFID token for use in one or more electronic table systems, the dual-standard RFID token comprising: A carrier body; as well as The first RFID chip and the second RFID chip mounted relative to the carrier body, the first RFID chip is encoded using a first RFID standard, and the second RFID chip is encoded using a second RFID standard different from the first RFID standard.

2. The dual-standard RFID token of claim 1, wherein the first RFID standard is a Mode 2 RFID standard and the second RFID standard is a Mode 3 RFID standard.

3. The dual-standard RFID token according to claim 1, comprising: a first embedding layer mounted to the carrier body and comprising the first RFID chip encoded using the first RFID standard; as well as A second inlay layer is mounted to the carrier body and includes the second RFID chip encoded using the second RFID standard.

4. The dual-standard RFID token of claim 3, wherein the first RFID standard is a Mode 2 RFID standard and the second RFID standard is a Mode 3 RFID standard.

5. The dual-standard RFID token of claim 3, comprising a carrier spacer disposed between the first embedding layer and the second embedding layer.

6. A method comprising: registering a first RFID identifier of the first RFID chip and a second RFID identifier of the second RFID chip to a public record ID of the single dual-standard RFID token; The method is executed by at least one processor coupled to a memory.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first RFID chip is encoded using a first RFID standard and the second RFID chip is encoded using a second RFID standard different from the first RFID standard.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising reading the first RFID chip using a first RFID standard reader to confirm that the first RFID identifier has been registered to a public record ID of a single dual-standard RFID token.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first RFID chip is encoded using a Mode 2 RFID standard, and wherein the first RFID standard reader is a Mode 2 standard reader.

10. The method of claim 7, comprising reading the second RFID chip using a second RFID standard reader to confirm that the second RFID identifier has been registered to a public record ID of a single dual-standard RFID token.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second RFID chip is encoded using a Mode 3 RFID standard, and wherein the second RFID standard reader is a Mode 3 standard reader.

12. A method comprising: Assigning a public record ID to a single dual-standard RFID token; registering a first RFID chip identifier of the first RFID chip and a second RFID chip identifier of the second RFID chip to a public record ID, respectively; Associating a public record ID with a player's player identity; Use a single dual-standard RFID token for player gaming at an electronic gaming table; reading one of the first RFID chip and the second RFID chip using an RFID standard reader associated with the electronic gaming table; associating the read RFID chip identifier of one of the first RFID chip and the second RFID chip with the public record ID; and The casino database is updated to reflect the game play activity of the player associated with the public record ID.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein registering the first RFID chip identifier and the second RFID chip identifier comprises registering the first RFID chip identifier having a first RFID standard and registering the second RFID chip identifier having a second RFID standard different from the first RFID standard.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first RFID standard is a Mode 2 RFID standard and wherein the second RFID standard is a Mode 3 RFID standard.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein reading using an RFID standard reader comprises reading one of the first RFID chip and the second RFID chip using one of a Mode 2 RFID standard reader and a Mode 3 RFID standard reader.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein reading using an RFID standard reader comprises reading a first RFID chip to obtain a first RFID chip identifier.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein reading using an RFID standard reader comprises reading a second RFID chip to obtain a second RFID chip identifier.

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