Modular Chip Tray Opening Mechanism for RFID Chip Inventory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chip trays for casinos face challenges in efficiently storing and managing different denominations of gaming chips, particularly in dual-level trays, which are difficult to open and require manual counting, leading to inefficiencies and potential maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular chip tray system with interchangeable chip tube components and a guided opening mechanism, including a single bar linkage, lever system, and spring-assisted opening, allowing for easy access and secure storage of gaming chips using RFID technology for tracking and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dual-level chip trays are used to store different denominations of gaming chips, then storage capacity and organization are improved, but the difficulty of opening and manual counting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chip tray is divided into multiple independent levels or compartments, each capable of being accessed separately. This segmentation allows the tray to maintain high storage capacity while enabling operators to open only specific sections rather than the entire tray, reducing the effort required to access chips of particular denominations.
Solution Approach 2:
The chip tray incorporates dynamic opening mechanisms where different levels can be opened independently or simultaneously based on operational needs. This dynamic design allows the tray to adapt between fully open for inventory management and partially open for routine chip dispensing, balancing security with ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If manual counting of gaming chips is performed, then inventory accuracy can be verified, but time consumption and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The chip tray system incorporates sensors and detection mechanisms that automatically monitor and report chip inventory levels and denominations. This feedback system provides real-time or periodic inventory updates without requiring manual counting, maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing the time operators need to spend on inventory verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting operations with automated detection systems such as optical sensors, RFID readers, or weight-based detection mechanisms. These systems automatically verify inventory accuracy, eliminating the time-consuming manual counting process while maintaining or improving measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more chip storage rows are added to accommodate different chip sizes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chip tray is designed with universal compartments or adjustable dividers that can accommodate multiple chip sizes and denominations within each storage row. This multi-functional design allows the same physical structure to handle various chip types, reducing the need for separate specialized rows and thereby lowering overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested or hierarchical storage structures where smaller compartments are positioned within or alongside larger ones, allowing efficient organization of different chip sizes. This nesting approach maximizes storage capacity and adaptability within a compact footprint without requiring a proportional increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A chip tray system can include multiple chip tube components. A first chip tube component in the chip tray can include one or more gaming chip storage rows corresponding to a first size of gaming chip. A second chip tube component in the chip tray can include one or more gaming chip storage rows corresponding to a second size of gaming chip. An edge of the first chip tube component can be coupled to an edge of the second chip tube component.