System for recognizing a gaming chip and method of use

Claim 1

A system for recognizing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface, said system comprising: at least one light emitting device which when energized emits light of a predetermined color; an energizing circuit for energizing said light emitting device; a calibration surface; when so energized, said light from said light emitting device striking said calibration surface, said calibration surface emitting reflected light; a light detector for receiving said reflected light; a detector circuit for detecting the presence or non-presence of a gaming chip; and, said energizing circuit periodically energizing said light emitting device when said detector detects said non-presence of a gaming chip.

Claim 2

A system for recognizing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface, said system comprising: at least one light emitting device which when energized emits light of a predetermined color; an energizing circuit for energizing said light emitting device; a calibration surface; when so energized, said light from said light emitting device striking said calibration surface, said calibration surface emitting reflected light; a light detector for receiving said reflected light; a detector circuit for detecting the presence or non-presence of a gaming chip; and, said energizing circuit periodically energizing said light emitting device when said detector detects said non-presence of a gaming chip.

Claim 3

A system for recognizing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface, said system comprising: at least one light emitting device which when energized emits light of a predetermined color; an energizing circuit for energizing said light emitting device; when so energized, said light from said light emitting device striking the surface of the gaming chip, the surface of the gaming chip emitting reflected light; said light emitting device energized a plurality of times; a light detector for receiving said reflected light; each time said light detector receives said reflected light from said of light emitting device, said light detector providing an output signal proportional to an intensity of reflected light; said output signals routed to an analog to digital converter which converts said output signals into a series of time-sequenced digital intensity values; said analog to digital converter providing said series of time-sequenced digital intensity values to a computer wherein an earliest portion and a latest portion of said time-sequenced digital intensity values are discarded.

Claim 4

A system for recognizing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface, said system comprising: at least one light emitting device which when energized emits light of a predetermined color; an energizing circuit for energizing said light emitting device; when so energized, said light from said light emitting device striking the surface of the gaming chip, the surface of the gaming chip emitting reflected light; said light emitting device energized a plurality of times; a light detector for receiving said reflected light; each time said light detector receives said reflected light from said of light emitting device, said light detector providing an output signal proportional to an intensity of reflected light; said output signals routed to an analog to digital converter which converts said output signals into a series of time-sequenced digital intensity values; said analog to digital converter providing said series of time-sequenced digital intensity values to a computer wherein an earliest portion and a latest portion of said time-sequenced digital intensity values are discarded.

Claim 5

A method for recognizing a gaming chip having a surface, comprising: providing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface; providing a plurality of pairs of light emitting devices, each said pair emitting light of a different color, an energizing circuit for energizing said pairs of light emitting devices, when so energized, said light from said pairs of light emitting devices striking the surface of the gaming chip, the surface of the gaming chip emitting reflected light, and a light detector for receiving said reflected light; energizing said pairs of light emitting devices in rapid sequential order; said light detector receiving and measuring said reflected light as each said pair of light emitting devices is energized; comparing said reflected light from said pairs of energized light emitting devices with a plurality of pre-established intensity profiles, said plurality of pre-established intensity profiles corresponding to a plurality of different denomination gaming chips; when said reflected light from said pairs of energized light emitting devices matches one of said plurality of pre-established intensity profiles, providing an indication of the denomination of the gaming chip; energizing said pairs of light emitting devices a plurality of times, resulting in a corresponding plurality of time-sequenced reflected light intensity values; discarding a first portion and a last portion of said plurality of time-sequenced intensity values; and, prior to said step of comparing, averaging a remaining portion of said plurality of time-sequenced intensity values.

Claim 6

A method for recognizing a gaming chip having a surface, comprising: providing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface; providing a plurality of pairs of light emitting devices, each said pair emitting light of a different color, an energizing circuit for energizing said pairs of light emitting devices, when so energized, said light from said pairs of light emitting devices striking the surface of the gaming chip, the surface of the gaming chip emitting reflected light, and a light detector for receiving said reflected light; energizing said pairs of light emitting devices in rapid sequential order; said light detector receiving and measuring said reflected light as each said pair of light emitting devices is energized; comparing said reflected light from said pairs of energized light emitting devices with a plurality of pre-established intensity profiles, said plurality of pre-established intensity profiles corresponding to a plurality of different denomination gaming chips; when said reflected light from said pairs of energized light emitting devices matches one of said plurality of pre-established intensity profiles, providing an indication of the denomination of the gaming chip; energizing said pairs of light emitting devices a plurality of times, resulting in a corresponding plurality of time-sequenced reflected light intensity values; discarding a first portion and a last portion of said plurality of time-sequenced intensity values; and, prior to said step of comparing, averaging a remaining portion of said plurality of time-sequenced intensity values.