Abstract: A gaming table includes a network analyzer. The network analyzer detects antenna reflection coefficients faster than RFID tags can be read, enabling game state information to be monitored quickly.

Abstract: An RFID system includes multiple antennas and uses amplitude and phase information of the RFID signals received by each antenna to determine the position of RFID tags in the vicinity. More than one antenna can receive the RFID signals during a single read cycle, enabling the RFID system to operate more quickly than a system that energizes antennas separately.

Abstract: A system and method of locating gaming tokens on a gaming table. Two sets of overlapping antennas are arranged in intersecting directions. The system uses the data from intersecting antennas to determine the positions of the gaming tokens. Having overlapping antennas reduces dead spots.

Abstract: An RFID system includes multiple antennas and uses amplitude and phase information of the RFID signals received by each antenna to determine the position of RFID tags in the vicinity. More than one antenna can receive the RFID signals during a single read cycle, enabling the RFID system to operate more quickly than a system that energizes antennas separately.

Abstract: A gaming table includes a network analyzer. The network analyzer detects antenna reflection coefficients faster than RFID tags can be read, enabling game state information to be monitored quickly. The network analyzer detects changes in the reflection coefficients that result from movements of a human appendage, enabling the system to change game states in response to the detected hand movements.

Abstract: A system and method of locating gaming tokens on a gaming table. Two sets of overlapping antennas are arranged in intersecting directions. The system uses the data from intersecting antennas to determine the positions of the gaming tokens. Having overlapping antennas reduces dead spots.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring events in a casino. The system combines chip monitoring, card monitoring and video monitoring to identify problems, both in real-time as well as for historical review. The system uses the card information to transition between various game states in order to determine whether the chip actions are allowed, and to generate alerts when the chip actions are not allowed. The system also uses the card information to identify winning and losing bets in order to verify that the collections and payouts of chips are correct.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes an RFID gaming token with a ferrite core. When the RFID gaming tokens are stacked, the ferrite cores steer the flux field from the excitation antenna through the center of the annular antennas in each token. The resulting flux field increases the efficiency of the energy transfer from the excitation antenna to the passive tags. This increased efficiency also improves the data transfer to and from the passive tags. This increased efficiency allows for reading RFID gaming tokens at a higher stack height (or at a better error rate for a given stack height) as compared to existing air core gaming tokens.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) system with a shorting loop. The shorting loop at least partially surrounds the antenna. The shorting loop distorts the electromagnetic field generated by the antenna to improve the definition of the border of the read region of the antenna. In this manner, the RFID system provides more accurate discrimination between RFID tags inside the read region versus RFID tags outside the read region (i.e., improves the accuracy of determining that a particular RFID tag is inside the read region).

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes an RFID gaming token with a ferrite core. When the RFID gaming tokens are stacked, the ferrite cores steer the flux field from the excitation antenna through the center of the annular antennas in each token. The resulting flux field increases the efficiency of the energy transfer from the excitation antenna to the passive tags. This increased efficiency also improves the data transfer to and from the passive tags. This increased efficiency allows for reading RFID gaming tokens at a higher stack height (or at a better error rate for a given stack height) as compared to existing air core gaming tokens.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention improves the efficiency of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems and helps to extend the effective read range for certain configurations of closely spaced RFID tags. Specifically, an embodiment helps to minimize energy losses that result when there is excess energy from the excitation source. Various embodiments are directed toward using only as much of the excitation energy as necessary to power the RFID circuitry. An embodiment may have the benefit of making more of the excitation energy available to power other RFID tags nearby—thereby improving system performance and read range.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) system with a shorting loop. The shorting loop at least partially surrounds the antenna. The shorting loop distorts the electromagnetic field generated by the antenna to improve the definition of the border of the read region of the antenna. In this manner, the RFID system provides more accurate discrimination between RFID tags inside the read region versus RFID tags outside the read region (i.e., improves the accuracy of determining that a particular RFID tag is inside the read region).

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes an RFID gaming token with a ferrite core. When the RFID gaming tokens are stacked, the ferrite cores steer the flux field from the excitation antenna through the center of the annular antennas in each token. The resulting flux field increases the efficiency of the energy transfer from the excitation antenna to the passive tags. This increased efficiency also improves the data transfer to and from the passive tags. This increased efficiency allows for reading RFID gaming tokens at a higher stack height (or at a better error rate for a given stack height) as compared to existing air core gaming tokens.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) system with a shorting loop. The shorting loop at least partially surrounds the antenna. The shorting loop distorts the electromagnetic field generated by the antenna to improve the definition of the border of the read region of the antenna. In this manner, the RFID system provides more accurate discrimination between RFID tags inside the read region versus RFID tags outside the read region (i.e., improves the accuracy of determining that a particular RFID tag is inside the read region).

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention improves the efficiency of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems and helps to extend the effective read range for certain configurations of closely spaced RFID tags. Specifically, an embodiment helps to minimize energy losses that result when there is excess energy from the excitation source. This excess energy has the potential to damage the circuitry in RFID tags. A shunt regulator is often used to protect the RFID circuitry by clamping the voltage, but has the undesirable effect of converting this excess excitation energy into heat. Various embodiments are directed toward using only as much of the excitation energy as necessary to power the RFID circuitry.