Gaming Table Player Identification Using RFID and Barcode UIDs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing casino gaming table systems with electronic touchscreens struggle to uniquely identify multiple players interacting with the same touch screen, leading to difficulties in accurately registering individual bets and associating them with the correct players, limiting the effectiveness of multi-player applications.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with handheld user input devices (UIDs) that allow multiple players to simultaneously provide wager input data, using unique RFID chips or optical barcodes to identify each player and track their interactions, and integrating this data with an intelligent gaming table system to accurately record and process player inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a single electronic touchscreen is used at the gaming table, then the visual display capability is improved, but the ability to uniquely identify and track multiple players' inputs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual display capabilityVSAvoidplayer input identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RFID tags and optical barcodes as intermediary identification elements that bridge the gap between multiple players and the single touchscreen. These intermediaries are placed at different physical locations around the table, allowing the system to distinguish which player is interacting with the touchscreen even though only one display surface exists. The RFID reader and optical scanner detect these intermediaries to attribute touchscreen inputs to the correct player.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the player identification function from the display function. Instead of requiring separate touchscreens for each player, it divides the identification task among multiple RFID tags and barcodes positioned at different player stations. Each player has their own identification elements, allowing the system to track individual players while maintaining a single shared display surface for all players to view and interact with.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple players interact with the same touchscreen simultaneously, then the multi-player gaming experience is improved, but the accuracy of associating bets with individual players deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-player interaction capabilityVSAvoidbet association accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary identification actions by requiring players to place their RFID-enabled devices or scan their barcodes at designated locations around the table before they can place bets. This preliminary action establishes a clear association between the player and their betting position. The system records which player is present at which location prior to any touchscreen interaction, ensuring that subsequent bet placements are accurately attributed to the correct player even during simultaneous multi-player interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors RFID tag positions and barcode scans to provide real-time feedback about which player is currently active at which position. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically attribute touchscreen inputs to the correct player based on their current identified position, maintaining accurate bet association even as players move and interact simultaneously with the shared touchscreen interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 and independent tracking of multiple players' transactions and bets, mimicking traditional gaming table experiences while ensuring correct association of inputs with individual players, enhancing the functionality of multi-player table games.

Implementation Method 1

using unique RFID chips or optical barcodes to identify each player and track their interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

using unique RFID chips or optical barcodes to identify each player and track their interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11410490B2Gaming system including a gaming table and a plurality of user input devices

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Intelligent gaming tables and methods of providing game play through the gaming tables are described herein. The gaming table includes a table having a table surface, a plurality of player stations, and a common display configured to display gaming content to a plurality of players. The gaming table further includes an interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user input devices. The gaming table includes a gaming controller. The gaming controller is configured to communicate with the plurality of user input devices through the interface, receive location information relating to touches or contacts detected on the table surface, analyze the information relating to the touches or contacts, identify a user performing each of the touches or contacts with the table surface, and implement player input instructions contained within the information relating to the touches or contacts.