Sequenced antenna array for determining where gaming chips with embedded rfid tags are located on a blackjack, poker or other gaming table & for myriad of other rfid applications

Abstract

An improved antenna system, method and apparatus for interrogating and locating RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags and other RF (Radio Frequency) devices, and various applications therefore and thereof, are disclosed. One embodiment is for reading and locating the physical position of RFID tags (such as is made by Phillips, Siemens's Infineon and Texas Instrument) that may be embedded in gaming chips (RFID gaming chips, such as is made by Gaming Partners International Corp.) used in a casino, TV or movie studio or elsewhere for wagering at table games and other gambling games including Blackjack, Poker, Craps, Baccarat and Roulette, but the invention may be used for various other RFID applications.

1 . A system for obtaining information associated with objects, the system comprising:
 an RFID device associated with each of a plurality of the objects, each of the RFID devices comprising unique information;   an optical bar code associated with each of the plurality of objects, each of the optical bar codes representing information related to a respective object with which the respective optical bar code is associated;   at least one antenna positioned at a given location to transmit interrogation signals for receipt by RFID devices associated with the objects and to receive interrogation response signals from the RFID devices associated with the objects responsive to the interrogation signals;   means associated with the given location for reading the optical bar codes associated with the objects and obtaining respective information represented by a bar code associated with a respective object; and   means coupled to the at least one antenna for providing the interrogation signals and for receiving and processing interrogation response signals to obtain the unique information associated with respective RFID devices.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising at least one other antenna associated with the at least one antenna. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , comprising at least a third antenna with a different coverage pattern than the at least one antenna and the at least one other antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least part of a third antenna is positioned between the at least one antenna and the at least one other antenna. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the means for providing interrogation signals comprises a computer algorithm which determines an excitation sequence which provides interrogation signals to two or more antennas. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the excitation sequence provides interrogation signals to at least one but less than all of the antennas. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the excitation sequence provides interrogation signals to two or more antennas. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for processing obtained respective bar code information and obtained RFID unique information to provide object information comprising the unique information and bar code information for respective objects. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the means for processing provides information related to the location of respective objects based on object information. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising the objects which include objects used in the playing of casino table games. 
     
     
         11 . A method for obtaining information associated with objects, each object having associated therewith an RFID device comprising unique information and an optical bar code comprising information associated therewith, the method comprising:
 at a given location, transmitting interrogation signals for receipt by RFID devices associated with the objects and receiving interrogation response signals from the RFID devices associated with the objects responsive to the interrogation signals;   processing the interrogation response signals to obtain the unique information associated with respective RFID devices; and   at or associated with the given location, reading optical bar codes associated with the objects and obtaining respective information represented by a bar code associated with a respective object.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising processing the interrogation response signals and the obtained bar code information to provide information related to the location of respective objects. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising the objects which include objects used in the playing of casino table games. 
     
     
         14 . A system for obtaining information associated with objects, the system comprising:
 an RFID device associated with each of a plurality of the objects, each of the RFID devices comprising unique information;   two or more antennas positioned at a given location to transmit interrogation signals for receipt by RFID devices associated with the objects and to receive interrogation response signals from the RFID devices associated with the objects responsive to the interrogation signals; and   means coupled to the two or more antennas for providing the interrogation signals and for receiving and processing response signals to obtain information comprising unique RFID information which is associated with at least one RFID device which is associated with at least one of the plurality of the objects.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , comprising at least a third antenna with a different coverage pattern than at least two other antennas. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least part of a third antenna is positioned between two other antennas. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the means for providing interrogation signals comprises a computer algorithm which determines an excitation sequence which provides interrogation signals to two or more antennas. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the excitation sequence provides interrogation signals to at least one but less than all of the antennas. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the excitation sequence provides interrogation signals to two or more antennas. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the means for processing provides information related to the location of respective objects based on interrogation response signals. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising the objects which include objects used in the playing of casino table games.