Method and apparatus for synchronization of proximate RFID readers in a gaming environment

A method for synchronizing radio frequency identification readers located in close proximity in a gaming environment, said method comprising:

• coordinating a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers according to a synchronization scheme;
• transmitting an interrogation signal according to said synchronization scheme;
• and
• receiving a response signal generated in response to said interrogation signal, said response signal including identification information for an RFID tag,
• wherein said synchronization scheme includes at least one of:
• coordinating electrical operation of said plurality of RFID readers using localized RFID reader managers;
• transmitting said interrogation signal from an active RFID reader and waiting for said response signal at a plurality of passive RFID readers;
• multiplexing an RFID reader with a plurality of antennas;
• using time division multiple access (TDMA) to transmit said interrogation signal from one of said plurality of RFID readers;
• using carrier detect multiple access (CDMA) to transmit said interrogation signal from one of said plurality of RFID readers;
• and
• using a quasi-random synchronization scheme to transmit said interrogation signal from one of said plurality of RFID readers.

A method for improved tracking in a gaming environment, said method comprising:

• positioning a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers in a gaming environment;
• coordinating said plurality of RFID readers according to a collision-avoidance scheme;
• transmitting an interrogation signal according to said collision-avoidance scheme;
• receiving a response signal generated in response to said interrogation signal, said response signal including identification information for an RFID tag;
• and
• tracking said RFID tag in said gaming environment based on said identification information.