Gaming Chip Tracking with UWB Anchors and Motion-Aware Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking gaming chips in casinos are inconsistent, burdensome, and prone to inaccuracies, making it difficult to monitor player activities and reduce theft, and existing systems like cameras and RFID have limitations in space and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) technology with anchors and tags that transmit and receive signals to track gaming chips, incorporating features like magnetometers, accelerometers, and NFC for precise location tracking and communication, and defining regions with specific frequencies to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cameras and RFID systems are used for tracking gaming chips, then tracking capability is provided, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical camera systems and RFID electromagnetic systems with ultrasonic acoustic fields for tracking. Tags emit ultrasonic signals that are detected by sensors, providing precise location data through acoustic time-of-flight measurement. This substitution achieves superior measurement precision and reliability compared to traditional camera or RFID systems, as explicitly stated in the background section.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts ultrasonic signal transmission parameters including frequency modulation and pulse timing based on tag motion state. When tags are in motion, the system increases signal transmission frequency to maintain accurate tracking, while reducing frequency when tags are stationary to conserve energy. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both precision and reliability across different operational conditions.
2Productivity
If human monitoring is used to track chips, then some tracking is achieved, but productivity and coverage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system operates autonomously without human intervention. Tags automatically emit ultrasonic signals and sensors continuously detect their positions, with the system self-managing all tracking operations. This eliminates the need for human monitors, dramatically improving productivity while reducing time loss, as human monitoring is described as 'arduous and burdensome' in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human visual monitoring with an automated ultrasonic detection network. Multiple sensors throughout the casino continuously track tags using acoustic signals, providing comprehensive coverage without human effort. This substitution enables simultaneous monitoring of entire casino floors, resolving the productivity and time loss issues inherent in manual monitoring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing RFID or camera systems are deployed, then tracking is enabled, but adaptability to different casino spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces line-of-sight dependent optical camera systems with ultrasonic acoustic field systems that can penetrate and reflect off surfaces. Acoustic waves propagate effectively through various casino environments including tables, chairs, and structural elements, providing consistent location accuracy across diverse spaces. This substitution enables superior adaptability to different casino layouts while maintaining measurement precision.
4Measurement precision
If high-frequency signal transmission is used for tracking, then location accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts signal transmission frequency based on tag motion state. When tags are in motion, high-frequency signals are transmitted to maintain accurate tracking. When tags are stationary, transmission frequency is reduced or suspended to conserve energy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between precision and energy consumption by matching signal intensity to actual tracking needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes in ultrasonic signal transmission including frequency modulation and pulse duration adjustment based on operational conditions. Tags transmit at higher frequencies when location updates are critical (during motion) and reduce transmission when stationary, optimizing the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption throughout the tracking process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, efficient tracking of gaming chips, allowing casinos to monitor player activities, reduce theft, and improve profitability by understanding player behavior and table performance.
Implementation Method 1
The tags may each include a magnetometer for detecting magnetic fields. The operations may further comprise obtaining data from the magnetometer to determine whether one of the tags is directly contacting another one of the tags.
Implementation Method 2
The tags may include an accelerometer. The operations may further comprise obtaining data from the accelerometers to determine whether the tags are at rest or in motion.
Implementation Method 3
tracking the location of the tags via transmission and receipt of UWB signals between the anchors and the tags
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a plurality of anchors fixed in a casino, the anchors configured to transmit and receive ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, a plurality of tags configured to transmit and receive UWB signals data, data processing hardware, and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that when executed by the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations that include tracking the location of the tags via transmission and receipt of UWB signals between the anchors and the tags, and instructing tags at rest to function as anchors to transmit and receive UWB signals with tags in motion.